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A carer is someone who gives up their time to help another
person who is unable to care completely for him or herself. A carer
can be a family member, a friend and/or neighbour. The person who
takes the main responsibility is called a primary carer.
When you are providing care and support for someone receiving
palliative care, you are often increasing their opportunities to
live life to the fullest even though their future is uncertain.
People living with a terminal illness who have a carer often spend
less time in hospital than someone who does not have a carer
Supporting the primary carer
There are a number of useful
resources and links refer
to Carers. Often, especially if a primary carer is emotionally
distressed or providing a lot of care, they will not look around
for resources to help them.Tell the primary carer about the
resources or look at them yourself so that you have information to
give the carer when it is needed.
Combining a busy life with care giving
Many people who have cared for a relative/friend living with a
terminal illness acknowledge that this has been both a rewarding
and a demanding time for them.
If you already have a demanding lifestyle, you may need to think
about whether you can continue this life style. It can be helpful
to discuss future care requirements with your doctor or other
valued health care professional. These professionals should be able
to give you some guidance about what normally happens when someone
has an illness like the one the person you are caring for has.
If you are working, you may then like to discuss the situation
with your employer so that together you can work out a plan so that
is flexible with your care-giving role.
Looking after your own health
Looking after yourself when you are caring for someone is
important, not only for your own sake, but also because it will
allow you to provide ongoing care and support for someone else. A
number of useful resources are available which include advice
on looking
after yourself.
The need for a break
You can obtain professional respite in a number of ways. It can
be
- Planned or unplanned as a result of a crisis or emergency
situation
- Regular, for instance a few hours a week, or arranged
irregularly as required
- Provided for a couple of hours, overnight or for several
days
- Organised in your own home, in facilities within the
community
To find out more about the respite services in your area contact
the palliative care service
in your region or refer to Carers within links to
find carer respite services within each region of Victoria.
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