Guest Post: Caring for Carers

Guest Post: Krishna Dutton from The Wellness Barn, Mind Body Spirit Consultant- Reiki Master / Instructor and Workshop Facilitator

A carer is someone who is providing unpaid care for a person living in either the community, residential care, or has recently become a bereaved carer.

The carer is an integral part of the care relationship, ensuring that the needs of the individual are provided. The job description is endless – often 24/7.The carer takes on many different roles, often losing their identity and becoming entrenched in being a carer.

I have worked in Community Services most of my life in various roles and have seen this first hand. I have seen the impact the caring role has on the family, friends, neighbours, and everyone else involved in the care of others. On many occasions, I have witnessed where the carer is the last person to be considered, as they feel it is their duty to continue to look after someone at their own expense. Many carers are reluctant to ask for help and end up physically and mentally ill.

Having worked as a case manager in a carer support program, I continue my passion to support carers by facilitating carer wellbeing workshops in the community and in my practice at the newly established Wellness Barn in The Basin.

The feedback I get from carers informs me that they feel very overwhelmed in the caring role, but attend The Wellness Barn to ensure they have time for themselves. They learn strategies to de-stress in their everyday life in a fun and interactive style. This also allows the carers to connect with other people in similar situations.

The benefits of carers attending the mindfulness carer support groups and their accompanying day retreats are endless.

Testimonials

"…This was so much what I needed – the mindfulness exercises I have learnt will remain with me…"

"…Each week throughout the 10 week course, I gained valuable tools to that have now enabled me to engage with my mind in a more helpful way, which in turn is leading to more successful outcomes…"

I would encourage all the carers out there to come along to The Wellness Barn which is located on an acre of land at the foot of the tranquil Dandenong Ranges. Click below to find out more about some upcoming events:

Carers Mindfulness Support Group

Carers Mindfulness Day Retreats