Men as Carers

Safety at home

Safety is an important consideration when caring - both for you and for the person you care for. The ideal home provides safety for you both and makes caring tasks easier for you. Some carers have to consider safety issues which are particularly related to the needs and behaviours of the people they care for.

Carers face many particular safety issues depending on the needs and condition of the person they care for. Always seek the advice of a professional before modifying your home, adapting or purchasing specialist equipment.

Where can I go for help?

• The Department of Veterans' Affairs - offers several programs to help veterans and war widows and widowers.

  • HomeFront is a falls and accident prevention program that offers an annual free home assessment to identify hazards in and around the home, Contact:
    HomeFront on 1800 801 945.

  • The Veterans' Home Maintenance Helpline is a telephone advice and referral service to assist with property maintenance advice and referral to tradespeople, Contact:
    Veterans' Home Maintenance Helpline on 1800 801 945

• Carers Australia - is assessable in each State and Territory. They undertake carer support services, education and training and research and policy development. For more information, contact:
  Carers Australia on 1800 242 636, or visit
  Carers Australia website
  www.carersaustralia.com.au

• Carer Support Networks - have been established in most regions across Australia to meet the needs of carers in the local community. These networks offer carers the opportunity to meet in groups (such as a male carer groups), attend courses on carer issues, participate in day outings and other activities which carers find can help them to cope.
  
  For information about locating your nearest Carer Support Network, contact: Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres on 1800 242 636

• The Alzheimer's Association - provides a comprehensive range of free counselling, education, support and information services for people with dementia, their families and professional carers. For more information, contact: The Alzheimer's Association on 1800 639 331

For information about the range of community care and other aged care services available in your local area, contact your local:

Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222

For information about locating your nearest Carer Support Network, contact:

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres on 1800 242 636

On the web

• Carers Australia www.carersaustralia.com.au

Further reading

The following publications are free of charge to veterans, war widows/widowers and their carers from DVA State and VAN Offices.

• Back to Basics - Handy hints for carers to help prevent back injury.
  To get a copy, contact:
  DVA on 133 254, or visit
  DVA publications website: www.dva.gov.au/media/publicat/publicat.htm

• Living with Dementia - provides information about the different types of dementia and strategies for coping for both carer and the early dementia sufferer. It also gives personal stories of caring and information about support services available.

• Planning Ahead - A resource to encourage and assist you in putting the family affairs in order and keeping personal papers up to date. Topics covered include making a will, power of attorney, death and bereavement, and benefits and assistance available through DVA.
  For more information about DVA publications, contact:
  DVA on 133 254, or visit
  DVA publications website: www.dva.gov.au/media/publicat/publicat.htm

Back to top