S EP T EM BE R 2 0 1 0

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE:

CRCC WEBSITE

CRCC—Young Carer

Program

2

3

Manual Handling

Training for Carers

4

CRCC Mental Health

Respite Program

5

Service

Information

6/7

Changes to Carer

Allowance

Aged Care Info Line

8

8

My Time—Peer

Support

Carers Week 2010

Practical Skills for

Carers

9

10

11

Aged Planning EXPO

Wheelchair Sports

Changes to

Legislation—

Voluntary Out of

Home Care

A Bit of Fun ...

12

13

14

15

ATTENTION TWEED CARERS Would you like to learn more about the

services that Far North Coast Respite & Carelink Centre can offer?

If so, one of our service coordinators Trudy, will be visiting the Tweed area in

November 2010. If you would like to make a face-to-face

appointment please phone Trudy on Freecall™1800 052 222*

COMMONWEALTH RESPITE &

CARELINK CENTRE

FAR NORTH COAST

P A G E 2

www.crccfnc.org Here is a little tour………. HOME: is the story of the Respite & Carelink Centre, why we are here, our funding bodies, who manages our Centre and a map showing the area our Centre Covers.

EVENTS: is where all courses, expo’s, activities that our Centre is hosting or co hosting with other organisations. There is a brief description of the event, date, times and venue. All you need to do is select a month/date, hover over the day and see what is happening. If interested in attending call us on Freecall™1800 052 222* PROGRAMS: is a list of all our programs and an information sheet on each explaining further about the criteria, etc of that program. PUBLICATIONS: all our brochures, posters, booklets and newsletters are available from here. EMPLOYMENT: when a position becomes available at the Centre it will be advertised here. HOW WE WORK: is the standards we adhere to, Carers rights & responsibilities and the systems we follow to deliver respite or information COMMENTS & COMPLAINTS: the process and contact details should it be needed TERMS & CONDITIONS: the agreements between our Centre and Service Providers for the provision of respite. LINKS: some useful links to other websites for you. CONTACT US: phone & fax numbers, email addresses, postal and office address and hours we are

open. Also COMING SOON IN CONTACT US is:

Registered with CRCCFNC You will be able to submit your request for respite and a Coordinator will contact you to discuss further

Not Registered with CRCCFNC You will be able to complete the necessary details about you and the person(s) you care for. If respite is needed you can complete those details and a Coordinator will contact you to discuss further

Other– Registration Only , Request for Respite or Referral Only If you are NOT THE CARER OR CARE RECIPIENT i.e. Family Members, Friends, Health Professionals, Service Providers can complete this with consents from the carer or care recipient, either currently registered or not registered with CRCCFNC and a Coordinator will contact to discus further.

YOU CAN at ANYTIME, from ANYWHERE organise respite, just COMPLETE and SUBMIT

(If respite is needed within the 7 days you need to call the Centre on Freecall™1800 052 222*)

WE ARE ON THE INTERNET AND YOU CAN FIND US AT...

ONLINE REGISTRATION, REFERRAL & RESPITE REQUESTS

P A G E 3

Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre—Far North Coast

YOUNG CARER PROGRAM This program is aimed at young people (under the age of 25Years) who help look after a family member who has a disability, chronic, mental or terminal illness or is aged. Young carers may do things like shopping, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, personal care, organising siblings to get ready for school, or giving medications. These extra responsibilities can mean they get behind in their schoolwork and allows them little time to socialise with friends or join in fun and recreational activities. Each carer’s situation is different and our Young Carer Program is able to assess the individual needs of the carers and provide supports that will assist them manage their school and home life balance better. Our Centre can support young carers with things like, giving them a break, some help with housework, tutoring to assist with schoolwork, study time especially when it is exam time, joining in or getting to sports or other activities, attending camps or activities run by our Centre. We provide short term help but also link young carers and their families into other community supports that may be able to assist them regularly and ongoing.

Call the Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre and we will talk to you and your family about how best we can support you. CALL Freecall

TM 1800 052 222*

(*calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates)

P A G E 3

Young Carers attended a free 3 day art class during the July

school holidays. This class was for Young Carers aged between

8 and 12 years. Riley and Rhys were kind enough to come in and

show us their good work...

P A G E 4

MANUAL HANDLING AND

SAFETY TRAINING FOR

CARERS

This training is designed to assist

Carers of Someone with a

Dementia to recognise and manage Manual Handling risks and

Behaviours of Concern

Shop 34-36

Alstonville Plaza

Main Street

Alstonville NSW 2477

P O Box 739

Commonwealth Respite

& Carelink Centre

Far North Coast

Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre

Far North Coast

FreecallTM 1800 052 222* *(Calls from mobile charged at applicable rates)

Respite and

Transport are

available by

contacting

Sue at

Commonwealth

Respite

& Carelink Centre

during

business hours

8.30am—4.30pm

Monday to Friday.

Courses will be

held: GRAFTON

30th November 2010 9am—1pm

Venue Clarence Nursing

Home

BALLINA

9th December 2010 9am—1pm

Venue Crowley Education

Centre

Topics to be covered will

include:

Recognising tasks that

require manual handling Practical ways to move

people safely Problem solving

strategies

P A G E 4

P A G E 5

Hans C Anderson Isaac Newton Jackson Pollack Jim Carey John Lennon John Nash Kurt Cobain Mel Gibson Michelangelo Natalie Imbruglia Portia de Rossi Renee Rivkin Sinead O'Connor Spike Milligan Stephen Fry

Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johns Beethoven Bette Midler Beyonce Billy Joel Brooke Shields Buzz Aldrin Cher David Bowie Dawn Fraser Ellen DeGeneres Elton John Ernest Hemingway Florence Nightingale

''It's a huge mainstream issue and I don't think

politicians and the media have fully grasped that

yet …

Thirty-five per cent of people with mental health

problems in Australia get access to

treatment; 90 per cent of people with physical

health problems get access to treatment.

Pat McGorry March 2010

"One of the biggest barriers to recovery

is discrimination. That's why stopping

discrimination and championing respect,

rights and equality for people with mental

illness is just as important as providing the best treatments and therapies."

~ Blueprint for Mental Health Services in

New Zealand

* About 10 % of Australians will be affected by anxiety disorders at some

point in their life. * About 20% of people will be affected by depression and 6% will experience a

major depressive illness. * Postnatal depression affects between 10 to 20% of all new mothers to some

degree. * 3% of Australians are affected by

psychotic illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder at some point in their life. About one in 100

Australians will experience schizophrenia. * Approximately 2% of Australians will

experience some type of eating disorder at some stage in their life. Most of

those affected (90%) are women. * Between 2 and 5% of the population are affected by Borderline Personality

Disorder at some stage of their lives, with women three times more likely to

be diagnosed with this disorder than men. Source: www.mindframe-media.org.

Calling all carers and people living with a mental illness October is Mental Health Month and we want to display your artistic talents at Lismore

Library at an EXPRESSION EXPO. Whether it’s painting, poetry, prose, photography,

drawing, quilting, sculpture or anything creative, we want to show it off! This is your

opportunity to EXPRESS YOURSELF. There will be catering at the launch on the 5 Oct

and a B B Q at the Winsome on 26 Oct at the end of the display period. So give Gillian a call

on Freecall ™1800 052 222* for more details ……..and get those creative juices flowing.

P A G E 6

Alzheimer's Australia NSW - Safely Home Phone: 1800 100 500 Fax: 02 9805 1665

Web: www.alzheimers.org.au

Service Description: Safely Home provides rapid and accurate identification and

return of a lost or wandering person to their home. They provide personalised

stainless steel bracelets which are worn by the person with dementia. The bracelet

features a toll free telephone number and personal identification

number which is linked to the NSW Police Safely Home database.

Eligibility: Persons with Dementia or Persons with Intellectual

Disability

Area Served: NSW

Service Information

Transitional Aged Care Program (TRANSPAC)

Service Description: Transitional Aged Care provides short-term packages of

care and therapy to older people being discharged from hospital.

Transition care can be provided for a period of up to 12 weeks, with a

possibility to extend to 18 weeks if you are assessed as needing an extra

period of therapeutic care. The average period of care is expected to be about

eight weeks.

The aim is to provide time limited care and therapy which meet individual

needs and give the older person time to recover and improve at home.

The program is for people who have been assessed as eligible for residential

aged care. The types of services available include case management,

housework, personal care, transport to medical and therapy appointments,

meal preparation and therapy such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy.

Referrals are made by hospital staff.

Area Served: NSW

Your Choice - Flexible Respite Solutions Phone: 02 6681 5770 (Clarence & Richmond ),

07 5524 8185 ( Ballina/Byron & Tweed)

Fax: 02 6681 5771

Service Description: Provides a respite planning service that is flexible & responsive to

individual needs. In home and out of home. Can be overnight or for shorter time.

Priority: not currently receiving services, or living in an area without respite services,

financially disadvantaged, complex needs, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and CALD

background, at risk of care relationship breaking down.

Contact:

Clarence Valley & Richmond Valley areas call 02 6681 5770, Fax: 02 6681 5771.

Ballina/Byron & Tweed areas call TVRS on 07 5524 8185, Fax: 07 5524 8735.

Eligibility: Permanent unpaid live-in carer, diagnosed disability, live within Far North Coast

area. Up to 65 years.

Dept of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) - Residential Respite Care Payments Phone: 1300 550 450 (Veterans' Home Care) Fax: 02 9553 3126

Web: www.dva.gov.au

Service Description: In any financial year, DVA will pay for 196 hours of in-home or 28 days

residential respite care (daily care fee only) or a combination of both, for DVA White card

(if eligible) or Gold card holders. Seven hours in-home respite is equivalent to one day in residential

respite. The DVA cardholder file number and name, the proposed dates of admission and facility

name should be provided to the Veterans' Home Care assessor. Veterans do not source residential

respite.

Eligibility: For residential respite an assessment by an Aged Care Assessment teams is required. For

financial assistance by DVA, approval from Veterans' Home Care is required prior to the start of the

respite.

HACC Flexi Service -

Evans Head

Phone: 02 6682 4334

Fax: 02 6682 4100

Service Description:

Various services combined

such as: respite care,

domestic assistance,

transport to medical

appointments, meals on wheels,

various support groups,

information and advocacy, case

management, referrals, home

modifications, home

maintenance, social support,

craft group, limited

assistance with purchase of

specialist equipment & social

bus group. Centrelink

Agency.

HACC Medical Transport -

Evans Head Phone: 02 6682 4334 Fax: 02 6682 4100

Service Description: For medical

appointments only. No shopping bus.

Evans Head-Lismore/Ballina/Casino.

Evans Head-Woodburn / Broadwater.

Evans Head-Coraki Woodburn-Nth

Woodburn

Woodburn-Evans Head Broadwater

Woodburn-Coraki

Service covers Mid Richmond area only.

Transport: Yes

Eligibility: Clients must be HACC

eligible

Area Served: Richmond Valley

Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP)

Phone: 02 6625 5701, 02 6625 5702 Fax: 02 6624 6485

Service Description: Conditions and arrangements for the provision of equipment, aids and appliances to assist

eligible residents of NSW who have a disability of a permanent or indefinite nature to live and participate within the

community. Aids available include: Wheelchairs (manual & powered), hospital beds, hoists, bathroom aids such as

shower & commode chairs, walking aids, orthotics & footwear, pressure care items, continence aids - clients must first

access CAAS.

Eligibility: Must be in receipt of Centrelink benefit card or if wage earner can only apply for items above $800 then

need to pay 20% of the cost.

Referral: Clients must be assessed by appropriate clinician in relation to the aid requested e.g. OT, Physio, Podiatrist,

Orthotists or Continence Advisor.

Area Served: Tweed; Ballina; Lismore; Kyogle; Richmond Valley; Clarence Valley; Coffs Harbour; Nambucca;

Bellingen; Hastings; Kempsey;

P A G E 7

ARE YOU CARING FOR A CHILD UNDER 16 WITH A

SEVERE DISABILITY OR SEVERE MEDICAL

CONDITION?

Changes to the assessment for qualification to Carer Allowance (child)

commenced on 1 July 2010 and include:

Single assessment tool – qualification for Carer Allowance (child) is now assessed and scored using the same process and scoring as used for Carer

Payment (child). This makes it easier for carers. All carers qualified for Carer Allowance (child) on 30 June 2010 remain qualified for payment.

Easier transition to Carer Allowance (adult) – It is now easier for carers to move between Carer Allowance (child) and Carer Allowance (adult) when their child

turns 16. The carer may remain qualified for Carer Allowance (child) for up to three months after the child turns 16 years. This transition period is already available for

Carer Payment.

Do you require further information? Further information is available from the payment page on Centrelink’s website

www.centrelink.gov.au, telephone Centrelink on 13 27 17 or for TTY service 1800 810 586, the Indigenous Call Centre on 13 6380 and

assistance in languages other than English on 13 1202, or visit your nearest Centrelink office.

P A G E 8

Aged Care Information Line The Aged Care Information Line was set up in 1997 to take calls from

people who had any queries about the aged care reforms that the

Government introduced at that time. Since then, it has expanded its services to provide basic assistance with queries about:

home and community care;

daily fees;

bonds/charges;

aged care approval round;

income/means testing;

access to care;

publicity material;

residential classification scale; and

financial assistance and legislation.

Phone: 1800 500 853 or 1800 555 677

(Ask for the TTY National Relay Service.)

P A G E 9

My Time A peer support group for parents/carers

of children with significant

and complex needs

My Time groups provide facilitated peer support for mums, dads, grandparents and

anyone caring for children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic condition.

Socialise and share ideas and information with others who understand the rewards

and intensity of caring for a child with special needs. The group has a play helper

who is able to engage the children in fun and appropriate activities.

MyTime is also a great opportunity to learn about

local services, access information and enjoy

occasional guest speakers.

WHEN: Every 2nd and 4th Thursday during school terms

WHAT TIME: 10 am – 12 noon

WHERE: Treelands Drive Community Centre, Treelands Drive, Yamba.

MY TIME IS FREE OF CHARGE AND A YUMMY MORNING TEA

WILL BE PROVIDED.

If you would like to be a part of this new group, or would like more

information, please contact Sophie Reynolds on 02 6628 5976 or

sreynolds@tscnsw.org.au

Carers Week 2010

‘A celebration of caring’ A Carers Day out

When:

Monday 18 October 2010

11-2pm

Where:

Ballina RSL Bowling

Club

‘This event is a wonderful way to

give Carers a much needed break

and honour what they do in the

community’. This is a day for you to take

pleasure in the company of other carers,

enjoy good food and be

entertained by some talented local artists.

The event will be opened with the official

Welcome to Country

and

Cr Phillip Silver

(Mayor for Ballina Shire)

This event is an initiative of the Commonwealth

Respite & Carelink Centre and co-funded in

partnership with Byron Shire Respite Service Inc,

and

Tweed Valley Respite Service Inc.

To register for the event

or organise respite /

transport please contact

Belinda or Trudy at

Commonwealth Respite

& Carelink Centre on

1800 052 222

between

8.30am—4.30pm

Monday to Friday.

Numbers are

limited for this

event, please

make sure you

book ahead to

ensure your

place.

Commonwealth Respite

& Carelink Centre

Far North Coast

Freecall TM

1800 052 222* (calls charged at applicable rates)

P A G E 1 0

P A G E 1 1

P O Box 739

Alstonville NSW 2477

Shop 34-36

Alstonville Plaza

Main Street, Alstonville

Alstonville 2477

Commonwealth Respite &

Carelink Centre

Far North Coast

Would you like to learn more about;

Practical Stress Management, how it effects us as

carers and how we can care better for ourselves to help

minimise the impact of ongoing stress.

Communication for connection; Communication

connects us and others. Learn constructive

techniques to better communicate with our families, so

we can have better outcomes in our roles as carers and

healthier relationships.

Family life and Relationships; the roles we play,

dynamics in families and the changes that occur when a

member of the family becomes unwell.

Grief & Loss and making a difference; How it

impacts us emotionally, physically and physiologically.

Learn new skills to support you through challenging

times.

The care I need; Learn and discuss self care

strategies to assist you in your well-being and caring role.

To register for the workshop

or organise respite please

contact Belinda at

Commonwealth Respite &

Carelink Centre on

FreecallTM

1800 052 222*

(*Calls from mobiles charged

at applicable rates)

(office hours

8.30am—4.30pm)

Monday to Friday)

Who is it for?

Anyone wishing

to gain new skills

or understand

about themselves

in their caring

TWEED HEADS

3 0 SE PTE MBE R

2010

Casino

25 November

2010

Practical Skills for Carers—

P A G E 1 2

Aged Care Expo

2010 Planning your future ...

When:

Thursday 14th Octo

ber 2010

Where:

Grafton Community Centre

59 Duke Street, Grafton

Time:

9.30am—12pm

Morning Tea Provided

This Expo is a great opportunity for Seniors, their family,

friends and carers to gain information about Aged Care

Options from their local service providers

Come along to hear key speakers from:

Centrelink Department of Veterans Affairs Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre Aged Care Assessment Team Independent Living & Residential Facilities

Also take the opportunity to ask questions from the large range of information stalls which will be provided for your convenience

For more in

formatio

n

contact Commonwealth

Respite &

Carelink Centre

on

Freecall™1800 052 222*

8.30am to 4.30pm

Monday to Frid

ay

P A G E 1 2

P A G E 1 3

BASKETBALLBASKETBALL——DODGEBALLDODGEBALL

PLUS MOREPLUS MORE Players usually have some form of physical disability. They may have suffered a spinal cord injury or they may have a disability

which has left with some degree of immobility

BUT—everyone is invited to come and have a go!!!

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU???

Nothing but your smiles!

Sports wheelchairs are supplied or you can use your own manual

or electric chair if you are unable to transfer

For more information or to RSVP please phone

Gordon on 0411 132 235 OR Lee on 0421 055 992

This event is supported by Spinal Cord Injuries Australia; Lismore City Council and ADHC

FREE COME & TRY SESSIONSFREE COME & TRY SESSIONS

WHERE: Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic

Centre, Oliver Avenue, GOONELLABAH

WHEN: Fridays

TIMES: 6pm to 8pm

17th September, 24th September, 1st October, 8th October

GIVE—AWAYS on the night

www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au What is voluntary out-of-home care?

Parent voluntarily arranges with an agency to place their child or young person in out-of-home care i.e. overnight stay out of the family home without parent Includes centre based respite, host family care, crisis, emergency, or long term residential placements DOES NOT INCLUDE statutory care (under a Court Order) or supported care (provided, arranged or supported by Community Services where a child is in need of care and protection) or other specific exemptions Legislation commenced 24 January 2010

The VOOHC (Voluntary Out of Home Care) Legislation covers all organisations, both government and non government irrespective of who funds those arrangements (whether private or State, Federal or Local Government). For organisations, this means they must be a Registered or Designated Agency with the Children’s Guardian to arrange or provide Voluntary out of Home Care. This also means that agencies that arrange or provide VOOHC will be required to complete information in regard to the child, and the time they have spent out of home (overnight stays) on the VOOHC Register. It also means that agencies (including Commonwealth Respite & Carelink) cannot arrange respite with any agency that is not registered with the Children’s Guardian (irrespective of size) What is the VOOHC Register…

Secure web-based data base via GLS (user ID/password) Details of all VOOHC agencies including areas covered, services offered, contact details Details of placements—name, DOB, place of birth, dates of entry/exit, agency name Placement history—number of days in care in the last 12 months, agencies involved Supervising agency Case plan developed/reviewed Due to commence October 2010

How do parents check if an organisation is a designated agency that provides VOOHC or that is registered with the Children’s Guardian? Parents should check with an organisation as to whether it is a designated agency that provides VOOHC or it is registered with the Children’s Guardian to provide VOOHC. The Children’s Guardian’s website (www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au) will, from mid-February, include a list of designated and registered agencies that provide or arrange VOOHC. Parents who want to discuss the status of a particular organisation may contact the Children’s Guardian on (02) 8219 3600. The Children’s Guardian will develop a public register of VOOHC agencies, which will allow parents to access general information about VOOHC agencies online, including their contact details, the types of care they provide, their service areas, and any VOOHC conditions attached to their accreditation or registration. PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT MAY AFFECT

YOU

Voluntary Out-of-Home Care P A G E 1 4

P A G E 1 5

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http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/recipes/7317/classic-banana-bread

Australian Women's Weekly Banana Bread Recipe, with a jam glaze. Better than store bought

Ingredients

90g unsalted butter, softened, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1 cup (220g) firmly packed

brown sugar, 2 eggs (large), 1 cup mashed bananas, 1 cup (150g) plain flour, 1 cup (150g) self-raising flour, 2 teaspoons Strawberry Jam, 1/2 Cup Walnuts

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180c/160c Fan Forced.

2. Grease 14cm x 21cm loaf pan and line base and long sides with baking paper, extending paper

5cm above long sides. Add some extra oil or butter to help stick the baking paper to the pan if needed.

3. Beat butter, vanilla extract and sugar in a small bowl until light and fluffy.

4. Beat in eggs one at a time. Transfer to large bowl and stir in Banana, then sifted flours, in 2

batches. After this, you can fold in the walnuts into the mix, if desired. Spread mixture into the pan.

5. Cover pan with pleated foil, and bake for 40 mins.

6. Uncover and bake for a further 30 mins. Test if ready by inserting a knife into the center and it

should come up clean. Stand for 5 mins and cool on wire rack.

7. Optional Glaze - In the last 5 mins of baking, quickly heat up the 2 teaspoons of jam in the mi-

crowave for 10 secs until melted. (If not, use 5 sec intervals until jam has melted). Spread melted jam over the top of the bread and return to oven for the last 5 mins.

8. Slice when cooled, and keep in an air tight container.

9. You can toast the banana bread to re-heat it when eating.

10.Serve plain, with butter or with jam.

P A G E 1 5 1 5

PO Box 739 ALSTONVILLE NSW 2477

FREECALL™ 1800 052 222*

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Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre – Far North Coast.

If you no longer wish to receive mail or you need to change / update your details,

please contact us on

Freecall™ 1800 052 222* *(calls from mobiles phones charged at applicable rates)

Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre — Far North Coast Australian Government An Activity of United Protestant Association of NSW Ltd

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