Everyone’s Mental Health

We’re just concluding October Mental Health Month. Australia alone has 2.65 million carers (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018 - latest census). That’s 10.8% of our population – 1 in every 10 people. I suspect it is much higher now, in 2022.

Caring for someone, whether it be a family member, an ageing resident at home or in an aged care facility or someone with a disability, can be a very rewarding and yet stressful role.

I speak to many staff and carers who are doing the most amazing job in this often challenging space. Without exception, they tell us that having an understanding and knowledge of the many aspects of care of their loved one or resident has reduced their stress and paved the way for greater confidence in their role.

As the Aged Care Commission and the NDIA have pointed out, education is a vital part of each carer’s support system. An important part of any carer program involves training family members (informal carers), staff and formal carers to better provide specialised care to loved ones. Carers report higher levels of wellbeing including a greater ability to manage day-to-day caregiving and understand their loved one’s behaviour, with education. This helps address feelings of stress and overwhelm on both sides. 

Easy to understand education provided for staff and carers will always help reduce stress and overload by simply having the correct information at your fingertips. Find out more about the importance of understanding swallowing issues and dysphagia. Take the Course