Hello

Hello @Kam09 and welcome to the forum!

It takes immense strength and courage to reach out, especially when you are balancing the care of your husband, your work, and managing medical expenses. Please know that you are not alone in this journey. Many of us here are caring for loved ones with mental health challenges and understand what you are experiencing as your husband's cognitive abilities change and you step into a more involved caring role. I myself was a carer for my sibling who experienced mental health challenges a few years ago, but I now live with and care for my partner, who also experiences mental health challenges and is disabled.

It is so important that you take care of your own well-being and find the things that fill your cup. Counselling, for example, can be a vital tool for processing the emotional toll and complexities of being a carer. I highly recommend going through Carer Gateway, which offers a variety of supports, including counselling services, peer support groups, financial support, etc.

Navigating life as a carer and the associated costs e.g. medical costs, transport, along with the rising cost of living, can be incredibly stressful! Something you might consider is looking into the payments offered by Services Australia, such as Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, Disability Support Pension (for your husband), etc. Carer Gateway may also be able to suggest other financial supports available for your circumstances.

I hope that some of the information I have provided will be of use to you, as it is useful for me in my journey of being a carer.

I want you to know that you have already taken the most important step by reaching out! The online community is here to support you!

Hello @Kam09 , @MatchaToad

thinking of you and sitting with you

how are you going my friends

Hey @Shaz51

Lovely to hear from you! I am going okay myself this evening, just taking things easy and keeping out of the heat.

Hope you and @Kam09 are going well!

Same here @MatchaToad , it has been very hot here

Just had dinner and now sitting down for a little while

Have you any furbabies

Any plans for tonight and tomorrow @Kam09 , @tyme

Hey @Shaz51 , no plans as yet from my side. Might take the kiddos out in the morning.

That sounds great @tyme

Nothing planned here yet

But a coffee and chat discussion here

I had to go back and check a few times when you said coffee and chat - I had to work out what day it was today @Shaz51 !

I love those chats. They are great. Thank you for all your work with it.

Ha ha @tyme

I have been doing them anytime sometimes 5 days a week 😁

Actually, I did see that on Wed, there was a chat. I thought it was great - esp over the break @Shaz51

Thank you so much @Shaz51 . It's totally appreciated.