Help-a-grandparent day
WARWICK men and women who have found themselves caring for their grandchildren can today discuss their journey with those who truly understand.
A morning tea for those grandparents is being held at the Guy St Red Cross office at 10am today.
The carers will be able to discuss how the changes have impacted their lives and identify areas in which they would like help.
Others may simply like the chance to chat with people in a similar situation.
The Red Cross's Joanne McKinnon said a staggering one in seven Australian children had a grandparent as their primary caregiver.
Substance abuse problems, mental health issues, illness and death are causing more and more grandparents to change from a part-time presence in their grandchildren's lives to full-time caregiver.
Mrs McKinnon said there were multiple hurdles for those grandparents, including finances, limitations caused by age and understanding technology and school work.
"A lot of these grandparents don't like to ask for help and think, 'This is my grandchild, I can do it'," Mrs McKinnon said.
The meeting will also be used as a way to decide if there is a need for an ongoing grandparents support network in Warwick.
