CARING for a loved one comes naturally.

With an ageing population more of us could be taking on this role in future and while it is the natural thing to do, the complexity of the care required can become devastating for those involved with this potentially stressful situation.

So imagine if age is no longer on your side? Being an older carer you may not have to juggle your caring role with work so having time on your hands is an advantage to devote to your loved one, but you may not be as active or as healthy as you were and what if you also have health issues?

According to the charity Age UK the number of people aged 80 and over who are acting as carers has significantly increased.

New estimates suggest there has been a 39 per cent rise in the number of the "oldest carers."

Age UK said that over the past seven years the number of carers aged 80 and over has increased from 301,000 to 417,000.

More than 140,000 people are providing more than 35 hours of care every week, according to the estimates.

Overall, carers over the age of 80 are saving the health and care system £5.9bn a year by providing unpaid care, the charity added.

Meanwhile the number of retirees providing informal care for another person has risen from nearly 1.7 million to over two million in the last seven years.

For the past four years Ronald Smith has been caring for his wife Jennie who suffers with arthritis and also has dementia.

The 89-year-old, who ran his own sheet metal business before retiring, has now taken on the roles his wife used to. "I have to do more and more but we have always lived together and it is no difference apart from me having to do more - cooking, shopping and everything."

And he isn't surprised more people his age are doing the same: "I should imagine there is a lot more people as we are all living longer," he adds.

Fortunately Ronald has remained fit, active and healthy and that is partly down to his attitude. "I do think being more active and keeping going is more helpful than sitting down doing nothing."

Chris Whiley, director of Carers' Resource, the integrated carers service for Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, says a key issue for older carers is making sure they look after their health and own needs.

"Caring can be demanding, relentless and exhausting - whatever the age. For all carers we constantly remind them to make sure they're looking after themselves, and to even put their own health first. If they fall ill and can't cope, or have to have treatment or even go into hospital, then the situation can become even more challenging and difficult for both involved.

"Carers often neglect themselves and put the person they are caring for first. Their health can deteriorate and some also find themselves depressed, isolated and stressed out.

"But it's important all carers try to get as much support as possible, and as soon as they, so they can care with confidence and make it a positive experience."

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, says: "We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of over 80s who are caring, many of them virtually full-time, saving the country nearly £6 billion a year in the process,

"More of that money needs spending on supporting them, as well as the people they look after - usually their partner, but sometimes a friend or disabled adult child.

"Most of these wonderful older people tell us they care because they want to and are committed to, but they also often say they see no alternative.

"Many admit to being exhausted and worried about how long they can carry on, and the consequences if they become seriously ill themselves.

"The task of providing care ought to be fairly shared between individuals, families and the State.

"But as public funding falls further and further behind the growing demand for care, we worry that very old people are being expected to fill the gap.

"They can't do it all on their own and we shouldn't take advantage of their determination to do right by those they love."

Community and Social Care Minister, Alistair Burt, says: "I recognise and appreciate that this is a growing group in society - and we owe a great deal to the love and determination of older carers.

"I want to make sure the Government does everything it can to support them. That is why I am calling on carers and their supporters up and down the country to let us know how we can make a difference through our Carers Strategy call for evidence."