Laughter the best medicine for Nepean Carers
Nepean carers were treated to a day of laughter and good food over looking the river in celebration of their caring role this week.
Organised by ANGLICARE’s Westlink Program for people with disabilities and the carers caring for them, the day began with a laughter workshop and concluded with a relaxing lunch over looking the Nepean River.
Barbara Lees, ANGLICARE’s Westlink Host Family Co-ordinator, says the aim of the day was for carers to be honoured and recognised for the amazing job they do.
“The role of a carer can often be quite isolating and very stressful,” says Ms Lees. “We just wanted to let our carers know that they are not alone in their role and for them to feel valued and refreshed by the day.”
“As we know parenting is itself demanding. But when a child in the family has a disability, there are extra demands and stresses on the whole family.”
Around 2.5 million Australians aged 15 years and over care for someone at home because of a disability or old age. According to ABS research released this month 42% of all primary carers were caring for a spouse/partner; 26% were children caring for a parent; 23% were parents caring for a child.
“The role of carer is one of sacrifice and it is through their sacrifice our most vulnerable members of society are valued and protected. However, until they came to ANGLICARE, most of them were doing it alone – hidden from the community and without support.”
Supporting carers in the Nepean region, the Westlink program provides regular planned respite to families who have a child, 0 – 18 years old, with a disability. Respite is provided by trained local volunteers and care takes place either in the volunteer’s home, the child’s home or on outings in the community.
Support groups are also bi-monly in the Nepean area to support Carers who have a child with a disability and new members are always welcomed.
For more information about ANGLICARE’s Westlink program in the Nepean, contact Barbara Lees on 8805 0914 (Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury Host Family Program Co-ordinator) or Tracey Edgar on 8805 0915 (Penrith Host Family Program Co-ordinator).
The day of laughter has been funded by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care and Carers NSW.
