Caregiver & Family Support:
Support for family members, friends & others providing unpaid care or support.
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who provides unpaid support to a family member, friend or other person who needs help because of illness, disability, frailty or changing health needs.
Carers may provide practical assistance, emotional support, advocacy, medication support, personal care, coordinate appointments and services, or simply be the person who is consistently there.
Carers and families often hold significant knowledge about the person they support and can play an important role in communication, decision-making and continuity of care. At the same time, caring for someone with serious illness or complex needs can have a substantial impact on the carer’s own wellbeing.
Alongside practical responsibilities, carers may experience uncertainty, disrupted sleep, financial or employment pressures, changing family roles, difficult decisions, anticipatory grief and the emotional impact of watching someone they care about become increasingly unwell.
Supporting the wellbeing of carers and families is an important part of person- and family-centred care. Healthcare professionals can help by recognising carers early, including them appropriately in conversations, checking how they are coping and making support needs visible rather than waiting until someone reaches crisis point.
Things to consider in practice:
ask who is providing care and what that caring role involves
recognise the carer’s knowledge and experience of the person they support
include carers in conversations where appropriate and with the person’s consent
ask directly how caring is affecting their physical and emotional wellbeing
notice signs of stress, exhaustion, overwhelm or caregiver burnout
encourage carers to share responsibilities and accept practical support where possible
provide clear information about available respite, community, financial and support services
revisit carer and family needs as health and caring responsibilities change
Small conversations about how a carer is managing can identify concerns early and help families feel seen, supported and better able to navigate what lies ahead.
Recognising caregiver burnout:
Caregiver burnout can develop gradually, particularly when caring responsibilities are prolonged, intensive or emotionally demanding. Carers may not always recognise how depleted they have become, and some may minimise their own needs because their focus is on the person they are supporting.
Signs that a carer may be struggling can include:
persistent exhaustion or poor sleep
becoming overwhelmed by tasks or decision-making
irritability, low mood or increased anxiety
withdrawing from usual activities or relationships
neglecting their own health needs
feeling unable to leave the person they care for
difficulty concentrating or remembering information
feeling trapped, hopeless or unable to continue in the caring role
Do not wait for a carer to say they are burnt out.
Simple questions such as “How are you managing?”, “What is the hardest part at the moment?” or “What would make things a little easier?” can help open the conversation.
Where concerns are identified, consider practical support, respite options, community services, financial or workplace pressures, emotional support and whether other family members or services can share some of the caring load.
Carer wellbeing can change quickly as illness progresses or care needs increase, so these conversations are worth revisiting over time.
Supporting carers in practice:
Small, thoughtful conversations can make a significant difference to how supported a carer feels.
You might ask:
How are you managing at the moment?
What is feeling hardest right now?
Is there anything you are worried about that we have not talked about yet?
Who is supporting you?
What would make things feel more manageable over the next few days or weeks?
It can also help to check that carers understand the plan, know who to contact if things change, and have realistic expectations about what may be needed at home.
Carers should not have to reach breaking point before support is offered. Recognising their role, including them in conversations and asking about their wellbeing can help identify concerns earlier and create opportunities for practical support.
Support and information:
Explore trusted information, practical guidance and services that can support carers and families.
External resources:
Links to external websites are provided for information and convenience. The Caring Conversations Project is not affiliated with or responsible for the content, services or availability of these external sites. Please refer to the original provider for the most current information.
Carers NZ
Carers NZ provides information, practical resources and advocacy for people supporting family members, friends or others with ongoing health, disability or care needs. Their resources cover topics such as carer wellbeing, navigating services, taking breaks, planning ahead and finding support in your community.
Hospice New Zealand – Support for carers:
Hospice New Zealand provides information and guidance for family members and friends caring for someone with a life-limiting illness, including practical support, wellbeing and what help may be available through hospice services.
Caring Conversations Project resources:
Coming soon: practical resources exploring caregiver wellbeing, recognising burnout, preparing for difficult conversations and navigating the emotional and practical impact of caring.
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