The Importance of Partnership in Caring for Carers

Providing an appropriate level of support to carers of patients with a life limiting illness can be a challenging task for health care professionals. These carers require both skills in undertaking complex care tasks and knowledge in a diversity of disciplines in effectively carrying out their role as a carer. As one way of providing support to these carers the South West Sydney Palliative Care Volunteer Service and the Palliative Care Service at Braeside Hospital organised a series of Carer Support Days. These were designed to allow carers to engage and network with others in similar situations to themselves and also to address their emotional, support and information needs. The Carer Support Days were held in local community clubs to give carers the option of meeting in a more relaxed environment and away from the hospital context. The Carer Support Days utilised the skills of the Palliative Care Volunteer Service, the hospital and community palliative care teams as well as the resources of the wider community. The limited number of palliative care carers who attended these carer events gave positive feedback about their experience. The difficulties that prevent these carers from participating in organised carer activities will be discussed. The role of the carer of people with a life limiting illness will become increasingly important as the world’s population ages. As such it is vital that their needs are better understood and addressed in the most effective way.