Services for Carers

• Safe & Found WA

  Safe & Found WA is an initiative introduced by Western Australia Police Force (WA Police Force) and Australia Medic Alert Foundation. Safe & Found supports people living with dementia, autism or a cognitive impairment who might be at risk of becoming lost or reported as missing, by ensuring Police have immediate access to critical information to assist when undertaking search operations.
  Web: www.safeandfound.org.au/

Those closest to family members with disability often play an important caring role. Carers can include mums and dads, sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, spouses, as well as friends and neighbours.

GROW is anonymous and confidential. There are no fees involved and you do not need a referral. Your lived experience as a carer of a person with mental illness is your qualification. Carers who are thinking of attending will have the opportunity to work on and develop specific challenges they are currently facing as an individual or family member. The wisdom of the GROW program is designed to address these issues.

HelpingMinds provide services to both people affected by a mental health condition, and their close friends or family who provide support. Services includes counselling, support groups, respite, young carer support, information, referrals and advocacy. Our services are free, confidential and everybody is welcome. HelpingMinds has offices located in:

• Broome
• Carnarvon
• Cockburn
• Fremantle
• Geraldton
• Midland
• Midvale
• Perth
• Port Hedland
• Whitfords

Telephone: (08) 9427 7100 or country freecall 1800 811 747
Website: www.helpingminds.org.au 

Kalparrin help families of children with disabilities and special needs to carry their load by providing practical information and support, and connecting them with the services that they need. They help families connect with other families in similar situations through Peer Support Link, and to take time out through regular respite events and activities. Anyone is welcome to get involved at Perth Children’s Hospital. It’s a comfortable place to wait for appointments, have a coffee, browse brochures, chat with Family Support Officers, or share experiences with other families.

Telephone: 08 9340 8094 Freecall: 1800 066 413
Fax: 08 9380 6114
Email: kalparrinwa@health.wa.gov.au 
Website:  www.kalparrin.org.au/

MIFWA offers support and services to people with mental illness, their families and carers.

MIFWA provide a range of support services to people diagnosed with a mental illness and their carers and families. If you need information, rehabilitation, family support, carer support, we can help.

This association offers assistance to people with Motor Neurone Disease, their carers and families.

Website: https://www.mndawa.asn.au/

My Aged Care is a phone line and website to assist older people, their families and carers to access aged care information and services.

Freecall: 1800 200 422
Website: www.myagedcare.gov.au

MyTime groups provide facilitated peer support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring for children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. Socialise and share ideas and information with others who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a child with special needs. Each group has a play helper who leads children and siblings in activities, so parents and carers can spend time focusing on catching up with others. Groups exist throughout WA including many country areas.

Telephone: 1800 889 997
Website: www.mytime.net.au

Carer Gateway has information to assist carers, including practical advice on how to care, details about financial and respite support, and how to make adjustments when the caring role ends.

To access this service:

Telephone: 1800 422 737 (8.00am - 6.00pm WST, Monday - Friday)
Website: www.carergateway.gov.au

Seventeen informal groups including a young onset group, are active in the metropolitan area and rural regions. Meetings are attended by people with Parkinson's, family members and carers to share information and enjoy social support and friendship. Short Breaks are also available for carers.

Telephone: (08) 6457 7373
Website: https://www.parkinsonswa.org.au/

The Department of Health have collated information for people going to hospital. These resources will assist in answering common questions and are aimed at making a persons stay in hospital as smooth, safe and comfortable as possible.

Some of the resources including videos help with:

• Knowing your rights and responsibilities
• Knowing that your health care is safe
• Making the right decisions for you
• Safe use of medicines
• Preventing falls, pressure sores and infections
• Recovering well
• Being prepared to go home

Ask for this information from your health professional or visit the HealthyWA website for more information.

If you are a carer of someone living with a serious mental health difficulty, Richmond Wellbeing Carer Respite Program can help. Richmond Wellbeing support families to take a break from their caring role with periodic opportunities for respite. Engaging your loved one in a number of enjoyable, stimulating and sometimes challenging activities gives you time to focus on your needs and offers the person you care for their own space.

Telephone: (08) 9350 8800
Website: https://www.rw.org.au/ 

Ruah Community Services is a not-for-profit community service organisation. It is committed to working in partnership with citizens marginalised by mainstream society to enable them to overcome their disadvantage, improve the quality of their lives, enhance their spirit and participate more fully in the community. RUAH provide programs that adopt a family centred approach to support and recovery from mental ill health.

Telephone: (08) 9485 3939
Website: https://www.ruah.org.au/.

Current research evidence and the experience of families who have lived with mental illness combine to help families in a way that purely medical information cannot. Our family-to-family model offers the opportunity to benefit from the wisdom and experience of our family educators. Services are available in some country areas.

Give us a call if you need information on mental illness, support services and treatments or referrals.
Telephone: (08) 9237 8900

The information line is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday

Email: info@mifwa.org.au
Website: https://www.mifwa.org.au.

Wanslea is a not-for-profit, non-government agency providing services to children and families in Western Australia. Wanslea are engaged in four main areas of activity:

• Family Support
• Out of Home Care
• Child Care
• Community capacity building (Country based services available)

For more information:
Telephone: (08) 9245 2441
Website: www.wanslea.asn.au.