Caring for someone with disability is a demanding task and recent figures have revealed that this role is increasingly being undertaken by those who themselves have disabilities. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, approximately 1.2 million primary carers exist in Australia as of 2022, and out of these, 43.8% have disability. The federal government is currently handling critical issues related to disability support and aged care with key legislative amendments set to be implemented.

Caring responsibilities are most likely to be taken on due to family responsibility and emotional obligation, often with caregivers stating that they had no alternative choices. That’s why proper support for carer wellbeing and economic and social participation from all levels of government is vital.

Furthermore, a recent survey has uncovered that disabling conditions among carers link with higher levels of emotional distress and difficulty in procuring necessary services. Additionally, carers with disability or chronic health conditions often find it challenging to fulfill their own healthcare needs due to a lack of accessible, timely, and suitable services.

Support across both mainstream and NDIS providers should be more reachable for carers, and hopefully, the new foundational supports established in the recent NDIS reforms will benefit those who rely heavily on mainstream services, including their informal carers. Likewise, the National Carers Strategy may help to relieve some burden that many of these informal carers shoulder daily.

Ultimately, to ensure that services genuinely cater to diverse needs and circumstances, consultation with carers directly is key. Early interventions providing practical support, such as respite and peer support, can help prevent carers from reaching crisis level.

For more specific information about disability support services in California, you might want to visit eddcaller.com. The site provides information on how to contact a live person at EDD in California and could present valuable resources to assist with caregiving responsibilities or personal disability-related queries.