A carer provides ongoing, unpaid care and support to a family member, neighbour, or friend who lives with disability, terminal illness, chronic illness, mental illness or ageing.
The use of virtual care provides carers with greater flexibility. The technology allows carers to be engaged throughout the consumer’s journey, having choice about how they can participate and engage in the provision of care.
Consumers report feeling like a burden on their carers. Offering virtual care allows carers to manage the competing demands of life, reducing their stress, and saving them time and money.
The carer may not be able to (or need to) physically be with the consumer. The consumer can be sitting with their clinician and connect to the carer who may be at work, home or even on holidays. Sometimes the clinician/s, consumer and the carer will all be in different locations. Carers may also have access to consumer portals or mobile apps to support their caring role.
Some simple strategies may be:
- asking consumers if they have a carer and documenting this in their health record
- taking the time to connect with the carer and finding out about them, their preferences and their interest and capability to use virtual care
- amending existing resources to include information for carers
- designing information for carers and ensuring they are provided with information and resources to support them
- sharing with your colleagues how a carer has improved health outcomes
- showcasing a carer story where virtual care has supported the healthcare journey.