The cost of CARING

A report by Carers Australia found that long-term, informal carers those who don't get paid to provide care are severely financially compromised.

- Samantha Ireland

The worst affected lose at least $940,000 in income and $444,500 in superannuation over a lifetime.

I was a live-in carer for my mum, Pat, for 13 years. She had a serious heart condition and debilitating osteoarthritis. On her good days, she could potter around the house. But on her bad days, she'd need help just to sit up in bed.

As we couldn't predict the good and bad days, I worked from home so I could be there when she needed me.

That unpredictability also meant I didn't qualify for any government assistance as a carer - she simply wasn't 'disabled' enough.

As Mum's carer and a single parent, I often ended up working after midnight.

Like most carers, I wouldn't have had it any other way, but at times it was overwhelming.