Page 3468 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 22 October 2014
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someone who provides unpaid support and care to a family member or friend who is frail or elderly, has dementia, a mental illness, an intellectual disability, an acquired brain injury, a disability, a chronic illness, or who has received or is receiving palliative care or has other complex needs.
The carers themselves need support, and they need to be valued and recognised in our community. It has been estimated that the annual replacement value of informal care in Australia is $40 billion per annum, with carers across Australia providing 1.32 billion hours of care each year.
Carers can feel excluded from everyday society. I raise that not to imply that those who need care are a burden in any way but to shine a light on the carers facing these situations and who selflessly care for others. Families do not resent the care and support that they provide—their love and devotion are evident—but carers can feel exploited to reduce costs or feel taken for granted.
Being a carer can be emotionally challenging, physically exhausting and financially draining. Research has shown that 50 per cent of primary carers in Australia are on a low income and many find it hard to cover living expenses, let alone build savings or superannuation. It has been shown that carers usually ignore their own health needs and are 40 per cent more likely to suffer from a chronic condition, such as back problems and anxiety and depression, and these conditions can be directly linked to their caring role.
Many carers are chronically tired and are in desperate need of a break, even just one night of unbroken sleep. Many carers can find themselves socially isolated as they miss social opportunities and are left with little time for other activities. Overall, caring can seem to take freedom and spontaneity out of life, yet carers do it without question.
The pressing needs of ageing carers is also an area of concern. These ageing carers can be haunted by fear of what may happen to their family member once they are no longer able to provide an appropriate level of support. Many ageing parent carers are female and most have been providing care for 30 years or longer. Ageing parent carers are very resilient. However, studies have shown that their wellbeing is significantly lower than the national average. Health, finances, life achievement and future security and future planning for the person or persons in their care are significant areas of concern.
The limited availability of alternative accommodation options, apart from the family home, is another area of concern for ageing parents. It was in 1975 that the world’s first carers association was established in New South Wales, and six years later in 1981 carers in the ACT held a public meeting to address concerns about the needs of those caring for aged people. It was soon after this initial meeting that the ACT carers group was first established. We have come a long way since 1975, with organisations right around the world designed to provide support for carers, but they still very much need our support.
I commend Carers ACT and other organisations in the ACT who support carers. I commend the young carers network, as well as the associations to assist friends and
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