More than 2.65 million Australians are unpaid carers – National Carers Week is a time to thank those changing lives in western Sydney

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is shining a light on healthcare heroes in the community for National Carers Week.

The week runs from 16 to 22 October this year and is dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating carers in Australia.

This year’s theme, Millions of Reasons to Care, recognises and celebrates the outstanding contribution unpaid carers make to the treatment and quality of life of patients.

There are over 2.65 million unpaid carers in Australia providing care and support to a family member or friend who has a life limiting illness, disability, mental illness, alcohol or drug dependency, long term health condition or who is frail due to age.

Funding obtained through Carers NSW by the Supportive and Palliative Care Volunteer Service has provided, carers when visiting loved ones, on the supportive and palliative care wards across WSLHD, some ‘carer bags’ with small items to make carers visits to the hospital more comfortable. The bags includeh tissues, activities, snacks and hand creams.

Palliative Care Volunteer Manager at WSLHD, Kylie Clark said “We hope to ease their time spent at loved ones’ bedsides with these items”.

Carers have an important role in the community, supporting the person they care for emotionally, physically and often financially as well.

Carers have maintained this role during incredibly challenging circumstances over the last few years, and this little gift is our way of recognising all that they do and showing our support for them during this extra difficult time.”

Kylie Clark

Anyone can become a carer, and National Carers Week is an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.