Carer Counselling

Caring for others can be wonderful but it can also test our limitations of what it means to care.

You need to be supported too.

Don’t forget - without you, there is no care.

Life as a Carer

Care giving has become a familiar role throughout the world between parenting a new baby, ageing parents moving in, or homeschooling children. And though being a carer can be a genuinely rewarding experience, the responsibilities that come with the role can become overwhelming and take a toll on the parent/carer.

Unfortunately, carers tend not to receive the acknowledgment they deserve. Still, the good news is you don't have to go it alone. Through counselling and the proper resources, you can learn how to build upon your skills and balance the challenging role of care giving and caring for your needs.

Caring is hard…

The Role of a Carer

There are more than 2.65 million carers in Australia, averaging around 1 in 11 people. However, that does not mean one is a paid employee but a person who daily cares for and supports a friend or family member. Therefore, one does not get paid to care for their children, ageing parents, or an ailing partner.

Being a carer includes helping those with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities, medical conditions, or chronic or terminal illnesses.

Some carers will take on minor tasks part-time, while others provide full-time care while taking on more serious tasks.

Some tasks include:

Prepping meals
Light laundry
Running errands
Administering medication
Changing surgical dressings/wound care
Aiding with bathing, toileting, or dressing
Transportation to medical appointments

How Being a Carer Can Affect Well-being

It's one thing to make decisions for yourself but another when you're a carer or parent. Whether you have to make a more minor or difficult decision, such as what to make your loved one for breakfast or deciding what's best for them medically, you may feel a great deal of pressure. The responsibility is magnified by the fact that this another human life in your control.

Most carers sacrifice their own needs and time to provide the needed care for their loved ones. However, if they continue on this path, it can eventually affect their overall health. Therefore, it's no surprise that carers are more at risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse issues, heart disease, and stroke.

It can also create hardships within your family, whether socially or financially, as you are working your schedules around them, making necessary changes to accommodate their needs, and possibly providing extra funds for medical costs.

Symptoms of Carer Stress

With all these responsibilities and decisions, we may sometimes feel alone, angry, bitterness with your circumstance and resentful. Between the emotional and physical stressors of daily caregiving, you may feel overwhelmed and like your life is no longer yours. Therefore, it is crucial to care for your emotional and physical health to prevent caregiving burnout.

Emotional symptoms may include:

Anxiety, Irritability, Negativity, Depression, Helplessness, Hopelessness, Isolation, Anger and Frustration.

Physical symptoms may include:

Aches and pains, Restlessness, Sleep disturbances, Fatigue, Low energy, Eating too much or too little, Gaining or losing weight.

I still care. I just really need help

When Is It Time to Seek Counselling?

Often people think that seeking counselling is purely for people in crisis. However, prevention is a healthier route than waiting until you have reached a breaking point. Therefore, the sooner you get help for yourself, the better. The responsibility of caring can be made less burdensome by engaging with someone who understands and can provide you with extra skills for coping.

In addition, attending carers counselling does not make you weak or helpless but is a sign of strength that you want to better your health. Therefore, treating your mental health is just as important as treating your physical health.

Getting help

The purpose of counselling is to relieve the emotional burden, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness associated with caring for a loved one. It can also teach you more effective coping skills to balance your life. And sometimes, all it takes is talking with a counsellor to ease your mind and steer your life in a more positive direction.

Get the Help You Deserve

The emotional and physical demands of caring for someone can deplete even the most resilient individual. Therefore, reach out to Sami, as she will provide you with the necessary tools and resources to help you better care for yourself and your family. Remember, you can't take care of anyone else if you don't take care of yourself first.

Two women smiling outdoors, embracing each other, with green foliage in the background.

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