Overview

• Europe 1 spotlights the largely unseen role of relatives who support a sick or elderly loved one daily, estimated at nearly one in six people nationwide and one in four among those over 60.
• Tasks range from occasional visits or financial help to intensive daily care such as preparing meals, assisting with dressing, and handling all communication for a dependent person.
• Women make up roughly six in ten of those providing this support, often balancing employment and household responsibilities under significant physical and mental strain.
• More than 500,000 minors are counted among these helpers, with testimonies describing teenagers managing bills, transport, and household duties for an ailing parent.
• With National Carers Day set for Monday, calls grow for respite and professional backup, even as experts and interviewees underscore the social and emotional value of this care.