Caring can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be isolating and lonely.  We hope you will find our stories about other New Zealand carers uplifting and inspiring, and help you feel part of the large community of 420,000+ carers!  Many of these stories are from past issues of Family Care magazine.  To request a subscription to our quarterly magazine, delivered directly to your home, phone (0800) 777 797, email sara@carers.net.nz, or read more at our Family Care section at the website!

Our stories


Life Cycles
Living in a flat is one of 21 year old Isaac Hughes' dreams. His first attempt didn't work out. But he'll be trying again! Read the story about Isaac and his family, with advice from Public Trust Advisor Kevin Tait.... View now
The Gift of Compassion
Wellington's Home of Compassion has provided support to the community for generations. The elderly sisters who still live there continue to care for others ... and one another.... View now
Roses and Silverbeet Among the Daisies
Writing, performing, gardening…caring…are familiar ground for Dame Kate Harcourt and her family.... View now
Walking the Line
Rural life, rural care! Troy Robertson competes in rodeos, rides his own pony, and whizzes around his family’s 50 acre Far North lifestyle property in his electric wheelchair.... View now
Life Planning
Adult children who make major life changes to support elderly parents or other relations aren’t leaving their own futures to chance. Welcome to the era of family care agreements.... View now
Fair’s Fair
Sharon Mark’s Mum had always supported her. So when her Mum became unwell, Sharon found it easy to return the favour. By Sharon Mark.... View now
Coming Home
After Peter’s traumatic brain injury, he and wife Charmeyne developed a communication code using one part of his body that could still move freely … his big toe. By Charmeyne Te Nana-Williams... View now
Pick - Link - Pick
Making daisy chains is a happy pastime for many children. For Marylynn Maloney Boyes, it was also an opportunity for a break from caring.... View now
A Never Ending Love Story
When Isobel Reed married Alfred Hamish Reed in 1899, she inserted the word cherish into her vows in place of the traditional obey. It was a vow she was always to keep. By Katherine Findlay... View now
This Is Family
91 year old Lyn was able to remain independent at home until recently with the support of her daughter and grandaughter. By Pip Fowler... View now
Caring for Nana Balloon
End of life decisions are as individual as we are. When Jean’s Mum Phyllis had a stroke they struggled together to find answers ... and shared lots of laughs too. By Pip Fowler ... View now
A Lifetime Of Care
Nick and Sven Carter have been a team for decades. Now Nick is 74, and like many older parents of disabled children, he worries about who will support Sven when he no longer can.... View now
The Manning Bunch
With six children, including a daughter with special needs, life was always going to be busy for Waikato Dad Paul Manning.... View now
Saying goodbye to Leona
She loved pink, rock music, beads and sequinned caps ... bleached blonde hair, and her youthful Christian church. By Elizabeth Paske - Mary Potter Clinical Manager... View now
King Hit
For guys in caring roles, sport or regular exercise can be a sanity saver. By David Cohen... View now
Live with Hope!
Chronic fatigue, like so many illnesses, affects the whole family. By Joy Turner... View now
Supporting Dad
Rosey helped to support her elderly father, a World War II veteran. Rosey wrote her story to support the We Care! awareness campaign.... View now
A Different Road
Read our extract from Shirley Jamieson’s memoir A Different Road... View now

Helpful Links

alzheimerslogo

contlogo

strokelogo

phobiclogo