A Practical Guide
Media Release 30th March 2016
In any given year, almost two and a half million people care for a person with mental illness in Australia. Too often, when dealing with organisations providing treatment and care, these same carers can end up feeling left out of the process of creating the care their loved one needs. Now, existing services and programs have access to a new Guide that will enable them to work with, and draw on the expertise of carers when designing and implementing care and ‘packages’ of care for people with mental illness. This ‘Practical Guide for Working with Carers of People with a Mental Illness’ was created by a consortium of experts in mental health care, including Helping Minds, Mind Australia, Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network (Australia), Mental Health Australia and Mental Health Carers ARAFMI Australia. “The main aim of the Guide is to provide practical assistance to providers to work with carers in a meaningful, mutually beneficial way. A partnership approach, if you like, which will enhance outcomes for consumers,” Independent Chair of the Project, Mr Patrick Hardwick (President of Helping Minds) said today. “Better recognition that carers are key partners in the planning and provision of mental health care makes sound social and economic sense.” Mr Hardwick added “the primary outcome of the Guide, when implemented within a service, will be an enhanced practice of engaging, supporting and working with carers in all areas in which mental health care is provided.” |
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The Carer Gateway helps carers access practical information and advice and connect with services in their local area. It includes a website and phone service to assist carers to locate their nearest support services.
Carers can visit the website or call the professional, Australian based team on 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm.
Carers can visit the website or call the professional, Australian based team on 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm.
Anyone can be a carer.
Many people don’t see themselves as carers. They are just children, parents, partners or friends who care for someone close to them. If you are a carer, you can get help and support from the government and other organisations.
What do carers do?
Carers provide support and help with daily activities such as preparing meals, bathing, dressing, going to the toilet, moving around and taking medicine.
Some people provide care all the time, while others do so only occasionally.
Some carers look after people who are mostly independent but might need help with tasks such as banking, transport, shopping or housework.
You might not be the only person who cares for someone and you might not provide care every day.
Every situation is different.
Many people don’t see themselves as carers. They are just children, parents, partners or friends who care for someone close to them. If you are a carer, you can get help and support from the government and other organisations.
What do carers do?
Carers provide support and help with daily activities such as preparing meals, bathing, dressing, going to the toilet, moving around and taking medicine.
Some people provide care all the time, while others do so only occasionally.
Some carers look after people who are mostly independent but might need help with tasks such as banking, transport, shopping or housework.
You might not be the only person who cares for someone and you might not provide care every day.
Every situation is different.
The Carer Gateway website provides a great deal of practical advice and support for carers.
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Government funded carer services are changing
Why the change? When do the changes take effect? What services will be delivered? Who are the new Carer Gateway Service Providers? Can I stay with my current carer services provider? How do I access the new carer services? Career opportunities Who is Wellways Australia? How do I stay up to date with the changes? For answers to the above questions read the Wellways flyer by clicking on the button below. helpline 1300 111 500 mental health information, support and referral advice 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) |
The following brochures are available from Carer Gateway/Wellways. Click on an image for a pdf version of the brochure
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There will be 16 Carer Gateway service areas under the new model that align to existing Primary Health Network (PHN) regions. The map below outlines the areas.
The Sunshine Coast falls within area QLD3 being Central Qld, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast and Northern Qld.
Wellways has provided an informative handbook which you can access by clicking on the link below.
The Sunshine Coast falls within area QLD3 being Central Qld, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast and Northern Qld.
Wellways has provided an informative handbook which you can access by clicking on the link below.
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Are you a carer?It's easy to see yourself as a parent, child, family member, friend or partner ... ... but perhaps you are one of Australia's 2.7 million carers. If you provide unpaid care and support to family members or friends with disability, a mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are frail aged, you are not alone. Caring in different ways Every caring situation is different. It can bring both joy and challenges. But there is one thing that all carers have in common - they give comfort, encouragement and support to the person they care for. Visit Carers Queensland website for a vast amount of information and support. |
Respite for Carers ... ...
YES! Rest, Sleep, Dining, Cuppas, Company, Conversation, Guidance, Laughter, Reading, Walking, Swimming, Craft, Sight-seeing on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
NO! Caring Responsibility, Routine, Cooking, Housework Located at Highworth near Nambour Qld
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Hints & Tips for Carers, Family & Friends
Keep a Diary / Journal
As a carer we go through many stressful, emotional times trying to understand what happened. We do our very best to communicate with a variety of mental health professionals whilst on a steep learning curve.
Some health professionals, such as psychiatrists, can be making decisions about the person we are caring for on the basis of seeing that person perhaps once a month whereas we may interact on a daily basis and we know the person far better than any health professional. To communicate more effectively with health professionals it can be very helpful to maintain a diary of progress, regress, moods, achievements etc.
Some health professionals, such as psychiatrists, can be making decisions about the person we are caring for on the basis of seeing that person perhaps once a month whereas we may interact on a daily basis and we know the person far better than any health professional. To communicate more effectively with health professionals it can be very helpful to maintain a diary of progress, regress, moods, achievements etc.
Keep a record of medications
For some, an effective medication may be prescribed in the first instance and treatment of the mental health condition controlled without further complications. For others it may be a journey of trial & error until an effective medication is found.
For various reasons there can be changes in psychiatrists, hospitals or even interstate moves. A record of previous medications, maximum dose, effectiveness, length of time on the medication and reason for prescribing the medication can all become buried or overlooked and as time goes on it can all become more complicated,
It can therefore be very helpful to keep a record of medications. It can assist the carer in understanding the medications being taken, the reasons and effectiveness. This knowledge can assist if attending psychiatric appointments with the cared for. It can also assist if, at some future time, a new psychiatrist recommends a medication and is unaware that the particular medication has been previously tried with either no effect or perhaps even a detrimental effect. It may still be decided to trial the medication a second time but in the case of a previous detrimental effect, the situation can be monitored with more effectiveness.
A suggested template is available by clicking on the links.
For various reasons there can be changes in psychiatrists, hospitals or even interstate moves. A record of previous medications, maximum dose, effectiveness, length of time on the medication and reason for prescribing the medication can all become buried or overlooked and as time goes on it can all become more complicated,
It can therefore be very helpful to keep a record of medications. It can assist the carer in understanding the medications being taken, the reasons and effectiveness. This knowledge can assist if attending psychiatric appointments with the cared for. It can also assist if, at some future time, a new psychiatrist recommends a medication and is unaware that the particular medication has been previously tried with either no effect or perhaps even a detrimental effect. It may still be decided to trial the medication a second time but in the case of a previous detrimental effect, the situation can be monitored with more effectiveness.
A suggested template is available by clicking on the links.
Dental hygiene - Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
We need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths. Saliva prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription drugs resulting in tooth decay. There are treatments available at pharmacies that can help the dry mouth condition. Regular dental check-ups are also important and can become overlooked with so many other things going on in the lives of carers and cared for.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription drugs resulting in tooth decay. There are treatments available at pharmacies that can help the dry mouth condition. Regular dental check-ups are also important and can become overlooked with so many other things going on in the lives of carers and cared for.
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