Improving support for adults caring for older parents
Project Background
This Facilitator Project focuses on improving understanding, recognition and support for adult children who care for their ageing parents, known as Carents. Often invisible within current health and social care systems, this group faces complex emotional, practical and financial challenges that are rarely addressed in a joined-up way. The project aims to centre their lived experience and explore what better support could look like.
Carents is the UK’s national organisation dedicated to supporting adult children who care for their ageing parents. This often-overlooked group, known as carents represents 57% of all carers in the UK, yet remains largely unrecognised. The Carents Room is a free digital platform and online community available 24/7, offering guidance, community, tools and resources
IMPACT Factfile
- Year: 2025 – 2026
- Delivery Model: Facilitator
- Four Nations: England
- Themes:
- Resources:
Project Updates
The project is focusing on the full impact of caring for a parent, including social and emotional wellbeing, physical and mental health, employment issues, financial pressures and identity. A key aim is to raise awareness of the term “carents” and to identify what practical, cultural and systemic changes could lead to better recognition and support for this group.
Marlene is in the first six months of the project and is currently spending time speaking directly with people who care for a parent across a wide range of caring situations, including: providing full-time, 24-hour care; supporting with shopping, chores and administration; organising appointments and professional care; and caring at a distance, sometimes from hundreds of miles away.
These conversations have already proved invaluable, offering rich insights into the diverse experiences of carents and the impact caring can have across many areas of life.
Marlene is currently keen to speak with adults who care for a parent. Conversations usually take place via a Microsoft Teams call and last up to one hour.
If you would like to take part or find out more, please contact Marlene at [email protected]
Meet Our Facilitator: Marlene Kelly
