Men as Carers
Taking a break
Why take a break?
Carers are usually family members who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged. Carers can be parents, partners, brothers, sisters, friends or children of any age. Caring can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Regular breaks from caring can help to relieve the stress and exhaustion that you may feel from time to time.
Breaks can also provide benefits for the person being cared for. They can give people new experiences, something to look forward to, and memories to look back on.
These breaks are often called respite, and the services that help you arrange breaks are usually called respite care services.
What type of respite is available?
There are many different types of respite. Some of the most frequently used types include:
- In-home Respite Care
- Day Care Programs
- Residential Respite Care in an aged care facility
- Residential Respite Care for younger people with an illness or a disability
- Weekend and holiday programs and opportunities. These can be for the carer, the person with an illness or a disability, couples or for the whole family together
- Recreation activities in the community.
These types of respite might suit you and the person you are caring for, or you may have your own ideas about the type of break that you would like or the type of assistance that would reduce your stress. Some services also cater for people with particular language or cultural needs.
'Once I got respite it was like seventh heaven. All the pressures were taken off.'