During the COVID-19 health pandemic, Carers SA is fully committed to supporting South Australian carers (click here to learn more). If you need assistance during this time, please call us on 1800 422 737

Carers and the COVID-19 Virus

Carers SA is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the ongoing government response and the wide-ranging impacts it has on carers.

We will provide regular updates on our website, social media and eNews about relevant information and resources for carers.

Throughout this time Carers SA continues to provide services to carers.

We encourage any carer to contact us on 1800 422 737 if they need any assistance over this time.

 
 

Phone calls to Carers

First, and foremost, our team will be calling all carers who have had contact Carers SA over the last two years. The aim of these calls is to check on our carers’ health and wellbeing during this time:

  • Are they and the person they care for OK?
  • Are their needs being met during this time? and
  • Also to let them know of how our carer services are changing due to COVID-19.

Carers are welcome to call us anytime on 1800 422 737.

Changes to our service delivery

There are some changes to our services due to the impact of COVID-19. These changes are occurring to adhere to the Government regulations with respect to social distancing and to ensure our carers and the people they care for are safe.

Our phone-based advisory service is available to support carers. This service is free and confidential, and available Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm, with professional counsellors available to talk through any concerns you may have. To access this telephone: 1800 422 737.

  • Emergency respite is still available and will be offered throughout this period. To access this telephone 1800 422 737.
  • Carer counselling will be changing from face-to-face to by phone, and the process to access this support has not changed, please call 1800 422 737, Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm.
  • Carer Support and Peer Groups will not be delivered face-to-face anymore. All carer support will become online or over the phone and more information will be given about this in the coming days.

Useful links for Carers on COVID-19

It is important to have access to accurate and up to date information during this health emergency:

  • The Australian Government has launched a dedicated website with the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from government agencies across Australia: https://www.australia.gov.au/
  • The South Australian Government has a COVID-19 Gateway – sa.gov.au/covid-19
  • SA Health has dedicated local information: sahealth.sa.gov.au
  • The Australian Government’s Department of Health is the official website for the federal response: health.gov.au
  • A dedicated state hotline is now available to South Australians and will provide local information on COVID-19 (8am to 8pm, seven days):SA COVID-19 Information Line – 1800 253 787
  • Covid-19 Hotline for Older Australians – Older people and carers are encouraged to call 1800 171 866 to speak to friendly, specially trained staff from a senior’s advocacy organisation.
  • If you are worried you may have come into contact with COVID-19 please call the National Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 020 080 which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need translating or interpreting services call or 131 450.

COVID-19 resources in community languages

Several organisations have developed resources in a range of community languages:

SBS is providing news and information about coronavirus (COVID-19) is available below in 63 languages: sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus

Australian Government Department of Health:health.gov.au/resources/translated

The Settlement Council of Australia: scoa.org.au/sector-collaboration/sector-updates/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/

Mental health support

It’s normal to feel stress and worry when there is a health event happening in the community that is affecting people’s wellbeing. For information on coping and mental health support see:

For mental health support by phone and video in relation to COVID-19, contact the SA COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line by calling 1800 632 753, available 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, 7 days a week). This service can also provide follow-up calls.

The support line will be staffed from 8am to 8pm and can be reached at 1800 632 753.

More information can be found at sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019

Beyond Blue Support Service

The Beyond Blue Support Service offers short term counselling and referrals by phone 24/7 and webchat on 1300 224 636 or visit:

Get Immediate Support

Red Cross Telecross COVID-19 Support Service

The phone service has been activated to support South Australians whose wellbeing is impacted as a result of COVID-19 social distancing and self-isolated measures.

Vulnerable South Australians can opt to receive a free, daily potentially life-saving phone call checking on their welfare in response to COVID-19.

Specially trained Red Cross staff and volunteers will make the calls, asking clients questions including how they are coping and if they need medical or food supplies, as well as reiterating latest government health advice.

For further information telephone: 1800 188 071 or visit

Red cross Telecross

Mental Health Emergency – Call 13 14 65

For assistance in a mental health emergency, contact the mental health triage service – telephone 13 14 65 available 24 hours, seven days a week.

E Mental Health in Practice

For further information this fact sheet outlines various Australian, government-funded online, telephone and app-based mental health services:

COVID-19: Managing Your Mental Health Online During COVID-19

Accessing Medicines

NPS MedicineWise is funded by the Australian government to provide up to date information on the safe use of medicines in Australia, telephone: 1800 633 424 or visit: 

NPS Corona Virus

Medicine Home Delivery Services to support the response to COVID-19

For further information: http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-TempBB

Financial supports available

The Australian Government’s Treasury Department is the official site for the economic response. To access this go to

More Information

Ageing relatives and friends

The Australian Government Department of Health has developed a fact sheet for the information and advice of older Australians in relation to COVID-19:

More Information

Caring for a person with dementia

Dementia Australia has a range of information sheets on the COVID-19 virus. Visit:

Dementia Australia

Caring for a person with a disability

The National Disability Insurance Scheme has information for participants and others telephone: 1800 800 110 or visit: ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/participants-coronavirus-covid-19

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has further resources telephone: 1800 035 544 or visit: ndiscommission.gov.au/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-information

The Every Australian Counts website have also set up a dedicated Coronavirus page for NDIS participants and carers.

The SA Council on Intellectual Disability has information for people with an intellectual disability sacid.org.au/useful-information

Action by Carers SA in the future 

Carers SA will continue to communicate to you regularly with any updates and we encourage you to check our website regularly or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Carers can also access our services via telephone: 1800 422 737.