RURAL CARERS URGED TO SEEK SUPPORT DURING NATIONAL CARERS WEEK

By Jessica Dempster

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia is encouraging rural communities to recognise unpaid carers and offer practical support during National Carers Week, which runs from October 11 to 17.

The Association says more than three million Australians provide unpaid care to family members or friends, with this year’s theme, Care for a carer: Making carers visible, highlighting the importance of recognising their contribution.

RDAA President Professor Sarah Chalmers said carers often balance their responsibilities with work, children and their own health needs, while access to support can be limited in rural areas.

“Carers make an enormous difference to someone else’s life, often while juggling work, children and their own health needs,” Professor Chalmers said.

She said long distances to specialist appointments and difficulties accessing respite care could make it harder for carers to manage their responsibilities, with many not identifying themselves as carers or seeking help until they were exhausted.

“When you’re focused on someone else’s needs, it’s easy to put off your own appointments or dismiss how tired or overwhelmed you’re feeling,” Professor Chalmers said.

Professor Chalmers and the RDAA are encouraging carers to speak with their rural GP about their health and any difficulties managing their caring responsibilities.

“Your health matters too. Let your doctor know about your caring responsibilities, including anything that is becoming harder to manage. We can talk through your health concerns and help you explore what support may be available. You don’t have to wait until you’re exhausted to ask,” she said.

Professor Chalmers said friends, families, employers and communities could make a difference by offering practical help.

“A vague ‘let me know if you need anything’ can be hard to take up. Offering something specific, like dropping off a meal, doing the shopping or helping with transport, makes it easier to say yes,” she said.

Carers can find information about available support through carergateway.gov.au.