Who are carers?

Carers are usually family members who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental health problem, chronic condition or who are frail aged. Carers can be parents, partners, brothers, sisters, friends or children of any age.

Carers may care for a few hours a week or all day every day.

http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/ 

Who are young carers?

A young carer is a child or young person 25 years or under who provides support for a family member who has a long term disability, mental illness, other illness, drug or alcohol problem. Young carers usually have more responsibilities than other young people their age. http://www.youngcarers.net.au/

You may not see yourself as a carer, but if you take on any responsibility for a parent with HD then you are a carer!

There may be many factors which influence the role you have in caring for a parent with HD, e.g. stage of the illness, your relationship with them, your own responsibilities, goals, etc. Some young people may take on a full-time caring role, whilst others may visit a parent at home or in a nursing home.

What's most important though is that you have choices about this, you should do what feels right for you, and you should take care of yourself as well!

Whether you play a big role or a small role in your parents care, it can be really tough. Caring for a parent and watching them become affected by HD can be a very difficult experience. The emotional side of caring can be extremely hard. Coping with feelings of sadness, grief, anger, frustration, fear, etc, can be just as hard as the practical "doing stuff".

It can sometimes help to access extra supports, whether that's a service, or just by connecting with other young people who are also caring for someone. Talking with others can help a lot!