Events and groups you can attend with the person you care for

Sharing stories, knowledge and experience with other carers can remind you that you’re not alone. You can do this with people in your area by finding an event for you.

Carers ACT runs many special interest groups for carers and the people they care for.  Some groups and activities are for everyone, and some are for people in certain aged groups or demographics.  Please read out event descriptions to see which activities are best for you.

Social groups for My Aged Care
Carers ACT provides social connection programs and groups for anyone with a My Aged Care social connection code.  Our Groups Team organise a range of activities to cater for different interests and cultural groups.

While our focus is always on carers and their wellbeing, we understand that most people will at some point on their life provide unpaid care to a family or friend. Social groups are one way we can help to build resilient, connected communities and foster support networks.

Our social groups are accessible to anyone with a social support code through My Aged Care (over 65’s or over 55s for First Nations people).

Peer Support Groups can help you make connections with other carers who understand and improve your wellbeing.

Carers ACT runs regular in-person support groups in north and south Canberra.

Prefer to connect online? 

The Carer Gateway offers online peer groups.

A different kind of respite

Walking the Journey Together Retreats are held several times a year and are specifically for carers over 65 years old (or 50 if Aboriginal or Torrs Strait Islanders).  The retreats are designed for you to have a break with the ageing person you care for.

It is an opportunity for you to have a few nights away from the daily tasks of cooking and cleaning, and to nurture yourself while the person you usually care for is supported by our qualified, experienced and caring staff.

What’s included? 

• Three nights accommodation at a Canberra hotel + meals
• A professionally staffed day program for two days
• A flexible itinerary so you can have downtime
• A carer program of activities including self-care and workshops
• Shared main meals sittings for building social connection

Eligibility

• You must reside in the ACT.
• You and the person you care for must be aged 65 years + (or 50 years plus if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander).
• You or the person you care for will need a My Aged Care referral for respite.  We can discuss this with you on application.
• You will need to be registered with Carers ACT.

Client Contribution

Walking the Journey Together Respite Retreats are funded through the Australia Government Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).

A client contribution of $200 per couple is required to attend the all-inclusive retreats. Contact us if you would like to discuss the contribution.

Level of Care

Our professional care team provide low to moderate support for the person you care for at the day program which runs from 9am-5pm daily.  We do not provide personal care during the retreat, but you can arrange for your usual service provider to attend.

When you connect with Carers ACT, one of the first people you are likely to talk to is a care planner. Our team of care planners have a deep understanding of what it’s like to be a carer because many of us have taken on a caring role ourselves.

We can work in partnership with you to identify your needs as a carer, support you with skills and resources, help you have more time for yourself, foster relationships and navigate the mental health system.

Delivered by Carers ACT and funded by Carer Gateway.

Short term residential respite care supports carers and the frail aged people they care for by giving you both a break for a short period of time. It can help give you time and space to do things independently, or help carers attend to travel, work or other commitments by ensuring the person they care for is in good hands.

Carers ACT provides a respite booking service to take the stress out of finding a short-term residential respite bed. Using our respite booking service, we provide you with a single point of contact for aged care facilities across Canberra and Queanbeyan, so you don’t have to call around to find a respite vacancy, and we can also connect you with support for at-home care after a respite stay.

To book respite (or if you wish to become a respite service provider and receive bookings from us), please call Julie on (02) 6296 9988 or any fo the Carer Gateway team on 1800 422 737.

If you find yourself suddenly unable to care, we can help you find emergency care for your loved one.

We can also help put a plan in place ahead of time should you be unable to care.

Give our Carer Gateway team a call on 1800 422 737 to make a plan.

Delivered by Carers ACT and funded by Carer Gateway.

Carers ACT operates our Deakin Cottage and Naraganwali Cottages to enable carers of people who are ageing and/or have dementia to have a short break.

We provide a home-away-from-home environment for the person you care for when things get complicated, difficult or if a carer encounters something unexpected. You can take a break knowing our service providers are looking after the person you care for. Planned respite care can also help you plan for regular breaks to rest and recharge. This service is available if the person you care for has dementia, and in some cases for aged care and other conditions.

Tailored support packages are designed to provide you with services and support specific to your needs to help you in your caring role.  Call Carers ACT on (02) 6296 9900 or email us below to find out more.

Read more about tailored support packages provide by the Carer Gateway;

Events and groups you can attend with the person you care for

Sharing stories, knowledge and experience with other carers can remind you that you’re not alone. You can do this with people in your area by finding an event for you.

Carers ACT runs many special interest groups for carers and the people they care for.  Some groups and activities are for everyone, and some are for people in certain aged groups or demographics.  Please read out event descriptions to see which activities are best for you.

Social groups for My Aged Care
Carers ACT provides social connection programs and groups for anyone with a My Aged Care social connection code.  Our Groups Team organise a range of activities to cater for different interests and cultural groups.

While our focus is always on carers and their wellbeing, we understand that most people will at some point on their life provide unpaid care to a family or friend. Social groups are one way we can help to build resilient, connected communities and foster support networks.

Our social groups are accessible to anyone with a social support code through My Aged Care (over 65’s or over 55s for First Nations people).

A different kind of respite

Walking the Journey Together Retreats are held several times a year and are specifically for carers over 65 years old (or 50 if Aboriginal or Torrs Strait Islanders).  The retreats are designed for you to have a break with the ageing person you care for.

It is an opportunity for you to have a few nights away from the daily tasks of cooking and cleaning, and to nurture yourself while the person you usually care for is supported by our qualified, experienced and caring staff.

What’s included? 

• Three nights accommodation at a Canberra hotel + meals
• A professionally staffed day program for two days
• A flexible itinerary so you can have downtime
• A carer program of activities including self-care and workshops
• Shared main meals sittings for building social connection

Eligibility

• You must reside in the ACT.
• You and the person you care for must be aged 65 years + (or 50 years plus if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander).
• You or the person you care for will need a My Aged Care referral for respite.  We can discuss this with you on application.
• You will need to be registered with Carers ACT.

Client Contribution

Walking the Journey Together Respite Retreats are funded through the Australia Government Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).

A client contribution of $200 per couple is required to attend the all-inclusive retreats. Contact us if you would like to discuss the contribution.

Level of Care

Our professional care team provide low to moderate support for the person you care for at the day program which runs from 9am-5pm daily.  We do not provide personal care during the retreat, but you can arrange for your usual service provider to attend.

Offering you the chance to take a break from caring, enhance your wellbeing and life balance through providing your loved one with a program of warm care, enrichment and social connection.

Illawarra Day Programs by Carers ACT.

Balancing caring with other obligations can be difficult.

Day Programs give you a chance to take a break, care for yourself and tend to other life obligations.

Day Programs offer your loved one social connection, mental enrichment and a sense of independence in a safe, familiar environment.

The trusted Carers ACT Day Programs is available in the Illawarra region.

When: From 24 Jan 2023, 10am-3pm selected weekdays
Where: Dapto Leagues Club ,cnr Station St & Bong Bong Rd
Who: People with a social support code (this is available through MyAgedCare)