What is Carer
Overview
A carer is someone who provides unpaid support and care to a person with disability, helping them with daily activities, personal care, or other aspects of life.
What a carer may include
- Family members such as parents, partners, siblings, or adult children
- Close friends who provide regular, ongoing support
- Guardians or other appointed representatives
- People who help with personal care, household tasks, or medical appointments
- Someone who provides emotional support and advocacy
- Carers who live with the person or provide support from a distance
How carers help
Carers play a vital role in supporting people with disability to live independently and participate fully in their communities. They often provide consistent, personalised support that complements professional disability services, helping to bridge gaps and ensure continuity of care.
Connection to support services
Professional disability support services work alongside carers to provide comprehensive care for people with disability. Many services recognise that carers need support too, offering respite care, training, and resources to help them in their caring role while maintaining their own wellbeing.
