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Just for Carers - Carer Education
For most carers, their own wellbeing is low on their list of priorities. However, the capacity to care for others is greatly affected if the carer’s own health deteriorates because of the demanding nature of caring. Yet, creating an effective balance between caring responsibilities and their own need for rest and recreation will enhance both the carer’s personal quality of life and the wellbeing of the person for whom they care.
Carers Victoria’s education programs aim to improve the health and wellbeing of carers by providing information, knowledge and skills to assist carers to include self-care in their caring roles.
The programs are offered free of charge to family carers and carer support groups across Victoria. Sessions can be tailored to cater for the needs of a diversity of carers and care situations.
Ideally our workshops work best with a minimum of eight carers. Single workshops are two hours in duration unless otherwise stated.
Click here for contact information and directions to our Footscray Office.
For further information, or to book a workshop or series of workshops in your area, phone Carers Victoria’s Education and Training administration 03 9396 9500, or email carereducation@carersvic.org.au.
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Download a brochure for our 2008 education and training program Just for Carers.
(PDF file, 259 KB)
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PDF files are read using Adobe Acrobat. Click here to download a copy of Acrobat Reader from the Internet. |
Details of individual programs
Advocacy Sessions
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Assertiveness for carers - 4 x 2 hours |
This program consists of 4 sessions. The first three sessions are held weekly, with the fourth session conducted a month after Session 3. The time between sessions is an opportunity for carers to reflect and practice techniques learned.
Participants who complete the four week course receive a Certificate of Attendance.
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Session 1 – The influence of ‘culture of caring’ on assertiveness |
The cultural values associated with caring can act as barriers to assertive behaviour. This session explores the dominant cultural values and how they impact on carers. By understanding the cultural context of caring, carers are better able to develop assertiveness skills. Cultural values about caring are shared across ethnically diverse cultures, and predominantly place the emphasis on women as carers.
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Session 2 – Self-esteem as the basis for assertiveness |
Self-esteem is a necessary basis for assertiveness in thinking, feeling and acting. This session explores the origins of poor self-esteem and offers strategies for improving self image. This means learning to accept oneself and to value oneself. Challenging and changing old ways of thinking requires persistence and hard work. The reward is in becoming confident and assertive
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Session 3 – Assertiveness for carers |
Assertiveness is not only about rights, but about responsibilities. This session explores assertive, non-assertive and aggressive behaviours and introduces strategies for practising assertive behaviour. Assertiveness is about standing up for one’s legitimate rights, without violating the rights of others in so doing.
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Session 4 – Assertiveness 2 and review
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This session introduces carers to additional techniques, and reviews the key learnings of previous sessions.
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Reacting differently - 2 hour condensed session, or a 4 hour day program
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Carers may be dealing with emotive and manipulative behaviours and the unrealistic demands placed on them by the person for whom they care. Carers trying to meet these unrealistic expectations can become overwhelmed and suffer negative health impacts. In this workshop carers are able to explore:
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The way they respond to some of the difficult situations they face
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Effective strategies to help react and respond differently
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Effective response patterns to gain a better sense of control over the situation, enhancing
personal health and wellbeing and reducing some of the stress associated with the care role.
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Having your say – 2 hours |
This carer advocacy workshop aims to encourage carers (and give them confidence) to represent their concerns about caring issues to a wider audience including their political representatives (council, state and federal), the media, service providers, and the general public. The workshop provides information on key principles and techniques for effective self-advocacy in a variety of contexts. It assists carers to identify the risks and benefits of self or group advocacy, as well as, identifying the personal factors involved in self-advocacy. Each participant receives an Action Pack which is easy to read, step-by-step guide to improve advocacy skills. It includes handy tips for:
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Working with the media
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Influencing politicians
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Using grievance procedures for making complaints about a service.
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Communication – 2 x 2 hours
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How effective is your communication? This program provides an opportunity for carers to explore the effectiveness of their communications with others. It consists of 2 sessions that encompass the following:
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Session 1 – Building bridges or barriers |
Enables carers to reflect on their own communication and personality styles, encouraging greater awareness of:
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Strengths and characteristics that enhance or impede the communication process,
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How our moods, idiosyncrasies and expectations can affect our ability to communicate well, particularly in diverse or challenging circumstances.
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Session 2 – Tips and strategies |
A practical approach is taken to why some communications work well, while others cause frustration and conflict. The focus of this workshop is on re-examining basic communication principles and identifying practical tips and strategies to enhance effective communication.
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Aspects of Change in Caring
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Naming the changes – 2 hours |
This introductory workshop engages carers in conversation about the losses that are an inevitable
part of the care journey. Carers may experience a range of emotions as a result of losses, which
are usually unrecognised by others in the family or community. Greater awareness of the impacts
of caring on an individual will promote better coping strategies and also better understanding in the
community, hence, better support for carers.
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Changing relationships program – 2 x 2 hours |
The program uses a ‘strengths approach’ to explore participants’ changing experience of intimacy
though the life span, canvassing strategies to deal with change, impact of issues in relationships and
explore wasy to enhance intimate relationships.
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Session 1 – |
Enables participants to reflect on their changing identity according to the various relationships they have eg parent, child, carer, partner, and sibling.
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Session 2 – |
Focuses on carers’ changing experience of intimacy. It will canvas strategies to deal with change and explore ways to enhance intimate relationships.
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Respite without tears – 2 hours |
Carers are often very reluctant to consider residential respite as a way of taking a break from
caring. Anxieties about the quality of service, their own fears and guilt, or the reluctance of the
person receiving care, prevent most carers from making regular respite a part of their caring plan.
This workshop aims to explore the barriers and encourage carers to begin to implement a plan to
‘balance the care’ through regular respite.
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Planning for residential care program (Transitions, supporting carers pre-residential care) – 4 x 5 hours |
This program is designed to run in partnership between Carers Victoria’s Carer Education and
Counselling team and interested service providers prepared to auspice the program. The program
is appropriate for anyone reluctantly considering residential respite or facility placement. It consists
of 4 weekly sessions of 5 hours (including lunch), with a follow up session 4 weeks later. Maximum
number - 12. For more information please contact carereducation@carersvic.org.au
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Sharing the care – Post placement in an aged care facility – 2 x 5 hours |
This program is designed to run in partnership between Carers Victoria’s Carer Education and
Counselling team and interested service providers prepared to auspice the program. The program
is appropriate for anyone who has recently placed someone they have cared for in an aged care
facility. It consists of 2 weekly sessions of 5 hours (including lunch). Maximum number - 12. For more
information please contact carereducation@carersvic.org.au
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Continuing bonds – 2 hours |
Carers often experience loss associated with significant changes to their relationship with the person for whom they are caring due to the effects of the illness or condition. In this workshop we explore:
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The bond and changes to relationship when the other person is no longer able to actively participate in the relationship, personality change, emotional withdrawal or cognitive decline
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How the relationship continues in a changed state after death occurs
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How the continuing bond helps to create an opportunity for carers to identify both the
strengths and gaps that exist
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Effective self-care strategies to sustain carers throughout their caring role and beyond.
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Unmasking palliative care |
Carers are often unsure of what to expect during palliative stages of care. This workshop assists
Carers to make informed decisions, ensuring their own health and wellbeing needs are considered
and addressed during this emotionally challenging time. Carers are encouraged to explore:
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Their own needs alongside those of the person for whom they are caring,
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The challenges normally associated with palliative care,
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Issues for consideration - what to expect as death approaches, and,
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The emotional and physical aspects associated with this phase of care from the carer’s
perspective
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Creating new meaning – bereaved carers - 4 weekly sessions of 5
hours (including lunch), with a follow up session 4 – 6 weeks later |
Designed to run in partnership between Carers Victoria’s Carer Education and Counselling team and
interested service providers prepared to auspice the program. It is appropriate for anyone recently
bereaved or having difficulty creating new meaning in their life.
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Wellbeing Sessions
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Preparing for caring – 2 hours |
Are you a baby boomer? Are you one of the sandwich generation? You may find yourself caring for a child or a partner and/or an aged parent. This workshop discusses the stages of caring, raises awareness of the complexities of caring and the range of support services available for carers.
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Impact of caring for a person with dementia –
A carer’s perspective – 2 hours |
This workshop explores the emotional and physical impact on the primary carer and other family members of caring for someone with dementia. It addresses the often unrecognised losses associated with this journey and explores barriers to self-care. It provides information about available services and daily coping strategies. It is suitable for any family member or friend involved in the care of a person with dementia.
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Caring for yourself – 2 x 2 hour sessions |
Most carers place their own needs low down on their list of priorities. In this program carers explore the key barriers to addressing self-care. Carers are invited to engage in a conversation aimed at understanding and resolving the mental or emotional barriers that prevent them from acknowledging their own needs and taking action for their own wellbeing.
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Session 1 – |
Explores how carer beliefs about caring determine the extent to which they can give themselves permission to have time out; and provides some self-care strategies.
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Session 2 – |
Explores how carers’ personal style / beliefs about their caring role may place unnecessary pressure on themselves; and offers tips on relieving this pressure.
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Humour and caring – 2 hours |
This workshop has been developed to promote awareness, exploration and discussion of the role of humour in everyday life and its particular benefit to carers in stressful situations. It aims at:
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fostering an understanding of the therapeutic (physiological, cognitive, and emotional) benefits of humour;
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discussing the individual nature of what makes people laugh and how it lifts the spirits; and,
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encouraging carers to practise regular use of humour to lighten the impact of the caring role on themselves.
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Surviving carer stress – 2 x 2 hours |
Stress is a part of everyday life. Like everything else, it has its advantages and disadvantages. It can energise or cause anxiety, fear or a feeling of powerlessness. Carers often experience prolonged negative stress, leading to health problems such as hypertension or depression.
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Session 1 – |
Explores the various aspects of stress, including signs and symptoms, and offers effective strategies to deal with some of the causes, consequences and negative impacts.
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Focuses on building hardiness and resilience, key resources for carers in coping with stress. Particular aspects of carer stress will be explored with the aim of encouraging and supporting participants in developing effective strategies.
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Information Sessions
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Carer services – 1 hour |
Anyone, anytime can be a carer. Many people do not see themselves as ‘carers’ and so may not be aware of how to access the services and supports that may be able to assist them. This information session aims:
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To introduce the key services provided by Carers Victoria
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To highlight the work of Carer Associations across Australia and the Victorian Carer Services Network.
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Financial information for carers – 2 hours |
Many carers report a change in their financial status after taking on the caring role. This is an information session and does not provide financial advice. It is designed to provide carers with general information about:
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Income support measures available to support carers in their care role
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Federal and state government concessions and community and local council resources.
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Legal information for carers – 2 hours |
Taking control of someone’s legal affairs is often difficult and stressful for carers. This is an information session only, and does not provide legal advice. It is designed to provide carers with general information about:
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Managing legal affairs for a person for whom you care
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General information about important legal issues of concern to carers, such as powers of attorney – general, medical, enduring and guardianship. |
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Surviving the maze – 3 x 2 hours |
This program enables carers not on the Internet, to access and discuss the material collated in this valuable online resource. These workshops provide carers with:
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A framework for planning the care journey
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An overview of the ‘maze’ of services providing support to carers of the frail / aged.
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Session 1 – For carers who might be caring for an older person |
Introduces a broad range of topics from ‘becoming a carer’ to ‘how to organise support services and ‘enduring powers of attorney’. Participants are encouraged to consider both the practicalities and implications of becoming a carer. Participants are provided with information on how to access relevant services and community supports.
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Session 2 – Dealing with hospitals |
Introduces carers to the workings of the hospital system. Carers are best placed to successfully advocate within the hospital system, for themselves and the person for whom they are caring, when they well informed. Topics include ‘medical staff in hospitals’, ‘your rights and responsibilities’ and ‘discharge from hospital – the options’.
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Session 3 – For carers and families considering residential care |
Is designed to assist carers canvass all the issues involved in planning a residential care placement. Topics covered include ‘how to hold a family meeting’, ‘residential care – where to start’ to ‘finding the right facility’ and ‘what to expect on the day of admission’. |
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Support Sessions
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Introductory computer and Internet for older carers – 8 x 2 hour sessions, over 3-4 months
Currently limited to metropolitan areas |
This is a hands-on program for older carers with little or no knowledge/experience of computers, email or the Internet. It is tailored for the needs of the group (up to 8 carers). Running over 3 to 4 months to enable carers the time to practise as they learn and to build on their skills over the course. The program covers:
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Very simple explanations of computer hardware and software
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Computer jargon
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Turning the computer on and off
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The Windows environment
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Basic Word for Windows
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Email plus using a free hotmail email account
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The Internet – what it is and how to use it
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The Connected carers mc2 online support groups.
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For further information phone Carers Victoria’s Education and Training administration 03 9396 9500, or email carereducation@carersvic.org.au
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Connected carers mc2 online support group training – 2 hours |
Carers Victoria has established Connected Carers communities based on a state government initiative My connected Community (mc2). The aim of these ‘virtual’ communities is to provide opportunities for family carers to access support and information plus additional discussion and social networking with peers. Free computer and Internet training and support is available to carers who would like to join one of these online groups. Participants need to have basic computer and Internet skills.
For further information phone Carers Victoria’s Education and Training administration 03 9396 9500, or email carereducation@carersvic.org.au
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Carer support groups: Facilitators’ workshop – 10am-3pm |
An introductory full-day workshop for carers who are facilitators, carers sharing the role of facilitator, carers starting up new carer support groups or wanting a refresher course.
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Session 1 – Establishing a carer support group |
Includes terms of reference, group structure and format, the facilitator’s role, incorporation and insurance. Includes self-care for facilitators
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Session 2 – Working with carer support groups |
Covers fundraising for carer support groups, an understanding of the impact of caring on individuals and families, group formation and group dynamics, active listening, programming for carer support groups, and Connected Carers mc2 online CSG facilitators’ support group. |
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© Carers Association
Victoria 2008
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