Aaron Pedersen and Carer Gateway

Award winning actor, Aaron Pedersen, has been caring for his brother, Vinnie, for forty years. He’s joined us this month to talk about how Australia’s 2.65 million unpaid carers can now access Carer Gateway to find support in their caring role.

The Federal Government has introduced a new network of Carer Gateway service providers to help unpaid carers across the country access a range of tailored services. Although some of the in-person services have been impacted due to the coronavirus (Covid-19), a range of other support services are still available.

Check out Aaron’s videos here and then visit the Carer Gateway here or by calling 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.

 
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COVID-19 information for carers

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we know that it is important for carers and their loved ones to have access to the latest information to reduce fear and uncertainty. The information page of COVID-19 advice for carers on our website continues to be regularly updated.

It includes information about reducing transmission, making an emergency plan and NDIS information. Throughout the pandemic we will continue to monitor the situation and provide credible updates for carers.

You can access the page here.

 
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Carers Australia welcomes the Greens’ call to extend the Coronavirus Supplement to the Carer Payment

Carers Australia welcomes the call from the Australian Greens to apply the $550 a fortnight Coronavirus Supplement to those receiving Carer Payment and the Disability Support Pension.

“The Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment exist in recognition of the fact that disabled people and carers have higher everyday costs and face significant barriers to entering the workforce,” said Greens’ disability spokesperson, Senator Jordan Steele-John.

“Those costs and barriers have increased, not decreased, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Carers Australia and a large number of disability organisations have also supported the Coronavirus Supplement being attached to the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment.

 
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Coronavirus priority testing must include paid care workers in people’s homes

Carers Australia believes all paid carers and volunteer carers must be eligible for priority coronavirus testing including those who provide care in the home.

It would do much to allay the fears of Australia’s carers, those they care for and workers, if these care workers were given priority access to testing if they have one or more symptoms associated with the virus.

We are aware that many people with Aged Care Home Care Packages and National Disability Insurance Scheme plans and their family carers have become fearful of paid carers providing services in the home, and are withdrawing from this kind of support to the detriment of their wellbeing. They perceive that since these support workers provide assistance in a number of homes, the likelihood that they will carry and transmit the virus is increased.

We are also hearing that some support workers providing home support are failing to turn up for scheduled appointments because they also fear they may be carrying the virus and may pass it on.

 
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Carer Gateway education courses

A range of online education courses now available on the Carer Gateway are full of information, insights and practical tips to help carers develop new skills for their caring role.

The courses include dealing with stress, effective communication techniques, legal issues and building social connections.

These interactive courses take between 15-30 minutes to complete and your responses to questions in the module can be downloaded and used as a resource or reminder.

 
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Youth Health Forum

Consumer Health Forum (CHF) is seeking expressions of interest from young carers under the age of 30 to join their Youth Health Forum.

The Youth Health Forum is a network of fifty young people from across the country who have a diverse range of backgrounds, life experiences and interactions with health and welfare services. CHF supports them to share their knowledge and work with other national organisations, leaders and decision-makers to get better services and health outcomes for young people.

Applications for the Forum can be found here and close on Sunday 3 May.

 
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Caring Fairly Survey

Caring Fairly have developed a short survey for carers to share their experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Results from the survey will inform Caring Fairly’s advocacy to the government around carers’ rights and help ensure carers are supported through the pandemic. It’s an important opportunity to make sure your voice is heard.

The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and those who do can go into the draw to win one of ten $50 Coles/Myer vouchers.

 
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