FOR six years, Susan Allen couldn’t relax.

As her mum’s carer, she never knew what the next day – or even minute – would bring.

“I could leave the room and she was fine – then I’d return and she would be on the floor,” said Susan, from Islington in North London.

And she isn’t alone.

Around four million people in the UK provide care for their ageing parents (known as carents). And over the next decade, that figure is set to increase further.

And like Susan, many face an impossible decision between their career and carenting.

New research by the national organisation Carents has revealed a “staggering” number of Brits are choosing the latter.

The survey, carried out ahead of Carers Week, found over a fifth of adults caring for their parents had left work or taken early retirement.

“Our figures show the staggering scale in which adults are having their careers derailed due to the emotional pull of their caring duties,” said Dr Jackie Gray, founder of Carents.

“It shouldn’t and doesn’t have to be this way, and it is vital that there is more support provided to carents – for them to care alongside their career, rather than in place of it.

“And work isn’t just about pay. It provides structure, social interaction and mental stimulation and many carents don’t appreciate the long-term impact quitting work will have on their wellbeing.”

In Susan’s case, she managed to balance both roles until just two weeks before her mum’s death, in March, aged 96.

“I worked as a receptionist and I would worry about letting people down when I’d call to say I couldn’t come in as mum had suffered a fall,” added the 68-year-old.

“My employer was so understanding, but eventually it gets on top of you.

“Being her carer meant my life had to change, and I think a lot of people are unprepared for that. For example, I couldn’t have a long holiday – on my last one, I found myself coming home on the second day after mum suffered a fall.

“So you are never relaxed. It is always on your mind.”

In addition a separate survey of 500 UK employers found that 44 per cent of bosses believed that the decision from staff to retire early had a negative effect on their organisations.

“Typically, these staff are middle-aged and the vast experience and skills they’ve amassed simply can’t be replaced overnight,” added Dr Gray.

“And the sad reality is that once someone in their 50s or 60s leaves work, they rarely return.

“That is fuelling a massive brain-drain, with highly skilled and capable staff exiting the workforce years if not decades too soon.”

Those who support their elderly parents (carents) are the largest group (57%) of unpaid carers in Britain.

An estimated four million adults take on the role, and with a rapidly aging population, that figure is set to soar in the coming years with 900,000 more adults expected to take on the role in the next decade.

Yet for many, organisations such as Carents are a lifeline.

Launched by Dr Gray based on her personal experience and insights as a GP and medical Public Health expert, it provides a ‘one stop shop’ with free guidance and support to help keep themselves and their parents safe and well.

For more information, visit www.carents.co.uk