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National Carers Week 2024 runs from 13 to 19 October and is a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank our unpaid carers for the incredible work they do. The call-to-action for this year’s National Carers Week is ‘Show them you care’.

Palliative Care Volunteers already play a part in supporting carers. If you know someone who is a carer, check in with them and see how you can help ease their burden.

Show carers you care through any of these small, but powerful, actions:

CHECK-IN REGULARLY – Show your support for carers by checking-in on them regularly. You can:

• Encourage carers to chat about their experience if it’s helpful to them.
• Validate their feelings without judgment.
• Avoid discussing sensitive matters in front of the person they care for – it could make them uncomfortable.

OFFER A BREAK – Offer to provide carers with a break and take time for themselves to recharge. You can:

• Run errands for them.
• Help with household chores like laundry, cleaning, cooking, budgeting and shopping.
• Plan a social activity together – it could be as simple as going for a walk or grabbing a coffee.

ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE – Recognise the exceptional role carers play in the lives of those they care for. You can:

• Express gratitude with a simple, personalised note or video message on social media.
• Be a compassionate and empathetic listener.
• Let them know you see everything they do and recognise their efforts.
• Have a cuppa with a carer.

INITIATE SUPPORT – Carers often prioritise the wellbeing of the person they care for over their own needs. They might struggle to seek assistance due to a sense of guilt, shame or fear of being judged. You can:

• Ask them how you can help them.
• Listen to what they need – don’t assume you know!

ENCOURAGE SELF-CARE
Remind carers to take care of themselves and prioritise their own physical and mental health. You can:

• Remind them about the free support available through Carer Gateway which offers emotional and practical services support for carers and .
• Share helpful resources such as health and wellbeing apps and support groups.
• Help them get outside by going for a walk with them.
• If you are an employer, offer carers flexible work arrangements.

Visit www.carersweek.com.au to learn more. 

#NationalCarersWeek