Whether it’s responsibilities piling up, the housework never getting done, or people in your life who need your attention, it can feel like you never have enough time.
When you’re putting the needs of others before your own it can be challenging to take time for yourself, or even realise that you need to.
Those who help out a family member or friend with disability, mental illness, age or health issues can sometimes struggle to look after their own care needs. If this sounds like you, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Finding enough time to keep on top of the housework can be tough, let alone finding any time for your own self-care or social needs.
But it can be different – Carer Gateway can help. It’s a free support service especially for unpaid carers that is making a real difference in the lives of carers like 20-year-old Naomi.
Naomi has been a carer since the age of 7 and is considered a young carer as she is under 25.
“I am someone who is chronically ill and it wasn’t until I was admitted to hospital that I realised if I don’t look after myself who is going to look after the people I care for? That’s when I reached out for support,” Naomi said.
A carer may provide varied levels of assistance to support someone. Some carers look after people who are mostly independent but might need help with tasks such as banking, transport, shopping or housework.
Other carers provide more hands-on physical care such as helping a loved one with daily hygiene and dressing assistance.
All these responsibilities can be time-consuming and take its toll on the carer’s mental and physical load if they never get to step away from it all.
Isn’t it time to put your needs back in the picture? Don’t wait until you break – call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 for help with information, advice, peer support, emergency respite, counselling and coaching.
