Mum is my biggest carer.
She spends her days running around making my appointments, attending my appointments, following up on my appointments, cancelling them when I get sick!
She gets me out of bed, dresses me, hand feeds me, makes sure I drink enough - even when I don't want to! She washes the dribble and spit off my clothes and bibs and carries me everywhere, even when her back aches.
She ensures I get my therapies and stretches and exercises,
and maintains her calm patience, even when I'm too tired or sore or lazy
to do any work.
It's a hard, hard job!
Dad's there on the weekends and the evenings and he helps then.
He's a carer, too.
This week, Carers Week, I want to acknowledge them...
(and every other amazing carer out there).
Without you, Mum and Dad, my life would be so much worse.
I love you.
"There are many people out there in our workplaces and neighbourhoods
who are providing care and assistance to family members and friends,
but do not recognise themselves as carers. This year in Carers Week we want to reach out to all unpaid carers to ensure no-one is falling through the cracks.
"By being care aware, we can ensure that carers are both celebrated and supported throughout our community. Being care aware is everyone's business."
Wise words, Ara Cresswell!
"The estimated replacement value of unpaid family care is $40.2 billion annually!"
2.6 million unpaid carers in Australia
more than 770,000 carers are primary carers
300,000 carers are under the age of 24
150,000 carers are under the age of 18
over 1.5 million carers are of working age (18-64)
31,600 Indigenous carers are over the age of 15
620,000 carers were born outside Australia
366,700 carers were born in non-English speaking countries
520,000 carers are over 65 years of age
the annual replacement value of care provided in 2012 was over $40.9 billion
(estimated) carers provided 1.32 billion hours of unpaid care in 2010, with productivity loss estimated at $6.5 billion
On average carers spend approximately 40 hours per week providing care.
It is estimated that carers of someone with a mental illness spend on average
104 hours per week in the caring role.