Care for a Carer: Small Ways to Support Someone Under Pressure

Oct 6

6 min read

Caring for another person can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be exhausting.

A carer may be supporting a child, partner, parent, family member or friend living with disability, illness, mental health challenges or frailty associated with aging.

They may not describe themselves as a carer. They may simply say:

“I’m helping Mum.”
“I’m looking after my partner.”
“I’m supporting my child.”
“I’m just doing what needs to be done.”
“It’s family.”

But caring responsibilities can still affect a person’s sleep, health, relationships, work and emotional wellbeing.

During National Carers Week 2026, held from 11–17 October, the theme is:

Care for a carer: Making carers visible.

This is an opportunity to recognise carers, check in with them and offer practical support.

Who is a carer?

A carer may be someone who provides ongoing support to a person close to them.

They may help with:

Personal care.
Medication.
Transport.
Meals.
Appointments.
Communication.
Household tasks.
Emotional support.
Advocacy.
Managing services.
NDIS or aged care paperwork.
Safety and daily routines.

Carers may be parents, partners, siblings, adult children, grandparents, friends or neighbours.

Some carers provide support every day. Others may help regularly or step in when extra assistance is needed.

A carer’s role may be unpaid, but the work is still valuable.

The hidden work carers do

Much of caring happens behind the scenes.

A carer may be:

Waking during the night.
Organising appointments.
Contacting providers.
Monitoring medication.
Managing household responsibilities.
Supporting someone through distress.
Attending meetings.
Keeping track of funding.
Advocating for a family member.
Trying to stay calm for everyone else.

They may also be managing work, parenting, relationships and their own health.

Because this work is often private, other people may not realise how much responsibility the carer is carrying.

A simple question can help:

“What are you managing at the moment that other people may not see?”

Signs a carer may be under pressure

Carer burnout can develop gradually when stress continues without enough rest, support or recovery.

A carer may be experiencing:

Ongoing tiredness.
Difficulty sleeping.
Irritability.
Low mood.
Anxiety.
Forgetfulness.
Difficulty concentrating.
Loss of interest in activities.
Withdrawal from friends or family.
Feelings of guilt or resentment.
Physical tension or frequent illness.
Feeling there is nothing left to give.

These signs do not mean the person does not care. They may indicate that the carer needs more support.

It is possible to love someone deeply and still feel exhausted by the responsibilities involved.

Small ways to support a carer

You do not need to solve everything to make a difference.

Ask how they are really going

Try asking:

“How are you coping with everything?”

Or:

“What has been the hardest part of this week?”

Give the person time to answer. They may not be ready to talk immediately.

Offer specific help

Instead of saying:

“Let me know if you need anything,”

try offering something specific:

“Can I bring dinner on Thursday?”
“Would you like me to drive you to the appointment?”
“Can I pick up the groceries?”
“Would you like me to sit with them while you have a break?”
“Can I help organise those phone calls?”
“Would you like company today?”

Specific offers can make it easier for someone to accept support.

Listen without judgement

A carer may express frustration, anger, sadness or guilt.

You do not need to correct their feelings or immediately find a solution.

You can say:

“That sounds like a lot to manage.”
“I can understand why you feel exhausted.”
“You do not have to manage this alone.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“What would help most today?”

Listening can help a carer feel less alone.

Encourage breaks

A break does not need to be an entire day.

It could be:

Ten minutes outside.
A shower without interruption.
A quiet coffee.
A walk around the block.
Time with a friend.
An appointment.
An afternoon nap.
Watching a favourite program.
Time spent on a hobby.

Encourage breaks without making the carer feel guilty for taking them.

Remember important dates

Check in around:

Medical appointments.
Plan reviews.
Hospital discharge.
Birthdays.
Anniversaries.
Holidays.
Changes in care arrangements.
Difficult family events.

A message before or after a significant date can show that you remember what the carer is experiencing.

Support carers without taking over

Helping a carer does not mean taking control away from them.

Ask:

“What would be most useful?”
“Would you like me to listen or help problem-solve?”
“Would you prefer practical help or some company?”
“Is there anything you do not want help with?”
“What would make this week a little easier?”

The carer remains the expert in their own situation.

Support should be collaborative and respectful.

Carers need support too

Carers may delay seeking help because they believe the person they support should come first.

But caring for yourself is not selfish.

Carers also need:

Rest.
Medical care.
Emotional support.
Time away.
Social connection.
Respite.
Clear information.
Someone who listens.
Permission to set boundaries.

A carer who receives support may have more energy and capacity to continue their caring role safely and sustainably.

Support for NDIS and disability carers

Caring for someone with disability may involve:

Managing support workers.
Coordinating therapy.
Attending planning meetings.
Understanding NDIS funding.
Organising transport.
Supporting communication.
Advocating for services.
Managing changes to routines.

A Support Coordinator may be able to help with plan-related tasks, provider coordination and service navigation, depending on the participant’s plan and circumstances.

The carer may also need their own emotional or practical support. Supporting a participant does not mean that the carer’s wellbeing should be overlooked.

Support for aged care carers

Caring for an older person may involve:

Personal care.
Meals and shopping.
Transport.
Medication routines.
Household tasks.
Appointments.
Social support.
Home safety.
Managing changing health needs.

The Australian Government’s Support at Home program and other aged care services may provide support for older people at home. Carer Gateway also provides services for people caring for someone with disability, illness, mental health challenges or frailty due to age.

Families can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss assessment and aged care options.

Support for workers who care for others

Paid workers can also experience emotional exhaustion.

A worker may care deeply about the people they support while feeling:

Drained after difficult conversations.
Affected by stories of trauma or distress.
Worried about letting people down.
Responsible for problems outside their control.
Emotionally flat.
Unable to switch off after work.
Unsure how to maintain boundaries.

Workers may benefit from:

Supervision.
Debriefing.
Counselling.
Employee assistance.
Regular breaks.
Clear work boundaries.
Time away from work communications.
Support from colleagues.

Caring work is important, but it should not require a person to ignore their own wellbeing.

Carer Gateway support

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.

Services may include:

Counselling.
Peer support.
Coaching.
Skills courses.
Tailored support packages.
Planned respite.
Emergency respite.
Transport-related assistance.
Practical information.

Support is available online, by phone and in person. Carers can call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, to discuss available services.

Visit carergateway.gov.au for more information.

How Link Into Life can help

Link Into Life supports people who are caring, working in caring roles or feeling overwhelmed by life.

Our services may include:

Counselling.
Mental health social work.
NDIS Support Coordination.
Aged care and Support at Home assistance.
Family and carer support.
Service navigation.
Provider coordination.
Support with planning and communication.

Support may be available:

In person.
Through Telehealth.
In your own home.

Depending on eligibility and the type of service required, support may be accessed through Medicare, private arrangements, NDIS funding or aged care funding.

Fees and eligibility vary, so contact us to discuss your circumstances before commencing services.

We support people across Darra, Brisbane West, Inala, Ipswich and surrounding areas.

If a carer is in crisis

If a carer is in immediate danger or cannot keep themselves safe, call 000 or attend the nearest hospital emergency department.

For crisis support:

Lifeline: 13 11 14.
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467.
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.
13YARN: 13 92 76 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Queensland Mental Health Access Line: 1300 642 255.

If you are worried about someone, you can also contact a trusted person, GP or mental health professional.

A final reminder

Carers do not always ask for help.

They may be too tired to explain. They may feel guilty about needing support. They may be used to putting everyone else first.

That is why checking in matters.

You do not need perfect words. You can begin with:

“I see how much you are carrying. How can I support you?”

A small act of care can make a difficult day feel more manageable.

This National Carers Week, let’s recognise carers, listen to them and make sure they know:

You matter too.

Need support?

If you are a carer, family member or worker feeling overwhelmed, Link Into Life is here to help.

We provide counselling, mental health social work, NDIS Support Coordination and aged care-related support across Darra, Brisbane West, Inala, Ipswich and surrounding areas.

Call +61 421 183 825 or complete our Contact or Referral form to start a conversation.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not medical, legal, financial, NDIS or aged care advice. Support availability and funding eligibility depend on individual circumstances and the relevant program rules. Contact Carer Gateway, My Aged Care, the NDIS, your GP or a qualified professional for advice about your situation. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.