Carers and Our Projects
Spouses, adult, child, family member, partner, friends and neighbor who is responsible for attending to the daily needs of another person can serve as unpaid, informal caregiver.
We are aware than in Victoria there are more than 700,000 unpaid carers that provide crucial support to family or friends with a mental illness, disability, age-related frailty or chronic or terminal illness. This dedication can often come at a significant cost to the health, emotional and financial wellbeing of a Carer.
Crafts can provide a way of sharing activities that are meaningful and pleasurable with the person you care for. Even if the person is not able to actively participate in all the activity, look for other ways to encourage involvement. It is a way to help the person stay connected to the world. Please visit Homebound for more on the value of engaging in pleasurable activities when confined home.
Crafts are healthy for everyone, even the carers!
Adjusting an already busy life to include caring for another person can be very challenging. Studies have shown that caregiving for prolonged periods of time can adversely affect both physical and psychological health. It can also negatively affect employment status and the ability to earn a living.
Many caregivers report that it is difficult to balance the needs of caring for older parents and other family members with meeting their own personal needs. Being a caregiver can be complicated. For some, it can feel like a full time job. Their loved one's health is important and that's why caregivers tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves. Caregivers may experience periods of stress, anxiety, depression, frustration and isolation. Devoting themselves to the needs of someone else, they tend to neglect their own needs. It is very important that carers take care of their own emotional health and physical needs to be a more effective caregiver.
The following suggestions can help carers from feeling overwhelmed or burned out:
Make time for yourself and other relationships. Spending time doing something you enjoy can help give you a much-needed break. While it may seem selfish, taking regular breaks will help you “recharge” and be a better caregiver.
Hobbies can be emotional releases, creative outlets, sources of life long learning and means of keeping minds and hands active. Having a passion is very important to achieving overall wellness. Most hobbies provide an ideal way to relax and help to manage stress.
We hope our site will inspire caregivers to engage in crafts that will help them unwind from their daily obligations, to find joy and fulfillment!