The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Australia has more than 2.7 million people in an unpaid caring role. Some of these people are plunged into a carer’s role suddenly and this often occurs after an accident or diagnosis of a loved one. For many the transition to care is much slower as their loved one’s health declines often as a result of ageing or declining health. Preparation for a caring role is paramount and the key to a long-lasting successful carer/recipient relationship writes Kevin Zahra, Director, Client Services at Northside Community Forum.
If you are likely to become a carer there are some important things you need to consider:
Accessing relevant information
Understanding a medical condition is vital. Any carer should find out:
- What does this health problem entail?
- How will the condition develop, what treatment and what medicines are available?
- Who are good doctors, good hospitals?
- How to find medical information that is clear, reliable and applies to the particular situation at hand? The problem is not that there is not enough information, the problem is that there is too much information.
- Information re entitlements and services for patient and carer:
- Information concerning Centrelink payments – what is the recipient entitled to, how to apply for the relevant payments? How to use the system in the best way? And in some cases: what does the market offer?
Quite often carers do not realise that there are also certain provisions for themselves and because they do not know, they do not apply for them. It is important that carers get this kind or information in an early stage of their caring career.
Look after No.1
As a carer, your health and well-being can suffer. It’s very important to look after yourself and this includes exercising, eating and sleeping well, and taking time out.
Caring can be physically and psychologically very demanding. Quite often carers have not had any training for this “job”, and because they do not know how to do the work properly they may incur problems. For instance, they may get a back injury trying to get a person out of bed or it might be a mental strain.
Carers often feel they are needed around the clock as there might not be anyone else available to do the caring, so they ignore any symptoms and try to avoid seeing their GP or postpone necessary treatment. It is clear that this does not contribute to their good health and should try be made a priority.
Look after your relationships
Carers often have to deal with strong emotions, which can spill out into other relationships outside their caring role. Ways in which you can help look after your other relationships are:
- Respite – consider organising respite care so that you can take some time out for yourself or spend time with family and friends.
- Relationship counselling – a counsellor will listen to you without judging. If you find your relationships starts to become difficult, getting some help such as using a mediator can be good idea especially if there is conflict regarding important care issues.
Stay involved
Caring for someone means you might miss out on being with friends and making new friends so many carers feel socially isolated. Consider:
- Creating routines – setting regular times to spend with your family and friends.
- Family meetings – schedule regular family meetings where everyone can air their thoughts and feelings without being judged.
- Taking time out – during stressful or difficult times, it is even more important than usual to have time to relax, unwind and so something you enjoying doing like reading or catching up with family and friends.
Make a financial plan
Irrespective of which payment the carers’ family will receive, families who care for a person with a disability experience a higher level of financial hardship than the general population.
You may be going from two incomes to one, or losing your income altogether so now is an important time to put your finances under the microscope.
- Look at what you have coming in now, what your bills and outgoings are and what you’re saving (or not saving).
- Do you have superannuation which you need to roll over?
- Do you have money owed to you?
- Or have you got some hefty debts to settle?
Employment
Many carers stop working when their caring roles become so complex and they simply cannot combine caring with their work responsibilities.
- Speak to your organisation about the future demands on you in your caring role and how the organisation can help you to manage both.
- Discuss working from home options or job share or working part-time options to enable you to manage your workload.
Create a life plan
There’s little that makes you feel more in control than knowing where you’re heading and what you want to achieve. If you’re not sure where to start perhaps chat with a loved one and write down all the things you hope to achieve in the next year, five years or in your lifetime. It could include ambitions like a promotion at work or moving to an area you’ve always wanted to live. Or personal goals like spending time with a partner or practicing mindfulness.
Prepare a will
Creating a will is more than just making arrangements for your assets. Once you become a parent it’s a chance to make sure your children are cared for by someone of your choosing if you pass away. It’s also an opportunity to make arrangements for their future education and finances.
A will can be written or amended by private trustees and solicitors or you can buy one from the post office. Some public trustees prepare a will at no charge, but accessibility to the service varies from state to state.
Consider private health or life insurance
If you have life insurance, review your policy details and be sure to know what you are and not covered for. Caring can place a physical and psychological strain and you may require medical support. Make sure you are covered. It also helps fill the financial gap if any injury puts you out of action for a while.
About Northside
Northside, a not-for-profit organisation that provides a broad range of services that support older people, people living with a disability and their carers, has put together several important tips that need to be considered for people likely to become a carer.
From accessing relevant information to making a financial plan and staying involved in community relationships outside a caring role, Northside understands what needs to be addressed prior or during your carer role.
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