Carer Advisory Service
For information, referral, advocacy, problem solving, developing options, counselling appointments and workshops.
1800 242 636*

Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre
For information on community aged care and disability services in your area and all respite enquiries.
1800 052 222*
For emergency respite after hours call: 1800 059 059*

Carers ACT Belconnen Office
Ground Floor
Churches Centre
54 Benjamin Way
Belconnen ACT 2617

Ph: (02) 6296 9900
Fax: (02) 6296 9999


Carers ACT Torrens Office
1 Torrens Place
Torrens ACT 2607

If you are interested in Membership please Click here

*An Australian Government Initiative. Free local call. Mobile phones charged at mobile rates.

WHO ARE CARERS?

A Carer is a “person who provides, or has provided, unpaid care and support to a person who has needs associated with disability, ageing, ongoing physical or mental illness or substance abuse.” (Caring for Carers Policy, ACT Government, 2003).

More than 2.7 million Australians provide care for family members or friends. One in every eight Australians has taken on a caring role. (Carers Australia).  In the ACT there are over 43,000 Carers, or approximately 14% of the population, who provide unpaid informal support to others who required care (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Will you need one? Will you be one?

Carers can be parents, partners, children, brothers, sisters, children or friends. They might be as young as five or as old as 90. They may care for a few hours a week or all day every day.  They can care for one individual or two or three family members or friends.  Some are eligible for government benefits. Others rely on their salary or have a private income, even though they may be eligible for financial assistance.

The caring role can touch anyone, at any time. Anybody can need or become a Carer. The caring role can happen suddenly because of an accident or it can develop slowly through a chronic illness. 

Often the Carer’s main role involves providing physical care and assistance to the person for whom they care, such as dressing, lifting, showering, preparing meals, shopping, providing transport, etc. But Carers also provide emotional support, security and love to some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community.  They may also provide financial assistance and support to the person for whom they care.

Though each caring role is different, Carers bring to their role of caring differences because of their age, background and experience, and life circumstances. Many concerns identified by Carers, such as worry and fear, are universal.

Without Carers, many people would be without the supports they need. Community-based care as we know it could not exist. If Carers did not continue to provide support, the model of community care in Australia would change dramatically, with governments having to find the means to pay for professional care, instead of being able to rely on the voluntary contribution of unpaid family or friends.

Who do Carers care for?

Carers care for family members or friends with a wide variety of illnesses and disabilities. They include those who are frail aged, who have a mental illness or dementia, who have a chronic illness or need palliative care, or who have a physical, intellectual a sensory disability, or who are affected by substance abuse.

Even though a wide variety of services recognise the influence and support of Carers, many Carers remain ‘hidden’. ‘Hidden’ Carers often prefer to see themselves in their original relationship with the person in their care (e.g., parent or partner) rather than in the new dimension their caring role brings to the relationship. Some don’t identify with the term ‘Carer’ at all and don’t seek access to the support available to them. Carers may also feel uncomfortable being identified as such. In addition, the label is not accepted by many care recipients, who feel that it can imply dependency.

If you think you are a Carer or if you know someone who is get them to give us a call.