A quarter of the population in New South Wales have not considered what to do when their elderly parents or guardians are unable to care for themselves.

Fewer than 10 per cent of people who took part in a state-based survey conducted by McCrindle Research said they had considered the issue and put plans in place.

The survey, commissioned by Sydney home care agency Dutiful Daughters, also found that 40 per cent of people had thought about their parents’ care needs but had not made any plan.

Dutiful Daughters’ Managing Director, Kathy Forrest said many people would be in for a shock when their elderly parents required assistance.

“People usually call us in a crisis, when they find themselves in an unfortunate situation that they hadn’t considered,” she said.

“As a result, families are often under incredible pressure to find suitable arrangements quickly and they often do so without consulting their parents.”

Among those who said they had made plans, 21 per cent said they intended to place their parents in a nursing home and 22 per cent said they would care for their parents themselves. Thirty-five per cent said they would share caring duties with siblings.