It takes a special kind of person to be a carer, and anyone at any time can find themselves in a carers position.
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National Carer’s Week runs from October 15 to 21, and it’s the perfect opportunity to raise awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles, and to say thank you.
Alison Surian and Wendy Forner have both found themselves in the position of being the primary carers for their mothers, who suffer from dementia.
Both women have described the hardships being a carer can bring, and both actively encourage other carers to seek support.
“You are so busy all the time and sometimes you think you are OK, but in reality you can be so run down and stressed,” Wendy said.
“When you are in that position, it is so easy to think there is no help out there, and you feel you don’t have the time just to sit or recharge, and guilt about leaving your loved one can dictate your life,” Alison said.
However there is help out there, and they strongly encourage any carer to seek support and help, and support offered by Intereach has changed their lives.
“We have the together program running at the moment, where carers come in, have a coffee, and just unload and talk about issues only other carers can understand, because unless you are in that situation, you just don’t realise what goes on,” Alison said.
Carers are people who provide unpaid personal care, support and assistance to children or adults with a disability, mental illness or chronic health, dementia or older people over 65.
The theme for National Carers Week 2017 is Carers Count, which will focuses on the number of carers in Australia and the hours of care they provide and the value of that unpaid care.
Intereach will celebrate Carers Week with a free morning tea and lunch for Griffith district carers.
The event will be at Mino & Co on Tuesday October 17 from 10.00am to 1.00pm, giving carers the opportunity to enjoy themselves and meet others in their situation.
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RSVP at Intereach Commonwealth Respite Carelink Centre 1800 052 222, and respite care can be arranged.
If you would like to be a part of the Together program, call Alison on 0428 687 586.
