Look after carers, any of us could be in their shoes in an instant

CARERS Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the vital work carers do and the contribution they make, not only to those they care for.

Carers really are unsung heroes.

In my role as Opposition spokeswoman for disability and carers, I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing carers in their homes and at roundtable discussions across the country.

A sudden and debilitating illness, a road accident or injury at work can mean a relative or friend needs parttime or full-time care.

Carers may also support a loved one living with disability, who is sick, elderly or with a mental illness. Unpaid carers often take on a huge burden of responsibility. I met a mother who was caring for her two adult children. The stress and strain was so much she started to cry just trying to talk about her day-to-day life. Being a caregiver is not a nine-to-five job. It never stops, the pressure is immense.

The sad reality right now is that many carers are not being cared for themselves. Reports have found health and social outcomes for carers fall far short of where they should be.

These findings were part of the recent Embracing Carers report, an initiative by Merck and carer organisations around the world.

The report found that even though 82 per cent of unpaid carers in Australia feel supported by their family in their role, their emotional and physical health was still poor. Almost half, 49 per cent, of unpaid carers put the health of the person they’re caring for above themselves. This is above the 42 per cent average across other countries.

Nearly half, 47 per cent, of unpaid carers in Australia agree they often don’t have time to book or attend medical appointments for themselves and 59 per cent of unpaid carers don’t have the time to exercise. Again this figure is higher than the average across other countries, 42 per cent.

Other Australian findings include that 52 per cent of unpaid carers have feelings of depression and have felt in need of support for a mental health condition, for example depression, anxiety, stress, because of their role.

Almost two in five, 39 per cent, of unpaid carers feel being an informal carer has put pressure on their financial situation.

Unpaid carers in rural locations spend on average 11 hours more a week caring for another then those in urban communities.

Carers also experience barriers to employment.

Only 56 per cent of primary carers aged 15 to 64 participate in the workforce, compared to 80 per cent of non-carers.

These are statistics that must change. These are statistics Labor is committed to changing.

Making sure our nation’s

More support is needed to ease path for those who give up so much, says Carol Brown

carers are looked after is not only the right thing to do, it is critical to the Australian economy. The replacement value of the unpaid care provided is $60.3 billion — more than $1 billion a week.

I also note concerns of carers about the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

A report from Carers Australia raises concerns about how the NDIS is being implemented by the Liberal government.

Over half, 57 per cent, of carer respondents find it challenging or very challenging to source appropriate services for the person they care for.

Two in five, 40 per cent, self-managing the NDIS plan for the person they care for find it fairly difficult, and 9 per cent are not coping at all.

Almost 70 per cent of carers indicated nothing has changed in terms of having more time for themselves as a result of the NDIS plan and some have less time.

Many of these concerns have been raised before, yet they have still not been addressed by the Turnbull Government. Labor calls on the Government to listen to the concerns and provide carers with the support they need.

Australia owes our carers a huge amount of gratitude. That’s why it’s important that there is a government in Canberra committed to carers.

It’s one thing to say you value carers; it’s another to listen to their concerns and deliver practical support.

When last in government, Labor boosted carer payments and disability support pension and oversaw an increase in carers receiving the carer allowance. These measures were vital to ensuring carers get the support they need.

National Carers Week helps us raise awareness of the issues faced by unpaid carers, so that caring may be seen as a shared responsibility of family, community and government.

Australia’s carers continue to do it tough. It is up to us to make sure they have the support that they need.