In the quiet suburbs of Lindisfarne, Tasmania, lives Sarah, a devoted wife and mother who has taken on the role of caring for her aging parents. With her father’s declining health due to vascular dementia and her mother’s complex mobility needs, Sarah felt like she was constantly juggling responsibilities without a moment to spare for herself. That’s when she discovered Carer Gateway.
At first, Sarah was hesitant to reach out for help. Like many carers, she believed she had to do it all on her own. One day, feeling the weight of her caring duties, Sarah decided to seek help. She had heard about Carer Gateway from a friend and decided to give it a try.
With a simple phone call, she was connected to Care2Serve, the local Tasmanian provider of Carer Gateway. After understanding her situation, the team suggested she try the Coaching service.
Unlike traditional sports coaching, Carer Coaching focuses specifically on the needs, challenges, and goals of carers, providing personalised guidance and support tailored to their unique circumstances.
During her coaching session, a Carer Coach attentively listened to Sarah’s concerns and asked questions to help unpack her challenges, strengths and wishes. The coach helped Sarah put in place some strategies to help her prioritise her own wellbeing and set boundaries to prevent burnout. Together, they explored options for managing stress, finding moments of respite, and seeking support from friends and family.
The Coach was able to assist Sarah in finding ways to carve out small pockets of time each day for self care, whether it be enjoying a cup of tea in the morning or taking a short walk in the evening. At first, Sarah was finding it hard to see where she could get time for herself, and she was hesitant to prioritise her own needs, but with the Coach’s gentle guidance, she soon realised the importance of caring for herself in order to better care for others. Together, they were able to identify times that Sarah could set aside for herself.
The Coach also encouraged Sarah to reach out to her local community for additional support. With the Coach’s help, Sarah discovered local support groups facilitated by Care2Serve, where she could connect with other carers facing similar challenges. These connections not only provided emotional support but also provided her with practical advice and encouragement.
As Sarah continued her coaching sessions, she noticed a shift in her mindset. She felt more empowered and resilient, equipped with the tools and confidence to navigate the ups and downs of caring. With the Coach’s support, Sarah learned to embrace her role as a carer while also understanding her own needs and wellbeing.
“Carer Coaching with Carer Gateway has been my lifeline. It gave me the tools to navigate the challenges of caring with resilience and strength while reminding me to prioritise my own wellbeing. With the support of my coach, I found the courage to seek help and discovered that I was never alone in this journey.” – Sarah
Today, Sarah feels grateful for the support she found through Carer Gateway Coaching. She no longer feels alone in her caring journey but instead feels supported and understood. She encourages other carers to reach out for help, knowing firsthand the difference it can make in their lives. Through Carer Gateway, carers like Sarah can find the support and strength they need to thrive in their caring roles and beyond.
If you are in a similar situation and need help with your caring role, contact Carer Gateway. Contact 1800 422 737 (and select 1 from the menu) or check the website at www.carergateway.gov.au
I think people like Sarah and I are very fortunate to have Gateway to guide us when we are at the end of our wits. Juliet has helped me with a gardener and that has allowed me to relax and be able to care for my husband. I had a tense time caring for my mother and father for a period of four years but before that I had to travel down to their home 60kms each way to garden and look after them two or three times a week and also had a part time work. During this time my husband who had not worked for 13 years developed diabetes needed a special diet . Fortunately we had a caring doctor and nurse and my husband was able to go back to work for a while before retirement. Thank you Gateway for making our life rosier.
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Hi Jacquie, it’s inspiring to hear how you’ve managed through such challenging times while caring for both your parents and husband. We’re glad Carer Gateway could offer support when you needed it most.