Carers Info Pack

Welcome to Carers NZ, the national network for family, whānau, and aiga carers.

The items in our carer infopack will help you:

  • Learn about the types of support available from government and community organisations, and how to access them
  • Explore Family Care, a quarterly publication for carers you may wish to receive regularly
  • Keep you informed about issues and developments important to carers
  • Proactively plan respite breaks and time out each day
  • Complete an Emergency Care Plan
  • Stay fit and well
  • And lots more!

In Your Info Pack

Here is what is in your Info Pack. Download all at once or as single resources.

We Are Not Machines

Understanding carer burnout, what helps prevent it and ways to recover

By Tricia Hendry

Download it here

Emergency Care Planning Tools

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Carers often worry about what would happen to the person(s) they support if they were unable to continue providing care for any reason. Having an emergency plan is important if something happens to you. Although you may be able to contact someone who is willing to cover in an emergency, we know that this isn’t always possible. Having a plan in place can stop an emergency turning into a crisis, and can give peace of mind for you and those who you care for.

Carers New Zealand has created a suite of emergency planning tools to help you in an emergency.

The tools include:

  • Emergency Care Plan
  • Important Papers Checklist
  • Medications Care Plan
  • Emergency Carer ID Card

Download the pack and fill out the information fields. This will make it easier for other people to step in for you. If possible, discuss the ‘what ifs’ with the person you support, so they have input into arrangements that would affect them if you were suddenly unable to provide support.

You can also place a copy in your home, or your loved one’s home in a place where someone can easily find it. Share the completed tools with anyone who needs to know about your wishes, and the support needs of your friend or family member (if they can’t easily communicate these themselves).

Keep this information in an easily located place. Talk about the plan with the person(s) you care for, if possible, and with family and friends whom you would like to nominate as emergency contacts. Let people know where they can find it and make sure that the information is regularly updated.

These tools are also useful for anyone self-managing health or disability support needs.

Download it here

Strength for Life with Wayne Halkyard

Build your Strength to Care Better!

If you want to build your strength to care better and prevent injuries, try national bodybuilding champion Wayne Halkyard’s easy to follow 15 minute Strength for Life program.

Download it here

Take 1 Minute, Take 5 Planner

Plan the breaks you need!

Our Take 1 Minute, Take 5 Planner is designed to help family carers proactively plan regular respite breaks.

Designed to work with the Time Out Guide this planner helps make taking breaks easy!

Download it here

Time Out Guide

Get the breaks you need!

Our Time Out resource is designed to help family carers proactively plan regular respite breaks.

It’s based on feedback from hundreds of carers to an online survey undertaken by Carers NZ!

Download it here

A Guide For Carers

A Government Resource

Every family carer should read the Government’s Guide for Carers

Guide for Carers has practical information to help whānau, āiga and carers who assist family members and friends with a health condition, a disability, or a physical or mental illness. It includes information on services and supports available for carers and can be downloaded here.