What, then, do we make of the substantial and growing literature on informal carers?

Ensuring that services providers make support for informal carers a high priority.

The value of the work undertaken by informal carers is difficult to estimate with precision.

As with other social groups informal carers are not a homogeneous group.

The process whereby a family member takes on the role of informal carer is not fully understood.

The most likely potential informal carers are other members of the elderly person's household.

The exploitation of informal carers especially women - does not appear to enter into the calculations.

Improve contacts with informal carers to access services they need.

We have also omitted the time of unpaid informal carers and their lost employment opportunities.

On finding a work/life balance, we must change the fact that currently 85% of informal carers are women.