6. Caring for the carer
Topic 3 of 4
Ask for help
As a carer, it’s much better to access support as early as possible. There is a lot of help available, from navigating My Aged Care and Centrelink, to finding assistance in and around the home, to sorting out financial matters. There are people who can help you to take some time for yourself and support you to maintain resilience, health and happiness.
Select ‘Play’ to view some carer stories.
I just had to accept the fact that I couldn’t do the things I used to do. So now I get some help and support.
We have domestic help that comes in weekly now and that makes it a little easier. But I didn’t have that support before and well it was just full on whereas now I can say yes I need this but it wasn’t easy to say I need help.
When it gets too tough, call out. Ring up and say hello to someone you know or call Carer Gateway.
You are not alone.
Supporting carers
There are many services available to help carers. The first port of call for support is Carer Gateway. Call them and have a chat about what you do and what they do.
You may not feel you need any help at the moment, but it is a good idea to make the connection.
Step One of your back up plan.
Remember all of their services are free. Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 and press 1 at the menu. There are offices in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart.
Select the headings for a summary of the list of services that are available to you.
One-on-one counselling with a professional counsellor. Carer Gateway offers 6 free sessions per year by phone, face-to-face or by video link.
Connect with fellow carers to share information, make connections, and exchange stories and experiences. Enjoy some fun, a group hug, and a well-deserved break. Carer groups are held in a welcoming, safe and confidential space.
Carers can access tangible supports in the form of a one-off item or services to assist in the caring role. These are tailored to your needs.
Retreats run over two or three days, offering information sessions, engaging activities and opportunities to connect with those who truly understand.
Events include free activities that can be:
- Practical, such as Mental Health First Aid
- Therapeutic, such as yoga and relaxation
- Creative, such as pottery and painting.
For assistance with booking planned respite in a nursing home, or for more urgent situations, to support people at home when the carer can’t, call Carer Gateway.
If you need help after hours call 1800 422 737 and press 1 at the menu.
To help carers navigate planning and hospital admissions they have 2 helpful publications: Care2Plan and The Carer’s Hospital Handbook.
The Carer Gateway team work together with carers to understand your needs and identify next steps towards your goals. This can include some training and support if you need help to get back into the workforce.
Planning for emergencies
It’s worth taking a minute to think about emergencies. I’m sure you have thought about this already. You may have all of your planning documents in place (see Module 5) but what happens in an unplanned emergency?
Move through the tabs to learn more.
An Emergency Care Plan has all the information about the person you care for in one place, so you, or anyone else can get it quickly and easily.
This plan makes it easy for someone else to take over the caring role from you in urgent, unforeseen circumstances. You should have copies at home and it is wise to share copies with those who may help in an emergency. An Emergency Care Plan does not need a legal witness. Click on this link for a printable copy of the Emergency Care Plan.
A Carer Emergency Card can be carried in your wallet to let people know that you are a carer. It may help to ensure that if something were to happen to you, the person you care for would be supported.
The person you care for can also carry a card to make it easy to contact you in case of an emergency. Click on this link for a printable version of the Carer Emergency Cards.
Carer Gateway has 24/7 phone support to help carers in case of an emergency or crisis. For example, you find yourself suddenly ill or injured or if something stops you from providing care to the person you care for.
If the situation is life-threatening, serious and urgent, call 000 immediately.
For more information on planning view the Care2Plan – Carer’s Planning Guide in the resources section of the menu.
MODULE 6
