Carers are being sought to fill 100 new jobs being created in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
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"This army of carers do not want to give away their family responsibilities, " he said.
Because so many of the carers are grandparents, many (73%) report long-term health problems or disabilities.
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The survey was carried out by Carers Week, which is made up of several different charities.
However, they praised the way relatives and carers were encouraged to be involved in patient care.
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Bristol Parent Carers group has set up a day for people to raise any issues.
"We wanted to let him be at peace, " said Dane Richards, one of his carers.
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Conventional long-term care makes the carers the stars of show, in the spotlight all the time.
Four Scottish councils pooled their resources last month to encourage potential carers to come forward.
Cornwall Council said there were more than 450 children and young people living with foster carers.
Her biggest concern, however, is for those carers having to cope behind closed doors.
Ms Thomas said that currently assessments and services for carers varied greatly across Wales.
Ulster Unionist John McCallister said there needed to be a further 150-200 long-term foster carers recruited.
As part of this programme, health checks will also be offered to eligible carers.
Any overhaul of the benefits systems would also "carefully consider" the needs of carers, they said.
Young carers themselves are twice as likely as their peers to suffer mental health problems.
But there are an estimated 600, 000 carers in all who are likely to demand a break.
Carers met with health staff on Tuesday night to hear about other care options.
Many of them will have found jobs as maids or carers through church networks.
Further help is also available for parents, carers and those on low income.
Consultation on the plans has begun with dementia service staff, patients and their carers, the authority said.
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The foster carers and teachers live together in a community to provide constant support to each other.
Matt Hill, spokesman for Carers UK, said he suspected the figure would be significantly higher in 2010.
William McNicol Beaugie (Dumfries)- For services to multiple sclerosis sufferers and their carers in the Scottish Borders.
Belgium trains all its family doctors in palliative care, but has very few specialist teams of carers.
Ceop's chief executive said parents and carers had a duty to ensure their children remained safe online.
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This could potentially include health bodies involving carers more closely in arrangements for appointments and hospital discharge.
She said she was being appointed an MBE "on behalf of all the unpaid carers on Jersey".
Carers are spot checked on a regular basis and we have a close working relationship with family members.
The Fostering Network said the study showed a shortfall of at least 350 foster carers across Northern Ireland.
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