Courtney’s story
‘I became a carer when I was 8 years old. I don’t see it as a label, I see it as an aspect of my life, my personality. Caring for my mum has enriched my life a lot.’
Call Carer Gateway for support and services 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time
In an emergency or if someone is in danger Triple Zero 000
If you are in crisis, anxious or depressed and want to talk with someone Lifeline 13 11 14 for anyone
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 for people aged 5 to 25
Call Carer Gateway if you need emergency respite 1800 422 737 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
‘I became a carer when I was 8 years old. I don’t see it as a label, I see it as an aspect of my life, my personality. Caring for my mum has enriched my life a lot.’
‘Look after yourself, because if you don’t look after yourself, you can’t be a carer.’
We know it takes strength and courage to be a carer. And we know that, when you are caring for someone, it’s just as important to care for yourself.
‘It was the hardest thing I’ve done, but I’m glad I could be his carer.’
The person you care for is likely to have health problems, and may sometimes also have challenging behaviour. As a carer, there are some key strategies you can use to manage their health and behaviour.
Many people find themselves caring for someone who is nearing the end of their life. This can be an emotional and stressful time, but there is a lot of support available to help you.
If you care for someone with an illness or disability, things are likely to change over time. The person might need more care in the future, or you might not be able to continue caring for them.
As a carer, you’ll often put the needs of the person you care for before your own needs. It’s OK to look after yourself too.