Who cares for carers?

When we are faced with immensely challenging situations, particularly as a result of illness, our immediate support network is crucial. But there is also comfort in knowing there are large communities of people working to support those in need beyond their own networks.

In this episode, Kerryn Powell, The Network Catalyst speaks with Ronnie Benbow, founding director of The Carers Foundation, nominated in the 2021 Queensland, Australian of the Year Awards and 2021 Moreton Bay Citizen of the Year.

Did you know children as young as eight years old care for a parent or sibling?

Even elderly carers over 85 years old still care for their disabled or medically unwell children or partner, often experiencing injuries, and or abuse.

So who cares for the carers?

You will hear how life experience influenced Ronnie to establish The Carers Foundation and change how:

  • carers can access the support they need

  • that help is available and from people who understand the challenges aced by carers

  • you can make a difference in someone’s day, simply by doing even the smallest thing to show you care.

Ronnie provides a healing, nurturing center to rejuvenate and educate family carers experiencing extreme stress and exhaustion.

Being a Registered Nurse with a Degree in Health Science and having a professional background in health care and personal caring circumstances, Ronnie recognises, personally and professionally, the relentless demands and debilitating stress that family carers endure daily.

Besides many years of being a nurse and working in the community, Ronnie has also personally cared for her husband, Michael, that had a near fatal accident leaving him paralysed from the neck down, one of her four sons that had a debilitating medical condition and her elderly parents, of which she cared for her beloved father until he passed away.

For the past 15 years, together with her husband Michael (formerly in Business Management) they decided to combine their professional skills and use their retreat facility to privately fund and offer respite and support for carers in crisis.

Meirav Dulberg