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Acknowledgement, reassurance and support for families, friends and carers

We extend our warmest acknowledgement and heartfelt appreciation to all of you who play an essential role in the lives of individuals living with aphasia. We understand the challenges and uncertainties that may arise in your journey of caring for a person with aphasia, and we want to reassure you that you are not alone in this process. There are people and services to help. 

The AAA is here to help!

We aim to provide valuable information, support, and guidance to help you navigate through the complexities of aphasia and its impact on communication and daily life.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach – each person’s experience with aphasia may vary. However, we believe that by working together, we can make a positive difference and enrich the lives of those we care for. Thank you for being a source of support, compassion, and strength for your loved one. Your commitment makes all the difference.

It is also important to look after yourself and we are here to support you.

Below you will find tips and suggestions to support you in your role as a carer. A wide range of support, information and resources for carers are also available at:

Things that may help you in your caring role:

1. Prioritising your wellbeing

  • Schedule regular breaks, eat nutritious meals, exercise, and get enough rest to maintain your physical and emotional health.
  • Reflect on things that you enjoyed doing before your loved one had aphasia, and make time to re-connect with these, your identity and sense of self.
  • Carer Gateway has free in-person and online self-guided carer coaching skills courses to support wellbeing.

2. Practicing mindfulness

3. Attending family/carer support groups

  • Many support organisations and health services offer support programs, groups and workshops. Your speech pathologist or GP may be able to provide you with information about local services.
  • It can be helpful to connect with others who are going through the same experience, and to talk to people who understand.
  • You can share tips and resources with other support people.
  • Carer Gateway offers free in-person and online peer support groups.

4. Connecting with others in the community

5. Planning Respite

  • Arrange for regular breaks from caregiving to recharge and prevent burnout.
  • Enlist help from family, friends, or respite care services.
  • Visit My Aged Care and Independence Australia for additional information on respite services.

6. Seeking counselling, psychological and GP support

Living with aphasia can be challenging. It is very normal for carers and loved ones of those living with aphasia to have changes with their mood, including experiencing depression and anxiety.

  • Please contact your GP and share your experience to access support and services.
  • Your GP can provide you with a mental health care plan, so that you can access 10 psychology sessions per year at a reduced cost.
  • Carer Gateway also offers telephone counselling services.

 

This page will be updated with more information soon.

 

Content contributed by: Nelson Hernandez, Dr Ciara Shiggins and Kathryn Pettigrove.

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