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Planning for when you can no longer care

Introduction

Have you ever worried about what will happen to the person you care for when you’re no longer able to be there? You’re not alone.
Arafmi (Australia) and Mental Illness Caregivers Association (MICA) (Canada) are working together to explore how we can support carers/caregivers of someone experiencing mental ill-health to plan for the future support of the person they care for.
To help us figure out how we can best help, we're asking carers/caregivers in Australia and Canada some questions about the types of support they currently provide for the person they care for and whether they already have plans in place for the future.
Don't worry if you don't know the exact number of hours or costs of support that you provide. Your best estimate will be okay.
We'll summarise all of the responses in an anonymous way and use the information to help us advocate for support for carers/caregivers to plan for the future of the people they care for.
Your responses will be kept confidential and handled in accordance with Arafmi's privacy policy
1.Which country do you live in?
2.Do you currently provide unpaid care and support for a family member or friend experiencing mental ill-health?
3.What types of day-to-day support does your person currently rely on you to provide?
Number of hours provided by you per week
Do you have plans in place for this support to be provided if you can no longer care?
Do you need help to put a plan in place?
Emotional support (e.g. support to deal with challenges, de-escalating emotional or risky situations, monitoring and managing crises, creating opportunities for social interaction)
Practical support (e.g. cleaning, cooking, managing finances or legal issues, assisting with planning and decision-making, helping to access and maintain employment or housing)
Health support (e.g. assisting with medications, managing appointments, providing transport or attending appointments)
4.What types of financial support does your person currently rely upon you to provide for a safe and secure place to live?
Cost covered by you per year
Do you have plans in place to cover this cost if you can no longer care?
Do you need help to put a plan in place?
Rent or mortgage payments
Utilities and other services (e.g. phone, electricity, gas, insurance)
Property management (e.g. maintenance costs)
Food
Cleaning services
5.What other costs do you currently cover for your person?
Cost covered by you per year
Do you have plans in place to cover this cost if you can no longer care?
Do you need help to make a plan?
Mental health care (e.g. psychologist, psychiatrist, other mental health services, medications)
Physical health care (e.g. doctors, medical insurance, health aids)
Legal costs
Financial costs
6.Are there any other costs you currently cover to support the person you care for?
Cost per year
Do you have plans in place to cover these costs if you can no longer care?
Do you need help to make a plan?
Other (please provide details in comment box below)
7.Other general comments you would like to make about the issue of future planning.
8.Would you like to stay involved in this work being done by Arafmi and MICA to help carers/caregivers with future planning? If so, please provide your contact details below.