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Carers are incredibly important people who support individuals with physical and mental disabilities across Australia. A carer is someone who provides paid or unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who may have a disability, addiction, a severe illness, or needs extra help because of their age. While some carers are eligible to receive a government Carer Payment, many carers give constant care to others who are not eligible and do this on top of their regular employment.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2022, about three million Australians (11.9% of people living in households) were carers. This number has increased from 10.8% in 2018, which is a testament to the increasing number of people stepping up to help their loved ones. It’s also inspiring to see more young people taking on this role, with 391,300 carers under the age of 25, compared to just 235,300 in 2018. Carers, with their unwavering dedication, perform a multitude of tasks, from assisting with daily tasks to providing personal care, transport, and mobility aid.

For many, caring for someone they love feels like a natural part of life. In fact, 64.7% of primary carers say they take on this role because they feel a strong sense of responsibility to their family. Some become carers because they have no other options or because they are the only ones available to support. No matter the reason, these selfless individuals often put their own needs aside, demonstrating a level of selflessness that is truly admirable, to ensure loved ones receive the care and support they need.

Momentum Collective employee, Carmen McNeill, is a carer who is caring for her adult son and says her motivation is love.

“As a mum, I feel it is my obligation to provide the best opportunities for my son as I don’t believe anyone else will do so with the same love, attention and vision for his future”, she says.

Having people understand what role carers play is also important to her.

Carmen says, “The role of a carer isn’t a 9-5 position. It is there in the background all the time, despite having other priorities in your life like family and full-time work commitments. It isn’t something that switches off. Carers provide an invaluable service to people who otherwise are sometimes forgotten and not thought about in the day-to-day world.”

Being a carer can be tough on both the body and the mind. It can be exhausting and overwhelming at times. Carmen firmly believes self-care is essential to being a carer and recommends using respite when/if available, having time to yourself and letting others help so you’re not trying to do it all on your own.

If you know someone who is a carer, or if you are one yourself, it’s essential to find ways to help through those hard times. Here are some ideas:

Check-in with them without judging; just listen.

Offer them a break whenever you can.

Recognise how hard they work and appreciate their efforts.

Please encourage them to take care of themselves, too.

In Australia, there are also comprehensive resources like Carer Gateway and My Time that provide extra support to people in carer roles. It’s crucial to make sure that the carers continue to get the assistance needed, as they play such an important role in our community and health system. Remember, if you are a carer, you are not alone, and there are resources available to help you.

Click here for more information and resources on caring for carers, or call our friendly team on 1300 900 091.