disabilityspeaks@internode.on.net

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Carer Connections

Take the opportunity to re-connect with other carers

  When : Thursday 26 August 2010

Time : 10am – 12noon

Venue : Cardiff RSL 45 Macquarie Rd Cardiff

Carer Connections is a free event, but please RSVP for catering purposes

• Enjoy friendship & support over morning tea
• Take time out just for you
• New carers’ welcome!
• Topics: * Who's looking after you?

* Top health concerns for carers

For more information or to register contact EDuCARE on:

4921 4895 or 1300 887 776

or email

Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

by Monday 23 August 2010

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Are you a Parent/Carer of a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder ?

You are Invited to attend our Workshop:

Topic: “ASD – Executive Functioning & Behaviour Support”

LEE STURGEON – Consultant Clinical & Developmental Psychologist

• Topic: “Behavioural Strategies to Assist in Dealing with Children & Adolescents
  with Autism Spectrum Disorders”

JACKIE CURREY – Strengthening Families for Stronger Kids

• Topic: “A Journey with a Child with Special Needs”

ALSO ENJOY: **** Free Carer Resource Material **** Networking with other Carers

**** Morning Tea & Light Lunch

When: Wednesday 18 August 2010

Time: 9.30am – 2.30pm (Registration from 9.15am)

Where: East Maitland Bowling Club Bank Street, East Maitland

Cost: $10.00 - Includes Morning Tea & Lunch RSVP: RSVP & payment by Friday 13 August 2010

Seating is Limited so don’t delay!

Contact: EDuCARE Support Service on 49 214895 or email: Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

Need respite? Contact the Commonwealth Carer Respite

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IT’S SPRING!

Celebrate the importance of Spring:

a time to re-vitalise your spiritual, emotional, physical and mental health – come to our

HEALTH & WELLBEING WORKSHOP FOR CARERS

Do you provide practical &/or emotional support to someone who has a chronic medical condition, disability, a drug or alcohol issue, mental illness or is frail aged?

Then this is for You!

• S poil yourself – take time out for yourself for the day
• P articipate in Tai Chi
• R espite is available (contact the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre on1800 052 222)
• I nvest in your health / Instigate a Spring Clean
• N etwork with other Carers
• G iggle and laugh out loud with Ruby the Clown!

  When: Wednesday 1 September 2010

Time: 9.30am – 2.30pm (Registration from 9.15am)

Cost: $10.00 – Includes Morning Tea & Lunch

Where: Toronto Workers Club, James St, Toronto

RSVP: RSVP & payment (see below) required by Friday 27 August 2010

Seating is Limited so don’t delay!

Contact: EDuCARE Support Service on 49 214895 / Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

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For far too long there has been no broad public voice in Australia advocating for parents, families and carers. Crucial decisions by government on policies shaping how we care for our families - children, the elderly, the ill and those with a disability - are usually dominated by a neo-liberal/managerial view of the world which reduces family values to rhetoric about increased workforce participation and assigns 'support' exclusively to formal and often impersonal agencies. There is no serious discussion of realistic policies to ease what is often a collision between work and family life.

On health, or schools, or disability, or parental leave, the debate is restricted to politicians, academics, and service providers, with parents and families invisible. Often the only voice claiming to speak for families is the conservative Christian lobby through organisations like the Australian Family Association, but such groups do not ‘represent’ the diversity of contemporary Australian families. Because there is no inclusive and representative voice, too many of us are excluded from public debate on policies which profoundly affect our well being.

What we want to do in these Workshops is explore ways of changing all this and developing a broad parents and families movement. Your are warmly invited to participate.

What are the obstacles to parents families and carers working together to become the strongest movement for change in the land?

What are the divisive issues amongst us and how can they be overcome?

How do we influence the public debate so that parents and families do the talking, and not simply be talked about?

How do we build up our own capacity? Who are our leaders?

Our aim is to develop a parents and families movement that can have a profound influence on the next Commonwealth government (whoever that is) over the coming three years.

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Are you aged between 13 – 17 years?

Do you help look after your brother or sister, parent, grandparent, other relative or friend who has a disability, mental illness, chronic medical condition, drug and/or alcohol related condition or who is frail aged?

Come along to EDuCARE’s:

i-care Young Carer Camp

@ One Mile Beach Holiday Park!!

What will I be doing at Camp?

• Tenpin Bowling
• Sandboarding on Stockton Bight Sand Dunes

(Boards, Instruction and Supervision are provided)

• Swimming
• Make new friends
• Have a great time!!

When: Friday 10 th September until Sunday 12 th September, 2010

Time: 3.30pm for a 4.00pm Departure

From: Energy Australia Stadium, Turton Road, Lambton

Where: One Mile Beach Holiday Park, 426 Gan Gan Rd, Anna Bay

Cost: Free - Includes accommodation, all meals & activities

Respite: Respite Care available if required

  Proudly sponsored by Rotary Clubs of District 9670

Limited places, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

For application forms contact Kathy Jones at EDuCARE on: 4921 4895

Adult supervision throughout camp is provided by EDuCARE Support Service,

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Are you caring for a person with dementia?
If so, you are invited to attend a FREE course for family carers and friends, conducted by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW.
The course is available to family carers and friends directly involved in the care or support
of a person with dementia. Morning tea and a light lunch will be provided.
Do you need respite to attend? Please contact the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre on 1800 052 222 or your current respite service provider.
Family Carer Education 3-Day Carer Course TOPICS

Day1 • The Nature of Dementia • Effective Communication • Activities
Day 2 • Understanding and Responding to Behavioural Symptoms
Day 3 • The Impact of Dementia • Community Services • Planning Ahead
When Mondays & Thursday 2nd, 9th and 19th August 2010
Time 10am—3 pm
Venue The Hunter Dementia & Memory Resource Centre. 2 Percy Street Hamilton 2303

When Wednesdays 8th 15th 29th September 2010
Time 10—3pm
Venue The Hunter Dementia & Memory Resource Centre. 2 Percy Street Hamilton 2303

NOTE: REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL!

To register your participation or to obtain further information please contact Kim Wilson on
Tel: (02) 49 62 7000 Email: hunter@alznsw.asn.au Alzheimer’s Australia NSW
The Hunter Dementia & Memory Resource Centre 2 Percy Street Hamilton
PO Box 97 Broadmeadow NSW 2292 Main Office 40-52 Talavera Road Macquarie Park NSW 2113, P O Box 6042 North Ryde 2113 Telephone (02) 9805 0100 Facsimile (02) 8875 4665
Email education@alznsw.asn.au

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Hello everyone,

Over the past few weeks, you may have seen the media campaign encouraging people to discuss and decide about organ and tissue donation with their family.

The campaign, initiated by the Government’s Organ and Tissue Authority, aims to increase the number of families who know and understand and respect each other’s wishes regarding organ and tissue donation.

I encourage you to discuss the donation options with your family, so you are all aware of each other's wishes.

The national organ and tissue donation approach makes up an important part of Medicare Australia’s service delivery work.

Medicare Australia administers the Australian Organ Donor Register – and registrations can be made through our web site.

Australia has a world class reputation for successful transplant outcomes, but has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world. Last year 247 organ donors gave 799 Australians a new chance of life. However, there are about 1700 people who are on the organ transplant waiting list at any one time, so there is a need to increase the numbers of organ and tissue donations for transplantation.

For answers to all your questions on this sensitive subject, go to www.donatelife.gov.au.

You can register your donation decision on line at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or by phone to 1800 777 203. Donor forms are also available at all our Medicare branches.

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AN INVITATION

TO CARERS

Carers are usually family members or friends who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged.

Where : The Hunter Resource Centre

2 Percy Street, Hamilton

Time : 9.30am — 2.00pm

Cost : Free — Morning Tea & Light Lunch Provided

When: Thursday 22 nd July & continuing to 05 August 2010

Program:

Day 1 – meet with representatives from Centrelink and a panel of Community Service organisations

Day 2 – caring for the carer: stress management, effective and practical caring skills

Day 3 – legal issues, advance care planning and advocacy

For more information or to register contact EDuCARE on:

4921 4895 or 1300 887 776

or email Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

(We ask that you RSVP for catering purposes)

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Firstchance

The Movie Club 2010

A Social Group for Teens

Firstchance is currently seeking applications from Teens with Aspergers Syndrome and High Functioning Autism to participate in a social group.

We are looking for Teens:

• Aged between 13 and 16 years
• Have a Diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome or High Functioning Autism
• Attend a mainstream education setting

The program will run during school terms three and four 2010.

Participants will work together to create a film in a variety of locations.

The program aims to support and develop social connections between Teens with AS and High Functioning ASD.

Participants will be provided with opportunities to engage in a range of social activities.

To access an application form please contact: Mia Christiansen 49 218 723

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Do you look after someone who is frail aged, has a disability, drug or alcohol issue or chronic illness?

Are you a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who offers this care?

Do you help with personal care, mobility, transport, communication or housework?

If you answered YES to any of these questions – have you thought about enrolling in our FREE Carer Information Sessions? Sessions run each Thursday over 3 weeks. Details for the next series:

Where : Hunter Resource Centre 2 Percy Street, Hamilton

Time : 9.30am – 2.00pm

Cost: Free (Morning Tea & Light Lunch Included)

When : Thursday 22 July & Continuing to 5 August 2010

Topics covered include:

Practical Skills for Carers Accessing Community Services – meet Service Providers Stress

CARING FOR THE CARER TIPS

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR ANNUAL FLU VACCINATION ?

Having a regular flu vax is an excellent way to care for your self and also protect the person you care for. Talk to your GP.

The vaccine is available free of charge if you are: 65 years or older; or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who is aged 50 years or older or aged 15 to 49 years with a chronic illness. Influenza is caused by a virus. Most people recover after a few days, but in some it can be life-threatening. To avoid influenza, have an annual influenza vaccination. If you have influenza, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands before touching others, and stay at home.

Source: NSW Health Influenza fact sheet

A BIG THANK YOU to our Sensational Volunteers who helped supervise EDuCARE’s Young Carer Camp, at One Mile Beach from the 7 th – 9 th May. The Camp allowed 37 Young Carers aged between 8-12 years to enjoy an activity packed, fun getaway.

Volunteers offer support with transport, activities and just by ‘being there’ with a listening ear and open heart for the young people on the camp.

Are you interested in being a Volunteer for Young Carer Camps?

Please contact:

Camp Co-ordinator : Kathy Jones at EDuCARE on 4921 4895  

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Are You a Carer?

Do you look after someone who is frail aged, has a disability, drug or alcohol issue or chronic illness?

Are you a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who offers this care?

Do you help with personal care, mobility, transport, communication or housework?

If you answered YES to any of these questions – have you thought about enrolling in our FREE Carer Information Sessions?

Learn more about accessing carer services, caring for yourself, practical skills, legal issues & meet other people in similar caring situations

Phone: 1300 887 776 or 49 214895 for more information

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For Further Enquiries and to RSVP for any Sessions:

Please phone EDuCARE Support Service on 4921 4895

Website: http://www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/educare_support_service

CarersHaven members are being reminded about a free service available to help people caring for someone with dementia whose behaviour is having an impact on their care.

The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS), works with family carers, clinicians, community care organisation and those working in aged care facilities to help them better understand and care for people with dementia

Carers can contact the sevice on 1800 699 799 at any time of the day or night. Qualifying situations will be assessed free of charge and appropriate referrals to other support services can also be made.

For more information email info@alzqld.asn.au or visit www.alzheimers.org.au