Survey Launched to Gather Carers’ Experiences on Isle of Man

Carers residing on the Isle of Man are being invited to share their experiences regarding the pressures they encounter and the available support, with the aim of informing future policies and services. Crossroads Isle of Man, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), has initiated a survey for carers to ascertain the challenges they currently face. A comparable survey was conducted two years ago, with its findings published in a report by Crossroads. This report subsequently contributed to the carers strategy that Tynwald approved in June. The current survey, which will remain open until 29 November, explores the effects of caregiving roles on health, wellbeing, financial stability, employment, education, and lifestyle, as well as the accessibility of support. The 2021 census revealed that over 4,869 individuals aged 10 and above were identified as providing care or support for someone with a long-term condition, illness, or disability. The results from the previous survey, conducted in 2022, indicated that the majority of its 560 respondents reported their responsibilities had negatively impacted their health and wellbeing, and many struggled to manage their role alongside work commitments. The organisation stated that this latest survey was designed to enable both itself and the DHSC to understand if and how the needs of carers have evolved, thereby facilitating a coordinated approach between the two bodies.