Are you a carer who lives in Western Australia?
Caring for a loved one or friend can be a demanding and sometimes isolating experience.
Carers are people who provide voluntary care to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who may have a disability, mental health issue, dementia, terminal illness or is frail aged. Carers can be of any age and may or may not live with the person they care for.
Carers often don't even recognise themselves as carers and may miss out on a range of services and support to help them maintain their caring role.
Red Cross services
Red Cross has services to help carers maintain their caring role.
Carer Support
Carer Support can support you to maintain your caring role. We support people who provide care to someone who is eligible to receive Home and Community Care (HACC) funded services. Either:
- Older and frail person who is having difficulty with everyday tasks, including accessing their local community
- A person with a disability that impacts on their ability to undertake everyday tasks, including accessing their local community.
Access to phone support and Carer Support groups helps to reduce stress, prevent burnout and supports carer health and wellbeing. Referral to other services enables carers to access relevant services which meet their changing needs and situations.
Carer Support Groups are an opportunity for carers to come together to exchange information and ideas, and gain support from their peers and Red Cross staff and volunteers. Guest speakers also provide relevant information and advice on training, products and services.
Respite can be arranged and transport provided to make it possible for carers to attend support meetings and social outings, upon request.
Carer Support groups are available in the metropolitan area and the Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern regions.
To find out more about Red Cross support groups in your area call 1800 441 014 or email WACarerSupport@redcross.org.au
Respite Care
Respite Care provides carers with a one-off short term emergency respite and/or a planned break from their caring role. It can include:
- A qualified person coming into the home so the carer can go out
- In-home assistance with meal preparation, cleaning and shopping
- Out-of-home / residential respite care
For further information, fee estimates, referral and advice on a full range of respite care services call 1800 052 222.