Blest be the Work of our Hands - Carers Week 2020
Carers Week is celebrated in the week Sunday, 11 to Saturday, 17 October 2020. During this week, you are invited to celebrate and acknowledge all carers. Carers Australia define carers as people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or drug issue or who are frail. This group includes the 272,000 young people up to the age of 25 who are carers.
In 2015, there were 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia*, or 12% of the population. Of which, 96% provide support for a family member and that often means they can only work part time. Only 56% of primary carers work compared to 86% of non-carers. Reduced work hours leads to reduced weekly income. The weekly median income of primary carers aged 15 - 64 was 42% lower than that of non-carers. Lower income in a household can lead to poverty. Carers are our unsung heroes and are a real presence of Jesus in our community. In 2015, it was estimated that carers provided 1.9 billion hours of unpaid care.
Caring has a price and research has shown that, when carers are inadequately supported, their own health, mental health and wellbeing can be seriously affected. Being unable to work or work part time can lead to financial difficulties and sometimes poverty.
We can play a pivotal role in providing support, both spiritually and practically, to our carers. We are called to not only celebrate and acknowledge carers but to look for ways to listen to, build relationships with and form networks of support for carers. Pope Francis instructs us: “It means opening the doors and letting Jesus go forth. Many times we keep Jesus closed inside the parishes with us, and we do not go out and we do not let Him leave.” We are encouraged to open our hearts to carers.
We pray to the Lord in thanksgiving for the compassion and dedication of all carers.
So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10:35
www.carersaustralia.com.au
*Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2018