One in five people give up work or take early retirement to care for family members.
Carers UK, which helps employers support carers through their Employers for Carers service, has developed an online network to help older carers extend their working lives and juggle their caring and work responsibilities.
The network has been designed to provide advice and information to carers, socially network them with peers to get advice and support, and signpost places where external support is available.
Carers UK has also been awarded funding by the Technology Strategy Board as part of its Assisted Living Programme, to develop this service further and add a range of online tools to support the caring relationship and logistics, creating a secure online personal network.
More information on the Age Unlimited programme and how it's exploring ways to extend work and social participation for people in their fifties and sixties