Carers, caring and respite care services

Carer roles can change, for example, from part-time to full-time care and back as a person’s care needs change.

You and your carers should expect clear communication about medical issues and treatment options and costs in hospital in a way that you can understand.

More than 700,000 Victorians are a personal carer for a family member or friend who is older with care needs, has a disability or has a mental health or other chronic health condition.

Even though you are caring for someone else, it is important that you remember to take care of yourself.

Care in culturally and linguistically diverse communities may be supported by extended family networks.

Being a carer for someone with a mental illness can be emotionally and physically demanding, but it can also be a rewarding experience.

Foster care is temporary care of children up to 18 years by trained, assessed and accredited foster carers.

As a foster carer, you are providing a safe, supportive home for a child or young person who can’t live with their family of origin. You may face challenges that other parents don’t have to confront.

Even though you are caring for someone else, it is important that you remember to take care of yourself.

As circumstances change, it is important to continually assess what services and home assistance will be most helpful.

Sexuality is a key part of human nature. Expressing sexuality in satisfying ways is important for everyone, including people with a disability. Some people with disability may need additional support, education or services to enjoy healthy sexuality and relationships.

Carers often organise appointments and treatments for the person they are caring for and help with medicines.

When caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, it is important to look after your own mental health and wellbeing so that you will have the energy and strength required for your role as carer.

Sexuality is a key part of human nature. Expressing sexuality in satisfying ways is important for everyone, including people with a disability. Some people with disability may need additional support, education or services to enjoy healthy sexuality and relationships.

Ask a doctor and research health information when making a health decision. This will include the cost, timing and regularity of medical treatment.

You can appoint someone to be your medical power of attorney, also known as ‘enduring power of attorney (medical treatment)’, to make medical decisions on your behalf when, in certain circumstances, you can’t.

There will be times during your care role when you will need to adjust your role as the circumstances of both you and the person you care for change.

Whether you are receiving care at home or living in a residential aged care home, you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times, and receive high-quality care and support.

Community services offer information, advice, practical support, financial help or a combination of services.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is a service dedicated to people who are supporting someone living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress.

Nurse-on-Call is a free, confidential telephone helpline that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Care in culturally and linguistically diverse communities may be supported by extended family networks.

Sexuality is a key part of human nature. Expressing sexuality in satisfying ways is important for everyone, including people with a disability. Some people with disability may need additional support, education or services to enjoy healthy sexuality and relationships.

Any act occurring within a relationship where there is an implication of trust, which results in harm to an older person. Abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological and/or neglect.

Look after your emotional needs so you can continue your care role, be healthy and well and enjoy life as much as possible.

The Australian and Victorian Governments offer carer support services to people who provide care to someone with a disability, mental illness, medical condition or older person with care needs.

If you are a carer, for example of a person with a disability or mental illness, or recovering from an accident or illness or an older person with care needs, you need to look after yourself or the demands may wear you down.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is a service dedicated to people who are supporting someone living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress.

Sexuality is a key part of human nature. Expressing sexuality in satisfying ways is important for everyone, including people with a disability. Some people with disability may need additional support, education or services to enjoy healthy sexuality and relationships.