They're the unsung heroes who care for millions of Australians on a daily basis. This Australian Healthcare Week, it’s time for us to celebrate the carers and healthcare professionals who make our world a richer and kinder place. There are over 2.65 million carers in Australia looking after those who need help in their day-to-day living; 1 in 11 Australians are involved in caring in some capacity (and that’s before professional healthcare providers are factored in).

If you, or someone you love, is a carer or healthcare professional, their dedication to the service of others is no surprise. Taking on all kinds of roles and responsibilities, carers and healthcare professionals work with some of the most vulnerable people, ensuring them a higher quality of life on a daily basis. Carers and healthcare professionals work with individuals experiencing all kinds of health challenges - whether it’s the impact of ageing, diagnosis of terminal conditions, living with chronic pain or recovering from intense surgeries, accidents or illnesses. It’s demanding work that can be, at times, confronting. But it also offers moments of deep, genuine human connection.

So often, caregivers provide without much acknowledgement of their investment of time, energy and love. Here are three ways you can show your gratitude to our incredible carers and healthcare professionals this Australian Healthcare Week.

Do you live with someone who’s a carer or healthcare professional? Have you had a carer or healthcare professional look after you or your family recently? This is the perfect week to write a simple note reflecting your gratitude. Sometimes, the most impactful statements are as simple as saying thank you! By taking the time to write how their care has positively impacted you, you can be a major encouragement. We all need a little pick-me-up and kind words to keep going.

Much like a note of appreciation, leaving a glowing review is one way for a professional healthcare provider to feel your gratitude for their work - only this way, the whole community can see it! Positive reviews make a world of difference for customer-facing healthcare professionals. If there’s a healthcare professional in your world who has the platform to receive online reviews, taking five minutes to note down the quality of your experience will continue to support them when new clients take a look at their feedback.

If you've got a friend or family member who’s a carer or healthcare professional, it's their turn to receive some thoughtful care. Cook a meal, bake some cookies, offer to clean their home for them - by investing in the care of the person who's so busy caring for others, you can show your awareness of the demands on their time and energy. This is a small but powerful way to demonstrate your gratitude for their ongoing service to family and community. Better yet, surprise them when you do so - they’ll come home to a clean house or dinner in the oven!