Carers were given a boost of support this week in regional Queensland with carers expos held in Gympie and Kingaroy for national Carers Week.
STEPS Care for Carers organised the expos and were joined by more than 54 stall holders who turned up to help raise awareness of the services available to carers.
The theme of this year’s Carers Week was focused on carers taking time out to take a break, encouraging carers to look after their own well being in addition to the wellbeing of those they care for.
STEPS Carer for Carers Group Coordinator Beth Boorer said the events were a huge success and hoped that the information shared will help carers to get the support they need.
“The aim of our program is to support carers to care for themselves while maintaining a loving relationship with the person they are caring for.”
Carers Australia define carers as people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.
There are currently 2.7million unpaid carers in Australia, many of whom often need help themselves in finding services for the person they are caring for, or indeed support for themselves as they tackle the challenging role of providing care to someone close to them.
“The health and wellbeing of a carer directly impacts the person they are caring for which makes it so important that our carers are looked after”, Ms Boorer said.
