Remember to care for the carer

Carers are in the spotlight as the nation marks National Carers Week, a time to recognise and give thanks to those who may be supporting a friend or family member at home.

Aruna Perera is one of Australia’s many carers. In 2022, her daughter Morina began receiving palliative care after being diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 37. At 46 years old, after a decade of chemo, radiation and surgeries, the disease finally won last year.

“Morina was a very independent, strong and brave girl,”  Ms Perera said.

“As a family, we were there to give her all the support we could and help and understanding whenever she needed. It was so good to have VMCH’s help too. My daughter was finding it difficult to walk her dog, so they helped us find someone to do that, also to help with cleaning the house, and hospital transfers.”

Ms Perera, who is aged 68 and living with osteo arthritis, now cares for her husband Kuranage, 76, who has rheumatoid arthritis and is recovering from a stroke.

So the couple may enjoy their outdoor area, VMCH case manager Ishita Bains connected the couple to support through My Aged Care, including assistance with maintaining their garden.  

Ms Perera is grateful for the help she receives from aged care and disability services provider VMCH. The non-profit, faith-based organisation assists 3,000 carers from across Victoria by offering home care, flexible respite, information and education.

“I’m so thankful to Ishita. She has been so kind and has explained everything to us about the help we’re eligible to receive,” Ms Perera said. “Our two sons and their families are very supportive, but they are also busy with their own commitments.”

According to Carer’s Australia, the three million carers in this country provide an estimated 2.2 billion hours of unpaid care per year in order to aid those that need support.  

Acting manager of Carer Gateway at The Benevolent Society Michelle Williams said that National Carers Week was a time for Australia to come together and celebrate the “tireless work” of carers.

“These three million Australians come from so many different walks of life, and balance lots of personal and professional responsibilities alongside the support they deliver to loved ones,” she said.  

“This year’s Millions of Reasons to Care theme not only highlights all the unique backgrounds and experiences that every carer across the country brings to their roles. It is also a timely reminder for carers to recognise the importance of prioritising their wellness and self-care.”

VMCH carer services manager Fredricka Gonsalves said her team endeavoured to offer significant support for individuals to help fight common challenges such as burnout and social isolation.

“The work carers do often goes unnoticed, but it is essential in maintaining their loved one’s independence and connection to their community,” Ms Gonsalves said.

Support from VMCH has given Ms Perera not only financial help but “great strength and courage”.

Ms Perera said, “My daughter was really relieved when she knew we were getting support from VMCH too. It gave her peace of mind before she passed that we would be looked after.”

Carers often forget to put their own self care first, Ms Williams said.

“People in carer roles tend to have compassionate hearts and often instinctively prioritise the needs of others. However, this means that they may prioritise helping others to the extent that they neglect their own health and needs,” said Ms Williams.  

“Changing this starts with understanding when to say ‘yes’ to helping in various caregiving contexts. Carers must always remain aware of their own workload and be realistic on what they can do. This helps carers avoid overburdening themselves, and recognise when to say ‘no’  a crucial skill for maintaining balance.” 

Ms Williams recommends the following ways that carers can be mindful of their own health:

• regularly spend time with loved ones, even if it’s only a phone call once or twice a week
• make time for self-care rituals, activities and hobbies they love, which leads to self fulfillment and ensures a healthy balance between your caring role and other aspects of your life
• surround themselves with a support network of carers – regularly attend peer support activities, to connect with others who have similar lived experiences, and alleviate the social isolation that can accompany caring
• embrace available coaching and counselling services for extra support.

“These discussions are vital to unpacking what may be causing feelings of burnout or fatigue,” said Ms Williams. “They also help identify self-care strategies or tools carers can use to feel more emotionally supported in their roles. 

National Carers Week runs from 13-19 October

Comment on the story below. Follow Australian Ageing Agenda on LinkedIn and Facebook, sign up to our twice-weekly newsletter and subscribe to AAA magazine for the complete aged care picture.