TY - BOOK
T1 - The life course costs of caring
T2 - Understanding unpaid carers' financial wellbeing over time
AU - Watkins, Maxine
AU - Overton, Louise
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - This study, which interviewed 50 unpaid carers using a novel “critical event timeline” method, found that the financial impact of caring is a cumulative, life-long process that significantly threatens carers’ financial wellbeing and security across different life stages. The research revealed that financial insecurity is caused by the convergence of direct care expenses (e.g., travel), employment challenges (e.g., reduced hours, lost pension contributions), and systemic barriers to support, which together create a cycle of cumulative disadvantage that is intensified for those who already have lower savings or income.
AB - This study, which interviewed 50 unpaid carers using a novel “critical event timeline” method, found that the financial impact of caring is a cumulative, life-long process that significantly threatens carers’ financial wellbeing and security across different life stages. The research revealed that financial insecurity is caused by the convergence of direct care expenses (e.g., travel), employment challenges (e.g., reduced hours, lost pension contributions), and systemic barriers to support, which together create a cycle of cumulative disadvantage that is intensified for those who already have lower savings or income.
KW - Unpaid care
KW - financial wellbeing
KW - life course
M3 - Other report
BT - The life course costs of caring
ER -