Introduction
As a leading brand in Sydney’s home care industry, WeCare is committed to improving the quality of life for the elderly and their caregivers. Guided by this sense of responsibility, we have partnered with Carer Gateway to host a seminar titled “Knowledge Sharing for Caregivers.” This event is designed to focus on the psychological health of caregivers, providing them with the necessary support and benefits to ensure these unsung heroes receive societal care and support while they care for others.
01/WeCare – We Care
Challenges Faced by Caregivers
In Australia, thousands of caregivers silently care for others. They may be kind-hearted neighbors helping each other or children in a family caring for a seriously ill relative, or parents nurturing a child with congenital disabilities. These caregivers play a crucial role in society, but the challenges they face are significant.
Firstly, these caregivers often care for others without compensation, leading to interruptions in their education or careers and significant financial stress. Additionally, the mental burden is a tremendous challenge. For instance, a child caring for a parent with cancer not only faces enormous economic pressure but also endures mental anguish over their parent’s health, which can lead to mental health issues like depression. Furthermore, society does not provide direct recognition or compensation for such voluntary care, which can leave caregivers feeling overwhelmed and even lead to them abandoning their caregiving roles. In reality, many caregivers are unaware of the numerous supports and benefits that the Australian government offers, and Carer Gateway is one such program designed to assist caregivers.
02/Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is a free support service established by the Australian government specifically to support caregivers. It aims to alleviate caregivers’ stress by providing psychological support, practical assistance, and various resources, helping them better manage their caregiving duties. Carer Gateway offers six major services for caregivers, including:
– Guidance services for caregivers on managing stress
– Counseling services for high-stress individuals
– Emergency care services to replace caregivers temporarily unable to continue their duties
– Support groups for caregivers to share experiences
– Ongoing assistance for caregivers to learn new skills online, helping them better care for themselves and their charges
– Tailored support services for caregivers’ needs
The last service, “Tailored Support Services for Caregivers,” not only includes free transportation services for caregivers and support for their continued education (like funding for online classes and electronic devices) but also plans for caregivers’ breaks with arranged care for the care recipients, as well as shopping assistance and cleaning services. Carer Gateway hopes more caregivers realize that their efforts and sacrifices are not entirely unpaid—the government supports these unsung heroes of society, and Carer Gateway not only alleviates caregivers’ stress but also helps ensure better care for the recipients.
02/Educational Sharing Celebrating the Festival
The seminar was successfully held in the Good Market Community, attracting many caregivers who gathered together in a lively atmosphere. Many caregivers learned about their rights and available government benefits for the first time, expressing that without WeCare’s seminar, they would have been unaware of such information. WeCare aims to bridge the information gap between caregivers and government benefits. Through detailed explanations and enthusiastic Q&A by our staff, caregivers gained a deeper understanding of how to obtain support through Carer Gateway and learned that, in addition to the six major support projects, there are many ongoing activities to continually help caregivers.
2024 Carer Gateway Activities in February and March
Starting in February, Carer Gateway continues to hold Peer Support activities, including government benefits seminars, free craft classes with afternoon tea, and even significant benefits like a day trip to the Blue Mountains Japanese Hot Springs, with all activities being free after assessment. Many attendees filled out participation forms on the spot, actively seeking more help and resources. Several care recipients also attended the event, expressing deep gratitude for the efforts of WeCare and Carer Gateway and showing support for our work.
WeCare – The Future Holds More Promise
As a socially responsible enterprise, WeCare understands the importance of caregivers. Through this seminar, we deeply felt that the health and welfare of caregivers are crucial to enhancing the overall quality of life in society. Therefore, WeCare will continue to collaborate with Carer Gateway and other relevant organizations to conduct more high-value seminars and activities, allowing more caregivers to understand and claim their rights, ensuring they receive the necessary care and support while caring for others. In addition, we are preparing more activities related to elderly care and nursing, inviting people from all walks of life to participate and build a new chapter in Sydney’s nursing industry together.
