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Caring for others
Caring for others
At some point during our lives, we will most likely need some type of care or support and many of us will become carers.
Are you a carer or helping someone out?
Carers are everyday people who provide unpaid and ongoing care and support to someone they know who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, end-of-life-health or who is frail.
Support for carers
Carer Gateway is a national online and phone service that provides practical information and useful resources for carers. Search the Carer Gateway website, call 1800 422 737 or use their interactive service finder to locate your nearest carer support services.
Carers Australia and the Network of Carer Associations can also provide information on counselling, support groups and ways to connect with other carers:
Respite care
Caring for someone can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but regular breaks can help relieve stress. Find out about respite care here.
Medicare explained
Budget 2014 has put the Medicare scheme into the spotlight. Learn who's eligible for Medicare, when to use your Medicare card and what is bulk billing...
Aged care services
As you get older you may need extra help managing everyday activities. There are many different types of aged care services , as well as respite servi...
Caring for someone with dementia
Caring for someone with dementia can be frustrating and stressful at times, but there are organisations that can help with training and support.
Caring for someone with a mental health disorder
Caring for someone with mental health problems brings unique challenges. Communication can be a struggle for many, while you yourself will need suppor...
Palliative care
Palliative care is holistic care that aims to improve the quality of life of people who are dying. Read about the range of services available.
Caring for someone with cancer
This article will provide you with some information and advice on caring for someone with cancer.
Caring for someone with a drug problem
This article will provide you with some information and advice on caring for someone with a drug problem.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Carers SA - Caring for an Older Person
Are you caring for an elderly friend or relative?
Read more on Carers SA website
Carers Victoria - Aged care
We offer support and give you the chance to talk to somebodyWe arrange respite and may be able to help with the costsWe give workshops on topics of interest to carersWe provide information about appropriate respite vacancies in aged care settingsWe link you to other services that may be able to helpWe put you in touch with carer support groups where you can meet other people in similar situations
Read more on Carers Victoria website
Taking Care of You - Carers SA
Looking after yourself is paramount to both your own wellbeing and your ability to maintain your role as a carer. Taking care of all aspects of your life, including your mental and physical health, will increase the likelihood that you stay well, so that you can continue to support the person you are caring for.
Read more on Carers SA website
The beyondblue guide for carers - Supporting and caring for a person with depression, anxiety and/or a related disorder - Caring for others, caring for yourself
No matter how long you’ve been supporting a person who’s experiencing a mental health condition, this guide includes helpful information for all carers and family members
Read more on beyondblue website
Who are Young Carers? - Young Carers WA
Young Carers WA provides services to young people who provide unpaid care for a family member.
Read more on Young Carers WA website
Support Young Carers - Young Carers WA
Young Carers WA provides services to young people who provide unpaid care for a family member.
Read more on Young Carers WA website
At School - Young Carers WA
Young Carers WA provides services to young people who provide unpaid care for a family member.
Read more on Young Carers WA website
Counselling - Young Carers WA
Young Carers WA provides services to young people who provide unpaid care for a family member.
Read more on Young Carers WA website
ANYCAT (Australian National Young Carer Action Team) - Young Carers W
Young Carers WA provides services to young people who provide unpaid care for a family member.
Read more on Young Carers WA website
Carers Victoria - For families, parents and guardians
If you are a parent caring for a family member or friend, then chances are one or more of your children is a young carer
Read more on Carers Victoria website
Top results
Respite care for people with dementia and their carers | Cochrane
This review aims to see whether respite care can reduce caregiver burden and stress, and increase the length of time for which a person with dementia can continue living at home.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Interventions for orienting patients and their carers to cancer care facilities | Cochrane
Patients who are new to a cancer care facility and cancer treatment are often stressed and anxious due to their diagnosis of cancer, uncertainties about treatment, needle phobias and meeting new care providers. This review focuses on the effects of information programs which provide information specifically related to the facility and the services available to patients, their families and care givers.A broad search of published reports located only four studies with 610 participants which met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Orientation interventions may reduce distress in patients, but the quality of the evidence is low. The effects of such intervention on patient/carer satisfaction, knowledge and recall were not sufficiently evaluated or reported by the included trials. Although the studies generally reported positive outcomes for participants (e.g. more knowledgeable about the cancer centre and cancer therapy, better coping abilities), the studies generally were of poor quality and did not have a sufficient number of participants to eliminate the possibility of bias.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Efficacy and experiences of telephone counselling for informal carers of people with dementia | Cochrane
Caring for a person with dementia often has a negative impact on an informal carers mental and physical health and social life. Therefore, these informal carers should be offered support. They are usually family members and care for the person with dementia at home.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
End-of-life care pathways for the dying | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Interventions for supporting family and friends of patients at the end of life | Cochrane
Family and friends are often central to the care of patients at the end of life. While providing such informal care can generate strong positive emotions, caring can be extremely stressful both mentally and physically. Support strategies are being developed. These can involve, for example, advice on caring and practical support. However, it is unclear if these strategies are beneficial.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Ways to support older people deciding whether to enter long-term residential care | Cochrane
The decision to enter long-term care is a major life event for older people. It is usually made at a time of crisis and vulnerability, and there is often pressure to make the decision quickly. How the decision is made may affect older people's adjustment to residential care and quality of life, along with those of their carers or family. There are a number of ways that health professionals provide support to older people making this decision. These include a thorough assessment of their needs, provision of adequate information, counselling, providing choices, and the facilitation and timing of the decision-making process.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Should health care providers arriving at scene of a cardiac arrest give a period of chest compressions first before providing a rapid electric shock | Cochrane
Should health care providers arriving at scene of a cardiac arrest give a period of chest compressions first before providing a rapid electric shock
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Safety and Quality
The Commission is a government agency that leads and coordinates national improvements in safety and quality in health care across Australia
Read more on Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website
Can health care providers who are not doctors perform abortions as well as doctors? | Cochrane
Unsafe abortion causes death and disability and remains a major public health concern in developing countries. Most of these deaths and disabilities could be prevented if safe and legal abortion were provided by trained people. This review looked at whether using mid-level providers (health care providers who are not doctors) to perform abortions is safe. It also looked at whether the abortions provided by mid-level providers worked as well as those provided by doctors.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Incontinence in Australia: prevalence, experience and cost (AIHW)
This bulletin reports on the number of people who experienced severe incontinence in 2009, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. It also presents information on prevalence rates and how much was spent on incontinence (excluding residential aged care costs) in 2008-09. There were an estimated 316,500 people suffering from severe incontinence in 2009, most of whom were female (66%). As well, 73% of primary carers who assisted in managing another person's incontinence spent at least 40 hours each week caring or supervising.
Read more on AIHW – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website
