Carer Health and Wellbeing Research Report
In partnership with Australian Unity and Deakin University, Carers Australia has released the findings of the largest ever survey into the health and wellbeing of Australian carers. The special report titled The Wellbeing of Australians: Carer Health and Wellbeing builds on the work of the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index which measures satisfaction with life. Carers have been found to have the lowest wellbeing of any large group ever recorded by the Index.
(Click here to download the report (1MB)
Carers Australia CEO Joan Hughes was not surprised by the findings.
“We know from previous research that the health and wellbeing of carers is compromised as a result of their caring role,” Ms Hughes said. “However, this study quantifies it in a way that has never been achieved before on a scale that has never been attempted before. The results are incredibly disturbing.
“It also quantifies the impact that the financial strain many carers are under has on their wellbeing. Many had such high levels of worry about being able to pay their household expenses that it was having a clear impact on their wellbeing.
SOME KEY POINTS FROM THIS RESEARCH:
• The findings in this report come from the largest ever survey into the health and wellbeing of Australian carers
• Carers have been found to have the lowest collective wellbeing of any group yet discovered
• More than one third of carers were found to be severely or extremely severely depressed
• More than one third of carers were found to be experiencing severe or extreme stress
• The findings in this report indicate that caring could be one of the leading causes of depression in Australia
• Caring does not get easier with time and wellbeing levels appear to stabilise after two years in a caring role
• Caring compounds the effect of any other variable that leads to reduced wellbeing.
Anyone, any time could be a carer
You don’t have to care on your own.To learn more about the services and support available to you contact your nearest carers association on 1800 242 636* or visit http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/
Source: Carers Australia
----------------------------
I have written before, on the importance of supporting our carers. The report findings were not a surprise to the carers, or others who know about their work. Additionally, carers' fatigue has been cited by some as a cause of abuse. We should have empathy; and work towards, not only highlighting carers' plight, but also to support and call for more funding and support services for this important group in our society.
No comments:
Post a Comment