Published on June 27, 2005 at 5:02 AM
According to a new report in 30 years time one in five adults in Britain will be looking after a sick, elderly or disabled relative.
The new report into the "care crisis" facing Britain, says the ageing population means the number of unpaid carers is expected to rise from six million today to nine million by 2037.
The report which was published by Carers UK, says it highlights the critical need for enhanced community care services.
At present unpaid carers are believed to save the state in the region of £57 billion a year, by taking responsibility for the welfare of the sick, disabled or elderly.
Currently around one in 10 people looks after a relative on a regular basis, and within two decades Britain will be home to almost seven million people aged 75 or older.
http://www.carersonline.org.uk/