Who cares for the carer?
A novel service to support health and wellbeing of older carers of older people.

Further project information can be found at the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre.

The challenge

Carers of older people at home assist others to age in place, however many experience feelings of stress or being overwhelmed at times, and often do not make time to address their own health and wellbeing needs. So, who cares for the carer?

Launched in 2024 in Victoria’s Frankston / Mornington Peninsula region where 17 percent of the population is aged over 70 years, the ‘Carer Health and Wellbeing Service’ is a novel interdisciplinary service that aims to optimise the health and wellbeing outcomes of carers (aged 50+ years) of older adults (65+ years).

Our impact

• An Australian-first Carer Health and Wellbeing Service assisting carers (aged 50+ years) of older adults (65+ years) with managing their own health and wellbeing needs.
• Operating two days a week, the interdisciplinary service offers psychology, occupational therapy, social work, and physiotherapy.
• Multi-modal service delivery, offering in-person (individual and group-based), telehealth and telephone appointments.
• Researchers are evaluating this service model to assess its impact in helping carers to address their prioritised health and wellbeing needs while sustaining their caring role longer term.

Project lead

Dr Aislinn Lalor from Monash University is the Primary Chief Investigator.

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Project resources & knowledge

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Key stakeholders at the official launch of the Carer Health and Wellbeing Service. (L-R: Professor Wayne Hodgson, Professor Velandai Srikanth, Iain Edwards, Hon. Jodie Belyea MP, Ivan Freer,  Adj A/Professor Helen Cooper, Professor Natasha Brusco, Dr Aislinn Lalor, Professor Keith Hill, Professor Terry Haines). Photo credit: Adrienne Bizzarri Photography.

Key project information

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For further information please contact Dr Aislinn Lalor: aislinn.lalor@monash.edu

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