There are 2.7 million carers in Australia who care for a loved one at home. Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.
For some they are primary carers. A primary carer is the person who takes most of the responsibility for providing care for the person requiring support. This involves being ‘oncall’ 24 hours, 7 days per week, 365 days a year and most primary carers never EVER get a day off. Carers may assist with the tasks of daily living: feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, or administering medications.
There are 856,000 primary carers in Australia and many of them never get a break.
A national survey of carers health and wellbeing revealed: Carers have the lowest levels of wellbeing of any Australian group. Over half reported some level of depression, with one third found to be severely or extremely depressed. More than one third of carers are experiencing severe or extreme stress. Caring does not get easier with time. Caring compounds the effect of any other factor that leads to reduced wellbeing.
With this in mind, Lifebridge Australia are holding a Caring for Carers Information Session and Morning tea where participants can listen to discussions about being a carer and what they may experience.
The session will be held on Thursday 27th April, 2023 at the Kingscliff Cottage, Cudgen Road, Kingscliff from 10am to 11am. The guest speaker is Lifebridge Customer Care Manager, Stefany Stockwin-Wunsch.
If you would like to attend, please call 1800 043 186 to register your attendance by Monday 24th April 2023.
This information session will also be held virtually via ZOOM for those who cannot attend. If you would like to participate online, please email Colleen Lonnie, Program Development Officer – [email protected] and she can email you the Zoom meeting link.