During National Carers Week, Carers ACT is asking the community to check in on someone they know who’s a carer. This is a sponsored post.

CARERS make a considerable contribution to society, a contribution which is often unseen, particularly during pandemic times, says Carers ACT chief executive officer Lisa Kelly.

“While being a carer is often difficult, this year’s been even more isolating and stressful for those who might be looking after vulnerable people with ill health or disability,” says Lisa.

Which is why National Carers Week, running from October 11-17, is an important time to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution Australia’s 2.65 million unpaid carers make to the country.

Anyone at any time can become a carer, and often it comes on so gradually that the carer might not even realise that the situation has shifted from being “neighbourly” or “a good daughter”, or just doing what families do to help each other – the boundary isn’t always clear, says Lisa.

“Perhaps one year Dad can’t mow the lawn, then next year he needs help in the home, then he starts to need more and more, putting increasing demands on your time,” she says.

“We want to encourage people who might not see themselves as a carer to reach out for support and make sure they’re taking care of themselves, too.

“It can be incredibly draining to juggle caring, work, family, home and your own needs – often leading to financial hardship, social isolation, health and wellbeing issues, exhaustion and extreme stress.”

During National Carers Week, Carers ACT is asking for the community’s support to help make a carer’s life a little easier, even in seemingly small ways.

“Even asking how the carer is doing can make a huge difference – it’s not only about the person they’re caring for,” Lisa says.

If someone knows a carer, Lisa suggests they be a friend and ask what they can do to lend a hand.

“Check in on that person you know who’s looking after a neighbour, family member or friend living with long-term illness, mental illness, a chronic condition, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail or live with disability,” she says.

“Maybe pop in for a coffee – they often need the company. Perhaps make them a meal, help out with their gardening or home maintenance, drive them to a medical appointment, and generally appreciate what they do.

“That little bit of support can make a huge difference.”

It’s also important to encourage carers to reach out for support, Lisa says.

“Caring can be rewarding but it can also be stressful, exhausting and lonely, and often people don’t realise the impact it has,” she says.

“Carers ACT provides a wide range of practical support for carers living in the ACT – from organising respite or educational workshops, to offering advice on the NDIS or My Aged Care, and connecting carers with other carers through support groups or social activities.

“Carers ACT wants us all to help the family and friend carers in our community.

“Chances are that at some point in your life, you’ll either need care or give care yourself.”

For extra support, carers can access the Carer Gateway. Carers ACT is the local service delivery partner and together they offer a range of practical supports.

“The Carer Gateway [service] provides information and advice on the support available to carers across Australia, and has a great range of online resources to help promote carer wellbeing,” Lisa says.

“In accessing the Carer Gateway [service], we go through a process, talking through their needs and what’s impacting them the most, and then devise an action plan to rebalance the carer’s load.

“It might be accessing respite, peer support or education to help with caring like correct lifting, for example.

“Often carers don’t reach out for support for themselves, and many aren’t even aware that they can, or that there is so much available.”

Carers ACT, call 6296 9900, email carers@carersact.org.au or visit carersact.org.au.
Carer Gateway, call 1800 422737 or visit carergateway.gov.au