Catch-ups mean carers aren’t alone

AN informal conversation and support group has been established for the carers of people living with dementia.

A sub-group of the Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance, the Carers Catch-Up meets on the third Monday of each month from 2pm to 4pm in Ballarat East, inviting current and former carers, partners, siblings, children, and friends of people who have lived, or are living with dementia, to share a cuppa.

Kay Miller established the initiative as a former carer for her mum, and retired Dementia Australia worker. She said a specific group for carers of people living with dementia was required locally.

“The current carer groups in Ballarat are broader than that, for all types of carers, but people living with dementia have specific needs, and the challenges of their carers are different,” she said.

“There are many different behaviours that come from dementia, and over 100 diseases that cause dementia, so what one person is experiencing may not be the same as somebody else, but there may still be an opportunity for sharing.

“We know that carers give support to carers, and informal support is really helpful to remind them they’re not the only one. They can give suggestions, and advice from another carer sometimes carries a little bit more weight.”

A core group of 10 to 12 people attend the meetings each month which are casual and not facilitated. An urn is put on for hot drinks, freshly made cake is shared, and there’s always a new face.

Ms Miller said when her family was caring for her mother, they didn’t have access to a social support network of fellow carers.

“You feel very alone, and like you’re the only one experiencing it.

“Having the ability to sit next to someone else who is experiencing it, and just absorb the conversation, even if you don’t say anything the whole time, is so helpful,” she said.

“There’s a lot of support in the room.”

Contact 0477 673 946 or [email protected] for more information, and the location of the meetings.