National Carers Week is Australia’s annual week dedicated to recognising, celebrating and supporting unpaid carers. This year it takes place from 11-17 October.
This year’s theme, Care for a Carer, encourages all Australians – individuals, communities, workplaces and governments to consider how they can better support the carers in their lives. Across Australia, there are more than 3 million carers providing unpaid care and support to a family member or friend. In NSW alone, that is almost 1 million people – almost one in eight residents – caring for someone living with disability, mental illness, a chronic or terminal illness, or is frail due to age. 2026 is also a milestone year. Carers NSW is proud to mark 50 years of supporting and advocating for carers across NSW.
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Trusting Hands, Caring Hearts
Aslan Shand
Caring is a key part of how we live as humans. We care for our children, parents, siblings, friends, the environment, animals and so much more. But some people are in a role where they are providing care for people in addition to doing all the normal things that we all need to get done. And at times it is not easy.
Caring for someone can happen in a myriad of different ways from physical care, to financial care, to organisational care, to any combination of these. It can be fun, it can be validating, but it can also be exhausting.
More often than not you end up putting your needs behind those of others as you manage their lives, or parts of it. Be that helping an elderly parent to the doctors, or a disabled friend or family member navigate their lives, assisting someone with a mental health condition, chronic health condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue.
In 2020 it was estimated that there were around three million unpaid carers in Australia providing approximately $80 billion of unpaid care a year, that is $1.5 billion a week.
This week is National Carers Week with the 2026 theme, ‘Care for a carer: Making carers visible’ and gives everyone a chance to recognise and celebrate the amazing work that people do caring for others daily.
The theme ‘Care for a carer: Making carers visible,’ shines a light on the invaluable contribution of unpaid carers, and encourages all Australians to recognise, support and care for the carers in their families, workplaces and communities,’ says the National Carers Week website.
‘The Carer Wellbeing Survey found carers, who had good access to support had healthy levels of wellbeing compared to those who had no or limited access to help.’
Suggestions for supporting carers include initiating support, offering a break, checking in regularly, acknowledging and appreciating the work they do, and encouraging self-care.
Sometimes just being able to have a conversation and bounce a few ideas off someone helps relieve the pressure as carers navigate the role and responsibilities that come with caring.
‘No ‘how-to book’ is given to them and they are literally running from day one and under a lot of stress,’ said Charles Sturt University PhD graduate Dr Dalanglin Dkhar in her recent PhD, a documentary on the lived experience of unpaid carers across Australia.
‘Society needs to better understand the lived experience and contribution of unpaid carers.’
It is easy to forget that those people providing care often need a little care and thought given to them as well, even though they are likely to tell you everything is just fine. So if you get a chance remember to remember the carer and provide them with a little encouragement and support as they navigate an often complex world of helping someone they love.
Crowley Care: care you can trust
For more than 45 years, Crowley Care has been trusted by local families to provide quality residential aged care, respite care, independent living, meal delivery and support at home services. This National Carers Week, we acknowledge the importance of planning ahead and making choices that support wellbeing for older people and those who care for them.
One of those choices is independent living.
Independent living is a lifestyle choice for people who want to remain active, connected, and in control of their future. At Crowley’s Assisi Apartments, residents enjoy the freedom of a low-maintenance lifestyle within a welcoming community, with the added reassurance of nightly security patrols and a 24/7 emergency call system.
Nestled on 25 picturesque acres beside North Creek in the heart of Ballina, Assisi Apartments offers light-filled, self-contained homes surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, with walking paths along the river. Residents also enjoy access to a heated hydrotherapy pool, cafe dining open seven days a week, and vibrant social spaces and activities.
Moving to independent living is not about stepping out of life. It’s about designing the next version of it, surrounded by community, comfort and confidence for whatever the future may bring.
To learn more, contact the friendly team at Crowley Care on 1300 139 099.
154 Cherry Street, Ballina
www.crowley.org.au
Fully flexible respite
Every carer deserves time to rest, recharge and take care of their own wellbeing. Honey Bee Homes is here to support you. They understand that care needs change. That’s why they proudly offer fully flexible respite care for your loved one.
Unlike traditional nursing homes, they have no rigid minimum stay requirements. Whether you need care for your loved one in the morning or afternoon, for a brief weekend break, or for a longer stay, the choice is completely yours.
In honour of National Carers Week, they want to acknowledge the important role of carers. Please mention this ad when booking to receive 10% off your first stay. Reach out to Honey Bee Homes today to discover how they can support you.
honeybeehomes.com.au
[email protected]
HeyDay Supports
Caring for a family member living with dementia is an act of love and can be hard sometimes. Free time can help carers to celebrate life and be present with the person you’re caring for, and more importantly, be present with yourself.
Respite actually means, ‘a welcomed break’. Accessing, respite services, carer support groups, and continuing to be engaged with your community all contribute to a carer’s wellbeing.
A break, even if it’s for one day a week, can help a carer to stay healthy, connected, and in a caring role longer with their loved one in their family home.
HeyDay Supports celebrates the carers in our region and all their, all too often, unsung contributions to our community.
Amitayus
Whether you are seeking support for yourself, caring for someone you love, interested in volunteering, or simply trying to understand what help may be available, Amitayus invites you to contact them. For more than 30 years Amitayus Home Hospice Service has supported people who wish to approach end of life in the familiarity of home, surrounded by the people and places that matter to them. Through trained volunteer carers, they offer free practical support, companionship and respite, helping make the caring for family at home feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
amitayus.org.au
[email protected]
0468 483 857
Lifebridge
Lifebridge understands that caring for a loved one can be incredibly rewarding, but also demanding. We believe that when carers are supported to look after their own wellbeing, they’re better placed to continue caring for those they love.
With over 39 years of supporting local communities, Lifebridge is proud to provide personalised, in-home support, respite services and engaging group activities that help older Australians experience more joy, connection and purpose as they age.
Originally servicing the Tweed Shire, Lifebridge has extended its services into Ballina, Lismore and Grafton, bringing their welcoming, person-centred approach to more seniors and carers across the Northern Rivers.
Advanced aged care solutions
Pip Carter is an experienced individual in aged care. He helps people navigate through the various options for aged care to ensure the very best outcome.
Specifically Pip will help you:
• Understand the fee structure and the associated processes of entering a home care, residential (nursing home) facility, or independent living
• Find the most appropriate provider for you or your loved one in home care, residential care or independent living
• Navigate the various processes and paperwork required
• Prepare and plan for your future living and care requirements
• Understand what is available to you
• Speak to providers and explain to the client what they are offering.
He will even inspect residential care with you. In short, Pip Carter is your aged care expert. If you need your load lightened contact him soon.
0466 881 900
[email protected]
advancedagedcaresolutions.com.au
Lotus Palliative Care
Caring for you, and supporting those who care, ‘because caring for someone you love shouldn’t mean having to do it all alone.’
When someone’s health or capacity changes, staying at home can offer comfort, familiarity and security. But caring for a loved one can also be overwhelming, and the right support can make all the difference.
Everyone deserves personalised, compassionate care in the comfort of home, while families and carers deserve support too.
Based in the Northern Rivers, Lotus Palliative Care’s experienced team provides 24/7 access to qualified nurses, combining professional expertise with a deeply personal approach. They work alongside individuals and families to make life at home easier and more comfortable.
Clinical care includes: palliative and end-of-life care, pain and symptom management, medication and diabetes support, wound, continence and bowel care, and overnight assistance.
Non-clinical care includes: personal and respite care, meal preparation and light household help.
Whether you need ongoing clinical care, practical assistance at home or respite as a carer, Lotus Palliative Care is there when you need it.
Services can be accessed through Home Care Packages, the NDIS, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or private funding.
02 6680 4800
[email protected]
