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    • Home
    • Macular Disease
      • Macular Degeneration
        • About Macular Degeneration
        • Check My Macula
        • What Happens?
        • Risk Factors
        • Prevention
        • Detection
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatment
        • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
        • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetes
        • What Happens?
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        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Low Vision
        • Living with Low Vision
        • Carer and Family
        • Aids and Technology
        • Slips, Trips and Falls
        • Legal blindness
      • Other Macular Diseases
        • Best Disease
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
        • Macular Telangiectasia
        • Myopic Macular Degeneration
        • Retinal Detachment
        • Retinitis Pigmentosa
        • Retinal Vein Occlusion
        • Stargardt Disease
        • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
        • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
        • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
      • Visit Eye Health Professional
        • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
      • Macular Disease
        • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease
    • Research
      • Research Grants Program
        • Research Grants Awarded
        • Research Grant Recipients
        • Apply for the 2021 MDFA Research Grants Program
        • Research Grants Panel
      • Support Research
      • Latest Research
        • Research News
        • MDFA Research
        • Macular Diseases
        • Understanding Research
        • Social Impact
      • Research Updates
        • Annual Research Update
        • Weekly Research Updates for Professionals
      • Research studies
        • Research participants needed in the Canberra region who enjoy art and have vision loss
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Macular Disease

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      • Early and Intermediate Macular Degeneration
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  • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • About Diabetic Retinopathy
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      • Legal blindness
    • Other Macular Diseases
      • Best Disease
      • Macular Hole
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      • Retinal Vein Occlusion
      • Stargardt Disease
      • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
      • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
      • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
    • Visit Eye Health Professional
      • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
    • Macular Disease
      • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease

    Becoming a Carer

    ALF_BecomingaCarer_womangirlcane

    A carer is usually an upaid family member or friend who provides support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail and aged. Often the family member or friend steps in because they feel obliged to do so, because they are available or because it suits everyone involved at the time.

    A person may be considered a carer before the person requiring care is officially diagnosed with blindness or low vision. In this case they may be eligible to receive support such as counselling. For more information, contact the Carer Advisory Service.

    The time a person cares for another can vary from a few hours a week to every day of the week.

    A carer’s tasks

    There are many roles for a carer and these can change over time. Activities associated with being a carer for a person who is blind or has low vision include:

    • Helping to access community services
    • Helping to maintain hobbies and leisure activities
    • Reading bills and mail
    • Cooking, cleaning or other forms of help within the home
    • Driving
    • Shopping
    • Using the telephone
    • Helping to use the computer or adaptive technology for reading
    • Guiding the person when in the home and the community

    When first becoming a carer, it may be useful to:

    • Avoid making any quick decisions regarding employment, future plans or lifestyle
    • Seek advice from all available sources
    • Remain in contact with social and recreational networks
    • Access counselling if necessary
    • Develop new coping skills
    • Acknowledge and allow time for feelings that may arise
    • Take time out to think calmly and quietly
    • Talk to carer service providers

    “My Mum was fine on her own until two years ago when her vision deteriorated because of age-related macular degeneration. Now I visit her three times a week after I finish work and on the weekends. I read her mail and make sure that she has what she needs, and when we go food shopping I help her to read the labels on jars, cans and packets.” Sue

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