Carers are usually family members who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged. Carers can be parents, partners, brothers, sisters, friends or children. Some carers are eligible for government income support while others are employed or have a private income. Caring is a rewarding experience, but it can also be very demanding. Sometimes carers also need help and support. What do carers doEach care situation is unique. Some carers need to assist with tasks of daily living, and spend their days feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring or administering medications. Others care for people who are fairly independent but need supervision or help with their finances and transport. Carers also provide emotional support day in and day out for some of the most vulnerable, isolated members of our community. Carer counsellingThe National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP) provides counselling and related emotional and psychological support services for carers, in order to reduce carer stress, improve carer coping skills and facilitate continuation of the caring role. Short-term counselling is available from qualified counsellors on issues that are specific to carers' needs.
In South Australia this service is provided through Carers SA, tel. 1800 242 636 Respite and information on support servicesThere are over 50 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres situated around Australia (four of which in SA) to support carers to access respite or "take a break". The centres can provide: -
Information and advice about respite options -
Help with organising emergency or planned respite -
Financial assistance for short-term or emergency respite when needed -
Information and referral about care and support services for carers and care recipients, including: domestic assistance, home modification and maintenance; personal and nursing care, disability services, assessment services, care packages, allied health and therapy services (podiatry, physiotherapy, etc.), social support and special services for dementia. Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres can be contacted on 1800 052 222 (free call national). The call is automatically directed to the local Centre. If information is required for a person living in another area the call will be transferred to the relevant Centre upon the client's request. The South Australian program includes the Carelink SA website where you can find more information about the South Australian Centres. Seniors Information Service (SIS) maintains respite vacancy registers for aged care facilities (high and low care), serviced apartments and supported residential facilities, The SIS respite care information sheet has more information about respite options. Carer AllowanceCarer Allowance is a supplementary payment that may be available to parents or carers who provides daily care and attention for a person aged 16 years or over with a disability, medical condition or who is frail aged.
Eligibility criteria and more information are available from Centrelink. Carer PaymentCarer Payment is an income support payment for carers who, are unable to support themselves through substantial paid employment because they are caring for someone on a daily basis on a daily basis who are aged 16 years or over and has a severe disability, chronic debilitating medical condition or is frail aged.
More information is available from Centrelink. Concessions for carers Plus-one Free Companion Card - Companions of people with permanent and severe disabilities can apply to travel free on Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams using this card. Application forms can be downloaded from the South Australian Government website. They are also are available from most GP clinics or from Seniors Information Service. For further information on eligibility and other details tel. (08) 8303 0822 or 1300 360 840. Qantas Carer Concession Card - A person is eligible if they need to have one-on-one support when seated on the plane for assistance with meals/drinks, transferring to the bathroom, orientation, communicating with the flight staff etc. A person would not be eligible if they only need assistance with boarding the plane or when they arrive at their destination. Qantas Carer Concession cardholders and their nominated carer will receive discounts for Qantas domestic travel within Australia and New Zealand. The card is administered by Nican, tel. 1800 806 769 (tel. / TTY). South Australian Companion Card is a card issued to people with a permanent disability requiring attendant care support. The card allows a companion of the person to enter to participating venues and activities free of charge. It can also be used on public transport, such as buses, trams and trains. Applicants must meet ALL of the following eligibility criteria: - living in South Australia
- having a significant and permanent disability
- unable to participate at most community venues and activities without attendant care support due to the impact of your disability, and
- their need for this level of support will be lifelong.
Telephone 1800 667 110 to have a Cardholder Application form posted out to you. Alternatively the application form can be downloaded from www.sa.companioncard.asn.au/publications.htm. The South Australian Companion Card is free and is valid for five years. See also our webpage Concessions for Seniors.
Carers Associations Carers Associations advocate the needs and concerns of carers to government, policy makers, health professionals, service providers and the community. The Network of Carers Associations is made up of representation from Carers Associations in each state and territory which are members of Carers Australia. Each Carers Association offers a range of services and support such as: -
Carer support services such as counselling, advice, support groups and friendship groups -
Advocacy – lobbying state and territory governments, service providers, policy makers and the media about issues affecting carers -
Carers newsletters -
Education and training – workshops and information sessions to carers and service providers -
Referral services Carers SA is a carer-founded organisation representing the interests of carers in South Australia. Their mission is to assist, empower and enhance the lives of family carers. Carers SA has a key role in leading change and empowering family Carers to participate in a partnership with Government and the health and community sectors for the provision of better services and to increase the recognition of carers. Carers WeekCarers Week is a time to acknowledge the work of Carers and to recognise the contributions they make to the community. Carers Week also provides an opportunity for carers to get together throughout Australia to share experiences and to celebrate. Contact Carers SA for dates for Carers Week or tel. 8291 5600 or 1800 815 549. Free Carer Information PacksThe Carer Information Pack contains practical information for caring at home. The pack has been designed specifically for carers and includes: -
Information regarding support and services available to carers -
Fact sheets on specific conditions -
A relaxation tape or CD -
Legal and financial information -
An emergency care kit -
Other practical assistance The kit is available in English and 13 other community languages – Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Maltese, Polish, Serbian, Spanish and Vietnamese. An Indigenous kit is also available for carers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. Call Carers SA on 8291 5600 or 1800 815 549 to receive a free copy of the Carer Information Pack. Carer support agencies in SACarers SA
Goodwood
Tel. (08) 8291 5600 or 1800 815 549
Email: info@carers-sa.asn.au Carer Support (Southern and Eastern Metro)
Fullarton
Tel. (08) 8379 5777
Email: contact@carersupport.org.au Northern Carers Network
Davoren Park
Tel. (08) 8284 0388
Email: office@ncnw.org.au Western Carers
Royal Park
Tel. (08) 8240 2900
Email: westerncarers@carers-sa.asn.au South Coast Carer Support
Victor Harbor
Tel. (08) 8552 7419
Email: sf.carers@bigpond.com Carers' Link, Barossa & Districts Inc
Nuriootpa
Tel. (08) 8562 4000
Email: ritak@carerslinkbv.org
Carer Wellness Centre Adelaide Hills
Tel. 8391 4476, 0458 867 258
Email: info@carerslinkah.org Country North Community Services Inc. (including Carers' Link Lower North and Respite Link)
Clare
Tel. (08) 8842 1118, 1800 246 300
Email: admin@cncs.org.au Carers' Link Yorke Peninsula
Kadina
Tel. (08) 8821 2444
Email: carerslinkyp@carerslinkyp.org Eyre Carers
Port Lincoln
Tel. (08) 8683 4477, 1800 350 004
Email: eyrecarers@carers-sa.asn.au Northern Country Carers
Port Augusta
Tel. (08) 8641 1844, 1800 067 933
Email: ncc@carers-sa.asn.au Port Pirie
Tel. (08) 8633 3223
Email: nccptpir@adam.com.au Whyalla
Tel. 8649 2444
Email: nccwhyal@sa86net.com South East Carers
Mount Gambier
Tel. (08) 8724 7188, 1800 654 429
Email: secarers@carers-sa.asn.au
River Murray and Mallee Carers
Loxton
Tel. (08) 8584 6855, 1800 806 580
Email: rivmmc@carers-sa.asn.au Murray Bridge
Tel. (08) 8539 1319
Email: Jennifer.webster@caers-sa.asn.au South Australia Government’s Office for Carers The Office for Carers, established in the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) (formerly Department for Families and Communities (DFC)), administers the SA Carers Recognition Act 2005 and aims to improve the focus and response of government to the issues of carers. It works alongside other Government departments and divisions within DCSI to implement the Carers Recognition Act. The SA Carers Reference Group, comprised of carers and representatives from carer organisations and key Government departments, advises the Office for Carers about the implementation of the Carers Policy, Carers Charter and Carers Recognition Act and provides advice on other issues relating to carers. Office for Carers distributes a quarterly newsletter covering current issues and help for carers. Interesting Australian and overseas websites Carers Australia
Carers UK
Carers NZ Canadian Caregiver Coalition
Family Caregiver Alliance (US)
National Alliance for Caregiving (US)
National Family Caregivers Association (US) | 
