Loddon Mallee - Carer Support Services

Who is a Carer ?
In Australia there are about 1.5 million people looking after a parent, child, family member, or friend who has a disability, is frail, aged, suffers from dementia, or a chronic illness. This represents almost one in five households.

Carers come from all backgrounds, and range from the very young to the elderly.

Carers give their time and energy to those for whom they care. But looking after someone can be exhausting and seem never ending. Some carers have support, but many feel very much alone.

From our Carer Respite Centres, Carer Support Services can offer:

• a regionally based Carer Support Centre open 5 days a week which will provide carers with information, resources and a place to meet;
  
• information about services available to carers and ways to access them;
  
• for AH assistance with emergency respite call 1800 059 059;
  
• assistance with respite - someone else to take over the caring for you when you have 'time out';
  
• someone to talk things over with;
  
• advocacy;
  
• an after-hours emergency respite and booking service,
  
  

Carer Support Services is committed to:

• Recognising and strengthening the relationship between carers and the people they care for;
  
• Providing information and support to carers;
  
• The importance of 'time out'/ respite for carers;
  
• Carers being involved in decisions about their support needs;

Thus allowing carers to find a balance between caring for others and caring for themselves.

Carer Support Services Loddon Mallee

Carer Support Workers
Bendigo : 03 5454 7719
Echuca : 03 5480 1929
Swan Hill : 03 5032 3793
Mildura : 03 5018 7314
Castlemaine : 03 5470 6622

Our Regional Respite Co-ordinator, Residental Respite Co-ordinator and Flexible Respite Co-ordinators are all based in the Bendigo Office, and contactable on the above number.

Our freecall numbers are: