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.

News

Did you know that 1 in 6 Tasmanians are carers? Chances are you are either a carer, need a carer, or know a carer.

CARER GATEWAY

The Carer Gateway centralises the support services available to carers across Australia.

Care2Serve is your first point of contact for access to Carer Gateway services in Tasmania.

MAKE A PLAN

Did you know you can access practical support like respite care, financial assistance and planning services?

We can help you find the support that best suits your needs.
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TALK TO SOMEONE

Caring is a rewarding role but it can also be challenging.

We have counsellors available online, over the phone or in-person who understand what you are going through.
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LEARN NEW SKILLS

Carers often have to figure things out as they go.

We provide a wide range of learning resources – ranging from practical blog posts to workshops and training sessions.

CARER GATEWAY

The Carer Gateway centralises the support services available to carers across Australia.

Care2Serve is your first point of contact for access to Carer Gateway services in Tasmania.

MAKE A PLAN

Did you know you can access practical support like respite care, financial assistance and planning services?

We can help you find the support that best suits your needs.

TALK TO SOMEONE

Caring is a rewarding role but it can also be challenging.

We have counselors available online, over the phone or in-person who understand what you are going through.

LEARN NEW SKILLS

Carers often have to figure things out as they go.

We provide a wide range of learning resources – ranging from practical blog posts to workshops and training sessions.

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.

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1 in 6 Podcast

Stories from Tasmanian Carers

Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Types of caring roles

AGED CARE

Caring for an aged family member, friend or neighbour? It’s a difficult time seeing a friend or family member become more frail with age. With this their dependency on a carer increases too. Did you know Tasmania has the highest median age in the country? This means you’re not alone. If you are currently caring for an aged person, or you’ll be looking to care for someone soon, we have the resources and support to guide you through this time.

DISABILITY

Caring for someone with disability isn’t easy. It takes a lot of mental and physical energy.

The severity can range and the needs can be different for each person and situation. This may leave you, a carer, with less time to take into account your own needs. If you’re caring for a family member or friend with disability, get the best possible advice and support with Care2Serve.

MENTAL ILL HEALTH

Seeing a loved one, family member or friend struggle with their mental health is difficult. Caring for them can be just as much.

Not knowing what is around the corner is often the most stressful part. It’s important that carers in these circumstances look after themselves, so they can best look after others.

ONGOING ILLNESS

Caring for someone with an ongoing illness can be emotionally demanding.

The severity can range from mild to severe and can be long lasting. Either way, it’s important you look after your own mental health too. We’re here to support you.

YOUNG CARERS

As a young carer you juggle your life and the life of someone living with a disability, illness or is elderly or frail.

There are more than 270,000 young carers in Australia caring for a parent, partner, sibling, child, relative or friend. It’s important to find the time to look after yourself and find a balance between caring, studying, working and social

Our programs are funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services (DSS),  the Tasmanian Government and the Home and Community Care (TAS HACC) program.

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