Caring for carers

When an Ingham carer’s respite plans for her husband fell through, selectability was fast to act to ensure appropriate support was in place for him so she could attend medical appointments she had booked months in advance.

selectability Carer Coordinator Kathryn and Ingham Regional Coordinator Deborah joined forces to work out a plan and get fast-track approval through the Carer Gateway.

Kathryn said the carer contacted her in desperation as the respite care she had put in place for her husband had been cancelled at the last minute, leaving her stranded and potentially missing out on urgent medical care.

“I recently attended a support group meeting in Ingham to discuss the available carer support and this local carer was at the session,” said Kathryn.

“Not long after the meeting I received a phone call from the carer, explaining the situation she had found herself in.

“She desperately needed to have fluids drained as part of her treatment, and had been unable to attend these appointments for months and without appropriate in-home support for husband it was likely she would have to wait even longer for this vital care.”

Confident they could provide the carer with the emergency respite needed, Kathryn and Deborah worked together to put in place appropriate care and obtained the necessary approvals for funding through the Carer Gateway.

“After walking the carer through the process, we were successful with enabling the carer the vital support she required to have her procedure completed.”

Kathryn said this was just one example of many where selectability has been able to assist and support carers across regional Queensland.

“Being able to assist carers is a really heart-warming experience.

“Carers perform an essential role that is generally taken on with little support or training and can often be very isolating.

“We need to make sure that carers are maintaining their own health and wellbeing too.  Part of this is our ability to provide carers with the supports they need to find their purpose, give them hope reduce social isolation and look after their mental and physical health.”

As a consortium partner of Carer Gateway, selectability is working to support carers across regional Queensland. selectability provides counselling and emergency respite services designed to improve capacity and provide carers with the tools, strategies and support to improve their wellbeing and participate socially and economically.