Carer Support Services

Bendigo Health Carer Support Services provides support to unpaid carers of all ages in the Loddon Mallee and City of Melton regions.

Carers are our central focus and our aim is to improve the wellbeing of carers in our community.

Are you a carer?

Many people don’t see themselves as carers, yet one in eight people in Australia are.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid support to a family member, friend or partner with disability, mental illness, chronic health issues, dementia or age-related condition. Being an unpaid carer means caring is not their occupation but something they do for a spouse, partner, parent, sibling, grandchild or even as a friend or neighbour.

All caring situations are different and carers come from all backgrounds.  Their caring role may include attending appointments, cooking, home duties, transport, organising medication, personal care or shopping for the person they care for. Some people provide care all the time, while others do so occasionally and they may not be the only person who cares for someone.

Children and young adults under 25 years of age are known as young carers.

Eligibility

Bendigo Health Carer Support Services provide supports to unpaid carers who are actively caring. Support can also be provided to assist carers as their caring role ends.

Eligibility requires:

• the carer provides unpaid care for a family member, friend or partner who has a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or an older person with care needs
• the carer’s role must be ongoing, or likely to be ongoing, for at least six months. This expectation of six months or more does not apply to a carer of a person who needs palliative care or infants with a disability or chronic illness
• carers who receive free board and/or lodging in return for providing care, are eligible for assistance provided they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Carer Support Services funding is independent of other government supports. Carers receiving other government supports are eligible to access services appropriate to assessed needs.

Supports and Services

Carer Support Services provide the following services and supports to carers. Click the links to find out more.

Information and Advice

Carer Support Planning

Short-term respite

Counselling

Coaching

Carer Support Groups

Carer Events

Tailored Support Packages

Carer Gateway Online

Commonwealth Home Support Program

Our commitment to carers

We are committed to:

• Helping carers find a balance between caring for others and caring for themselves
• Carers being involved in decisions about their support needs
• Recognising and strengthening relationships between carers and people they care for
• Strict confidentiality

Our region

Bendigo Health are proud to provide carer support services to the City of Melton and Loddon Mallee region, including the shires of:

• Buloke
• Campaspe
• Central Goldfields
• Gannawarra
• Greater Bendigo
• Loddon
• Macedon Ranges
• Mildura
• Mount Alexander
• Swan Hill

We have offices in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Swan Hill and Mildura.

Wherever carers live in Victoria, they can call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to access carer support services. There is a local outlet for every part of the state.

Get in touch

Carers can register for support by contacting the Carer Gateway or Bendigo Health Carer Support Services directly

Carer Gateway

1800 422 737

Emergency respite 24hrs a day 7 days a week.

carergateway.gov.au

Bendigo Health Carer Support Services

(03) 5454 7719 or free call 1800 068 978

[email protected]

Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm

24 hour emergency contact: 1800 068 978   

National Relay Service

https://nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs/registration

National Translating and Interpreting Service

131 450

Bendigo Health Carer Support Services delivers carer services in partnership with Merri Health, funded by the Australian Government and the Victorian Government.