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Carer information pack (Department of Health and Ageing)
Print copies are available free to carers from your regional respite and carer support service.
Download copies of the fact sheets from the website of the Department of Health and Ageing (.pdf format)
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Emergency care plan
Making an emergency care plan gives you and the person you care for the reassurance that there will be somebody to step in when they are needed and that they will have instructions to guide them. This template lets you lists contact details of the people who can provide support in an emergency and includes instructions on the type of care they may need to provide.
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Recording medication requirements
Carers are often responsible for managing the medications of the person they care for. This template lists all the medications regularly taken by the person you care for. It includes space for your doctor and pharmacist to record information that you need to know about each medicine.
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Feelings
The demands of caring and the many changes in family life can sometimes cause difficult emotions. Some people may feel a sense of satisfaction about being a carer. Others may feel angry and overwhelmed. This fact sheet gives advice on how to cope with feelings commonly felt by carers.
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Taking a break
Having a break or taking some time to relax can be good for both you and the person you are caring for. This is often called respite. This factsheet gives information about respite services and advice on making respite work for you.
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Managing money
Caring has financial costs. Financial assistance is sometimes available to offset or subsidise some of the costs. This fact sheet provides advice on how caring families can manage money better.
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Managing health care and medications
Carers are often responsible for managing the health care and medications of the person they care for. This fact sheet gives advice on how to manage the day to day care plan of the person you care for and on how to look after your own health.
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Legal arrangements
Making appropriate legal arrangements can help you plan for the future and put your affairs in order. This factsheet gives advice on making legal arrangements.
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Safety at home
Safety is important – for you and the person you care for – and many carers need to consider safety issues related to the needs and behaviours of the people they care for. This factsheet gives advice on making your home safe and the tasks related to caring easier.
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Taking care of yourself
Caring can make many demands on you. Looking after yourself will help keep you going. This factsheet looks at ways to look after your own emotional and physical wellbeing.
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Loss and grief
Grief is most commonly associated with bereavement but it can also surface when you experience major changes and losses. Care situations can change very quickly and most carers have experienced feelings of loss and grief. This factsheet gives advice on coping with these feelings.
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Services for you
Caring can be a demanding job and most carers need extra assistance to manage. This factsheet gives advice on how to access services and supports for you and the person you care for.