Who is a Carer?
A Carer is a someone who provides personal care, support, and/or assistance to family, friends or neighbours who have
- A disability
- A mental illnes
- Dementia
- A long term health condition
- An illness that is terminal
- An alcohol or drug related dependence or
- Someone who is frail due to age
Support and assistance could include things such as
- Emotional support
- Grocery shopping
- Preparing meals
- Administering medicine
- Personal care or
- Paying bills
A Carer is not a paid support worker.
What support is available to Carers in an emergency?
Carers SA is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to assist you in an emergency.
A Carer does not need to be registered with Carers SA to access emergency respite.
Emergency Respite offers support for Carers who are experiencing an urgent or unplanned event that temporarily impacts their ability to care for their family member or friend. We offer in home and out of home emergency respite options, depending on availability and the needs of the person being cared for.
Emergency Respite is responded to on the same day a request has been made.
Can Carers still access support if they receive the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance?
Yes. Carers who access the Carer Allowance or Carer Payment are able to access supports through the Carer Gateway and other Carers SA services.
Can Carers access services from the Carer Gateway if they accessing NDIS and/or My Aged Care packages?
Yes. Accessing other services and packages such as NDIS or My Aged Care does not impact on a Carer being eligible for supports through the Carer Gateway. Similarly, Carers who access Centrelink for Carer Allowance or other entitlements, are not disadvantaged in anyway and are able to access supports through the Carer Gateway.
The Carer Gateway services aim to compliment other services which may be in place via My Aged Care or NDIS
The person I care for doesn’t have a diagnosis as yet, still waiting on an assessment. Can Carers still access support without a formal diagnosis?
Yes. We do not require proof of diagnosis regarding the condition of the person you care for. We understand that the time to receive an outcome or services from My Aged Care and NDIS for example can take some time and we would work with the Carer in the interim to connect the Carer with eligible supports and services as detailed in the Carer Star conversation
I am not the main Carer can i still access support?
Yes. The extent of the caring role Carer needs support is discussed when a Carer registers with Carers SA and has a conversation about their individual situation.
Depending on the Carer needs and the conversation outcomes, would depend on which services the Carer would have access to.
I do not live with the person I care for, can I still access services?
Yes. Carers can access services even when the person they care for resides elsewhere.
The extent of the caring role, what is working well and where a Carer needs support is discussed when a Carer registers with Carers SA and has a conversation about their individual situation.
Depending on the Carer needs and the conversation outcomes would depend on which services the Carer would have access to.
Can Carers receive support from Carers SA after the person they cared for has passed away?
Yes. Support via Carer Gateway Services may be provided for up to 2 years in certain situations after the caring role has ended.
Can Carers still receive support from Carers SA when the person cared for moves into a nursing home?
Yes. Carers can access support after the person being cared for moves into an aged care facility. Depending on the Carer needs and the conversation outcomes from the Carers Star™ would depend on which Carer Gateway services the Carer could access.
Is the registration process to receive support from Carers SA intrusive?
Check out the video below from Dani, a Carer who has registered with Carers SA for support services.