“Sandwich carers” with responsibility for both children and ageing relatives suffer years of poor mental and physical health, scientists have found, highlighting the impact of increased life expectancy and later parenthood.

The research will add to a growing debate about governments’ responsibilities to people who provide long hours of unpaid care, often saving the state money at a cost to their own health and finances. Those sandwich carers who provided 20 or more hours a week of care to older family members faced the biggest deterioration in their wellbeing, the findings showed.   

“It’s crucial that we recognise and support the unique needs of this growing group to ensure their health and resilience,” said Baowen Xue, leader of the research and an expert in epidemiology and healthcare at University College London.