COVID-19 Support

With the COVID-19 pandemic continually evolving, Carers WA understand it can be difficult to navigate the system of supports aimed to help you cope.

We would like to reach out to the carer community to be certain you are aware of free services available at this time, including those provided by Carers WA.

Whilst measures have been put in place to reduce physical contact, Carers WA would like to ensure our community still have access to support at a time where they may need increased social connection. Carers WA’s counselling line is available for carers going through difficult times, pandemic related or not. Talking to a counsellor can help you navigate your concerns.

Call 1800 007 332, Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm, to speak with our highly experienced professional counselling team. You may leave your number with them if you would like to be contacted back.

If you are calling after hours, please contact these Australian based helpline services:

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Immediate Risk of Harm: Triple Zero (000)

Advice for carers

We encourage you to read information from the Carers Australia COVID-19: Advice for carers article for information regarding carer entitlements, additional wellness advice, emergency plans for yourself or your care recipient, income support payments and government assistance.

Translated coronavirus (COVID-19) resources from the Department of Health website can be viewed here.

Updated information from the Government of WA can be found on their COVID-19 coronavirus: State of Emergency Declarations webpage.

The Australian Department of Health have released a guide for protecting your loved one with a disability and yourself during this time. Click here to access the “Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for people with disability” webpage to read more information and to access the guide.

Delivery Services and Community Help

Pharmacies

From today onwards, pharmacies will be able to offer free monthly delivery of medication under 500 grams and other essential supplies to vulnerable Australians who are unable to access essential medication. This includes those self isolating, those caring for people in self isolation, those with health conditions and for people aged 70 and over. The Pharmacy Home Delivery Service will be through the Australia Post Express Post network where deliveries can be made to the home, to a local Post Office or the 24/7 Parcel Locker for pick-up. Australia Post will remain open for business, delivering each and everyday. Phone your local pharmacist to find out if they are participating in this service.

Groceries

• The new WA essential shopping delivery service, Cahoots Connect, is a service that helps vulnerable Western Australians with grocery deliveries and unpacking them if it is safe to do so. The service will allow carers to be connected to emergency relief services and volunteers who will deliver essential grocery items, free of charge to those who are eligible. Cahoots Connect is a state government initiative and will be available from Monday, 20th of April. Click here to read the eligibility requirements.
• From Monday, 6th of April, all NDIS participants will have access to priority home delivery services with Coles, Woolworths,  IGA,  Foodland IGA, Foodworks and Harris Farm. NDIS participants will be sent a unique home delivery code through SMS or email. More information can be found on the NDIS Priority Home Delivery Service webpage.
• Chorus Kitchen offers the delivery of freshly made, healthy meals to those in hardship during COVID-19. If you or someone you know needs help with accessing fresh meals or help with preparing, cooking and freezing food at home, please contact Chorus Kitchen at 1800 861 617 or visit the Chorus Kitchen website here.
• Coles will be open from 7.00am – 10.00pm from Wednesday, 1st April 2020, with community hour still operating from 7.00am – 8.00am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For more information about Coles Priority Services, click here. 
• For information and help with accessing groceries from Woolworths as a carer, please click here.
• Meals on Wheels are providing people age 65 and over, in the Peel, Rockingham Kwinana and Albany area, with access to their services without RAS/ ASCAT assessments for a period of up to six weeks.
  Albany residents are required to call the Albany Senior Citizens Centre on 9841 2168.
  Peel and Rockingham Kwinana residents are required to call 9435 1379 or meals@chorus.or.au
• If you live in the City of Perth, the City of Fremantle or a close community, read our news article here to see how you can receive a helping hand for grocery pick ups and drop offs.

Intrastate Travel

Commencing on Monday, 18th of May, WA intrastate border closure will be relaxed with regional travel being opened to the community again. Travel exemptions are still required to enter and travel between the 4 regions. Carers who need to cross another region for caring responsibilities will need to carry a valid ID (e.g. drivers licence) to ensure they will be permitted for caring and compassionate grounds. Carers WA encourage carers to contact their GP and ask for an email, letter or SMS to show the travelling purpose.

For more information about the WA travel restrictions, please visit the WA Government COVID-19 coronavirus: Travel advice website article or contact WA’s dedicated COVID-19 phone line on 132 68 43 (Monday – Sunday, from 7.00am – 10.00pm).

The WA Police have launched the “G2G PASS” app for Western Australians in response for those who need to travel through WA quickly and efficiently. To read more information or register, please visit the G2G PASS webpage here.

Carers WA will be regularly updating resources and our Facebook Page with helpful information to keep you updated through this uncertain time.

If you are worried you may have come into contact with COVID-19 please call the Corona Virus Hotline on 1800 020 080 which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.