Mobility research finds millions of adults feel guilty after moving away from ageing parents
Millions of adults across the UK are feeling guilty about living away from their ageing parents, according to new national research from mobility specialist Muick Sandy.
A nationwide study of 2,000 adults found that 43 per cent feel guilty now that they live away from their parents’ home, highlighting what the company describes as a widening “care gap” across the UK.
The findings suggest that younger generations are increasingly relocating for work, housing and lifestyle reasons, while concerns around parents’ loneliness, reduced mobility and lack of day-to-day support continue to grow.
Gen Z adults reported the highest levels of guilt, with 57 per cent saying they feel guilty about living far from their parents. This was closely followed by millennials, at 55 per cent.
The research also revealed the UK cities where adults feel the guiltiest about living further away from their parents. Coventry topped the list, with 52 per cent of respondents in the city saying they feel guilty about living further away from their parents.
This was followed by Birmingham and Bristol, both at 51 per cent, while Cardiff and London followed closely behind, with 50 per cent of respondents in each city reporting feelings of guilt.
In Newcastle upon Tyne, 46 per cent of respondents said they feel guilty about living further away from their parents, followed by Manchester at 45 per cent and Nottingham at 43 per cent.
Liverpool and Glasgow recorded slightly lower levels of guilt, at 41 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.
The survey also found that 82 per cent of Brits believe older people lose their independence sooner when mobility issues develop.
Concerns around the wider adult care system were also apparent. More than two-thirds of respondents, 69 per cent, said they believe the adult care system relies too heavily on family support, while 63 per cent felt the government does not do enough to support people with mobility problems.
Nearly two-thirds of adults, 64 per cent, said they are concerned about their parents’ mobility, reinforcing the emotional burden felt by those who live further away from older relatives.
The findings come as the UK’s ageing population continues to rise, with the number of people aged over 85 expected to nearly double in the coming decades.
Muick Sandy said the emotional and practical impact of distance is creating a “care gap generation”, where older people face mobility challenges while adult children feel unable to provide regular in-person support.
Ben Kenny, Director at Muick Sandy, commented: “Families are more spread out than ever before, but ageing and mobility changes have always been something that exists.
“We are seeing a growing generation of children moving away from where they were brought up, and as such, their ageing parents. This means many adult kids are carrying huge emotional pressure because they can’t always be there in person to help.
“At the same time, many older people worry about becoming a burden and delay seeking mobility support that could help them stay independent for longer.
“Mobility and independence should not depend on how close your children live; everyone deserves the confidence to live independently.”
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