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CARER STORIES Mark’s work and study in doubt as government axes program
CARER STORIES Mark’s work and study in doubt as government axes program
| Mark’s work and study in doubt as government axes program |
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| Tuesday, 05 May 2009 09:00 | |||||
Today at 43, Mark is forced to rely on government services to get through each week and skates close to the edge in keeping his own stamina and mental stability on an even keel as he deals with the daily crises that being a working carer brings to his current reality. Mark nursed his sick mother until she died and is now the sole carer for his 93 year-old father who has advanced dementia and other health problems requiring full-time, one-on-one care, support and supervision. The only break Mark gets from his caring duties is one day a week to study Diversional Therapy at TAFE and one day doing a mandatory job placement in an aged care facility. He struggles to find the 15 hours a week of respite support this requires as his father needs a carer with him at all times. So far he has received respite support from a pilot Homecare program in Sydney’s Far West designed to help primary carers who are studying. However, Mark's now been informed the program has been axed by the State Government and will cease on May 22. The program funded a respite worker to care for his father so Mark could study. Mark feels distressed as he is still unsure how he will replace these support hours he's come to rely on so heavily for the past year. This added stress of losing all respite support on top of caring for a person with advanced dementia, studying, researching, doing assignments and working, is taking its toll on Mark. “I would not be able to function if I couldn’t get out of the house and just have a small break doing something else,” says Mark. “My TAFE friends have been an important support to me and have been a great social network, as I don’t have any time to socialise or catch up with people in any other way. “I also made the decision to retrain from the business sector to the aged care industry. I needed a career I could follow into my old age because I will have to work until I am 70 as I am so far behind in my savings and superannuation because of having had to take so much time out of the paid workforce to care for both parents.” Mark cannot understand why the State Government has decided to axe the respite support program so many carers have come to rely on. “This program was invaluable and a glowing example of a government that promoted dignity, compassion, respect and quality of life for our elderly,” says Mark. “The program gave primary carers such as myself the opportunity to be educated and trained in an area like aged care where there is both massive growth and massive need. “The decision to withdraw funding for this service makes no sense whatsoever. “It undermines my right as a primary carer to choose to secure my future employability. “It undermines the choice of the elderly person who wishes to be looked after in their own home by placing the primary carer under enormous stress of caring 24/7 with no breaks possible. “This decision makes no sense on an economic level, either. How can an elderly person who is the recipient of an old age or veteran’s affairs pension afford to pay for respite privately when the cost would be in the order of $300 per week for the 15 hours of respite required for me to study? “This decision will drive the elderly into the high cost of institutionalised nursing care facilities, placing further strain on the Australian economy and the State Government budget. “With the loss of this valuable program, the likely mental health outcome for the primary carer will be a loss of motivation. This will result in a cycle of dependence upon the social security system. “This is why the program made so much sense! Instead of the primary carer placing a strain on the State’s finances they had the opportunity to become productive, taxpaying members of society. “The related loss of income and employment opportunities for respite workers will now probably also result in their drawing social security benefits at a time when the Prime Minister is supporting training packages stimulating the economy and encouraging spending. “This vital program maintained my emotional wellbeing as a primary carer and empowered me with a sense of self-esteem, confidence and security for my financial future. “The withdrawal of this vital service is short-sighted and makes no sense on a humanitarian or economic level. “How can this decision be in the interests of the elderly or their primary carers? “How can the government claim to treat the elderly with dignity and respect when it withdraws such a vital service? “My father and I don’t want something for nothing! We understand that services must come at a cost. “I feel that people affected by this decision would be willing to contribute to keep the program running. I would welcome hearing from anyone else who has been affected by the axing of this service. “I want the government to reinstate or restructure this program even if it has to be on a service user contribution basis and would like to hear from those who might be interested in joining me.” Mark says he is now looking into getting a dementia support care package following an ACAT assessment, but he has no idea what his chances are of receiving adequate support. Other carers who have had a similar experience are welcome to contact Mark at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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