Carer Services and Supports in WA
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCCs)
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCCs) provide free and confidential information about community care services available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia, for older people and younger people with disabilities and their carers.
The CRCCs assist with information concerning costs for services, assessment processes and eligibility criteria and can help carers find appropriate respite care from local services to facilitate carer breaks. CRCCs also have a pool of funding available to purchase short term or emergency respite for carers.
Contact your nearest Centre by calling Freecall 1800 052 222 (*calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates). Or visit their website.
Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA
This association offers assistance to people with Motor Neurone Disease, their carers and families.
Centre for Neurological Support
The Niche
B/11 Aberdare Road
NEDLANDS WA 6009
(08) 9346 7355 or www.mnda.asn.au
Cancer Council of Western Australia
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, you probably have many questions and concerns. The Cancer Council of WA has put together a range of information to support you and your family. Cancer Council Support Coordinators seek to reduce the impact of cancer by providing assistance and support to anyone who is affected by a cancer diagnosis. Services are available in the metropolitan and country areas.
Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 www.cancerwa.asn.au
Parkinson’s Western Australia
Seventeen informal groups including a young onset group, are active in the metropolitan area and rural regions. Meetings are attended by people with Parkinson's, family members and carers to share information and enjoy social support and friendship. Short Breaks are also available for carers.
Centre for Neurological Support
The Niche
B/11 Aberdare Road
NEDLANDS WA 6009
Ph: (08) 93467373
www.parkinsonswa.org.au
Centrelink – Carer Advisor and Grandcarer Advisor
Centrelink facilitates access to Carers Payment and Carers Allowance and other income support payment relevant to the needs of carers. In Western Australian there is now a dedicated adviser to help Grandcarers access Centrelink payments and services.
For more information about Centrelink’s Grandcarer Client Services phone Susan Thornton (WA Grandparent Client Liaison Officer) at 1800 245 965 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au.
For carers of children with disability - MyTime
MyTime groups provide facilitated peer support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring for children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. Socialise and share ideas and information with others who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a child with special needs. Each group has a play helper who leads children and siblings in activities, so parents and carers can spend time focusing on catching up with others. Groups exist throughout WA including many country areas.
1800 889 997 or www.mytime.net.au
Mental Health Carers Arafmi (WA)
Mental Health Carers Arafmi (WA) provide services and support to family/friend carers of a person who is mentally unwell. Membership is free as are many of the services which include counselling, support groups, respite, young carer support, information, referrals and advocacy.
Mental Health Carers Arafmi (WA) has offices in:
Mandurah
Phone: 9535-5844
Fax 9529-1266
Rockingham
Phone 9528-0600
Fax: 9529-1266
Broome
Phone: 9193-6600
Fax: 9193-5800
Carnarvon
Phone: 9941-2803
Fax: 9941-2806
Visit www.arafmi.asn.au or phone (08) 9427 7100 or country freecall 1800 811 747.
Wanslea
Wanslea is a not-for-profit, non-government agency providing services to children and families in Western Australia. We are engaged in four main areas of activity:
- Family Support
- Out of Home Care
- Child Care
- Community capacity building
(Country based services available)
For more information, call (08) 9245 2441 or visit www.wanslea.asn.au.
RUAH
Ruah Community Services is a not-for-profit community service organisation. It is committed to working in partnership with citizens marginalised by mainstream society to enable them to overcome their disadvantage, improve the quality of their lives, enhance their spirit and participate more fully in the community. RUAH provide programs that adopt a family centred approach to support and recovery from mental ill health.
Phone (08) 9485 3939 or visit www.ruah.com.au.
MIFWA
MIFWA offers support and services to people with mental illness, their families and carers.
We provide a range of support services to people diagnosed with a mental illness and their carers and families. If you need information, rehabilitation, family support, carer support, we can help.
The Well Ways program for carers: Current research evidence and the experience of families who have lived with mental illness combine to help families in a way that purely medical information cannot. Our family-to-family model offers the opportunity to benefit from the wisdom and experience of our family educators. Services are available in some country areas
Our information line is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday on (08) 9228 0200. Give us a call if you need information on mental illness, support services and treatments or referrals. Or you can email info@mifwa.org.au or visit www.mifa.org.au/mifwa.
Richmond Fellowship
If you are a Carer of someone living with a serious mental health difficulty, the Richmond Fellowship Carer Respite Program can help. We spend time with that person who relies on you so much providing you the opportunity to spend time on your own needs by ensuring that the respite provided is meaningful, stimulating and enjoyable. We understand that being apart from the person you care for can lead to anxiety on their part and often guilt on yours.
Richmond Fellowship of WA. PO Box 682, Bentley 6982
32 Burton St, Cannington, Western Australia. Telephone: (08) 9258 3060 Fax: (08) 9258 3090. www.rfwa.org.au
Clan
CLAN WA recognised the impact of mental illness on immediate and extended family members, friends and colleagues in the community. Clan provides support to individuals and families affected by someone else's mental illness through information sessions, workshops, one-to-one support and counselling. Clan has a number of offices throughout the metropolitan area including Mandurah.
Central Office: (08) 9228 9006 www.clanwa.com.au
Grow for Carers
GROW is anonymous and confidential. There are no fees involved and you do not need a referral. Your lived experience as a carer of a person with mental illness is your qualification. Carers who are thinking of attending will have the opportunity to work on and develop specific challenges they are currently facing as an individual or family member. The wisdom of the GROW program is designed to address these issues.
Contact Mental Illness Fellowship of WA (08) 9250 2884 or www.mifwa.asn.au
Kalparrin
At Kalparrin we help families of children with disabilities and special needs to carry their load by providing practical information and support, and connecting them with the services that they need. Kalparrin helps families connect with other families in similar situations through Parent Link, and to take time out through regular respite activities. Anyone is welcome to stop by our Drop-in Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital. It’s a comfortable place to wait for appointments, have a coffee, browse brochures, chat with our Family Support Officers, or share experiences with other families.
Telephone: 08 9340 8094 Freecall: 1800 066 413 Fax: 08 9380 6114 Email: kalparrinwa@health.wa.gov.au Website: http://www.kalparrin.org.au/
Advocare
Advocare provides a free, professional advocacy service for older adults and care recipients living in Western Australia. They assist clients of both residential and community care to understand their rights and make any necessary complaints about the care service they receive. Advocare are also available to help older adults who are experiencing elder abuse.
Telephone: 08 9479 7566 Website: www.advocare.org.au