Carer Support and Information
Services and support systems that are available for Carer’s
Caring for a person with disability can sometimes be challenging both physically and mentally, but it’s important to know that there are supports you can reach out to.
There is a range of carer support services available to help you get the practical, financial and emotional support that you may need.
It’s very important that as a carer, you also look after yourself and your general well-being.
- Support Services for Carers
- Health and Well-Being
Support Services for Carers
If you are caring for someone at home, there are a number of services to help and support you in your caring role.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help your loved one with the support they need to live a more independent life. Supports and services include:
- Home maintenance and modification including repairs, garden maintenance and installation of things such as handrails and ramps
- Goods and equipment including providing items such as a walking frame or a raised toilet seat
- Support staff to assist the person with a disability to go shopping, cook and assist with personal care
- Supported employment
- Day programs to learn lifestyle skills, make friends and do things within the community.
- Social groups to build peer friendships and interactions at community venues.
- Allied health including Occupational Therapy (help to recover or maintain your physical ability) and physiotherapy (exercises, mobility, strength and balance) which can also help with techniques for safe lifting
- Short-term accommodation, which allows you to take a break while the person you care for stays in an alternative supported house
- Independent Living Centres, which carry a wide range of products and equipment to help manage disabilities in daily life
NADO has many of these services available to people in Penrith and across Western Sydney. They can also refer you to the relevant external service.
There are also things that you can do to make your home safer and more comfortable for the person you care for. You may want to consider:
- arranging furniture to give plenty of room to walk around freely and keeping the environment uncluttered
- removing loose rugs and sealing carpet edges that may be trip hazards.
If the person you care for needs to be lifted, such as from a chair to a bed, then this can be a complex task. Back injuries are a common concern for carers. To make sure you’re lifting in the correct way:
- ask an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or Community Nurse to help you work out the safest way to lift or transfer the person you care for. Also, ask about aids to assist with lifting. You can discuss these needs in the NDIS planning to ensure the person who has the disability has the safest care possible.
You may also want to consider:
- developing an emergency care plan to assist you to provide alternative care if you were to suddenly become ill or have an accident. It is particularly important to have a plan in place if the person you care for has limited mobility. This will assist you should there be a situation such as a fire or other emergency where you need to evacuate quickly.
Health and Well-Being
When you spend most of your time looking after other people it’s easy to forget to look after yourself too. But it’s really important, because unless you’re fit, healthy and relaxed you can’t do a great deal for others. Looking after yourself will help you keep going – even when times are tough.
How can I keep myself healthy?
It’s important to stay healthy for your own sake and because it helps you to continue giving quality care. Here are some tips to do this:
- make time for regular exercise
- have healthy, regular meals
- get enough rest and sleep
- look after your back if you need to lift or transfer the person you’re caring for
- talk to your doctor about your caring role
Can I take a break?
Yes. In fact, it’s very important to take a break from your caring responsibilities for a few hours or even a few days. Constantly caring without taking a break can be bad for your health. You should try to continue with activities you enjoy. Even though the many demands of caring may make it difficult to manage, it’s important that you follow your own interests outside your caring role. You might also like to practice relaxation. This doesn’t need to take long – even 15 minutes a day can do the trick.
What services can help?
Some of the services available to support you in your caring role may include:
- Counselling and psychological therapy
- Information and advocacy
- Short term accommodation which allows you to take a break or get to your appointments or activities while the person you care for is supported either at your home by a support worker or at a short-term residence.
Find out more