Real Carer Stories
Anyone can be a carer
Did you know that 1 in 11 Australians are carers?
If you provide unpaid care to a family member or friend who has a disability, chronic health condition, or is frail due to age, you may be an unpaid carer. You might not see yourself as an unpaid carer, and think you’re doing what any parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent or even friend would do.
TRAILER
Conversations with Carers
This interview series was filmed to share a glimpse into the lives of different carers, and to help carers in the community recognise themselves in these stories. We thank the carers who participated in the production of this film and for sharing their very personal stories for the benefit of others.
“I think being a male, I found two issues that were the biggest barriers for me to seek help. One is that very thing, seeking help rather than self reliance, and secondly, admitting to myself that I was vulnerable.”
CARER STORIES
Caring for someone frail due to age
George
George is a Consultant in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry with over 40 years of clinical experience, and he is also the Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the department of Psychological Medicine at Monash University.
But George is also a carer to his mother, and in this interview, he shares how despite all his clinical experience and training exposure, that he still felt unprepared when the demands of his caring role increased.
“You're not alone and there are other young carers like me, and we can support each other. Being a young carer can be hard, but we just have to appreciate the little things. Like when she hugs me and says, ‘I love you, Chloe’.”
YOUNG CARER STORIES
Caring for someone living with disability
Chloe
Chloe is a young carer who has an incredible talent and passion for singing, music, and acting. But outside of her budding career, Chloe is also a young carer to her older sister who has autism and an intellectual disability.
From when she was a toddler, Chloe has helped take care of and provide emotional support to her sister, and in this interview, she shares the challenges that caring has on her schooling, social and personal life.
"Being a carer is very different from being a mother, and I really want to just be a mother but it's not possible. I have to be in many ways, his spokesperson, I'm the one who knows everything about that boy."
CARER STORIES
Caring for someone living with mental health
Janette
For most parents, caring for a child usually phases out when they become an adult. But for some extraordinary individuals like Janette, the responsibility of caring and supporting a child with a mental health condition continues over the course of their entire lifetime.
Janette is a carer for her son who was diagnosed with acute schizophrenia, and started caring for him when he was 18 years old.
He is now 49 years old, and she is doing her best to plan for the future by setting up supports and services, and linking him into the community.
CARER STORIES
Caring for someone who experienced a stroke
Kylie
“I have felt that I really needed to be on top of my game as a carer and to do that I couldn’t be an exhausted mental wreck of a person. I really needed to be as well as I could be, as resilient as I could be, and I think that’s absolutely how you can then be your best as a carer.”
Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, changing lives in an instant. During COVID-19, Kylie’s husband experienced a stroke that left him partially paralysed, and she suddenly found herself in the position of being his carer.
In this interview, Kylie recounts her personal journey of caring for someone who experienced a stroke, shedding light on the challenges they faced and the valuable lessons she gained.
LGBTQIA+ STORIES
Moana
AFL Women’s superstar Moana Hope shares why she cares for her sister Vinny.
“Everything I do now in my life, whether it’s a personal decision or a football decision or a work decision, she has to be within that equation. But I will do anything for her.”
ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER STORIES
Dolly
Dolly is a carer for her two daughters.
“The respite is fantastic, I’ve had quite a couple of trips away. I can come back home and feel like I’ve been rejuvenated. To be able to enjoy doing what I do.”
AGED STORIES
Michelle
Michelle is a carer for her dad who has dementia and chronic health conditions.
“Just to have someone come in and maybe do the housework for me once a fortnight, makes a big difference. But I didn’t know that we had any of that kind of help. It’s never too late, don’t do it on your own.”
Register for Carer Gateway
Get in touch and register for Carer Gateway, to access resources and be connected with your local outlet.
Call 1800 422 737
Or request a callback from Carer Gateway
Get in touch with us
You can call Alfred Health Carer Services directly to access information, supports and services from our other programs.
Call 1800 51 21 21
Or request a callback from us