Caring for someone

Page Tools

A carer is a person who gives someone regular and ongoing care and help. Often a carer gives this support without being paid. A carer could be a family member, a partner, a friend, or a neighbour.

A carer may give care for a few hours a week or all day every day, depending on the level of support needed. Care can be received:

  • in the older person’s home
  • in a residential aged care home
  • in your home.

Read more about caring for someone at home or caring for someone in an aged care home.

Caring for someone with a particular need

Everyone’s care needs are different. There are many resources, services, and support groups available when caring for someone with a particular need, or in a particular situation:

Support for you as a carer

Many carers see themselves as a family member who looks after a person they love, not as a carer. This means that you may not think to look for help.

Everyone’s path to being a carer is different. Your family member or friend could need help suddenly – for example, if they’ve had a stroke. Other times, it’s a gradual process with physical and/or mental changes slowly making it harder for them to care for themselves. Either way, looking after your own health and wellbeing is important because it will help you in your caring role. 

Tips for being confident in your caring role

Making sure others understand your needs will help you balance your role as a carer with other aspects of your life. Be confident about talking to the person you care for about your need to be:

  • given privacy
  • treated with dignity and respect
  • asked to help, not just expected to help
  • acknowledged and included in decision-making.
     

Other tips include:

  • carrying out only the tasks you are comfortable with
  • voicing your concerns and offering suggestions
  • asking other family members for support
  • providing relevant information to doctors, nurses and other service providers
  • talking about support services available and accessing them when you need help
  • reducing the amount of care you provide, or making arrangements for permanent care such as moving into an aged care home.

Further assistance

There is a wide range of services available to help you as a carer. The Carer Gateway is designed to give you support and assistance so you can continue your caring role. You can find further information on their website, including help with:

What else do people ask at this step?

I care for someone who has moved into an aged care home. Can I still provide care for them?

Yes, you can and it’s beneficial if you do. While you will need to work together with the aged care home’s health professionals, you are still an important source of support and care.

Read more

What do I do if the person I care for can’t provide consent?

If the person in your care is unable to contact My Aged Care and provide consent, you may need to become an authorised representative. To put this in place, you will need supporting legal documents (and in most cases supporting medical evidence) so that My Aged Care knows you can legally represent them.

As an authorised representative, you can speak and act on their behalf, as long as you ensure that you act in their best interests and keep their personal information safe.

Read more about representatives

See more FAQs

External resources