Support encourages a sense of self
October 12, 2026
More than 80,000 Tasmanians provide unpaid practical care and emotional support to someone who is close to them. This National Carers Week, Rebecca from Ulverstone shares her story.
Life changed quickly for Rebecca’s father after a car accident in 2021. After leaving hospital, he moved into an MAIB-funded residential facility operated by Anglicare Tasmania’s Acquired Injury Support Services. It was six months before he had recovered enough to move back home, with support from Anglicare.
Rebecca says the Anglicare team provided a consistent and flexible service of personal care and social support that was based on regular, clear communication and meeting her father where he was.
“The structures, the routines, the genuine interest the support workers showed in Dad and their ability to connect with him and his interests was amazing,” she said. “They chatted together about Italy, prepared his evening meals, helped him in the garden, supported him to do his banking and attend appointments and encouraged him to start using his keyboard again.”
Rebecca’s career as a hairdresser in aged care facilities is important to her sense of self.
The support we received from Anglicare gave me the confidence to keep working. I could still be there for Dad and know that when I wasn’t, he was being well cared for. I knew that I could rely on the service to contact me if I was needed. This was good for me and my family.”
A gateway to further support
Rebecca speaks highly of the support she received from the Australian Government’s Carer Gateway service.
“I can’t thank them enough,” she said. “They listened, followed up and explained the range of services that were available to me, including respite and how to navigate the pathway into residential aged care.
I wasn’t sure that I needed the counselling and coaching services they offered. I felt my experience was surely a walk in the park compared to other people’s. I decided to give it a try, and I was surprised at the difference it made. The sessions created structure in my thinking and encouraged me to get rid of the feelings of guilt I had that I wasn’t doing enough.
In October last year Rebecca visited the annual Health and Wellbeing Expo presented by the Rotary Club of Ulverstone West and came across a Carer Gateway stall. She found herself lingering and sharing her lived experience with others.
A new stage
Rebecca’s father recently moved into an aged care facility in his local community. MAIB still funds social support for him that continues to be provided by Anglicare.
“Anglicare has been with us for the whole journey, and we feel grateful that this has been the case,” said Rebecca.
Rebecca’s top tips for other carers:
- Reach out to the Carer Gateway, and accept the help that’s offered – it will really make a difference.
- Be prepared for the unexpected like accidents, illness and extended hospital stays. If you have an elderly family member arrange a My Aged Care assessment at the earliest opportunity. This would have helped us with a smoother transition looking at options for Dad like Support at Home funding or the Aged Care pathway.
- Understand that the person you are caring for may not be able to achieve all of the recovery goals they set for themselves, and that’s okay.
More information
National Carers Week – 11-17 October 2026. This website features resources for carers and personal stories.
Care2Serve offers the Carer Gateway in Tasmania. Carer Gateway provides free services and support for people who are unpaid carers to family members and friends. This includes counselling, coaching and access to respite.
Anglicare’s Acquired Injury Support Services support people with complex needs in residential facilities in the North, North West and South. We also provide services in people’s homes.
Anglicare’s Aged Care Services provide in-home care for older Tasmanians across the state. We can provide you with no-obligation advice on how to navigate the Support at Home system, including how to start the assessment process through My Aged Care.
