Tips to support carers

Anyone can become a carer, at anytime.

This year’s Carer Wellbeing Survey found carers who had good access to support had healthy levels of wellbeing compared to those who had no or limited access to help.

Below are some ideas of how you can help a carer today.

Show your support for carers by checking-in on them regularly. You can:

  • Encourage carers to talk if this is helpful to them.
  • Validate their feelings without judgement.
  • Avoid discussing sensitive matters in front of the care recipient as it could make them uncomfortable.

Offer to provide carers with a break and time for themselves to recharge. You can:

  • Run errands for them.
  • Help with household chores like laundry, cleaning, cooking, budgeting and shopping.
  • Plan a social activity together.

Recognise the exceptional role carers play in the lives of those they care for. You can:

  • Express gratitude with a simple, personalised.
  • Be a compassionate and empathetic listener.
  • Verbally recognise their efforts.

Carers often priortise the well-being of the person they care for over their own needs. They might struggle to seek assistance due to a sense of guilt and shame or fear of being judged. You can:

  • Ask them on how you can help them.
  • Listen to what they need – don’t assume you know!

Remind carers to take care of themselves and prioritise their own physical and mental health. You can:

  • Share helpful resources such as healthand wellbeing apps and support groups.
  • Go for a walk with them.
  • If you are an employer, provide carers with flexible work-arrangements.
About carers and National Carers Week image

About carers and National Carers Week

Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. Anyone can become a carer, at any time.

National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

National Carers Week is an initiative of Carers Australia, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and coordinated with the assistance and participation of the National Carer Network.

Carer Gateway logo

Where can carers get support?

Carer Gateway provides information and advice on the supports available to carers across Australia, and has a great range of online resources to help promote carer wellbeing. To find out more, and to access online support services, head to carergateway.gov.au

National Carer Network associations

See what is on in your state or territory and find carer support near you.

Events

There are a variety of events and activities taking place around Australia throughout National Carers Week.

Use my location

Redeem a free yoga class by the ocean

9:00am - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

Warriewood, NSW

Open to carers

Dementia Awareness Morning Tea

10:30am - Thu, 26 Oct 2023

AVELEY, WA

Open to the public

A and D In Home Care Suspended Coffee’s

8:00am - Wed, 18 Oct 2023

Glenbrook, NSW

Open to carers

A and D In Home Care Suspended Coffees

8:00am - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

Emu Plains, NSW

Open to carers

Mindful weaving workshop & Morning Tea

10:00am - Fri, 13 Oct 2023

Greenhill, NSW

Open to carers

Carers Wellbeing Day in Nillumbik

9:30am - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

Eltham, VIC

Open to carers

Carers Week Morning Tea

9:30am - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

Currimundi, QLD

Open to the public

Carer Support Service – Foyer Events

9:00am - Mon, 16 Oct 2023

St Leonards, NSW

Open to the public

Carers Week Printmaking Workshop

10:00am - Wed, 18 Oct 2023

ARMADALE, VIC

Open to carers

Carer Support Talk & High Tea

12:30pm - Wed, 18 Oct 2023

Ryde, NSW

Open to carers

Carers Week – Duldig Studio Guided Tour

2:00pm - Wed, 18 Oct 2023

Malvern East, VIC

Open to carers

Carers Week Drop-In Morning Tea and Information Day

10:00am - Tue, 10 Oct 2023

Griffith, NSW

Open to the public

National Carers Week Morning Tea

9:00am - Wed, 25 Oct 2023

Bethania, QLD

Open to the public

North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Open Day

10:00am - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

Ivanhoe, VIC

Open to carers

Craft, Lunch & Meditation Session

11:00am - Tue, 24 Oct 2023

Bathurst, NSW

Open to carers

Shoalhaven Carers Week Program

9:30am - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

Shoalhaven, NSW

Open to carers

Carers Week Drop-In Morning Tea and Information Day

10:00am - Mon, 30 Oct 2023

Wagga Wagga, NSW

Open to the public

Carers Week Drop-In Morning Tea and Information Day

10:00am - Thu, 12 Oct 2023

Wagga Wagga, NSW

Open to the public

Carer Information & Wellbeing Day

10:00am - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

benalla, VIC

Open to the public

Happy Sad Man- Movie Screening

6:30pm - Tue, 17 Oct 2023

Shepparton, VIC

Open to the public

From Exhaustion to Ease – 3 ways to find relief when demands are high

11:30am - Fri, 20 Oct 2023

Greensborough, VIC

Open to carers

Gentle Yoga for Carers – Fall in Love with Taking Care of Yourself

11:00am - Thu, 19 Oct 2023

Watsonia, VIC

Open to carers

Financial & Material Support for Carers – Information Session & Lunch

11:30am - Wed, 18 Oct 2023

Bellfield, VIC

Open to carers

Carer Communication & Advocacy – The Art of Being Assertive

10:30am - Wed, 18 Oct 2023

Online

Open to carers

Seniors Festival Lunch and Library Information Session for Carers

12:30pm - Mon, 16 Oct 2023

Watsonia, VIC

Open to carers

National Carers Week Afternoon Tea

2:00pm - Thu, 19 Oct 2023

Alexandra, VIC

Open to the public