One in seven family carers is on duty at least 28 hours a week

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One in seven family carers in the Netherlands finds their duties ‘extremely taxing’ and spends an average of 28 hours a week looking after a sick relative or friend, according to new research by the national statistics office CBS.

On average, carers spent eight hours a week looking after family or friends who need help because they are ill or handicapped.

Last year, 15% of the Dutch population over the age of 16 was involved in caring for a family member or friend for more than three months, but this rose to one in five of the over-40s, the CBS said.

The government has been keen to insure that the frail elderly spend longer living in their own homes with the help of family and friends to carry out basic tasks.

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