The challenges facing the millions of unpaid carers

Looking after elderly people can take its toll without outside support

Isolation, loneliness, a lack of support - these are some of the issues facing the millions of unpaid carers in the UK.

Nearly three-quarters of carers have support needs that are not being met, according to new research.

The situation in Essex, where there are nearly 125,000 unpaid carers, mirrors that elsewhere in the country.

Andrea Levy is a carer for her husband, who has dementia

Andrea Levy, 69, is one of an estimated 15,000 carers in Southend-on-Sea. She looks after her husband, who has dementia.

Mrs Levy told BBC Essex about some of the challenges she faced.

"The average day is helping my husband get washed and get dressed, getting him up," she said.

"He runs around at night so my nights are disturbed, but that is part and parcel of what a lot of people are managing, and that's partners with dementia."

Does she get enough support for what she does?

"No, absolutely not. As a carer, you're isolated. With dementia, you lose your identity because it's 24/7.

"You don't get a holiday, you don't get Christmas or New Year. There's no time for yourself. It becomes very lonely."

The research by Carers First - a charity that advocates for those who work in the unpaid sector - has found that struggles for carers include balancing employment, finances and their own wellbeing as they juggle their caring commitments with their own lives.

This could have a negative impact on the health of the 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, as well as those they look after.

Young carers

Alicia Jones, 21, from Thurrock, Essex, has been caring for her mum since she was eight, and growing up she had to make a lot of sacrifices.

"I gave up a lot of time in my education because I went to appointments or stayed at home. It then put me behind a lot at school because I was giving up my education for my mum," she said.

"I look back and all of the warning signs were there, but they were ignored for so many years. It wasn't until it got to breaking point where I had to then reach out for help.

"Things then started to get put in place but if things had happened earlier, I think mentally I would have been a lot better, and it would probably have meant that I didn't fall behind as much at school."

'Ask us for help'

Lisa Saunders, operations manager at Carers First, said it was important that people sought help.

"There's lots of support. People don't know what services are available and it's really vital that a carer comes to us before they get to crisis point," she said.

"Two out of three of us will become a carer at some point. We need professionals recognising people are carers so they can get them support early in their caring role."