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December 2020: Special Edition

This edition of Carers NSW eNews focuses on disaster planning and response, and provides information about Carers NSW disaster related policy recommendations for the upcoming State Budget, and newly developed disaster planning resources for carers. 
 

Including carers in crisis response

 

Every year, the Carers NSW Policy Team prepares a comprehensive submission for the NSW Government regarding spending priorities to support carers in the upcoming State Budget. Following consultation with carers, stakeholders and Carers NSW staff, Carers NSW published Caring through Crisis: Carers NSW Pre-Budget Submission 2021-22. 

 

In our most recent submission, Carers NSW paid particular focus to the crucial need to include carers in crisis response. In NSW, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have posed practical challenges and considerable stress for many NSW residents, particularly those living in regional, rural and remote areas, which have been most affected. For carers, the risks and challenges posed by these disasters are often exacerbated by the support needs of the person they are caring for. 

 

Many people living with a disability or chronic health condition, or those that are ageing or frail, rely on regular support from family members and friends in preparing for and responding adequately to a natural disaster. Key issues reported by carers include:

  • Issues accessing health and emergency services

  • Significant challenges evacuating the person they care for to a safe and appropriate location

  • Difficulty securing access to appropriate accommodation, assistive technology, life-saving equipment and essential food and medication

  • Physically inaccessible venues and facilities, and a lack of inclusive and flexible evacuation plans

  • Changes to routine and unfamiliar environments causing significant distress to people living with dementia, intellectual disability and mental illness

 

Whilst some resources and training exist to assist people with disability and older people to prepare for and respond in a crisis, these often neglect the critical role of family and friend carers in emergency situations. The 2019-20 experiences of emergency services and the consumers they support lend themselves to key learnings which should inform future response. Carers NSW has advocated that Resilience NSW and other agencies involved in coordinating emergency planning and response should consider their obligations as public sector agencies under the NSW Carers (Recognition) Act 2010. 

 

Carers NSW has recommended the following to ensure that carers are included in crisis response:

  • Include new and additional expenditure to support carers' financial wellbeing and physical and mental health, noting the ongoing impacts of recent natural disasters and COVID-19

  • Improve emergency planning and evacuation procedures and infrastructure to ensure these are inclusive

  • Embed a carer focus in existing resources and training surrounding crisis responses to support vulnerable groups

  • Build the capacity of the emergency services sector to understand the needs of carers and those they are caring for

  • Ensure all agencies involved in emergency management consult and engage with carers in developing emergency plans

  • Resource coordinated, localised emergency planning and response

  • Invest in evidence-based improvements in emergency communication technologies

  • Engage with and resource community organisations to inform more inclusive emergency communication processes

  • Review and address shortfalls in emergency transport, energy and communications infrastructure, the paid care workforce, accessible public venues and the provision of care in residential facilities 
 

Newly developed disaster planning resources for carers

 

Carers NSW has developed a suite of disaster planning resources for carers. This includes an Evacuation Plan, Evacuation Checklist, Disaster Planning Education Session, and Handbook. 

 

Research and consultation conducted by Carers NSW identified the need for better evacuation planning for carers, especially when caring for someone with complex needs. The Evacuation Plan is designed to supplement the existing Emergency Care Plan available on the Carer Gateway website. The Evacuation Checklist is a one page summary of the Plan, which can be stored in a convenient and accessible location, such as the fridge. 

 

We understand there are a broad range of emergency care plans and disaster plans available which address a number of risk factors. Carers NSW will hold Disaster Planning Education Sessions in 2021 to support carers to assess their risk, prepare, respond during and after a disaster, and identify their key supports. The education sessions will be supported by a Handbook with more detailed information. 

 

Further information about the Disaster Planning Education Sessions, including on how to register, will be made available in 2021. You can also contact Carers NSW Education and Training Team at education@carersnsw.org.au or on (02) 9280 4744. 

 

Please do not hesitate to contact Carers NSW Policy Team at policy@carersnsw.org.au or on (02) 9280 4744 if you would like to further discuss Carers NSW 2021-22 Pre-Budget Submission or the newly developed resources. 

 

Carers NSW wishes you a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. 
 
 

About Carers NSW

 

Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for family and friend carers in New South Wales. Carers NSW works with all carers regardless of their age, location, life-stage or circumstances. For more information about the support we offer, call 02 9280 4744 or visit www.carersnsw.org.au.

 

For nationally available online support, and locally available in-person support, contact the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit www.carergateway.org.au. 
 
 

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