What Do Carers Want

[Alicia]

I just realised I've posted off topic and with lots of spelling mistakes- phone auto correct.
What do Carers want?
The list is a good idea
Recognition and appreciation.
Respect, acceptance for the role they do
I want to care for my son, but it's also not a choice!
I don't want him or his brother living on the street!
Recognition by Centrelink that mental illness also is a disability that requires a carer and provide some financial support. Yes, he's an adult and he contributes to food etc from his disability pension, but I pay the bank loan, the gas, electricity, telephone, Internet . . and all the emotional support and reassurance he needs on a daily basis for his OCD symptoms, not to mention waking him up, standing by when he does certain things (wiping his eyes with baby shampoo for Bletheritis) - fear for his eyes is the obsessional part of his OCD.
So - yes, recognition would be a good thing
Alicia

[Jo]

So sorry to hear your story, Alicia. It's heartbreaking being a carer much of the time because of the misunderstanding and consequent fear around mental illness. The loss of friends, and sometimes loss of family support, is so sad. The way you have been treated by your new doctor and Centrelink is disgusting. I wonder if your carer's allowance would have been cut if your son suffered from cancer or heart disease? My heart goes out to you. I know exactly what you're going through.

[youcarewecare]

To Identify, value and recognise young carers needs.

Young carers become the ‘hidden’ fragment in the community, as it is hard to identify who is a carer. The creation of local carer programs, providing opportunities to build support systems, and tailor services to their needs to be established.

[caitlynroycee]

Have you guys heard of the events, planned for 2016? CHeck them out here. They are scheduling workshops to be held in Footscray and Geelong, suitable for everyone who wants to start up a carer support group, or to refresh their current knowledge and skills.

[Shaz51]

Hi everyone ,

                      there needs to be more understanding , My husband has had depression all his life , he has been tested for ADHD and anxiety , Depression etc, no help as the doctors don`t know how diagnose what he has , no help financial and health workers, give up and say !I don`t know what you have ¬

                    Doctors  telling him he just needs to change his thinking , A specialist told him in august to take three months off from work , no work , no money coming in , and I don`t have a job , so it would be great if there was some support

[querentxyz]

Money. That sounds pretty bare but it's an ugly truth. Money makes a lot of difference, you really struggle to achieve things without it. Our welfare system is stingy and cowardly, it won't look at people and what they really need. People who think that other people should magically better themselves and their situation, that's because they've always had money and they don't know what it's like to not be able to buy a pair of socks or a cd, or to fix the broken toilet or door or whatever else is falling apart around you.

[Shaz51]

Hello @querentxyz, @VCS, @caitlynroycee, @youcarewecare, @Jo

how is everyone today ??

• Re: What Do Carers Want == How about you

@Former-Member, @Hamburger, @Sally, @Diamond, @Grace01, @Bluebird15, @Karren, @Tasoula, @Megan, @cheersquad, @kdoll, @Eagle, @Former-Member, @Mumsworry1

[Jo]

Right now I need a large glass of wine !!!! (It's been one of those days ! ) 

[Shaz51]

Hello @Jo, I totally agree

I am on my second beer xx

[Sally]

Totally agree ChocPops - in particular it is ridiculous that families and carers are excluded often from discussions or receiving information from doctors, but we are the only ones who seem to care about their treatment and advocate for them to receive better quality of care. Some psych staff in hospitals are compassionate and helpful, but in my experience most have no idea what families experiences of having a mentally ill child/parent/ etc. are like - either that or they just don't particularly care. I have had psych registrars ask me if I would become a full time carer for my mother (I said no, as among other things, I have my own child to look after), had hospital complaints virtually ignored and dismissed when my mother's safety was potentially placed in danger due in part to poor security on the inpatient ward (the registrar responsible for the blunder of her absconding from hospital was mysteriously "moved" to another unknown Department within days of my lodging of a formal complaint that went to the Head of ATODS). Care is too often substandard because staff appear to have compassion fatigue. More needs to be done to improve the system, but nothing ever changes.