Carers spend an average of 12 hours every month coordinating the healthcare of their loved ones, taking responsibility for appointments, administration and emotional support, a survey has found.
Meanwhile the majority of carers have also neglected their own healthcare needs as they prioritise others, the Axa Health survey of 2,000 people found.
More than half of those with caring responsibilities for someone other than themselves (53%) admitted they had ignored or delayed medical treatment for themselves because they were too busy prioritising others.
Worryingly, 39% received a diagnosis they believed could have been caught earlier – a figure that rose to half (49%) among under-35s.
The research also found parents of children with special educational needs spent 29 hours a month managing care, while those with children living with long-term conditions spent 23 hours every month.
Women, single parents and families of children with special educational needs (SEN) were found to be bearing the greatest strain.
Almost half of women (48%) saw themselves as the household’s healthcare coordinator, compared with just a third of men (34%).
Two thirds of SEN parents (65%) said they always put others’ health first, with the same figure being forced to use annual leave simply to get their child seen.
For single parents, the pressure was found to be relentless, with 42% saying their child’s healthcare was more complicated because they carried the full responsibility alone.
Emotional toll
However, the emotional toll was found to be equally severe.
The majority of parents (52%) said they constantly put others before themselves, while half (49%) admitted their own health was always at the bottom of the list. More than one in three (37%) felt unable to prioritise it at all.
Stress also runs high, with 43% of parents who managed their child’s healthcare describing it as stressful, and almost one in five confessing to guilt or anxiety about taking time away from those they cared for, for their own appointments (19%).
However, the research also highlighted the potential of online care as a solution to better support the modern family.
Of the 21% who had used online healthcare and found it helpful, three in five (61%) said it gave them time back, almost one in three (29%) said it reduced stress, and a third (34%) said it helped them stay on top of their own health.
Immense pressure
Jason Elsom, CEO of Parentkind, said: “Parents today are under immense pressure to keep their families healthy, yet this research shows just how much of that responsibility comes at their own expense.
“Parents need practical solutions that recognise their time is stretched thin, which is why having access to flexible, online healthcare that fits around modern family life can make a difference. When parents are supported to look after themselves, they’re better able to care for everyone else too.”
Heather Smith, CEO of Axa Health Insurance, (pictured) said: “Too often, families are forced to choose between caring for others and caring for themselves.
“The government’s plans for an NHS online hospital are a really positive step towards making care more accessible and flexible – something we have championed.
“Online healthcare isn’t about replacing face-to-face care but about giving people choice and freeing up precious time.
“The private sector has a vital role to play in supporting the NHS by offering innovative, complementary services that help families stay well. When people can access care more easily, the ripple effects are clear – earlier intervention, fewer crises, and a stronger, more resilient health system overall.”
