THE Nambucca Heads ‘Everlasting Carers’ group was launched before Christmas 2020.

News Of The Area caught up with organiser Bev Reedy to talk about what the group can offer Nambucca Valley carers.

There are approximately 854,300 carers in New South Wales (ABS 2018).

Carers provide ongoing unpaid support to community members, family, spouses, children, and parents.

According to a Deloitte report for Carers Australia, primary informal carers across the country provided an average of 35.2 hours of care per week in 2020, for a total of nearly 2.2 billion hours of care.

This comprised almost 1.7 billion hours from primary carers and 491 million from non-primary carers.

Based on an average hourly replacement cost of $36.1, the report found that the total cost to replace all informal care in 2020 was $77.9 billion.

Bev Reedy is a passionate carer and advocate who is very concerned for the mental health and wellbeing of the carers in our region.

She says the caring role can take away personal time, isolate the carer from outside activities, and can erode carers’ own mental health.

“Our group recognises the huge demand on our members, and the need for carers to take a break,” said Bev.

The group offers time to sit and chat with like minded people, who are experiencing the same things.

They share information, take part in activities, and share a quiet cuppa.

“It’s well accepted that if a carer engages in an activity, is able to keep a sense of humour, and shares ideas and information between each other, then they are less likely to burn out.”

Kathleen Miller attends the group and looks after her husband and a family friend of 30 years who lives with them.

Kathleen only has two hours a month of allocated respite care to do things for herself.

“I use my respite care to come to the carers group, I enjoy sitting with and talking with people who understand my position,” said Kathleen.

“It’s very difficult to organise additional respite care that coincides with what needs to be done, which means if one of us needs to go to an appointment, then all three of us go, there are too many hoops to jump through to get additional respite care.

“We have a very happy home with lots of laughter, but it can be very socially isolating, being a carer is hard yakka.”

Throughout April, Mark McGrath, a Mental Health Liaison Officer with Carers Gateway, will be conducting a Mental Health First Aid Course for carers 18 years and above.

The course is free and will run on April 4, 12, 19 and 26 from 10am to 1pm at the Home Instead Office, 38 Bridge Street, Nambucca Heads.

There will be a cost of $4.00 per person for morning tea.

The ‘Everlasting Carers’ Group’ meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, from 10am – 12 noon at the Home Instead Office, 38 Bridge Street, Nambucca Heads.

For further information or to attend the course ring Bev Reedy on 02 65 694 337.

 

By Karen GRIBBIN