Carers are often unpaid loved ones who provide essential care and support. While we often think of carers as adults, young people, including school-aged children and teenagers, can also take on caring roles, even if they don’t provide full-time care.
Caring can take up a lot of time and energy, and many carers put their own needs last or find it hard to ask for help, but support is available for carers of all ages.
This space brings together information and resources to help you: reduce social isolation, strengthen your skills and confidence as a carer, support your own wellbeing, and connect with helpful services.
Practical resources and tips for carers
Below is a collection of practical information to support you in your caring role and help you look after yourself too.
Self-care for carers
Finding a few minutes a day to focus on activities that support your mental, physical, and emotional well-being will put you in a better place to help others.
This page has been designed to support you in caring for yourself.
Caring for someone who is bedbound
People who are bedbound by ME/CFS or long COVID live each day with limited energy and require a significant level of care.
This page explains the complexities of caring for someone who is bedbound and shares tips for helping them with their daily living.
Communication
Building a successful, caring partnership relies on clear and frequent communication to understand the needs and boundaries of both the person you provide care for and yourself.
Autonomy, dignity and independence
How to maintain or increase autonomy, dignity and independence for a person living with ME/CFS or long COVID.
How to advocate for the person you care for
Sometimes you will find yourself needing to be the advocate of the person you provide care for. Advocacy simply means that you can speak up on their behalf to support the outcomes they would like.
Carer Gateway
Here we share valuable information and resources directly from Carer Gateway, keeping you up to date and enabling you to meet your needs and optimise your wellbeing.
Support from Emerge Australia for carers
Virtual Support Groups
Emerge Australia’s virtual support groups offer safe, inclusive spaces for carers to connect, share experiences, and find mutual support.
Telehealth Support Call Service
Emerge Australia’s Telehealth Support Call Service offers brief, one-on-one support for people living with ME/CFS and long COVID, along with their caregivers and supporters. You can talk to our team for free if you live in Australia.
External support services for carers
There are also other organisations that provide support to carers across Australia, such as:
- Carer Gateway – a free national service that can provide counselling, coaching and tailored support packages.
- Carers Australia – the national peak body representing Australia’s unpaid carers. Their website has a wide range of information and services for carers.
- Little Dreamers – an organisation that supports young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use of frail age, in VIC, NSW and QLD.
You can find a full list of carers services available in Australia on our GP directory.
Tip: When using the GP directory, select Community Service, under What, and enter your state under Where.