Caring for someone living with a chronic condition or terminal illness
Caring for someone with a chronic or life-limiting illness is often complex and emotionally challenging. It is important that carers access the information and support they need, right from the point of diagnosis, to support the caring role.
Carers of people with a chronic or life limiting illness provide a range of supports, including assistance to navigate health and other services and advocating for the rights and needs of their loved one. Often these carers experience unpredictable changes or deterioration in the condition of the person they care for, which can increase the intensity of care tasks and impact on the wellbeing of the carer.
If you are caring for someone with a chronic condition or life-limiting illness, there are services and supports to help you to look after yourself as well as the person that you are caring for. Taking care of yourself will help you to continue caring.
Information and resources
Carers NSW has developed a series of resources for carers of people living with a life limiting illness which can be accessed below or via the Carers NSW Resources page.
Chapter 1: Managing Feelings
Chapter 2: Taking care of yourself
Chapter 3: Practical tips
Chapter 4: Bereavement
Information sheets
Other languages
Useful services
Carer Gateway - 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday). Access to supports and services for carers.
NSW Health carer support services and information - Contact information for carer support teams in each Local Health District and information and resources for carers accessing public health services.
HealthDirect - 1800 022 222 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Free, trustworthy health advice and service listings.
National Dementia Helpline - 1800 100 500 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm). Information and assistance to people living with dementia, their families and carers.
CarerHelp - information for carers of people approaching the end of life.
NSW Palliative Care Directory of Services - contact phone numbers for local palliative care services across NSW.
Palliative Care After Hours Helpline - 1800 548 225 (5.00pm to 9.00am weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays). Professional information, support and advice for palliative care patients and their carers.
Advance Care Planning Australia - 1300 208 582 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm). Information and resources to support people and their carers to make the best choices about their future health and care.
