Media Release 08 Oct 2007

Carers Week 14-20th October

Anyone Anytime

For Peter, caring for his wife who has dementia is ‘tiring and frustrating’. Peter says his wife doesn’t recognise him and even forgets they have children.

Carers Week is 14-20th October and a good time to recognise and acknowledge the care and support that carers provide for a relative or friend in need.

The Carers’ Week theme of “Anyone Anytime” is a reminder that the role of carer can happen to anyone of any age or gender and is often unexpected.

Whilst caring can be rewarding, it can also be stressful and tiring so it is important for carers to look after their own health needs. Maintaining a normal life while attending to another’s needs can have its challenges.

The Northern Sydney Carer Support Service offers support for over 105,000 carers in the area including 20,000 full-time carers. The service provides information, education, support and links to services.

Upcoming courses the service is offering include:

- Male Carers’ Cooking, a six week course beginning 1st November
- Practical Skills for Working Carers, held over two Saturdays at Hornsby Hospital, 27th October and 3rd November, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm.
- Carers’ Support Group in Wahroonga on the last Monday of each month

Peter found that attending cooking classes for male carers gave him an opportunity to learn new skills, meet with other men who were experiencing similar circumstances and importantly gave him a break.

For further information and to check out what is on for carers, visit the Event Diary at the Carer Support website at www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au/carersupport or call the service on 8877 5349.

We have a carer and client available to interview.
Media contact: Debbie Eldridge Ph: 9477 9155 : 0404 020 330

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