A Daughter-Turned-Carer ‘Burnt Out’ By the System: How CareAbout Transformed Her Family’s Wellbeing

Julia never set out to become a full-time carer. Like so many adult children of ageing parents, it happened gradually – then all at once. And undoubtedly, there was one universal driving factor behind such sacrifice: Love.

Not before long, Julia would find herself juggling several hats: She was the cleaner, the cook, the driver, the appointment-maker, and the one constantly worrying about her parent’s safety and wellbeing. Julia was caring for both of her 83-year-old parents while raising a family of her own, and as anyone facing this challenging situation would expect, Julia found herself burning out.

Australia’s complex aged care system only left Julia feeling alone, confused, and overwhelmed. One day, Julia simply Googled, “aged care services at home in Melbourne” when she discovered CareAbout.

Determined to find the support her father desperately needed, Julia made the call to CareAbout. Little did she know at the time, this call would soon mark the beginning of a transformative, new chapter.

This is her story.

Relentlessly Searching for the Care Her Father Needed

After a tiresome, almost three years’ long wait, Julia’s father finally received his Home Care Package (HCP). But with over 900+ providers Australia-wide to choose from, this relief was fast overshadowed by an overwhelming panic.

Julia was given just 56 days to find a provider for her father. She wouldn’t find just any provider, she needed a quality provider that understood her father’s diverse needs, and could make her already sceptical father feel more at ease, especially at the idea of having someone unknown come into his home.

With the Australian aged care system already so confusing and overwhelming, having to now race against a ticking clock only made Julia feel more isolated and overwhelmed. Every time she called for help, she hit a brick wall. And sadly, this experience was only shared among everyone else she’d spoken to.

“I just felt so isolated. So, you resign yourself to not getting any help,” Julia recalls. “You just do the best you can. But that leads to burnout.”

Julia was exhausted. Every day brought new challenges around her parents’ health. She felt like the system didn’t empower carers – instead, it only treated them as an afterthought.

Only adding to this complexity, came another challenge: Her father’s first language isn’t English. Navigating a system filled with jargon and bureaucracy is hard enough, yet now trying to manage a language barrier in the mix… only felt, at times, impossible.

One Google Search, One Phone Call: It All Changed.

Feeling out of options and growing tireless, Julia did what most of us would do: She Googled. When Julia typed in “aged care services at home in Melbourne” – CareAbout appeared first.

Julia admits, she was initially sceptical. The aged care landscape is full of confusion, and she’d heard her share of horror stories. But when she decided to “just do it,” and make the call, CareAbout’s Care Adviser, Sue, picked up the phone – and suddenly, Julia was at ease.

“It wasn’t about business,” Julia says. “She just wanted to know about me. And at the time, my dad and my mum.”

Sue asked about Julia’s father – his health, his preferences, where they were in their journey. There was no pressure. No sales pitch. Just genuine, unhurried care. For the first time in a long time, Julia felt like she wasn’t doing this alone.

CareAbout Offered A Plan A, B and C: But “Plan A Went Perfectly”

What followed was practical, personalised support that Julia hadn’t been able to find anywhere else. Our dedicated Care Adviser, Sue, provided Julia with the very reassurance, guidance, and knowledge she needed to feel confident in the process; Sue recommended providers suited to her father’s specific needs, and, crucially, set up each meeting for Julia.

Julia didn’t need to worry, or make another phone call. Sue checked-in to follow-up with Julia, and to ensure everything was running accordingly. With a sharp 56-day deadline approaching, Julia was already feeling such a heavy burden. Sue simply took that stress away. Sue provided not just a Plan A, but also a Plan B and C just in case something didn’t feel right. Sue wanted to ensure that both Julia and especially, her father, felt comfortable.

“I’m happy to say that Plan A went perfectly,” Julia says. “But knowing that Plan B and C were there really put me at ease.”

The Language Barrier That Was No Longer

One of Julia’s main concerns, was always her father’s language, with Greek as his first language and only a limited proficiency in English. Would he feel seen, heard, respected? All of these concerns floated through Julia’s mind, and it was integral to her to assure her father would be made to feel safe and comfortable, especially in his own home.

When Julia expressed her concerns to CareAbout, it wasn’t an obstacle at all. CareAbout found a provider who proved “the perfect fit” for Julia’s father. In fact, Julia shares, her father thoroughly enjoys his weekly conversations with his Case Manager (and looks forward to them); a relationship Julia never dreamed would be possible.

“My dad, who barely speaks English, also has a weekly conversation with our case manager,” Julia shares. “They do that to make my dad feel like he has a part in his care. I never ever dreamed that that would happen.”

From Overwhelmed to Finally “At Ease,” Julia Shares Her Astounding Relief

Before CareAbout, Julia was simply everything to everyone – all at once. She had no idea how many services were available to take things off her plate – not just the obvious ones like transport and housekeeping, but allied health and nursing support too.

CareAbout also helped Julia to navigate one of the trickier emotional sides of caregiving: Her father’s reluctance to accept help at home. CareAbout Adviser, Sue, guided Julia on how to gently approach these conversations, and eventually with the right plan in place, her father had come around.

Today, Julia’s father is “healthier and happier” than ever before. And Julia? She’s less stressed, less exhausted, and, most importantly, she’s now able to simply be present with her dad.

“I can focus more on just spending time with him,” she says. “It makes me enjoy this stage and season of my life so much more than I was doing before CareAbout was in my life.”

The Peace of Mind (And Of Life) That Didn’t Cost A Single Thing

Julia’s remarkable success with CareAbout in finding both her father and herself the greater peace of mind and quality care he deserves, was only astounded by the detail that surprised Julia the most: CareAbout’s service was (and is) completely free.

There was no charge, no strings attached, no obligation – just a friendly call to 13 13 00, that soon turned into the expert-led guidance and support both herself, and her family, truly needed.

Since the making of this video, Julia’s mother has finally received her transitional funding, and has also received support from CareAbout in finding the right provider. Julia continues to receive relevant updates and information from CareAbout, which she deems integral to staying informed about the constantly changing (and often confusing) aged care landscape.

“I cannot recommend CareAbout enough,” Julia says. “I really hope that anyone in my position as a carer takes a chance like I did. If you’re caring for an elderly parent and don’t know where to start – just pick up the phone. No pressure. No obligation. The least you’ll come away with is so much more information and knowledge.

If you need support navigating the aged care system for yourself, or on behalf of a loved one, simply get in touch to explore your available options. We’ll be here to CareAbout you.