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:
Aged care - helping people at home.
Carers - specialist services.
Dementia - carers and activities.
Dementia - caring for someone who lives alone.
Dementia - choosing residential care.
Dementia - communication issues.
Dementia - how carers can help with dressing.
Dementia - how it affects carers.
Dementia - how to encourage healthy eating.
Dementia - managing incontinence.
Dementia - safety issues.
Dementia - support services are available.
Dementia - taking care of carers.
Home and Community Care (HACC).
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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