Every October, National Carers Week shines a light on the millions of Australians who look after a partner, parent, friend or neighbour living with illness, disability, frailty or the ordinary wear of age. In 2026 it runs from 11 to 17 October. A great many carers are themselves over 60, and a great many never use the word carer at all. They simply call it helping, or love, or what you do. This week is for them, and if that is you, it is a good moment to turn a little of that care back on yourself.
Recognising that you are a carer
Caring often arrives quietly. A spouse needs help with the shower, then with medications, then with getting to appointments, and one day you notice that most of your week is organised around someone else's needs. There is no application form and no starting whistle. Naming the role matters, though, because carers who recognise themselves as carers are far more likely to reach for the support that exists. You are not being dramatic by using the word. You are being accurate.
The cost of running on empty
Carers are famously good at everyone else's wellbeing and famously casual about their own. Missed check ups, broken sleep, meals eaten standing up and a social calendar that has quietly emptied are common. Over months and years this adds up. Research suggests that carers who neglect their own health and rest tend to report more fatigue, low mood and physical strain than those who build in regular relief. The uncomfortable truth is that a worn out carer eventually becomes a second person who needs care. Looking after yourself is not a luxury on top of caring. It is part of the job.
Small habits that hold you up
You do not need a wellness overhaul. You need a few anchors that survive a hard week. Keep your own GP appointments and mention that you are a carer, so your doctor understands the load you are under. Protect one walk a day, even ten minutes around the block while a neighbour sits with your person. Eat something proper at lunch. Go to bed when you are tired rather than pushing through one more task. And keep one friendship alive with a regular phone call, because isolation creeps in faster than most carers expect.
Asking for help is a skill, not a weakness
Many carers wait until they are exhausted before asking for anything, and by then it can feel like admitting failure. Try treating help as something you arrange early, the way you would arrange a plumber before the tap floods the kitchen. Carer Gateway, the Australian Government's service for carers, offers counselling, peer support, coaching and access to respite, and can be reached on 1800 422 737. Local councils, community health centres and organisations connected to your person's condition often run carer groups, and a room full of people who understand without explanation can be worth more than any pamphlet.
Making respite real
Respite simply means a break, and it comes in many sizes. It might be a family member taking a Saturday afternoon, a day program your person enjoys, a volunteer visitor once a week, or a short residential stay so you can travel or recover from your own health matter. Carers often feel guilty about respite, as though a break means caring less. The opposite is true. Regular breaks are what allow the caring to continue for years rather than months, and most people being cared for would far rather have a rested companion than a heroic exhausted one.
National Carers Week asks the rest of the community to notice carers and thank them. It also asks carers to notice themselves. If you are one of the many Australians over 60 caring for someone you love, take this week to book the appointment, make the call, accept the offer of help and plan the break. The person you care for needs you well, and you deserve to be well for your own sake too.
Important Note
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak with your GP or another qualified health professional about your own situation.