What are the top key areas that unpaid carers need help with when caring for a person at the end of life?

We believe that carers need to be recognised as both a key partner in the care team, and as someone who requires support during their caring journey. This means that the carer is supported to participate in medical and legal discussions about end-of-life care, but also are supported to recognise their own emotional and physical health needs, including during bereavement. 

Access to timely in-home supports, and planned and emergency respite care, are also important areas where carers need help. Furthermore, if carers are combining work and care, they often require flexible working hours and leave arrangements, and this requires carer-friendly workplace policies. 

Why is it important that we have tailored information resources to support our carers?

Carers are not a homogenous group, and we constantly need to consider a range of ways in which to communicate to carers that reflects their diverse needs and experiences. 

For example, it is estimated that between 25 and 30% of all unpaid carers in Australia are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and a very large proportion of these will be carers of people who are nearing the end of their life.  Resources specifically targeted to this group is essential in ensuring carers are adequately supported.

Caring for someone during this time can be very emotional and stressful, and this is only exacerbated when a carer is unable to access information in their own language. It is critical that these carers have resources and supports available to them that is accessible, tailored, and reflects the diversity of their caring journey. 

Can you tell us about Carers Australia and how it collaborates with others to support the needs of diverse Australians, including those caring for persons at the end of life? 

Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s unpaid carers, advocating on their behalf at a national level. We work collaboratively with other organisations, including the National Carers Network, to develop policies, programs, services and events to improve the lives of Australia’s carers. 

We work to identify and address the barriers carers face when accessing supports and services, and that includes diverse Australians who may have their own unique cultural rules and concerns around end-of-life care.  

What do you look forward to in the CarerHelp Diversity Project?

We are excited to be involved in the CarerHelp Diversity Project because the extent and quality of support provided to the carer and the person nearing the end of life is key to the experience they both have. 

We believe all carers - regardless of their cultural and linguistic differences, age, disability, religion, socioeconomic status, gender identification, and geographical location - should have the same access to supports and services, particularly during challenging times such as end of life care. 

We look forward to participating in the National Reference Group and being involved in the development of the digital content and promotional campaign.