Support for people who care
This week (10-16 October), we acknowledge carers all around Australia, for the important work that they do. This year’s theme, Millions of Reasons to Care, highlights the 2.65 million unpaid carers around Australia who, among many things, help older people to continue living at home for as long as possible.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)*, between 134,900 and 337,200 Australians, usually family members, are unpaid carers who support their loved ones.
On average, unpaid carers provide more than 60 hours of care each week, with one in three reducing their hours of paid work to provide the care required. Unsurprisingly, 1 in 4 unpaid carers have reported that they require more respite support to be able to sustain the care they provide.
The support needed for unpaid carers is becoming increasingly costly, with Australia’s health and aged care spending in dementia totalling $3 billion. Resthaven recognises that family carers need support, particularly when the person they care for has dementia.
Resthaven assists people to stay living independently in their own homes, offering care and support options that are designed for each individual, including those with dementia. Respite is available in peoples’ homes, in small groups, overnight at Toorak Gardens, Westbourne Park, Naracoorte and in the southern vales.
Resthaven works together with clients and their family carers to personalise the services they receive.
For more information, visit www.resthaven.asn.au, or call 1300 13 66 33.
Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.
Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.