Family and carer support services

Family members and carers play a crucial role in our community—often without realising. For many people, looking after a loved one is 'just what you do'. They are mums and dads, sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, spouses, friends and neighbours.

The Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 defines a carer as:

An individual who provides, in a non-contractual and unpaid capacity, ongoing care or assistance to another person who, because of disability, frailty, chronic illness or pain, requires assistance with everyday tasks.

Caring for someone requiring end of life and palliative care can be very physically and emotionally demanding. As a family member or carer, you may need to learn quickly about:

• the person’s illness and what symptoms they might experience
• what medications and treatments are available
• how to care for someone towards the end of life
• communicating openly and honestly with each other and the healthcare team
• having a plan for what to do in a crisis
• carrying out advance care planning with your loved one
• discussing and reviewing the advance care plan, if required
• keeping notes on what symptoms and treatment the person is having and what advice they have been given by different health professionals
• how to look after yourself
• where to get help.

Some family members or friends assist with preparing meals, medications and transport to medical and other appointments. Others provide emotional support. Being involved in the more intimate aspects of care such as administering medications, personal hygiene, bathing, grooming and skin care are also common tasks of family members and carers.

You are not required to take on any of these roles unless you feel comfortable in doing so. If you are not sure, ask your healthcare team or GP for information and support.

Support available

It can be difficult to ask for help, but there are many organisations and counselling services that can help you in your role as a family members or carer.

Respite care

Respite care is a form of support for carers. It gives you the opportunity to have a break from your caring role for a few hours or days or for longer periods, depending on your needs, the needs of the person you care for, your eligibility and the services are available in your area. It may be centre-based at a day centre or residential care facility, or home–based.

Find out more about accessing short–term relief for carers:

• Commonwealth Home Support Programme specialises in helping people find information on services in their local area. Call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 for more information.
• Respite care in Queensland
• By speaking with your GP or healthcare team.

You may be eligible for an Australian Government payment for carers if you provide daily care to somebody with a terminal illness.

Carer Payment provides financial support to people who are unable to work in substantial paid employment because they provide full time daily care to someone with severe disability or medical condition, or to someone who is frail aged.

Carer Allowance is a fortnightly income supplement for parents or carers providing additional daily care and attention to an adult or dependent child with disability or a medical condition, or to someone who is frail aged. Carer Allowance is not income and assets tested, is not taxable and can be paid in addition to wages, Carer Payment or any other income support payment.

Carer Supplement is an annual lump sum payment to help you with the costs of caring for a person with disability or a medical condition if you are receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance.

The Queensland Government's Carer Business Discount Card recognises and supports carers, including approved foster and kinship carers, by providing discounts on goods and services at participating businesses throughout Queensland.

To be eligible for a Carer Business Discount Card, you must:

• Be approved as a foster or kinship carer by the Queensland Government Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, or
• Be a resident of Queensland whose Queensland residential address is registered with Centrelink and who receives the Centrelink Carer Payment or Carer Allowance.

Support groups and organisations

Find out about support services for all carers, with some additional services specific to groups such as parents and grandparents, older and younger carers, and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Family and carer health and wellbeing

It can be easy to put your own needs last, but it is important if you are feeling tired or stressed to look after yourself so you are still able to care for the person that needs you the most.

Ways you can look after yourself include:

• doing exercise—this will help you maintain your energy
• getting enough sleep—carers often have trouble sleeping, and if you find sleeping difficult on a regular basis, speak to your nurse or doctor
• maintaining a healthy diet
• doing something for yourself that you enjoy every day, and keeping up your usual activities as much as possible
• maintaining social contact with friends
• practicing your own spirituality or religion—whether it be meditation, yoga, prayer or discussion with a pastoral care worker.

Your emotional health

The emotional demands of caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can be high. As a carer, it is important to look after your own emotional needs. This is important so you can continue your caring role and maintain your own emotional resilience.

Counselling is about talking with someone who can assist you in making a difference to your caring role and your life. Counselling services may help you to:

• reduce stress
• manage challenging behaviours and situations
• manage your relationship with the person you are caring for
• improve your coping skills
• continue in your caring role for as long as possible.

Finding support

Support for family members and carers is available through:

• Carers Queensland
• National Carer Counselling Program
• Support groups for carers
• The Compassionate Friends, Queensland—support for families who have experienced the death of a family member.

Young carers

Young carers are children and young people aged up to 25 who provide significant assistance for a relative or friend. Taking on an assisting role at a young age can have a dramatic impact on a young person—as well as the person who accepts their care and others involved in their lives.  Find out more about support for young carers.