A ONE-DAY course aimed at offering support to both carers and families of regional cancer care patients will arrive in Bunbury on September 18.
The workshop, set to be held at Solaris Cancer Care South West in Carey Park, will specifically focus on providing tools and information to improve the quality of life of both carers and their patients.
Running from 9.45am to 4pm, the 'Carers Course' will cover ten modules offering information ranging from how to effectively communicate, managing pain and symptoms, self-care for both the patient and carer and complementary therapies.
Solaris Cancer Care special projects and education manager Patricia Williams said the course had been running for 15 years after it was found that the needs of carers were often missed.
"When conducting research, we found carers were often feeling guilty about saying I need a break, so the workshop was developed to provide support and focus on the challenges and demands of being a carer," Ms Williams said.
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"Participants are provided with information on practical skills in order to increase their coping skills and self confidence in being a carer.
"But our main aim is to empower carers to feel valued."
Solaris Cancer Care is a community-based healthcare organisation offering free services ranging from diagnosis to survivorship and palliative care.
Ms Williams said in the 11 years the course had been coming to Bunbury, feedback had confirmed the 'Carers Course' was a great resource.
What I say to the carers is when you're on a plane and the masks drop, who's mask do you put on first? You need to have your oxygen first to be able to then help others.
- Solaris Cancer Care special projects and education manager Patricia Williams
"From data collected from over 500 participants during a 15-year period, we've had carers say how relevant and informative the topics are, with one gentleman who cared for his wife with dementia and son with cancer, saying he had learnt more from the course than he had in his 27 years of being a carer.
"Before the course, the focus was just on the patient, but now carers have the resources and information to help them best care for their patients."
Solaris Cancer Care's 'Carers Course' is free to anyone caring for someone with Cancer or a serious illness.
To find out more information on the course and to register, visit https://solariscancercare.org.au/event-info/course/carers-course-61555/.
"What I say to the carers is when you're on a plane and the masks drop, who's mask do you put on first? You need to have your oxygen first to be able to then help others. "