Centrelink Career Pension, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Different populations throughout Australia face critical challenges that must be addressed by carers, who serve in different capacities in order to provide support for persons in need of services. There must be a greater emphasis on understanding the needs of carers and in demonstrating that these persons provide value and should have access to the resources that are necessary for their family members, friends, and other persons in need of care. In order to provide for these individuals, the role of carers must be better understood and recognized as a key contributor in improving quality of life and wellbeing. There appears to be a lack of understanding of the plight of carers and an overall acknowledgement of the care and treatment of persons who face a variety of conditions that are often dire and require immediate attention.

Carers are typically defined as persons under the age of 25 who are responsible for providing support to family members or others close to them who are experiencing a problem that is associated with mental health, disability, drug or alcohol addiction, or illness (Carers Australia). In Australia, there are approximately 150,000 persons in this category who are under the age of 18 and who must provide care to a parent, sibling, or other close relative under difficult conditions (Carers Australia). From this perspective, it is important to note that many carers experience high levels of stress and anxiety as a result of the conditions under which they live and manage the issues of their family members (Carers Australia). There must be a greater emphasis on understanding the nature of these conditions and in determining what steps are required to further educate the general population regarding the existence of carers and the understanding of different perspectives to improve their lives and their access to necessary resources for their families.

Body

Persons with disabilities, illnesses, or other debilitating conditions often require around-the-clock care and treatment for their conditions; therefore, it is often the responsibility of carers to provide these tools in different capacities and to be mindful of the ever-changing needs of these individuals over time. Carers often face critical challenges of their own that must be addressed and which require guidance from social service agencies and community-based organizations in order to expand the offerings that are available to this group (Carers Australia). Persons with limited abilities to conduct activities of daily living and who face critical concerns that influence health require the support of carers, as these persons possess the compassion and strength to provide care and treatment in a variety of ways (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare xii). These conditions require carers to take a significant amount of responsibility in working with their loved ones who possess a disability and who are unable to care for themselves under a variety of conditions (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare xii).

There are significant challenges related to the demands placed on these carers and their time, particularly as they may experience difficulties in other areas of their lives as a result of these responsibilities. To be specific, it is known that “Over one-half of primary carers spend 20 or more hours per week in the caring role and over one-third spend 40 or more hours per week on unpaid caring work” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare xiii). From this perspective, it is necessary for carers to receive different types of support from secondary sources that will have an impact on their lives in different ways, including but not limited to financial support, healthcare knowledge and skills, medical support as needed, and emotional support as required to improve their lives (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare xiii).

One of the primary issues related to carers is their need for an outlet or an opportunity to experience some degree of relief due to the stressful nature of this role. As a result, it is necessary to develop new strategies by which these persons, who face difficulties of their own throughout their daily lives, are able to better manage these issues and those of those for whom they provide care. One area of consideration where additional needs are required is in facilitating a balance between their responsibilities to those in need and in other parts of their lives, which may be difficult to manage as a result of these conditions. It is necessary for different organizations to serve as support systems in enabling carers to be effective in their roles and to optimize their strengths so that they are able to embrace a well-balanced approach to the care of their loved ones. Most importantly, carers must be recognized for the good work that they perform on behalf of the sick and disabled, as these duties require significant attention and focus to improve the lives of these persons.

When carers struggle in their own lives, it is also difficult for them to give their loved ones their maximum time and effort on a regular basis. This reflects a need to further examine the tools and resources that are available to patients and to be mindful of the issues that are common among the carer community. One area to consider is to provide these persons with their own support groups so that they are able to actively communicate and to share ideas effectively with others so that the lives of all carers may be improved through these experiences. With this level of focus in mind, it is possible for carers to be effective in working towards a greater level of acknowledgement and support to those for whom they provide care and treatment on a regular basis in the home environment and beyond.

Conclusion

The role of carers involves a number of complex circumstances that are often very difficult to understand; therefore, it is necessary to recognize the benefit and impact of these persons on the continued growth and expansion of care for persons who are ill, disabled, or possess a serious addiction or mental health concern. Carers must be provided with the tools and resources that are required to accomplish their objectives in this role and to be effective in working towards a set of solutions that will have lasting and meaningful benefits for their loved ones. Since this role often takes a significant toll on their lives in different ways, it is important to address the challenges of this situation and to recognize that carers also require their own level of support and guidance in order to effectively meet the demands of this role. With this perspective in mind, it is possible to develop a greater understanding of the tools and resources that are necessary to have a positive and lasting impact on their lives, along with those who receive care under their watch. This combination of resources and related factors may go a long way in establishing a positive dynamic for this population and in demonstrating the need for future support systems and offerings at the community level. These factors will likely play a role in shaping the environment in which carers operate and will enhance their delivery of care to their loved ones under a variety of different circumstances.

Works Cited

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. “Carers in Australia: assisting frail older people and  people with a disability.” 16 October 2015: http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442454098

Carers Australia. “Young carers.” 16 October 2015: http://carersaustralia.com.au/about-carers/young-carers2/