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Carers Week 2021

This week 10 – 16 October is National Carers Week. genU recognises and celebrates the incredible contributions carers make to their families and our community every day. Carers, for everything you do, we say thank YOU.

Meet Margaret

Taking a break from her caring duties has become an important part of Margaret Farrell’s routine.

Margaret, 70, is a full-time carer for her ex-husband who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Her husband also has diabetes and experiences heart and leg problems. Margaret’s son, who has epilepsy, also helps care for his father.

“I do have it pretty full-on at home,” Margaret said.

“Touch wood my son hasn’t had a seizure for nearly three years now, so I can actually go away for a break and while I’m away he takes over and watches his father,” she said.

“That gives me time for me, and when I’m back at home my son has his time to himself.”

Margaret regularly makes bookings with genU respite care services at The Lodge in Ocean Grove, where she participates in cooking sessions, takes day trips to local attractions and enjoys a well-earned break.

The dedicated carer said genU’s respite care staff always made her feel welcome.

“They’re not like staff, they’re like friends that you can go down the street and have a coffee with,” Margaret said

“They’re easy to talk to and we have a laugh, they’re compassionate, and they understand where you’re coming from… It’s just so easy to relax down there,” she said.

Margaret said fellow carers needed to consider their own health and wellbeing, when taking care of others.

“You’ve got to take that time to look after yourself, otherwise you’re not much help to anyone else and that’s all there is to it,” she said.

Check out our Support for Carers page for more information on how genU can support you as a carer.

#Carers2021 #MillionsOfReasonsToCare