Carers

• If you are a Carer although it can be difficult, you need to consider your own needs as well as those of the person you are caring for. If you are not coping and your health begins to suffer, caring will become more difficult and it will not be easy to continue doing all the things that you need to do. You may even be unable to continue caring
• Carers must think of themselves first – because if they have to give up, there will be no carer
• Please don’t feel guilty, make some time for yourself and try and continue with activities that you enjoy. Even though the many responsibilities of caring can make it difficult to manage, it is really important that you follow your own interests outside your caring role
• It’s easy to become isolated and loneliness can be one of the worst side effects of being a carer
• Sometimes if you are not coping just talking to someone who understands what you are going through can be a great relief
• Discuss the demands caring places on you and your own health concerns with your doctor, or contact your Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on 1800 242 636 (free call)
• For a copy of other useful resources visit the Carers Australia website at http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/ or Carers Gateway at https://www.carergateway.gov.au/