Older Aussie carers in Victoria can access free psychology and physiotherapy services

Key points:

• The Carer Health and Well-being Service provides support for older Australians who care for loved ones over 65 years old
• One in three older Australians with disability are cared for by a partner or spouse according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Other supports for carers of older people include the Carers Gateway, an Australian Government initiative, where Australians can access free counselling and support

The National Centre for Healthy Ageing has launched a service to benefit older Aussies who care for others through a partnership between Monash University and Peninsula Health. 

The Carer Health and Well-being Service allows Australians over 50 years who care for loved ones over 65 to access specialised health services for carers in Victoria.

The free service currently runs once a week on Fridays at Orwil Street Community House in Frankston and is expected to open twice a week in 2025.

Clients can receive support from social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The service aims to assist clients to learn more about maintaining their health and ensuring personal goals are achieved while caring for others. 

Almost 40 percent of older Australians need ‘assistance with at least one personal or everyday activity,’ with one in three receiving help from a partner or spouse according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

National Centre for Healthy Ageing Director Professor Velandai Srikanth highlighted the value of assisting older Australians who care for loved ones and ensuring they feel supported. 

“[This] service is the first of its kind in Australia and was established to make real and tangible inroads into addressing this inequity, by giving older carers — and the communities who assist them — access to opportunities and support systems that will enable the carers’ health and well-being to also remain a priority,” he said.

Peninsula Health Director of Community and Ambulatory Services Iain Edwards suggested that while physical support and guidance for older carers is helpful, the service also helps to target possible emotional concerns.

“This service bridges the gap by identifying the particular needs of the carer to enable them to care more effectively,” he said.

“This may be through addressing some of the emotional and psychological impacts that can occur, as the person being cared for might now be quite different [from how they once were].”

Additionally, Professor Keith Hill from the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living Research Centre commented on the value of the service to encourage older carers to look after themselves too.

“[…] Carers often [care for others] while neglecting their own health and well-being,” he said. 

Eligible carers can access the services in person, through telehealth or over the phone.

The National Centre for Healthy Ageing’s service is a pilot program based on research from across Australia and a similar clinic overseas. While the program currently only operates in one location in Victoria, researchers hope to expand to New South Wales and Western Australia in the future. 

Some older Australians may not consider themselves to be carers, but providing unpaid assistance to people with disability or long-term health conditions is a carer role.

Approximately 2,476,700 Australians are unpaid carers according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

At 72 years of age, Ivan has been caring for his wife for years and said that the Carer Health and Well-being Service has made a big difference in their lives. 

“The service has helped me a lot and it is definitely needed. I am able to speak to them about a lot of things and they have sent me in the right direction to get help or get what we need,” he said. 

“I’ve got my own health problems [and] my health is something that I can’t put on the backburner. I have to keep up with it, otherwise things aren’t going to be done at home.” 

To learn more about the service and your eligibility, phone 1300 665 781 between 8:30am-5pm Monday to Friday. 

Other free services and support are available for unpaid carers across Australia through Carer Gateway, an initiative funded by the Australian Government. Options include attending support groups, counselling and engaging with online skill courses.

Additionally, find out more about getting respite care by calling the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. Respite care means that someone else will provide care for a certain period of time and can range from a few hours to a couple of days.

You may also be eligible for financial assistance as a carer of an older person. Find out more about the Carer Payment and eligibility criteria on the Service Australia website.

Approximately 17 percent of Australians are 65 years or older, with one in two older Australians living with disability.

Read more about providing informal care to others in this aged care guide: Informal home care from family and friends.

Do you care for a loved one? 

What other support would you like to access as a carer?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

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