Caring for someone with a disability

Published May 02 2023

If you care for someone with a disability, it’s important to make sure you look after yourself as well. Here are 10 tips to help remove some of the pressure:

1) Are you eligible for payments?
As a carer, you may be eligible for carer payments. Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/carer-payment for more information. The person you care for may also be able to get a Disability Support Pension. Find out at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disability-support-pension

2) Make an emergency care plan
An emergency care plan has all the information about the person you care for in one place. It makes it easy for someone to take over from you in a hurry, or if you need to talk with a health care professional. Find out how to create one at carergateway.gov.au/planning

3) Learn how to lift and move people safely
If you need to help move around the person you care for, it’s important to learn how to do this properly to prevent injuries to yourself, or the other person. Find out more at carergateway.gov.au/home

4) Learn how to deal with challenging behaviours
Some people with disability can have challenging behaviours, such as aggression or violence. Find out how to prevent or manage these behaviours at carergateway.gov.au/managing-health-behaviour

5) Managing incontinence
Some people with disability are incontinent, meaning they can’t hold in urine or faeces. Learn how to manage incontinence at carergateway.gov.au/managing-health-behaviour; plus get additional support buying incontinence products at servicesaustralia.gov.au/continence-aids-payment-scheme

6) Getting equipment or making home changes
You can get a wide range of equipment to help with moving, communicating with or looking after the person you care for. You can even make modifications to your home to help them move around and do things for themselves. Find out more at carergateway.gov.au/home

7) Get help around the home
If your care role leaves you less time to do jobs around the house, you might need extra help at home. There are many services that can help you, from providing meals to cleaning and making home repairs. Find out more at carergateway.gov.au/home

8) Ever considered legal arrangements?
Carers can have different legal powers and responsibilities depending on your role and the person you care for. For instance, you may need to appoint a guardian or Power of Attorney for the person you care for. Find out more at carergateway.gov.au/legal-matters

9) How best to work with health services
If you care for a person with disability, you will probably be working with a range of different health professionals. To find out how to best talk to them and plan for appointments, visit carergateway.gov.au/working-health-services

10) Need some respite care?

Respite care is when someone else looks after the person you care for while you have a break. If you need time to do everyday activities, deal with stress or look after yourself, visit carergateway.gov.au/what-respite

You may care for someone by yourself, but you're not alone - it's OK to ask for support. Simply visit carergateway.gov.au today or call 1800 422 737.