News and Resources - CarerHelp

In this latest CarerHelp blog, Monica Pattison from Gather My Crew shares her experience with caring for her brother Joe in his last month's of life and asking for help when things got tough. The Gather My Crew network provided wonderful support to Monica, Joe and his children during this challenging time. Monica talks to CarerHelp about the emotional and physical support she received from Gather My Crew, who she now volunteers her time to.

Author and Social Worker Lisa Twigg, shares her experience with Caring for her Dad living with Dementia in Aged Care and making the unusual decision to bring him home for his final days. In this latest CarerHelp blog, Lisa speaks about her challenging decision and the planning involved to allow her father to die at home surrounded by family at the risk of losing him at the Aged Care home with no one present.

In the latest CarerHelp blog, Dr Kristina Thomas shares the additional challenges and burdens rural family carers face in their role, including reduced access to health and aged care services, and the need for access to information that is tailored to their circumstances to better prepare them for end-of-life caring. The new 'Caring in the Country' factsheets have been developed to complement mainstream resources, ensuring rural families receive tailored information that will asisst in preparing for their role.

Senior Pharmacist Megan Tremlett, from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), speaks to CarerHelp about upskilling Pharmacists on palliative care - a National Palliative Care Project. In this blog, Megan outlines the role pharmacists play during end-of-life care and how funding from the National Palliative Care Projects grant program, is allowing PSA to develop a palliative care foundation training program. PSA and CarerHelp's collaboration to support family carers, include the upcoming training program and a new consumer resource for pharmacists.

Nicola Champion reflects on caring for her dad with terminal cancer towards end of life, in the rural town of Port Pirie South Australia. Being the sole carer for her dad and not receiving much support from professional community nurses, meant Nicola was often left feeling exhausted and isolated. In this blog, Nicola talks about the most challenging time during her dad's hospital visit in Adelaide, with medical staff not following her dad's Advanced Care Directive, leaving him over medicated and confused. The hospital experience had Nicola desperately attempting to bring her Dad home, where he wished to die.

In this blog, CarerHelp speaks to Jessica Jong about her role as a Clinical Dietitian at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and supporting people with their nutrition requirements as they approach end of life. CarerHelp is a practical resource for carers during the transition to palliative care, whilst navigating the physical, social and emotional changes that are present during this challenging time. Jessica outlines the importance of eating and drinking, and oral health care towards the end of life. 

In this blog, Susanne Tegen, CEO of The National Rural Health Alliance, reflects on caring for her dad in a rural area

In this blog, Christy Chow explores the pathologist’s multifaceted and crucial role in providing end-of-life care in a rural setting, the challenges faced in this setting and how CarerHelp provides essential online information, resources and support to navigate the challenges of providing end-of-life care.  In this blog, Christy Chow explores the pathologist’s multifaceted and crucial role in providing end-of-life care in a rural setting, the challenges faced in this setting and how CarerHelp provides essential online information, resources and support to navigate the challenges of providing end-of-life care.  

In this blog, Violet Platt, CEO of Palliative Care Victoria discusses the Dignified and Respectful Decisions Project, an initiative that helps to educate and equip family decision-makers with the tools and resources they need to advocate for their loved one’s future health care while respecting individual values and wishes. It promotes a multidisciplinary approach wherein physicians, nurses, social workers, and other caregivers work together with families to develop a comprehensive plan of care for older Australians.

Elisha D'onise, Clinical nurse for the Northern pain rehab service discusses, in her words, the insights and needs of caregivers in inpatient setting with co-author Megan Dundon and contribution of Dr Aileen Collier.