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Taking a break from caring
It’s important to take a break occasionally to protect your own health, so don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help. There is also a wide range of programs and associations available that give carers time off, free from responsibilities, for a few days or even a few hours.
Taking breaks can be difficult at first, but if you take them regularly they benefit both of you.
- Why it’s important to share the load
- The benefits for the person you care for
- What if family seem reluctant to help?
- Respite or short-term care
- How much respite care can I have?
- Carer retreats
- Continuing to work or study
Why it’s important to share the load
Caring can be a round-the-clock job – with responsibilities you’d never be expected to take on in a paid job. That’s why it’s so important to get help, no matter how reluctant you may be to ask for it. Sharing the load means that other family members can take some of the caring as well as share some of the rewards. It also helps family and friends to:- better understand the situation
- offer a listening ear when needed
- know how to offer help without interference
- contribute to decision making, and
- know what to do in an emergency.
The benefits for the person you care for
The person you care for will enjoy the participation of other friends and family members, too. It gives them someone else to talk to and a feeling that they’re being well supported. They’ll also be happier knowing that you’re getting the help you need.What if family seem reluctant to help?
Sometimes your family may be reluctant to help you with your caring responsibilities – either because they’re too busy or don’t wish to confront the situation. If this is the case, here are some ways of getting family involved:- talk to them about the challenges you’re facing as well as the rewards
- don’t try and protect them from your feelings – be open
- stay calm when you’re talking to them and help them see things your way
- know that help is appreciated – that it’s not an interference
- ask for help – be upfront and name things they can help with, whether this be cooking extra meals for the freezer or gardening responsibilities
- if help is not forthcoming try bargaining with family members and agreeing on some tasks rather than none, and
- remember that it’s your right to ask for help and that caring doesn’t have to be your exclusive task.
Respite or short-term care
If the person you care for is eligible for aged care services, they’re probably also eligible for short-term residential respite, to help you take a break. Residential respite care can be provided at a low or high level, at home or in an aged care home or community centre, depending on requirements. Except for emergency situations, access to residential respite requires an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information) assessment in order to receive a government subsidy.Read more: Being assessed
There are several types of respite available, including the following:
- In-home respite - This is usually provided by someone working as a carer in your home, allowing you to take a break for a few hours at a time.
- Day respite - This is usually provided at a day centre, day club or at some residential care homes. Day respite often runs from 10 am to 3 pm and may include transportation. It involves activities and sometimes outings that may be of interest to older people.
- Overnight or weekend respite - This is becoming more available in community respite houses that accommodate a small number of older people at a time.
- Residential respite - This is provided in some aged care homes, generally in blocks of one to six weeks.
- Emergency respite - If you have a genuine emergency on your hands (for example, you’re admitted into hospital) and are unable to care for your family member, 24-hour emergency respite services will be able to help. For information call 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059.
How much residential respite care can I have?
You may have 63 days of residential respite care in a financial year, with the possibility of extensions of 21 days at a time, if this is considered necessary by your ACAT.Read more: National Respite for Carers Program
Carer retreats
This is time away for carers, spent with other carers in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Respite care for your family member is provided as part of the carer retreat.Respite options will vary in each region. For information call 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059 to discuss your options and to get help tailoring respite services that suit your needs.
Continuing to work or study
Being a carer can take up a lot of your time, but it is still important for you to remain in the workplace. If you are aged 50 or over and have been out of the paid workforce for more than two years or have never done any paid work and you are looking for paid work, you may be eligible for the Transition to Work Program.This service offers practical help such as career counselling, training to help you develop your skills and advice on how to write resumes and job applications. This free service is flexible and is tailored to meet your individual needs. Contact Centrelink on 13 62 68 to find out more about this program.
If you are a working carer, or you are wanting to return to work, call 1800 200 422 during business hours.
The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs runs the Young Carers and Information Services Program which assists young carers to stay in education and the workforce.
Read more: Young carers