Recognise and celebrate carers across Australia from 11 - 17 October 2020
From October 11 to 17 2020, National Carers Week is a time to recognise the 2.65 million Australians who provide care and support to a family member or friend with disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.
Tell us why you careLisa and Jess Origliasso, aka The Veronicas, care for their mum, Colleen, and you can find out more via our new video!
About carers and National Carers Week
Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged – anyone at any time can become a carer.
National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.
National Carers Week is an initiative of Carers Australia, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and coordinated with the assistance and participation of the state and territory Carers Associations.
Show you care by hosting or attending an event
We’re asking everyone to get involved in National Carers Week by attending or hosting a National Carers Week event. This can be a morning tea, afternoon tea, a walk or some other activity.
Recently submitted carer stories
QLD
I am a mother with a son that has mental illness. I struggle to help him through bureaucracy. Without much success in getting him accommodation through housing. It's hard as he is also taking drugs to cope with his struggles with discrimination from people after they know he has mental illness. He tried to tell his neighbours so they can help call ambulance or his mother when he has episode. But that didn't go down well with his neighbours. Also most patients he meet at the hospital will come to his unit cause disturbance as he won't let them in. They broke his door many times which we fixed it all the time, which he has to pay for it. He get upset but he could not do anything about it. I have tried and beg mental health in Cairns to get their patients and ask them not to go to my son's unit. As they sleep in front the door. I asked them to house their patients so they don't sleep infront of my son's unit. Mental health, Cairns told me it's my problem not theirs. As a result my son been evicted from his unit. He is now homeless. He doesn't want to stay with me as he wants to be independent, but he comes here me to eat and shower get change. When I asked him where he sleeps he answered " Don't worry mum" I'm ok. This is my sad story and I care my son very much but it's hard dealing with it.
QLD
I care for my ex partner, he suffers extreme mental illness, addiction disorder, and mild learning and physical disabilities. I care because throughout his struggles and challenges, he has proven that with my support he can soldier through it. There is no organizations that cater to his specific needs and know him personally enough to gauge on what he needs, and provide that care for him 24/7. It is tiring and with the decline in his mental health it had impacted on our marriage. I chose to stay and continue to care for him as my presence, friendship, and support has been what has kept him alive. We both know if I did not choose to continue caring he would continue to decline and the outcome would be that he would lose everything including possibly his life. With my support, he is able to access and participate in the community, continue to get and attend appointments, have assistance in advocacy and receive understanding when dealing with organizations. Although caring is difficult and it has been 12 years without a break, I am happy that I am here with him and that he continues to strive for recovery and has not declined to a point of no return. I find that caring is something that came naturally to me and I am glad I am able to do it.
QLD
I care for my wife of 53 years married. She was only diagnosed with PSP within the past year, but had suffered with falls, and a lack of mobility for about four years now. She is quite philosophical about the disease, which makes it easier for myself. She requires 24/7 care, but I'm happy to do it. I'm a proud carer.
Where can carers get support?
Carer Gateway provides information and advice on the supports available to carers across Australia, and has a great range of online resources to help promote carer wellbeing. To find out more, and to access online support services, head to carergateway.gov.au