Newsletter - Carers Queensland
Sunshine Coast Regional Newsle er Introduc on by Janine Dowdell—FCSO Autumn 2015 Inside this issue: • New Grandparents and Car• • • • • • • • • ers Support Group My Future My Life update First Aid Training Dates Carers Qld Fund Raising inia ve Carers Gra tute and Rejuvena on Day details Carer Support Group -Dates and Ac vi es Therapeu c Workshops Dates and topics Counsellor Pam makes an offer CALD Program—Why we have one. Carers Corner - The Importance of Taking a Break and a Research Opportunity It has been a busy start to the year with many events being held for carers in the Sunshine Coast area. Our Welcome Back Barbeque gave carers a chance to spend me with other carers and relax in the beau ful se#ng of Co$on Tree. Carers thoroughly enjoyed having a break from the demands of their caring role and appreciated the me to stop and connect with nature. We are very excited to let you know about two special days devoted to you and your wellbeing. Gympie Carers Wellbeing Day is being held on Wednesday 20th May and Sunshine Coast Carers Gra tude & Rejuvena on Day on Thursday 25th June. More details are provided on Pages 3 and 5. Remember to RSVP early as there are limited places and if you need respite to a$end please contact us for assistance. An important part of our Carers Support Groups is to provide you with the latest informa on on service providers and supports that help you in your caring role. In response to your sugges ons at the beginning of the year we have many guest speakers a$ending our groups to do just that. From Centrelink and Uni ng Care Community speakers advising on finances at Caboolture to speakers on the stages of Demen a and how to prepare for entry to an Aged Care Facility. There are also workshops for you to learn new skills on how to use an iPad / Tablet and how to be an effec ve advocate for yourself and others. Please check out pages 4, 5 and 6 to see the full list of upcoming events for April—June 2015. We warmly invite you to come along and enjoy ac vi es to enrich your body, mind and soul. A Comment from Kath— Team Leader What does it mean when things go from the “sublime to the ridiculous”? I somemes use this expression when a day or situa on slips from a state of rela ve calm to seeming chaos. I am sure many carers will relate to this! So whether it be at home or at work for me, I have decided to cease using the phrase and instead, when next in a “pickle”, to think of this image and smile. This newsletter is proudly sponsored and printed by BBC Digital. http://www.bbcdigital.com.au Sunshine Coast Regional Newsle$er Page 2 Sunshine Coast Grandparents & Carers Playgroup The Mons Road Play group have recently established a Grandparents & Carers Playgroup on the Sunshine Coast. The informal group meets each Wednesday during school terms 9.30am to 11.30am at Mons Playgroup Centre, Buderim, off Mons Road. The Centre is set on an acre of park-like grounds with plenty of play equipment. Cost is $25 a term (10 weeks) plus membership to Playgroup Queensland. Once a month the Toy Library operates from the centre so members get the chance to borrow toys and equipment. For more informa on contact Michelle phone: 5453 4938 or email: mpoole@play groupqld.com.au P 1800 171 882 Facebook: Mons Playgroup Centre My Future, My Life Program with Kylie Burton There has been a fantas c response to this new program and many families are lining up to take part in the important process of transi on prepara on support. Many families are not prepared for what will happen once their child with a disability leaves school. This support helps them to plan and set goals to prepare their child and themselves as a family for this major step. lead to much frustra on and li$le enjoyment of life for our children. The aim of My Future My Life is to create a natural, inclusive life for the child with a disability which mirrors the kind of life and choices that their non-disabled friends enjoy. One family that I have been suppor ng have a daughter, Tarra, who is non-verbal and a$ends a Special School. She loves play dough, watching TV, helping Teachers are excited as they do not have me to sit the elderly and going shopping with her support down with each child along with family members to worker and another friend. Mum would like her to be brainstorm ideas and goals for life aLer school. Par- able to move into her own home as soon as possible ents have expressed gra tude that the support is givaLer finishing school. So we are se#ng goals for Taren in a relaxed, suppor ve atmosphere and they ra in order for her to live a happy, independent life have oLen been surprised when they hear from their aLer school. When we get down to the ni$y gri$y we child what their hopes and dreams are. Teachers have given feedback that it’s great for parents to be are looking at goals of helping her to learn to communicate, to learn some skills in independent living involved, to be part of the support team for their and se#ng up more opportuni es for her to be out child and to have a role to play in realising their in her community playing a role which makes her feel child’s dreams. important and valued. As we are preparing for the implementa on of the Na onal Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Queensland we are being challenged in our thinking about individuals with a disability. The NDIS means that individuals will have a greater say as to what Tarra working on her they want in life and who they want to be part of Path plan their team. Instead of making decisions for the person with a disability and having control of funding, service providers will receive instruc ons and funding If you have a child with a disability who is a$ending from the person with a disability. In line with this view, My Future My Life places the child with a disa- High School in the Sunshine Coast region and you are interested in receiving this kind of support, please bility at the centre of the conversa on and encourages him or her to dream big and have high expecta- contact Kylie Burton at Carers Queensland, Marooons. As parents we oLen try to direct our children chydore on 5451 1882 to register your interest. into the path we feel is best for them but this can Page 3 Sunshine Coast Have you heard about the duck yet? There are great prizes to be won: First prize – Holiday for two to Phuket (includes return airfares Brisbane to Phuket; flying with Singapore Airlines; 7 nights’ accommoda%on at a 4 star resort,including breakfast daily; Phang Na Bay tour including Taking place on 28 May 2015, we will James Bond Island.) Second prize – MacBook Air Notebe running an online duck race to raise funds for Carers Queensland. book Quackley the duck is spear-heading our latest fundraising campaign – the Carers Queensland ‘Give a Duck’ online duck race. Visit www.giveaduck.com.au to learn more. First Aid Training for family carers Date: Friday 31 July 2015 Time: CPR— Morning Full First Aid— All day Venue: Carers Queensland’s Maroochydore office Cost: $110 full first aid training $55 for CPR only Please register your interest by phoning 5451 1882 Tickets are available online or from our Maroochydore office. Third prize - $500 Wes>ield shopping voucher. $5 per cket or 5 ckets for $20 Book sellers prize are available too! Sunshine Coast Carers Gra tude & Rejuvena on Day Thursday 25th June, 2015 A free day of gra tude, fun and relaxa on. You will leave feeling inspired and rejuvenated! Come along to this facilitated event being held in the upstairs Func on Room at the Mooloolaba Surf Club from 10am—3.30pm. Toni Powell is a fun and enlightening presenter who helps people find the joy of life through gra tude. This workshop for carers will be inspiring, informa ve, enjoyable and above all, simple and easy. reduce stress : grow contentment : enjoy your life The day will finish with a gentle and relaxing Tai Chi for Health session overlooking the beau ful Mooloolaba beach. Light lunch and coffee / tea will be supplied. Please advise special dietary requirements when you RSVP on 5451 1882. CARERS QUEENSLAND – SUNSHINE COAST UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENTS APRIL—JUNE 2015 PLEASE PHONE OUR OFFICE TO RSVP ON 5451 1882 Wednesday 1 April 10am – 12 noon DEMENTIA CARERS SUPPORT GROUP ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT AGED CARE FACILITIES FOR YOUR LOVED ONE? ARE YOU CONFUSED ABOUT THE PROCESS AND NOT SURE WHAT TO DO FIRST OR WHICH NURSING HOMES TO APPROACH? (All interested carers may a$end this session) Venue: Mee ng Room at Carers Queensland, Cnr Wrigley and Parker Sts, Maroochydore Guest Speaker: Amanda Weeks -Sunshine Coast Aged Care Placements Come along and find out how Amanda, a Registered Nurse, can help you through this stressful process and enjoy a lovely Easter themed morning tea with other carers. Tuesday 14 April 9.30am—12.00pm CABOOLTURE CARER SUPPORT GROUP CABOOLTURE CARERS SUPPORT GROUP GUEST SPEAKERS FROM CENTRELINK AND UNITING CARE COMMUNITY (All interested carers may a$end this session) Come along to the Caboolture Hub and have the opportunity to hear Bruce Fraser from Centrelink Caboolture cover a range of financial issues including carers allowance, carers payment, investments, superannua on, taxa on and government en tlements. A financial counsellor from Uni ng Care Community will also be presen ng a session on Financial First Aid which will provide informa on on how to take control and manage your finances. Morning Tea provided. Wednesday 15 April 12noon – 2pm SUNSHINE COAST CARERS SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP CARERS LUNCH Come along and enjoy a relaxing lunch overlooking the water at the beau ful Mooloolaba Wharf. Take some well-deserved me out from your caring role and enjoy spending me with other carers in a casual social se#ng. Venue: The Edge, The Wharf, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba This is a favourite dining spot for our family carers who thoroughly enjoyed their me at The Edge last year. Meals available from $10 per head. Carers Queensland to contribute $5 to each carers meal. Drinks at own expense. Wednesday 22 April 10am—2pm MAROOCHYDORE CARERS SUPPORT GROUP IPAD / TABLET WORKSHOP FOR FAMILY CARERS PRESENTED BY LIFETEC Come along to an informa ve and interac ve workshop on how this exci ng technology can assist you in your caring role and communica ng with others. A light lunch will be provided on the day Venue: Mee ng Room at Carers Queensland, Cnr Wrigley and Parker Streets, Maroochydore Please Note: You do not need to have a tablet or iPad to a$end. CARERS QUEENSLAND – SUNSHINE COAST UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENTS APRIL—JUNE 2015 PLEASE PHONE OUR OFFICE TO RSVP ON 5451 1882 Wednesday 29 April & Thursday 30 April 9.30am to 2.30 pm each day. ADVOCACY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP Wednesday 6 May 10am – 12 noon ADVOCACY TRAINING (2 DAY WORKSHOP) FOR FAMILY CARERS Learn how to become an effec ve advocate for yourself and others. This is a non accredited training consis ng of 3 modules over the two days. These workshops offer the opportunity to build your exis ng advocacy skills. Enhance confidence, capacity, skills and resilience in represen ng your needs. Presented by Carers Queensland Sunshine Coast office. Venue: Medicare Local Office, Co on Tree Cost: Free to family carers Please register your interest by phoning 5451 1882 GUEST SPEAKER: LINDSAY HAWTHORNE FROM ALZHEIMER’S QLD will present a one hour educa on session on “Understanding Demen a”. Venue: Mee ng Room at Carers Queensland, DEMENTIA CARERS SUPPORT GROUP Wednesday 20 May 10am—2pm GYMPIE CARERS Cnr Wrigley and Parker Sts, Maroochydore. Come along to this informa on session presented by Alzheimer’s Qld. The Alzheimer's Associa on of Queensland (AAQ) is Queensland's leading not-for-profit community organiza on whose primary aim is to help maintain the quality of life of people diagnosed with Demen a and their caregivers. GYMPIE CARERS WELLBEING DAY We warmly welcome you to join us in this special day totally devoted to you and your wellbeing. Come along and indulge in laughter workshops, tai chi, belly dancing, medita on, fun and movement, mini make overs, massage, pedicures, lucky door prize and more! Venue: Gympie Senior Ci zens Centre, 40 Mellor St, Gympie. Proudly supported by: Carers Queensland, Suncare Community Services Inc, Medicare Local and On Track Community Programs. RSVP: Friday 13th May Medicare Local, Gympie 0754 826 770 Wednesday 27 May ALL CARERS WELCOME 10am – 12noon MAROOCHYDORE CARERS SUPPORT GROUP You are invited to Maroochydore Carer’s Biggest Morning Tea. Let’s get together, enjoy some tasty treats and raise money for the Cancer Council to help beat cancer. Venue: Mee ng Room at Carers Queensland, Maroochydore A delicious morning tea will be provided for you to enjoy in the company of other carers. A dona on box will be available on the day so that you may contribute to this great cause. Page 6 Carer Support Groups April—June 2015 You are warmly invited to come along. Demen a Carer Support Group—Venue: Carers Queensland’s Maroochydore office Monday 20 April—Devonshire Tea at Maleny Botanical Gardens Wednesday 1 April—Guest speaker: Amanda Weeks from Sunshine Coast Aged Placements Monday 18 May– Dealing with Cri cism with Pam Danson—Carers Queensland Counsellor Wednesday 6 May– Guest speaker: Lindsay Hawthorne from Alzheimers’s Qld Monday 15 June—Guest Speaker; Easton Lawyers re Advanced Health Direc ves and EPA’s. Wednesday 3 June—Carer Catch up Sunshine Coast Carer Social Support Group Gympie Mental Health Carer Support Group— Venue: Gympie Community Place Wednesday 15 April—Lunch at The Edge, The Wharf, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba Monday 13 April— Guest speaker: Dave Lyons, Malouf Pharmacies. Wednesday 17 June—NO GROUP this month Monday 11 May— Carer Catch up Maroochydore Carer Support Group—Venue: Carers Queensland’s Maroochydore office Monday 8 June– Carer Catch up Wednesday 22 April—iPad/Tablet; LifeTec Caboolture Carer Support Group—Venue: Cabool- Wednesday 27 May— Carer’s Biggest Morning Tea ture Day Therapy Centre at RSL Wednesday 24 June—NO GROUP this month Tuesday 14 April 9.30am—Guest speakers— Mental Health Maroochydore Carer Support Centrelink & Uni ng Care Financial Counsellor. Group—Venue: Carers Queensland’s MarooVenue: Caboolture Hub, King Street, Caboolture (above the library) chydore office Tuesday 9 June—TBA Monday 27 April— Viewing of Carers NSW resource; Mental Health Founda on for Carers. Monday 25 May— Bio Balance: Jennifer Pickering. Kilcoy Carer Support Group– Venue: Various Monday 22 June— Carers catch up Tuesday 12 May—TBA Tuesday 14 April 1.30pm —Carer Catch up at Jalla’s NEW Caloundra Carer Support Group—Venue: Caloundra Gardens Re rement Village Café, 954 Archer St, Woodford Wednesday 8 April 10am—Guest speaker—Health Tuesday 9 June—TBA Promo on Officer, Con nence Founda on Aust. Maleny Carer Support Group—Venue: Sunstone Wednesday 13 May 10am—TBA Gardens, Maleny Wednesday 10 June 10am—TBA Pam’s Group Workshops April—June 2015 Tues 13 April: Wondering about Depression Maroochydore Wednesday 29 April: Wri ng and Art Therapy Maroochydore Monday 18 May: Learning strategies to help with Cri cism Maleny Wednesday 20 May: Problem Solving Maroochydore Monday 15 June: Walking on Eggshells—what to do? Maroochydore Carers from any area interested in these workshops, please advise the Family Carer Support Officer at your monthly support group. Local carers, please call for more informa on or to RSVP ph: 5451 1882. Take a moment to look at the above dates and make sure you note them on your calendar. If you haven’t a ended before, know that you are very welcome and we would love to see you soon! Page 7 From the Counsellor’s Desk - Pam Danson when suppor ng someone coming towards the end of their life. The Dalai Lama as well as many cultures and spiritual tradi ons consider it an act of wisdom to prepare for death throughout life. Very oLen in their last year many people feel as if they have a second chance at growth and inner healing. Many speak of catching Ge#ng a bigger picture can some mes help, as well being able to up with their lives just ‘in the nick of focus in on the perhaps slippery topic. me’. Others, without the support of guidance, feel that they’ve been taken For those who prefer groups, this next ‘unawares’. few months I will be doing brief workshops wondering about different If there are any issues at all, no ma$er how small, please make use of this experiences of depression, problem service. I can chat over the phone, see solving, suppor ng those who may you face to face in Maroochydore, or feel they’re ‘walking on eggshells’, if groups from other areas request, stress, wri ng and art therapy and can come out to conduct workshops. also Life Review. Can I help? Some mes things change on their own. Some mes we adapt and accept. Some mes not. If at any point you’d like some assistance in the form of an ear, empathy, understanding or maybe someone to help problem solve, please let me know. Our counsellor, Pam Danson (L), with carer, June Page, (R) at a Carer Conversa on Forum. Life Review can be done at any me, and can be par cularly helpful to do CALD Program with Emily Hannah For those of us who were born and raised in Australia, it may not always seem obvious why there is a need for a specific program like the Carers Queensland CALD program. Well the sta s cs show that people from CALD backgrounds are about 65% less likely to access support services through programs like Home and Community Care (HACC) than their Anglo-Australian counterparts. As we know, HACC services are extremely beneficial in allowing people to remain living independently in their own homes when they otherwise might not be able to, so the government has invested in programs like this one to provide equitable access through- The out the community. There are many reasons for the disparity in figures and many different barriers that may prevent a CALD individual from accessing HACC like services. For one person it may be a language barrier or a lack of understanding about HACC eligibility and access. For another, it may be that they come from a culture where it is not commonplace to accept support outside of the family when caring for loved ones. This can be par cularly tricky because that person may not necessarily have access to the same network of family support in Australia as they did in their home country. Carers Queensland CALD program exists to provide individuals and families from CALD backgrounds with all the informa on and support they need to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing and care. It aims to iden fy and mi gate the barriers faced in accessing services and can assist with communica on and referrals between different service providers and government departments. Sunshine Coast Regional Newsle$er Page 8 Carers’ Corner The importance of taking a break Leanne Clout You can now donate to Sunshine Bu$erflies at no cost - just by shopping online! You shop - shop with famous brands like ASOS, Expedia, The Iconic, Booktopia, Deals Direct and hundreds more via Shopnate without paying a cent more. They donate - Retailers pay a commission and it is given automa cally to us. To start shopping and raising money for Sunshine Bu$erflies, get your free account here - http:// www.shopnate.com.au/charity/ sunshine-butterflies-inc Whilst no two caring roles are alike, there are similari es we share. Most carers would have heard or read of the importance of looking aLer yourself which allows you to focus on the job at hand. I would never willingly give up the privileged opportunity to care for my beau ful Mum. It has never occurred to me to think twice about doing, nor have I quesoned why. many snacks, cups of coffee or the brisk early morning swim. The comfort of the bedrooms and the a$en on to decora ve detail made me feel like a “princess’'. The knowledge and experience that Lorrae and Vince shared with me has been invaluable and my me at Carers Outlook was me well spent. I thank Lorrae and Vince sincerely for this wonderful experience. Imagine my surprise at winning two nights stay at “Carers Outlook”, through Carers Queensland with Lorrae and Vince O’Rourke. The charm and appeal of the serene environment extends to Lorrae and Vince. Nothing was too much trouble Janine Dowdell and Leanne Clout for them, whether it was the beau ful evening meals, the Finding the Bright Spots Focus Group Do you have a child under 18 with significant developmental delay, is ambulant, and has very limited func onal communica on? support you might need to maintain your health and wellbeing. Cnr Wrigley/Parker Sts Maroochydore PO Box 377, Co$on Tree 4558 8.30am – 5pm M-F Ph: 5451 1882 Carer Advisory Service: 1800 242 636 Are you receiving support services from a non-government organisa on? The focus group will be on either 28 April, 5 May, or 12 May, 10-11.30am at Carers Queensland, Maroochydore. (free call except from mobiles) For more informa on or to RSVP a spot, please email CynWe want to know which asthia on [email protected] with pects of these services you find your name, phone number, and most beneficial, and the type of preferred date. CARERS QUEENSLAND Sunshine Coast www.carersqld.asn.au Carers Queensland Inc. ABN: 20 061 257 725 Come share your views on the support services you are currently receiving. You will receive $80 for your par cipa on.
© Copyright 2024