Carers - support available | Better Health Channel
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Summary

Carers who look after an older person need support. Help may be available from private agencies, government agencies or family and friends. Respite services are available to give carers a break. Other services may provide help with meals, nursing, gardening and house maintenance.

A carer may be an older person who needs support themselves. There are a range of support services to help carers in their unpaid, but highly valued, role.

Help is available


Carers may need help. This help is available from:
  • Local, State and Australian Governments
  • Private agencies
  • Voluntary agencies.

Respite services are available to give you a break


Sometimes the constant demands of caring for someone can be exhausting. The following support is available to assist carers and allow them to have a break (respite):
  • Help at home - for a few hours, or even overnight, while you do something else.
  • Outside activities - the person you care for can attend interesting and stimulating activities, while you have a break.
  • Longer breaks - care is also available for whole days or weeks. This may be at an activity centre or a nursing home.

Other help is also available


There are also a number of other services to help you. They can provide:
  • Nursing care - community nurses can come and help with dressings, check medication, give injections etc.
  • Personal care - help with showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed.
  • Home care - help with cooking, cleaning, garden maintenance etc., to give you more time.
  • Volunteers - may be available to help with shopping, or to give you time to attend appointments or to meet other people.
  • Social support - help to meet other carers or attend support groups.
  • Special help - for carers who look after older people with dementia.

Where to find respite help


These services can either help you gain access to respite care, or provide it directly:
  • Local councils
  • Community health care centres
  • Aged care assessment teams
  • Migrant resource centres
  • Koori organisations.
  • Carerlinks agencies
  • Carer Respite Centres
  • Carers Victoria

Services for older people


There are specialist services available to help older people. These services include:
  • Assessment of their needs
  • Specialist care in hospital if they are unwell
  • Medical care
  • Residential care
  • Home and community care.

Where to get help

  • Your regional Department of Human Services office
  • Your local Carer Respite Service on Tel. 1800 059 059
  • Your doctor
  • Your local council.

Things to remember

  • Help is available for carers and older people
  • Ask for help when you need it
  • Carers are important to help older people live independently at home.
You might also be interested in: Want to know more?

Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: February 2010

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.


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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Carers_support_available?open">Carers - support available - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Carers who look after an older person need support. Help may be available from private agencies, government agencies or family and friends. Respite services are available to give carers a break. Other services may provide help with meals, nursing, gardening and house maintenance.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2012  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.