By Lexi Cottee
Art therapist Kath Armour likens the life of a carer to that of a boiling frog.
An age-old anecdote tells the story of a frog placed in a pot of cold water that slowly reaches boiling point, cooking it to death.
“These women, many of whom are caring for a parent, husband or adult child, have forgotten how to look after themselves,” she said.
For years, Ms Armour has run counselling, craft, meditation and yoga classes as an holistic form of therapy. After a successful pilot program last year, she’s been contracted by Whittlesea council to run a six-week support group for female carers, starting soon.
The group aims to help women with stress management, practical strategies to help them in their roles as carers, emphasising the importance of caring for themselves, and giving them the chance to meet others in similar situations.
Ms Armour said about 10 women attended each class during last year’s trial and most were women in their 50s, 60s and 70s.
She said most of the women were initially unsure what they were going to get out of the course.
“This is really about learning to look after themselves, the practical and psychological stuff,” she said. “If they don’t look after themselves, they won’t be able to look after anyone.”
Ms Armour will take participants through breathing, visualisation and meditation exercises. Art therapy sessions include felting, clay work, silk scarf making and writing poems.
The classes start on February 16 and run from 10am until 1pm.
Contact Whittlesea Aged and Disability Services on 9407 5925.
