CARER WELLBEING MODEL
Why care for the carer?
Carers are recognised as having the lowest levels of wellbeing of any Australian group (Carers Australia, 2009). As a community health organisation, BCHS is well placed to respond to the needs of carers at risk by enhancing the protective factors that contribute to improved health and wellbeing for carers.
Protective factors may include the follow:
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Services (accessible and affordable)
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Environment (safe)
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Empowerment (and self determinations)
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Family (resilience, parenting competence, positive relationship with parents or family members)
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Diversity (welcomed, shared, valued)
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Education (assessible)
Risk factors may include some of the following:
- Alcohol and drugs (access and abuse)
- Disadvantage (social and economic)
- Discrimination and stigma
- Education (lack of access)
- Environments (unsafe, overcrowded, poorly resourced)
- Family (fragmented, dysfunction)
- Isolation and exclusion (social and geographic)
- Unemployment (insecure or poor work conditions)
- Violence (interpersonal, intimate and collective)
- Work (stress or strain)
How will it work? BCHS will offer support for Mental Health Carers using existing health and wellbeing program such as; strength training, medical practice, podiatry etc. The model will ultimately improve the overall service experience for carers by empowering them to take the steps to improve their own health and wellbeing needs, as well as that of the person they care for.
How does a carer access the program?
The program will be available for direct access by carers or by referral by external agencies, or internal referral within the BCHS. A carer may access the program in three ways:
· Self referral-a carer may come in the organisation at anytime and request service, by contacting reception staff.
· External referral-another agency may refer the carer for service
· Internal referral-a staff member may refer a carer for service and get them registered for the health and wellbeing program
Once a carer has been identified as a carer and requires service, an assessment of the carer's needs will undertaken to assist in navigating the carers pathway. Initially all assessments with go though Jasmine Maddigan, who will use one of the SCTT Tools on Trak 'Caring and Living Arrangements' to complete a shallow assessemnt of the carers needs before referring the carer on to the relevant program or service.
Please see below for the BCHS Carer Referral Pathway.
*Please watch this space for more information on the Carer Wellbeing Program Implementation Plan.
