Friends, Family & Carers Forum

[Adge]

Well that's the case in WA (universally), it may be different elsewhere...

[Henry]

I think the equivilent dollar value for that is around the $60 billion mark.  Huge numbers that really don't go close to describing the true value of caring for someone.

[Henry]

It certainly is on the east coast, perhaps we can learn from your systems.

[NikNik]

So what I've heard so far in describing ourselves as has included;

- Carer

- Wife/ husband / daughter

I have also noticed that people have avoided 'labels' and prefer to say 'I support my xyz' and similar statements.

What about the other terms in the survey I shared earlier ( I think I can already anticipate the answer) which were the terms:

- Assistant

- Supporter

- Helper

(these are in the context of unpaid)

[Susana]

Thanks @NikNik,

Not everyone is interested in having a conversation but having two people in my family with disabilities, I have plenty of opportunities in waiting rooms or n the school yard to have conversations with people who can often see that my loved ones are "different".

[Susana]

In regards to the other terms @NikNik,

I still prefer description rather than labels.

[Determined]

Yesterday I was looking at the $ figure on our health insurance statement for my darlings hospital admissions and almost choked so I would believe that figure. Makes the centrelink carer allowance payments look cheap by comparison.  

(And that is not intended as a complaint about centrelink, I am most grateful and couldnt do without it). 

[Former-Member]

I think the main benefit of using the term carer in the public health system is the obligations under the mental health statement of rights and responsibilities.

[Determined]

I definitely prefer to say 'I support my wife' @NikNik, but I also see that in many ways as my role as a husband and something done out of love rather than something that is an obligation or because I have to.

It would be the same for a child (an I will most likely be in that position with one of our children as he reaches adulthood).

For me supporting has a feeling of enabling independence as much as is possible rather than implying my loved one is helpless. (does that make sense?)  

Also as Darcy mentioned earlier I am sensitive to my darlings feelings for the same reason. 

[NikNik]

That's what I'm sensing @Former-Member
The term 'carer' seems to be used primarily in the mental health system.