Being a carer can be extremely rewarding, but it may also be difficult at times, both physically and emotionally. You may feel as though your career, interests and health are no longer important or that your needs are taking second priority.
It’s important to look after yourself, as this will help you cope with the demands of caring and provide better care for longer. We have put together some tips and resources to support you while providing care.
Managing your emotions
It is common for carers to feel a range of emotions, with some describing it as an emotional rollercoaster.
It’s important to remember to look after yourself and acknowledge if you are not feeling okay. To help manage your emotions remember to:
- Take time for yourself
- Talk to family and friends about how you are feeling
- Speak to your GP if you feel overwhelmed or that you’re not coping
- Be kind to yourself
- Be active and eat healthily
- Join a support group
Keeping healthy
While you are busy looking after someone, you may find it difficult to look after your own health and wellbeing. Here are some helpful reminders of how you can stay healthy:
- Prepare healthy snacks and meals. You might attend long appointments, so to avoid buying something quick on the go, prepare for the day ahead.
- Get enough sleep and rest. When you are tired or exhausted everything may seem harder.
- Avoid using alcohol and cigarettes to relax.
- Be active for 30 minutes each day. By increasing your energy levels, you will find your mood improves and you can sleep better.
- Have regular health check-ups.
- Stay in touch with family and friends. Continue feeling connected to others as this can reduce stress and provide an opportunity to talk about topics aside from your role as a carer.
Taking a break
Don’t feel guilty about taking some time out. Respite care allows you to have a break, whether it be a couple of hours, overnight or a few days. Some carers don’t access respite care because they feel guilty or anxious about leaving the person they are caring for. The service exists because caring can be difficult and may affect your wellbeing. By taking a break, you will find that you can be more effective in your caring role. If you need respite care you can call:
- Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, 1800 052 222 during business hours.
- 1800 059 059 for emergency respite support outside standard business hours.
You may also find that some of the complementary therapies we offer may be beneficial for you.
Ask others for help
Have you found yourself feeling overwhelmed by many tasks and feeling uncomfortable asking for help? Remember that you don’t need to do everything by yourself – often, family and friends of the person you are caring for want to help, but don’t know how.
Consider asking for help with tasks such as:
- Household chores such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, shopping, laundry or looking after pets
- Transport to or from medical appointments
- Childcare or pick-up/drop-offs
- Keeping others updated
People might ask you how they can help, and you might find it difficult to translate that into meaningful support on the spot. You can download the Gather My Crew mobile app, which makes it easy to coordinate the right help from friends and family in tough times.
Helpful resources
From finding out what to say to someone who has advanced cancer, to getting the support you need when caring for someone with cancer, we’re here to help. We’ve put together some resources below to give you the help and support you need when caring for a loved one, family member or friend.
- Our Caring for someone with cancer booklet offers practical tips on navigating the experience of cancer while balancing the demands of caring, family, work and your own needs.
- Our Emotions and cancer booklet or Emotional effects of cancer page can help you understand more about the emotional impact of cancer, from the range of reactions people may have, to suggestions on ways to cope.
- Carers WA is a community-based organisation dedicated to improving the lives of family carers living in Western Australia. It offers free membership and provides information and support to you in your caring role. There is a wide range of information and resources available on their website. You can contact your nearest Carers association on 1300 227 377 to obtain free information on a range of topics.
- CarerGateway is a government program providing free services and support for carers, including practical, financial, and emotional support. It can also assist with organising emergency respite care. The website lists its range of services and support available and how to access them. You can contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
- The Carers WA and Carer Gateway websites also provide some very helpful information about services and practical strategies to help you manage your day-to-day responsibilities.
- My Aged Care: If the person you are caring for is 65 or over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), contact My Aged Care for an assessment – call 1800 200 422 or visit gov.au. My Aged Care can assist in finding and accessing the right government funded aged care services.
- Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 Cancer Information and Support Line: Available for anyone affected by cancer, including carers. Speak to a cancer nurse for information and support on any cancer-related concern – call 13 11 20.