MidCoast Council area
Unpaid care
In the MidCoast Council area, 4,163 male carers were providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age in 2016. This represents 11.3% of the population aged 15+.
The proportion of people providing unpaid care for the aged and disabled in the MidCoast Council area can be an important indicator of the level of demand for aged care services and facilities by local and state governments. An increasing proportion of carers among the population may indicate inadequate aged care provision, or the need for in-home support, or support for the carers themselves. The level of care provided by individuals is likely to be affected by Household Income, Age Structure and the ethnic makeup of the community (Language Spoken), as well as the sense of community cohesiveness.
Derived from the Census question:
'In the last two weeks did the person spend time providing unpaid care, help or assistance to family members or others because of a disability, a long term illness or problems related to old age?'.
Persons aged 15 years and over.
| Unpaid care | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidCoast Council area - Males aged 15+ (Usual residence) | 2016 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age | Number | % | Gloucester and surrounds % | Number | % | Gloucester and surrounds % | 2011 to 2016 | |
 Provided unpaid assistance | 4,163 | 11.3 | 9.7 | 3,875 | 11.3 | 11.4 | +288 | 11001 |
| No unpaid assistance provided | 28,752 | 77.9 | 80.5 | 27,202 | 79.2 | 80.9 | +1,550 | 11002 |
| Not stated | 3,997 | 10.8 | 9.9 | 3,262 | 9.5 | 7.7 | +735 | 11003 |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 36,912 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 34,339 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +2,573 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2016. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
Analysis of the unpaid care provided by the male population in the MidCoast Council area in 2016 compared to Gloucester and surrounds shows that there was a higher proportion of males who provided unpaid care either to family members or others.
Overall, 11.3% of the male population provided unpaid care, compared with 9.7% for Gloucester and surrounds.
Emerging groups
The number of males who provided unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age in the MidCoast Council area increased by 288 between 2011 and 2016.