Carers support veterans and family members through illness, injury, disability, ageing and major life changes. Caring can be rewarding, but it can also affect your health, time, work and wellbeing.
Supporting carers is an important part of supporting the wellbeing of veterans and families.
Who can be a carer
A carer may be a:
- Partner or spouse
- Parent or adult child
- Other family member or friend
Some carers provide help from time to time. Others provide care every day. Many people do not think of themselves as carers at first and may see it as simply helping someone they care about.
How caring can affect wellbeing
Caring responsibilities can affect many parts of life, including:
- Physical and mental health
- Work, study and financial stability
- Social connection and relationships
- Time for rest, recovery and personal needs
These effects can build up over time, especially when caring is combined with work, parenting or your own health needs.
Support available for carers
Support for carers can look different depending on your needs. It may include:
- Practical help with daily tasks or caring responsibilities
- Respite care, to allow time to rest or recover
- Emotional or mental health support
- Help navigating services, systems and support options
- Peer or community support from others in caring roles
- Information to support planning and decision-making
The right support can make caring easier to manage over time.
Support in Australia
In Australia, carers may be able to access support through Carer Gateway. This can include counselling, coaching, peer support, practical help, tailored support packages, and planned or emergency respite.
Some carers may also be eligible for financial support through Services Australia, such as Carer Payment, Carer Allowance or Carer Supplement. Young carers may also be able to access help with education through the Young Carer Bursary Program.
Eligibility varies, so it can help to check what is available in your area and what you or the person you care for may qualify for.
Local support may also be available through state and territory carer organisations, community health services, neighbourhood or community centres, local councils, and respite or peer support groups.
Support for carers of veterans and families of veterans
In veteran and family life, caring may relate to service-related injury, illness, trauma, disability or ageing. It may also happen during periods of transition, change or loss.
DVA may be able to support eligible veterans and carers through respite care, including in-home respite, residential respite and emergency short-term home relief. Open Arms also provides free and confidential counselling and wellbeing support for veterans and families of veterans.
Looking after yourself
Looking after someone else does not mean ignoring your own wellbeing. Getting support early can help reduce stress and prevent you from becoming too exhausted or overwhelmed.
Looking after yourself is part of caring well.
Where to start
If you are providing care, these steps may help:
- Exploring carer support and respite options
- Talking with a health or wellbeing professional
- Seeking emotional or counselling support
- Connecting with peer or carer networks
- Asking for help to navigate services or plan next steps
You do not have to manage everything on your own. Support is available to help you care for others and look after yourself.
Pinned
