Health · Mental Health · 10 hrs ago
Andy Burnham says his mother struggled to care for his father with dementia
Andy Burnham said his mother struggled under the strain of caring for his father, Roy, who had Alzheimer's.
Roy died in September at 85, and Burnham said the family may have waited too long before moving him into a care home.
He said they focused on his father's illness and did not fully see the burden on his mother, Eileen.
He called for more support for unpaid carers, who care for relatives and others without pay.
In the UK, 2.5 million people provide some care for people with dementia, and four out of five have reached crisis point at least once.
A planned nationwide programme will offer six-week courses through Dementia Carers Together and the Alzheimer's Society, with practical information and support from others in similar situations.
Burnham said his family could have benefited from such help.
Andy Burnham said his mother struggled under the emotional burden of caring for his father, who had dementia.
He said his family focused on his father’s condition and did not fully recognise the toll on his mother.
Burnham said the family may have waited too long before moving his father into a care home.
His father, Roy, died from Alzheimer’s in September, aged 85.
Burnham called for more support for unpaid carers and backed a Daily Mail campaign for dementia-carer support.
- Who
- Andy Burnham spoke about his mother, Eileen, caring for his father, Roy.
- What
- Burnham said the family did not fully recognise the strain caring placed on his mother and may have delayed moving his father into a care home.
- When
- The interview was published on 9 November 2026. Roy died in September, aged 85.
- Where
- The story concerns Burnham’s family in the UK.
- Why
- Burnham said unpaid carers need more support and recognition, and backed a campaign to provide support for dementia carers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Burnham’s family tried to keep him at home, while his mother cared for him.
Roy died from Alzheimer’s, aged 85.
The Daily Mail published Burnham’s comments about his mother’s experience and support for unpaid carers.
- Family carer
- Eileen, Burnham’s mother
- Father
- Roy, who died from Alzheimer’s aged 85
- Care decision
- Burnham said the family may have waited too long to move Roy into a care home
- Dementia carers in UK
- 2.5 million people provide some form of care
- Crisis point
- Four out of five dementia carers have reached crisis point at least once
What people are saying
The emotional toll is a burden that is unbearable. The weight is unbearable - it gets too big.
I saw it directly - I saw my mum sinking under the size of that weight.
The country is dependent upon people who are caring for partners, loved ones, unpaid and we've got to see them, recognise them, hear them when they say that I need more to make this sustainable.
I think it took possibly too long to make that decision.