What is the true cost of being a carer?

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Carers contribute enormously to the lives of tens of thousands of Australians each year, but often the work they do can go unrecognised.

This could be caring for an ageing parent or a child with a disability, even young people can be thrust into caring for a family member.

They’re sometimes referred to as ‘invisible second patients’ due to the physical, emotional and financially draining aspects of the responsibility.

In this episode ABC Radio’s The Conversation Hour, the team discusses the ways in which we can redraw these invisible lines of support.

Click here the image below to listen to the segement.

Comments

Julie
26/06/2024 at 2:14 pm

Carers of family are not recognized as being workers because ” you do for family” , we have no rights, no nothing. A lot is said about retirement, so many carers will never get to retire, if they did what with ?? no super no nothing. How many carers face homelessness. We are treated like slaves, as per the U.N slavery charter and I believe the U.N human rights charter. None of that means anything.

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1. Ann Krzeva
  27/06/2024 at 7:18 am
  
  Sadly our Government pay the wrong people by misusing tax payers money rather than pay the real workers called “Care Givers”, who do a better job, more qualified and have the accreditation, but our Government and their Agency Service Providers make too much money from the vulnerable and our misfortunes to ever do the right think. These are not caring plan or support services or access to program to assist our vulnerable. Let’s get the wording right here these Programs and Packages are “Revenue Packages to pay Organizations”, there is nobody that helps the Vulnerable but the Care Givers, who are used as FREE SLAVES by everyone. There is no respect, no recognition and no renumeration. The entire systems and structures are a scam. Stop lying to the Australian People for over two decades you have destroyed our clients, families and communities, by misusing tax payers money to exclude, abuse, neglect, exploit and totally disadvantage us further into poverty.
  What you did to the Lost Generation you now do to the disability and aged.
  
  Reply
Leanne
01/07/2024 at 8:43 pm

My husband recently had a ruptured aneurysm and a haemorrhagic stroke. He was in hospital and rehabilitation for 10wks, and has been home for 4wks. Not once has anyone of his care team asked if I’m OK. Of course I want to do everything I can for him, but I’m doing my and his work around the house and garden, caring for my Grandchildren and running our business which takes Intellectually Disabled adults on social, recreational and respite programs. I’m physically and emotionally exhausted, and this journey has really just begun. What will happen if I fall in a heap?

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Paul Koury
01/07/2024 at 9:33 pm

Hi Leanne,

My heart goes out to you, and you’re doing a very loving and selfless thing. There are options like emergency care volunteers and respite to give you a break. I know it’s easier said than done, but I can’t stress the importance of self-care. You must put the oxygen mask on yourself first, or you’ll be in no condition to help anyone. It’s equally important to have your own care plan as it does for your husband. check out our article on self-care by clicking this link https://australiancarersguide.com.au/self-care-is-not-selfish/

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