Supporting Tasmanian Carers
Do you help take care of someone with disability, mental ill health, a chronic or life limiting condition, alcohol or other drug dependence or who is frail or aged?
Do you help them with things like getting bathed and dressed, moving around, eating, remembering to take medications or attending appointments? Do you provide emotional, social or financial support?
If you answered yes, chances are that you are one of more than 85,000 Tasmanians who provide unpaid practical or emotional support to someone close to them.
Perhaps you’re not a carer yet but think you may become one in the near future. Or maybe you know someone who is a carer.
We acknowledge, value and respect people of all cultures, sexualities, beliefs, abilities, genders, and ages, and support their rights of access, equity and participation. We understand that carers in Tasmania, whilst sharing the common theme of caring for a family member or friend, have diverse lived and living experiences, and we fundamentally believe that carers are the experts in their own lives.
Did you know that 1 in 6 Tasmanians are carers? Chances are you are either a carer, need a carer, or know a carer.
Who are carers?
A carer provides unpaid practical or emotional support to someone who is frail aged, ill, or who has disability or mental ill health.
Carers often help with simple, day-to-day tasks like bathing, getting dressed, eating, moving around, remembering to take medications, attending appointments or managing finances or household affairs.
Carers may also provide emotional or social support and companionship. Carers come from all walks of life, and from many different family situations.
Some are full-time primary caregivers. Others juggle caring with work, studies and even other family commitments. Some people become carers gradually, while others are thrust into the role by a serious health crisis or accident. Some carers live with the person they are caring for; others may just visit on a regular basis.
In Tasmania, approximately one in six people are in a caring role, which means it’s likely you are either a carer, need a carer yourself, or know a carer.
