Page 3473 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 22 October 2014
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MR DOSZPOT (Molonglo) (3.51): I thank Ms Lawder for bringing this motion forward today. Within the ageing community there are a growing number of older carers predominantly looking after either a spouse or a child. The caring arrangements range between informal care in a home environment to formal care within an aged facility setting. We cannot forget the work that our older carers provide within the community. And while it is done out of a sense of love and family we also cannot forget that it can take an immense toll on the carers’ social and mental wellbeing. Carers within the ageing community should be commended for the dedication and effort that they make in ensuring that their family members are cared for in what they believe to be the most appropriate and safe environment, all whilst managing issues and priorities that are placed on them.
According to a report titled Australia’s welfare 2013 from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the increase in the number of carers between 2006 and 2011 was relatively high among people aged 60 to 69—39 per cent for males, and between 41 and 44 per cent for females. High growth rates were also reported among carers aged 85 or over—50 per cent for males, and 36 per cent for females.
Research has also shown that a care recipient’s need for help with basic daily activities generally increases with age. Much of the informal care provided to older people living in the community is provided by spouses who are often older themselves. According to the 2009 survey of disability, ageing and carer’s data, 77 per cent of primary carers aged 65 and over were caring for their spouse or partner, while nine per cent were caring for their child and another nine per cent were caring for their own parent.
Carer’s Week highlights the very important work that carers undertake in our community and the value that we should all place on the services that they provide. The support that community organisations can provide in respite care is paramount to the continuation of these crucial roles. Respite within an aged care setting or within an informal home-based environment allows the carers, who often have issues to contend with as they age, time away to recoup and, more importantly, provides time to socialise. I commend Ms Lawder for bringing this important motion to the Assembly today and acknowledge both the commitment of carers and the community organisations within the ACT that provide such valuable services.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (3.54): I thank Ms Lawder for bringing this motion to the Assembly today. Being a carer, be that formally or informally, can be a very demanding role but one that many would never be able to separate from their personal love and respect for the person they are caring for. I think that is, for me, a really central point here. It gives a formal designation, and Carers Week recognises that formal notion of being a carer. Most people do it simply because that is what they would do, because it is somebody they care about, they are very close to or they simply respect.
I do not think most people consider themselves carers with a capital C in that context. They are husbands and wives, they are partners, sons, daughters, dear friends doing only what comes naturally to support loved ones with their physical, emotional and
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