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A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to family members and/or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or an older person with care needs.
They are parents, children, partners, other relatives and friends who assist with a variety of personal care, health care, transport, administrative support, cognitive emotional tasks, household chores and other activities.
How do people become carers?
People become carers in different ways. Sometimes it happens gradually - helping out more and more as a person’s health and independence get worse over time. It may also happen suddenly - after a health crisis (like a stroke or heart attack) or an accident.
It's not uncommon for carers to feel that they don’t really have a choice. Even in large families the responsibility of providing care is often left to one person rather than being shared.
Many carers feel that it is what they should do.
What do carers do?
Every care situation is different.
Some carers provide 24 hour nursing aid to a family member with high care needs. They help with daily needs and activities like feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, lifting and moving and administering medications.
Others care for people who are fairly independent but may need someone to keep an eye on them or help with them with tasks like banking, transport, shopping and housework.
Most carers give comfort, encouragement and reassurance to the person they care for, oversee their health and wellbeing, monitor their safety and help them stay as independent as possible.
Carers help their family members to have a good quality of life.
Who do we support?
The word ‘carer’ can be confusing and many people do not use this word to describe themselves. To be a carer, you do not need to:
- live with the person you care for
- be the main source of care and support
- provide care every day or over many years
- receive the Carer Payment or Allowance from Centrelink
No matter who you are, taking on a caring role is a significant event that brings both challenges and rewards.
While each caring situation is different, many carers share similar experiences. Select the condition of the person you are caring for below to find information specific to your caring situation.
Disability and Chronic Illness
The needs of people with a disability or chronic illness are very diverse and every care situation is different. We can help you to find local services and supports that are tailored to the individual needs of your family.
Who do we help?
You can access Carers Victoria disability services if you:
- Care for a family member or friend up to the age of 65 years who has a disability or chronic illness.
If you are caring for somebody aged 65 or older you may be able to access our aged care services.
How can we help?
- We offer support and give you the chance to talk to somebody
- We arrange respite and may be able to help with the costs
- We give workshops on topics of interest to carers
- We provide information about appropriate respite vacancies in different care settings
- We link you to other services that may be able to help
- We put you in touch with carer support groups where you can meet other people in similar situations
If you need support or advice, call Carers Victoria on 1800 514 845.
Older person with care needs
The Carers Victoria aged care team can provide expert and local advice, support in times of crisis, and the tools you need to plan for the future.
We understand what caring families are going through and can help you to evaluate your situation and link up to the local services and supports that best meet your needs.
Who do we help?
You can access our aged care services if you:
- Care for somebody aged 65 or older (50 or older for people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background) or somebody with dementia who lives in the community.
If you are caring for somebody younger than 65 you may be able to access our mental health or disability services.
How can we help?
- We offer support and give you the chance to talk to somebody
- We arrange respite and may be able to help with the costs
- We give workshops on topics of interest to carers
- We provide information about appropriate respite vacancies in aged care settings
- We link you to other services that may be able to help
- We put you in touch with carer support groups where you can meet other people in similar situations
If you need support or advice, call Carers Victoria on 1800 514 845.
Mental Health
Caring for somebody with a mental illness can be difficult and confusing. The illness may cause them to think, feel or behave in ways that are hard to understand or cope with.
It is important to remember that you are not to blame for the illness, nor is the person you care for.
We can help you link up with local services and supports that understand what you are going through and can help make your caring role easier.
Who do we help?
You can access our mental health services if you:
- Care for a family member or friend of any age who is experiencing a mental illness.
If you are caring for somebody aged 65 or older you may be able to access our aged care services.
How can we help?
- We offer support and give you the chance to talk to somebody
- We arrange respite and may be able to help with the costs
- We give workshops on topics of interest to carers
- We provide information about appropriate respite options that may be available
- We link you to other services that may be able to help
- We put you in touch with carer support groups where you can meet other people in similar situations
If you need support or advice, call Carers Victoria on 1800 514 845.