Carers in rural Australia are more likely to suffer long-term health problems than those in major cities, with long work days, limited services and financial strain compounding the pressures of the role.
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ABC COUNTRY HOUR PRESENTER ANNABELLE HOMER: We’ll hear more about the racing Yabbies in Broken Hill later in the program. You are listening to the Country Hour, it is 11 minutes past 12, Annabelle Homer with you this afternoon.
While carers to an amazing job looking after those who are physical or mentally ill, and often put their own lives on hold to do so, it’s often the carers themselves who end up falling ill.
The demands of the job are often underestimated, and research on behalf of the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that their situation is particularly tough in remote areas. More carers in rural Australia suffer from long-term health problems than those in major cities.
For Carers Week, Broken Hill has been running several events, and today our reporter Nicky Redl has gone to one of those events to catch up with those at the coalface. Hi, Nicky, where are you?
NICKY REDL: Hey, Annabelle. Look, I’m at the town square here, the Broken Hill town square. It’s quite a big event. There are a lot of people here and quite a few stands informing people, and trying to raise awareness, really, of how carers in the regional areas of Australia have to cope, and trying to get them a bit more support.
Now, I’ve got Kerry Landstrom here with me. She’s been a carer for 23 years, and in that time looked after three generations – her grandmother, her sister, and her nephew – is that right, Kerry?
KERRY LANDSTROM: That’s right, Nicky.
NICKY REDL: Tell me, how easy is it for you to get away and take a very well-deserved break?
KERRY LANDSTROM: It’s very hard. I’ve had one week about a year ago, and usually four or five days a year… (continues)