Carers often have poor personal wellbeing and high rates of depression and anxiety due to the demands of caring for others. This document discusses the importance of carer wellbeing and self-care. It notes that over 53,000 people in Melbourne's East are carers, providing an estimated $60.3 billion in unpaid care annually. Carers commonly feel alone, misunderstood, and lack energy after focusing on the needs of others. The document encourages carers to check in on their own wellbeing, connect with other carers, and remember that it's okay to ask for support and take breaks from their caring responsibilities.

1. Carer Wellbeing
Checking in…
Nicole Fernley: Support Specialist
Carers Day Out
December 2nd 2018

2. What is
wellbeing?
Feelings of:
life satisfaction
and contentment
being in control
of your own life
and health
balance
being part of
your community
healthy social
connections
having power to
resource
yourself
being able to
cope
knowing when to
reach out
knowing where
to go for help

3. State of Carers
Personal Wellbeing Score:
54.7 out of 100
•lowest discovered Personal Wellbeing Index score in Deakin
University’s research history (Cummins et al, 2007)
•56 percent of carers are living with moderate to extreme
signs of clinical depression and anxiety

4. 53,071
Carers in Melbourne’s East
You are not alone…
Caring – at what cost?
Australian carers replacement value:
$60.3 billion of unpaid care
Deloitte Access Economics (2015)

5. If someone
hasn’t told you
lately
Caring – at what
personal cost?

6. Carers tell me…
• I feel alone and misunderstood
• I’m judged with my every move
• People always have plenty of advice for me
• I have chronic self-doubt
• I feel like I am not doing enough
• I’m forgotten about in the caring experience
• Frustrated at not being heard by support services and staff
• Being a carer is like going into battle for my person (due to need)
• Feelings of being lost in navigating services
• So sick of having to explain my context over and over
• Often turning up takes up all my energy, let alone me function…
• Sometimes I only ever hear the negatives – where are the positives?
• I put on a mask of “I’M OK” everyday
• I’d just like to sit down and have a hot cup of tea
• Sometimes it is just about getting to the end of the day
• I just want time for myself

7. I’m not the expert.
You are!

8. Carers
as superheroes
Truth or myth???
What about you?

9. Carer Supports
You are only human!
We all have limits.
It’s OK to say it’s too much
today
It’s OK to outsource
It’s OK to just be OK
It’s OK to take a break
It’s OK to ------- (insert your
own answer)
It’s OK to say I’m not coping
It’s OK not to be superhuman…
Don’t forget you need supports too.

10. How would you
define your own
wellbeing right
now?

11. In caring for others we
sometimes forget to
take care of
ourselves.
Today is about taking
time to check in…

12. Wellbeing Pulse
Let’s take one minute
Health
Hope
Feeling of
control
Supportive
environments
Relationships
Community
connection
Emotions

13. What can I do to improve my wellbeing?

14. Don’t feel
alone…
Social support is
the healthiest
thing you can do
for your health
and wellbeing.

15. Take home messages
v You are not alone
v You are appreciated
v It is OK to ask for support for you
v Connect with other carers
v Find your community
v We are here…

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17. References
u Cummins, R. A., Hughes, J., Tomyn, A., Gibson,
A., Woerner, J., & Lai, L. (2007). Australian Unity
Wellbeing Index Survey: The wellbeing of
Australians: Carer health and wellbeing.
Melbourne: Deakin University, Carers Australia and
Australian Unity.
u Deloitte Access Economics. (2015). The economic
value of informal care in Australia in 2015. June
2015, Report for Carers Australia. Canberra,
Australia: Carers Australia.