open access

Vol 14, No 1 (2020)
Review paper
Published online: 2020-05-08
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Origin and development of the family carers’ movement in the United Kingdom in the 20th century

Martyna Klimek1
·
Palliat Med Pract 2020;14(1):26-34.
Affiliations
  1. Fort Community Centre, Health and Social Care, 25 North Fort Street, EH6 4HF Edinburgh

open access

Vol 14, No 1 (2020)
Review paper
Published online: 2020-05-08

Abstract

The history of the carers’ movement in the United Kingdom began in the second half of the 20th century.
Demographic, social, and cultural changes in the UK made it necessary to define the role of a family carer
in light of the needs of an ageing population. The Carers UK organisation, together with government representatives
and researchers, fought for recognition and understanding of the challenges faced by carers,
recognition of the rights for carers, as well as adoption and dissemination of the term ‘carer’ in social
awareness. The main purpose of the essay is to show the origin of the family carers’ movement in the UK
in the 20th century, and the integration process of different entities. The presented information can be
an example for other countries facing similar challenges with informal care of those who are dependent
due to age or illness.
Palliat Med Pract 2020; 14, 1: 26–34

Abstract

The history of the carers’ movement in the United Kingdom began in the second half of the 20th century.
Demographic, social, and cultural changes in the UK made it necessary to define the role of a family carer
in light of the needs of an ageing population. The Carers UK organisation, together with government representatives
and researchers, fought for recognition and understanding of the challenges faced by carers,
recognition of the rights for carers, as well as adoption and dissemination of the term ‘carer’ in social
awareness. The main purpose of the essay is to show the origin of the family carers’ movement in the UK
in the 20th century, and the integration process of different entities. The presented information can be
an example for other countries facing similar challenges with informal care of those who are dependent
due to age or illness.
Palliat Med Pract 2020; 14, 1: 26–34

Get Citation

Keywords

family carer, caregivers, informal care, Carers UK, ageing society, palliative care, volunteering

About this article
Title

Origin and development of the family carers’ movement in the United Kingdom in the 20th century

Journal

Palliative Medicine in Practice

Issue

Vol 14, No 1 (2020)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

26-34

Published online

2020-05-08

Page views

1175

Article views/downloads

803

DOI

10.5603/PMPI.2020.0005

Bibliographic record

Palliat Med Pract 2020;14(1):26-34.

Keywords

family carer
caregivers
informal care
Carers UK
ageing society
palliative care
volunteering

Authors

Martyna Klimek

References (39)
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