You might be a spouse caring for your husband or wife. You might be a sibling in your seventies still looking after an older brother or sister. Either way, you’re an unpaid carer — and you’re doing an extraordinary thing. But here’s a question many carers don’t ask until it’s too late: What happens if I’m the carer who needs care? It can feel overwhelming, but with good planning and some help from Australian support services, it’s manageable.
Day to day, you probably handle the caring role beautifully. You manage medications, drive to appointments, prepare meals, and keep everything running smoothly. But if you fall ill, need surgery, or have a sudden health event, that delicate routine can unravel fast.
Planning ahead isn’t about expecting the worst — it’s about protecting the person you care for, and protecting yourself. When you have a plan in place, you reduce anxiety for everyone involved. The person you care for feels safe knowing someone else can step in. You can focus on your own recovery without guilt or panic.
Australia’s aged care system relies heavily on unpaid carers. According to Carer Gateway, there are over 2.65 million unpaid carers in Australia. Many of them are over 65 themselves. Despite this, carers often put their own health last.
You don’t have to.
Carer Gateway is the Australian Government’s free service for unpaid carers. They offer counselling, respite care, financial support packages, and practical advice. If you’re caring for someone and your own health changes, they are your first call.
Call Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday, 8 am – 5 pm)
Carer Gateway can help you access emergency respite within hours. Additionally, it can connect you to local support services, and provide tailored carer support packages. Support can include home help, transport, and emotional counselling.
You can also explore respite care options through Aged Care Made Easy to compare local providers ahead of time.
Thinking about your own health needs while caring for someone else can feel like a lot. But breaking it down into a few key areas makes it manageable:
1. Your health first — If you need surgery or treatment, discuss your caring responsibilities with your doctor early. Hospital social workers can arrange temporary support while you’re admitted.
2. Short-term vs long-term needs — A hip replacement might mean six weeks of limited mobility. A chronic condition might mean a permanent change. Plan for both scenarios.
3. Communication — Talk openly with family, friends, and the person you care for. The more they understand, the smoother transitions will be.
4. Legal and financial documents — Ensure your own Enduring Power of Attorney is current. Also, make sure that your Advance Health Directive is up to date. Check that your Will is current too.
This is the most critical step you can take. An emergency care plan makes sure the person you care for gets help right away.It works if you suddenly cannot be there.
The Australian Government’s Making an Emergency Care Plan page suggests keeping a paper folder at home.
Keep it in a clear, easy-to-find spot. Include:
– The emergency care plan itself — Carer Gateway provides a downloadable template
– Daily routine — wake-up time, meal preferences, medication schedule, regular appointments
– Current medications and allergies — include dosage, frequency, and pharmacy details
– List of health conditions — both yours and the care recipient’s
– Emergency contacts — next of kin, GP, specialists, and family members who can step in
– Your details as the carer — along with your own medical information
– Aged care support services currently in place — domestic assistance, transport, podiatry, meal delivery, etc.
– Legal documents — Wills, Enduring Power of Attorney, Advance Health Directive
Tip: Keep the folder on your kitchen bench or pinned to the fridge — somewhere a paramedic or neighbour can grab it instantly. Keep a second copy with your GP or a trusted family member.
Carry a carer emergency card in your wallet. Carer Gateway can provide these. You can print one yourself with your name, the care recipient’s details, and an emergency contact number.
You don’t have to do this alone. Talk to family members, neighbours, or close friends about what role they could play in an emergency. Even small tasks — walking the dog, picking up prescriptions, sitting with your loved one for an hour — can make a huge difference.
If you don’t have family or friends nearby, consider:
Appointing a legal guardian or administrator — This requires legal advice and varies by state. Contact your state’s guardianship board.
Registering with My Aged Care — Call 1800 200 422 to arrange an aged care assessment and access subsidised services.
Short-term emergency respite — Residential aged care homes offer emergency respite beds. Carer Gateway can help arrange this urgently.
It happens. Life moves fast, and many carers end up in hospital without having put an emergency plan in place.
First, tell the hospital staff you are a carer. This single step changes everything. Once the hospital knows, they will arrange for a social worker or discharge planner to meet with you.
The social worker can:
1. Arrange immediate emergency respite for the person you care for
2. Set up in-home support services for when you’re discharged
3. Connect you with Carer Gateway for ongoing support
4. Coordinate with My Aged Care for a formal assessment
Your circumstances may change permanently after a hospital stay. You might need more help at home, or you might no longer be able to care for someone on your own. The discharge planner’s job is to make sure you don’t go home without the right support in place.
Here’s a short checklist to get started today:
[ ] Visit the Carer Gateway website and register
[ ] Call 1800 422 737 to discuss your situation
[ ] Download and complete an Emergency Care Plan
[ ] Create an emergency folder and put it somewhere visible
[ ] Print a carer emergency card for your wallet
[ ] Talk to family or friends about backup options
[ ] Book a check-up with your own GP (not just the care recipient’s)
[ ] Review legal documents (Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Directive)
As a carer, you give so much. But the most caring thing you can do for your loved one is to look after yourself. Plan ahead so that your own health challenges don’t become a crisis for both of you.
There are services, resources, and people ready to help. You just need to reach out.
For more information on aged care planning, explore our resources on Understanding Aged Care in Australia.
Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or legal professional regarding your individual circumstances. Reliance on this information is at your own risk.
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