Aged carereform

TAKE A BREAKFOR CARERS

10 waysTO GET (AND STAY) HEALTHY

CarersWeek

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

SPRING 2014

Welcome to the spring edition of Carers News.

As spring and summer approach we look forward to longer – and hopefully sunnier – days, and to leaving behind a challenging winter in the sector. Our focus now is on making the most of the remainder of the year and building Carers Victoria into a stronger, more resilient organisation.

In June I embarked on a series of carer consultations throughout Victoria to gauge how well Carers Victoria was providing its services, meeting the needs of carers and how to improve upon them. There was a great deal of honest feedback and while Carers Victoria was seen to be meeting needs in general, it was evident that no two needs were necessarily the same and there were definite opportunities for furthering our engagement.

Consistently, the issues that came out of the discussions were:

• The broader community needed more education about what carers do and the issues they are faced with

• The general health care system (GPs in particular) should be better educated and equipped to advise and support carers

• Carer stories could be promoted more; ‘the value of caring is lost in the community’

• Inconsistency of services, and carers going from one case worker to the next and having to retell their story over and over, is exhausting

• The disconnection of agencies exacerbates the problem as new carers find themselves under pressure, overwhelmed, feeling very vulnerable and faced with myriad different organisations that are not integrated in any way. A single portal of entry would help

• Respite was incredibly important, as was the need for flexibility of respite. ‘I can no longer continue doing this without a break’

• The sense of isolation that carers felt was a major issue, losing contact with friends and family

• The advocacy role of the carer is underutilised and there is a great resource for advocacy in the carer network

I would like to thank all carers who participated in the consultations, which will go some way towards informing Carers Victoria’s work as we strive to keep apace with the reform environment. With a state election looming, Carers Victoria will continue to work hard to represent the needs of carers.

Please keep an eye on the Carers Victoria website or sign up to our ebulletin, Voice, if you’d like to stay informed about how to participate and advocate.

Caroline Mulcahy

Carers Victoria CEO

Message from Caroline

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In this issueMessage from Caroline... 2

What’s happening at Carers Victoria... 3

Energy Information Fund & DVA Veterans’ Health Week... 4

NDIS update... 5

Book review... 6

10 ways to stay healthy... 7

Policy update... 8

Young carer page... 10

Conversation with a young carer... 11

Stress less... 12

Advance care planning: having the conversation... 14

NILS program & tech talk... 16

Take a break... 17

Portsea sanctuary: carer counselling... 18

Mingle 2014... 19

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What’s happening at Carers Victoria

WHAT’S happening

Mingle 2014Come and join Carers Victoria for a wonderful day out at one of our Mingle events in September and October. Find out about services and supports in your local area and make new friends with other carers, whilst enjoying lunch and entertainment.

See page 19 for full details!

Call for participants: do you look after someone at home?The National Ageing Research Institute is investigating the mood and wellbeing of older carers. Participation is voluntary and free, and takes place at home.

Researchers are seeking participants who:

• Are aged 55+ • Are living with somebody you care for who is aged 60+ • Have been experiencing low mood • Live within two hours drive of the Melbourne CBD

To find out more, visit our website: www.carersvictoria.org.au/consultations/nari

Carers Week Running from 12–18 October 2014, Carers Week is our major national awareness-raising event, with campaigns and events happening all over Australia. This year’s theme is Take a Break for Carers, and we are encouraging workplaces, schools, universities and community organisations to hold events aimed at raising awareness and funds to support carers.

There will be events for carers running all over Victoria – check out the insert that came with this issue of Carers News for details on events near you. The listing is also available on our website, www.carersvictoria.org.au, in the News and Events section.

Carers Victoria and Carers Tasmania: a collaborationYou may have noticed a change in this issue… Carers in Victoria and Carers Tasmania News have merged to become Carers News. This collaboration came about as a way to minimise production costs and bring together the knowledge, expertise and creativity of our two teams. After all, two minds are better than one!

In every quarterly issue, there will be a few pages of content that is specific to Victoria, but the majority of the magazine will now feature information for both Victorian and Tasmanian carers.

The quality of content and information featured for Victorian carers is our highest priority, and we believe this merger will only increase the value of our magazine to you, our members and readers.

We hope you enjoy the new Carers News as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.

On 22 May the Hon. Russell Northe MP, Minister for Energy and Resources, launched the Energy Information Fund at Carers Victoria’s Footscray office.

The Energy Information Fund provides funding to various organisations around Victoria to support the education and empowerment of Victorians to make informed decisions about their electricity use and providers. The 15 successful funding recipients – including Carers Victoria – were announced at the launch, and attendees were given a demonstration of the new “My Power Planner” website tool, available via www.switchon.vic.gov.au.

At Carers Victoria, we are committed to assisting carers and caring families in as many ways as possible. Helping carers understand flexible electricity pricing, how to assess their electricity use and review what they are paying for electricity may help people save on their electricity bills and reduce financial stress.

In the coming months, Carers Victoria staff will be distributing information about flexible electricity pricing to carers via our website, through this newsletter and by visiting carer support groups across the state. We’ll be talking about electricity costs and teaching carers how to compare the different offers from the range of different retailers.

One carer who attended the launch called Carers Victoria the next day to tell us that, after using the My Power Planner tool, he managed to save nearly 20% on his electricity plan!

If you want to know more – or would like to register your carer support group to receive a presentation about how to compare electricity costs – please call Carers Victoria on 1800 242 636.

Three ways to save on electricity bills

Get a better deal

• Compare prices with My Power Planner https://mpp.switchon.vic.gov.au

Claim the government discounts you are eligible for

• If you have a Centrelink Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans Affairs Gold Card, you are probably

eligible for government discounts

Save Electricity

• In winter, set your heater to 20 degrees

• In summer, use a fan or set your air-conditioner to 26 degrees

• Set your refrigerator thermostat to 4 degrees and the freezer to minus 18 degrees

• Keep showers to 4 minutes or fewer

Remember! Lowering your electricity use too much can harm your health and wellbeing. It is especially important to stay cool on hot days, even if you need to use more power.

Source: Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre

The Energy Information FundELECTRICITY INFORMATION FOR CARERS

Calling all serving and ex-serving Defence Personnel, their families and friends to team up and be part of the Veterans’ Health Week Amazing Race!

The Amazing Race is a fun event, in which teams of two to six people race around Melbourne’s CBD deciphering clues and tackling activities. You can choose to race against the clock or take your time. This is not a sporting event – it’s an adventure!

Date: 19 October 2014

Registration starts at 9.30am, the race starts at 10.00am

Where: Drill Hall, 26 Therry Street, Melbourne CBD

You need to pre-register for The Amazing Race. To get your Registration Kit:

Phone Rhiannon on 03 9284 6285 or Deirdre on 03 9284 6729, or email amazingraceVHW14@dva.gov.au

VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK 2014: AMAZING RACE

Event alert

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NDIS update

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The recent fourth Quarterly Report to the COAG Disability Reform Council on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has delivered positive outcomes on the delivery of the scheme in the four trial sites around Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania.

Key findings on the four trial sites in the Hunter, New South Wales, the Barwon Region,Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania have included:-

• 8585 people have been found eligible for the NDIS, with 7316 having approved individualised support plans in place by the end of June 2014

• The average package cost in the first year of the scheme is $34,600, down from $40,500 in the first six months, and below the funding expectation of $35,000

• More than $130 million is estimated to have been committed to NDIS participants in 2013 -14

The national average participation satisfaction rate was high overall, at +1.66, based on a scale of -2 (very poor) to +2 (very good). The Tasmanian trial, targeted at young people aged between 15-24, recorded the highest satisfaction rate in Australia at +1.90. Whilst the Victorian trial, targeted at people aged up to 65, recorded the satisfaction rate of +1.75.

The Report on the Sustainability of the Scheme shows that Tasmanians with disability are accessing the NDIS in record time and that costs remain on track. The quarterly report showed that Tasmania is excelling in community awareness and community capacity building activities and is active in undertaking regular activities to seek feedback from participants, registered providers and potential providers. 1,000 Tasmanians with a disability aged between 15 and 24 years will transition into the scheme by July 2016.

At a recent forum, held on Mornington Peninsula, Victoria – Balancing the Scales on 31 July 2014 Mr Bruce Bonyhady, Chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), delivered a keynote speech addressing the principles of how the NDIS will work in practice and provided updates from the Victorian trial site in the Barwon Region.

Mr Bonyhady stressed that:

• The NDIS will provide support to all Australians who have a significant disability or will acquire one in their lifetime

• Individuals transitioning to the NDIS will not be left disadvantaged in terms of supports and services they receive

• There are enormous challenges due to housing and accommodation shortages and NDIA are not able to provide housing stock (this is the responsibility state governments). NDIA are therefore working with relevant state government sectors, community organisations, philanthropic bodies and caring families to leverage the capital required to build sufficient housing in the coming years. A housing discussion paper will be released by NDIA shortly and NDIA will seek feedback in response to this paper.

For information about NDIA and NDIS, including quarterly progress reports from trial sites, see www.ndis.gov.au

For information on Carer Victoria’s Confident Connected Carers workshops (Geelong area only) call 1800 242 636

For information on NDIS in Tasmania, or our “Conversation with Carers” forums that will discuss the NDIS and other matters of interest to carers, call Carers Tasmania on 1800 242 636.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Update

The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook

In an interview with the book’s publisher, Jane Curry Publishing, Josie explains, “In the midst of being a carer, the last thing on my mind was, ‘I must write this book’… but at some point I thought, ‘If I’m going through this… other people must be going through this as well.”

Josie, a writer and blogger, worked with aged care services and communities around Australia as she completed the book. She has ensured it stays true to a

carer’s perspective by interviewing many other family carers and care providers.

Josie explained to the Australian Ageing Agenda, “A big part of the book is interviewing carers. They’re the lifeblood of what’s going on with our ageing population, they’re the people who steer the ship, know what they have to do… sometimes get lost, get back on the horse. I wanted to really focus on what they do and have them be acknowledged. Another part of the book is having people in the care industry be interviewed about how they relate to your loved ones when they care for them – it’s very important for their voices to be heard.”

The book was written as a resource for people caring for ageing parents and children, however, anyone caring for an older person could benefit from some of the tips and resources shared. The carer interviews and stories, in particular, will strike a chord with many readers.

“I know the whole journey can be quite depressing, and daunting and very, very lonely. The book is really for all of those people: people who are in the care industry, people who are carers... It’s just helping them to navigate their feelings, as well as services and, I guess, their place in the world.”

“Sometimes just being understood and acknowledged is a big deal for a carer”

The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook has been endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Australia.

The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook is available online from www.booktopia.com.au (RRP $39.95), or may be available at your local library.

Like many members of the sandwich generation, Josie Gagliano juggles caring for

two generations of her family: in Josie’s case, her ageing

mum and her children, one of whom has been diagnosed with

autism spectrum disorder.

Josie has been the primary carer for her mother, who has

dementia, for several years. At the start of her caring journey

Josie, like many children caring for older parents,

realised she didn’t really know what to do, where to go for

help, or how to navigate the services on offer… let alone

work through the challenging emotions she faced as a carer.

This experience prompted her to write a book for other sandwich generation carers.

BOOK review

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Drink waterHealth authorities recommend that you drink at least 8 cups of water a day. Lack of water can cause dehydration, which has negative effects on our energy levels and brain function.

Food pyramidA healthy diet means a balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy. We all know the pyramid, but sometimes it can be good to revisit the daily recommendations. The Nutrition Australia website (www.nutritionaustralia.org) has heaps of information and tips including recipe ideas!

Portion sizeEating healthily includes having appropriate serving sizes for all your meals. It is recommended that a main meal include 1/4 plate of meat, 1/4 carbohydrates and 1/2 plate of vegetables. Find our more at: www.eatforhealth.gov.au

Exercise your body It is recommended that you do 30-50 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity most days of the week. This can have great benefits for your long-term health. Some simple tips for increasing your activity: schedule it into your day – take a walk during your lunch break, or get off the bus at an earlier stop; keep it up regardless of the weather – strengthening and stretching exercises or a Zumba or pilates DVD are good options for cold or wet days.

Exercise your mind Keeping your brain active and being social can help reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Brain training can be as simple as learning something new – try taking up a new hobby, like Sudoku or crosswords. Visit www.yourbrainmatters.org.au for some brain training ideas.

Treat yourself Staying healthy means looking after yourself. It’s important to treat yourself every now and then. Whether this means having time away, a new book or a sinful dessert… You deserve it!

Fresh air A Japanese study found that interaction with nature reduces depression, sparks creativity, and promotes healing. Being outside also allows us to gain vitamin D from the sun which is linked to strong bones, muscles and overall health.

Sleep wellA good sleep is crucial for rejuvenating your body and mind! Lack of sleep can cause lack of physical coordination, impaired memory and judgement and mood disturbances.

Health checksEven if you are feeling good, take the time to check in with your doctor and get some general health checks such as blood pressure, blood tests for cholesterol and vitamin deficiencies, weight, skin and dental checks. Depending on your age other tests may also be recommended such as mammograms or prostate checks.

Love yourself Follow the recommendation of general practitioner and friend of Carers Victoria, Dr. Sally Cockburn: Take time everyday to love yourself. Dr. Cockburn recommends standing in front of a mirror and saying ‘I am gorgeous’! And who are we to argue with what the doctor prescribes!

stay healthy10 ways to

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Advocacy for caring families in the implementation of the aged care reforms is a key priority for Carer Associations.

We have been doing a lot of work ‘behind the scenes’ through Carers Australia as a member of the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) which lobbies politicians and bureaucrats to advocate for aged care consumers, providers and workers. We have been particularly advocating for:

• improved access by carers to the new My Aged Care website and contact centre

• routine assessment of carer needs along with those of the people they care for

• retaining carer access to the full range of respite care services

• action on specialist carer support services as part of the aged care system

This systemic advocacy work in aged care is not always as visible as that in high profile new programs such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); for example, if the work of the advisory committee is confidential, we cannot disclose details until such time as a report or policy is made public by the government.

Why is the government changing aged care?

The Australian government spends billions of dollars every year on aged care services. In 2011–12, direct government spending was approximately $12.9 billion. Of this, nearly $9 billion was spent on residential aged care, and just over $3 billion on community aged care.In 2010 the government appointed the Productivity Commission to conduct an enquiry into future funding and service provision in aged care. Their task was to make recommendations about how to improve services for older people, as well as containing the future costs to government as our population ages and demand for aged care services continues to rise.

The two main ways recommended to achieve these goals were:

• giving people more choice and control over the types of care and services received, how care is delivered and who delivers it (consumer directed care)

• requiring people who have the financial capacity to pay to contribute more to the costs of their care (income and assets tested fees)

One of our key advocacy messages is that, although formal aged care services are costly, the cost of replacing all of the unpaid care provided by family and friends has been estimated at over $40.9 billion. We continue to argue that funding services and supports for carers is a worthwhile investment as this helps the financial sustainability of the formal aged care system as well as helping carers.

What has already changed?

The government has stopped funding regional Commonwealth Carelink Centres and has replaced them with the My Aged Care website (www.myagedcare.gov.au) and national contact centre (1800 200 422).

For residential aged care, there is no longer any distinction between low care (hostels) and high care (nursing homes), meaning that there should now be more choice of service providers. You can also choose how to pay accommodation charges - a refundable deposit, a daily payment or a combination of both.

There are now four levels of Home Care packages, replacing the old Community Aged Care (CACP) and Extended Aged Care At Home (EACH) packages. All new packages – and, from 1 July 2015, all existing packages – must be delivered in a consumer-directed way. This means that the entire value of the package must be allocated to the individual, rather than being shared amongst many clients. Service providers must also ensure that you have choice in the services you receive and more control over when and how you receive them.

A number of carers have contacted the carer advisory line recently feeling confused and concerned about the impact of funding and service delivery changes as a result of aged care reforms.

aged careREFORM

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A major change in community aged care is that the Commonwealth Government now has responsibility for the management and delivery of all aged care services. This means that Home and Community Care (HACC) services for people over 65 years that were previously administered by most State and Territory governments are now being funded and managed by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services (DSS). This change occurred in Tasmania in 2012, and will take place in Victoria from 1 July 2015.

This means there are now three main parts to Australia’s aged care system:

• Home Support

• Home Care

• residential aged care

The Home Support Program will be an amalgamation of the HACC program, the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP), Day Therapy Centres and the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged Program.

You can currently access these services directly with the service providers or via My Aged Care.

However, an Aged Care Assessment is needed to be eligible for a Home Care package, residential respite care or to move into residential aged care.

Aged care changes from 1 July 2014

How have the costs of Home Care packages changed?

You may be asked to pay one or more of the following fees for a Home Care package:

• A basic fee - the maximum basic fee is 17.5% of the single person rate of the basic Age Pension. Everyone is asked to pay this

Some people will now also be asked to pay:

• A means-tested care fee based on an assessment of income

Clients are asked to sign an agreement that sets out the fees and charges you are expected to pay.

How have residential aged care fees and payments changed?

You may be asked to pay one or more of the following fees in residential care:

• A basic daily fee - everyone pays this

Some people are also required to pay:

• A means-tested care fee based on an assessment of income and assets

• An accommodation payment, also based on an assessment of income and assets

Optional (higher standard of accommodation or additional services):

• Fees for extra or additional services

Residents are asked to sign an agreement that sets out the fees and charges you are required to pay.

There are Home Care fee and Residential Care fee estimators available on My Aged Care. There are also annual and lifetime caps in place to limit the amount of the means-tested care fees.

You can apply for financial hardship assistance through the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) if you have financial difficulty contributing to the cost of a Home Care package or residential aged care costs.

Aged care changes from 1 July 2015

The government released a discussion paper on key directions for the new Commonwealth Home Support Program, which is planned to become the entry level of service in the aged care system as people with higher and more complex needs will have greater access to Home Care packages.

Carers Australia’s submission advocated strongly for the need for specialist carer support services such as counselling and education. These should be available to all carers regardless of what type of services the person receiving care is eligible for or whether they use any formal aged care services at all. We also argued that existing clients of HACC and NRCP must not be disadvantaged in the change to the Home Support Program.

Read the submission on the discussion paper on the Carers Australia website, under the Publications section.

If you have questions about carer support services you may be eligible for if you are caring for an older person, call the Carer Advisory Line on 1800 242 636.

POLICY update

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Star Wars: The Old Republic

Free on PC

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer

Online Role Playing Game) set in the iconic Star Wars universe. When you

load up the game for the first time, you create your own character in the

Star Wars universe; you could be a Jedi warrior, a Sith lord or even a lowly

smuggler like Han Solo.

Once you’ve started the game you may start the general MMORPG

formula of questing, gaining experience and finding new gear. New

gear will increase your character’s attributes, while gaining experience

will give you access to new talents or abilities for your character.

The game has a decent storyline and is interesting to play through the game.

Where this game shines, however, is grouping up with people to play

together – whether they are people you meet through the game, or your friends in real life. The Old Republic is much more fun with friends… after all, that’s what the MMO genre was

designed for.

99 Bricks Wizard Academy Free in Google Play Store, $1.29 in

iTunes

A fun and fast-paced game for the physics fans out there (don’t be shy!).

The goal of 99 Bricks is to build a wizard tower out of falling bricks,

which are shaped similarly to classic Tetris blocks. The higher the tower,

the more awesome the wizard.

The game throws obstacles in your way, such as uneven building surfaces

and enemy wizards, but you have wizard powers to deal with these

sticky situations. If you lose too many blocks, your wizardry comes to an

end… for this round.

The animation style is cute and fun, and the simple gameplay makes 99 Bricks a great game that anyone can

pick up easily.

Downsides: there are lots of ads (because the game is currently free),

so be prepared to wait them out between rounds; and sometimes

the controls are a bit haphazard – many times, we’ve rotated bricks

accidentally, and one wrong turn can spell the end of a winning streak.

2048 Free on internet browser, Apple and

Android devices

2048 is a very simple number game. The goal is to create the number 2048

by adding the numbers given to you. You can only add numbers of the same value; for example, 2 cannot add with 4 or vice versa, but 2 can be added to 2 to create 4, which can go on to join with another 4… and so on until you

reach 2048.

All of these numbers are on a fixed board of 4x4 and are all moved as you

swipe the screen. Instead of moving individual pieces like you would

other puzzles, 2048 requires you to move every piece on the board in the

direction of your choosing and any number that can join will join.

2048 is addictive, fun and quick; it’s a game that you can whip out quickly

and play wherever you happen to be – and the game saves any progress

you do make so you can always pick up where you left of.

This game is great for number crunchers, people who want to

develop their maths skills, and those who want something portable and

easy to get the hang of.

GOT GAME?WE’VE GOT THREE FREE GAMES FOR THREE KINDS OF GAMERS!

young carers

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Tell us about yourself...

My name is Evan, and I am 16. I like music, (hip hop, R&B, rap, metal and rock), chilling with friends and driving around – I am on my Ls, and there’s not much else to do where I live. I live with my parents.

What is your hometown, Zeehan, like and how do you spend your time there?

We moved here (Zeehan, Tasmania) in the middle of 2012 from New South Wales. I haven’t found the young people very friendly, so I hang out with my family’s friends. My parents are friends with another couple, and I go out four-wheel driving and play Xbox (Grand Theft Auto 5 is my favourite) with the husband; I have a craze where I play a game non-stop, and then I put it away.

I’m involved with the Tasmanian Fire Service but we haven’t trained lately, as the weather has been too bad. It’s fun; we drive around in the trucks, fill them up, play with the hoses, use all the water and fill them up again… practicing for if there is a real fire. I’m the youngest person there.

How did you come to be caring?

I don’t remember when I started caring… I started getting the Carer Allowance in Year 6. I care for my mum and stepdad. I help Michael (my stepdad) with practical things around the house, like helping him build bookshelves for my mum, helping him clean, and helping him with stuff outside and with his tools. He does what he can, but when he needs me that’s when I step in. Caring hit when one day he wasn’t feeling well, and it’s just gone on from there. Michael doesn’t want me to help him with more personal stuff.

Mum got sick when I was in Year 6. I had to hang out the washing, do the vacuuming and do the dishes, and it’s been the same ever since. Sometimes Mum has a really bad week and I have to help with personal stuff like showering and helping her to get dressed, put her shoes on and brush her hair. It just depends on how she is.

What does a normal day involve for you?

I go to school three days a week because mum needs me around the house. When I started at the school in Year 9, we had a meeting and sorted it all out and the school have been pretty good about it. On one of my days at home I help out with cleaning and running the house, and on the other day we go out to Queenstown to go shopping or do different things that need to be done. I am in Year 11; I do the same amount of work as everyone else, but I get a two-week extension on the work that I do. English is hard because we have a different teacher each week, as we don’t have a permanent English teacher at our school, and there is no stability in that.

How do you juggle caring with the other things you are involved with?

I don’t even know how I do it; I am happy to do it.

What keeps you going when times are tough?

It’s been like this for five or six years, so I am just used to it. We are a pretty close family. I tell my parents everything I do.

What has your caring role taught you?

It’s taught me responsibility.

What do you think are the main issues for young carers?

I don’t know because everyone is different. Just having to be around all the time when my parents have had a bad day or a bad week is probably the hardest thing. Sometimes there is just nothing you can do – you just have to push through it.

What message would you like to give to other young carers?

Just be yourself, try to be normal.

CONVERSATION WITH A YOUNG CARER

Evan’s story

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Stress is a biological response to a feeling of being threatened or being frightened. For early man, stress manifested itself in dangerous situations, like being chased by a predator; today, we experience stress as a reaction to many other scenarios – when we find ourselves in situations we’re not sure we can handle, or our lives are out of balance.

Financial, emotional, psychological, and social pressures can all create feelings of stress to varying degrees. And while millions of years of evolution have seen enormous changes in the world in which we live, the human body’s response to stress is almost exactly the same as that of our prehistoric friends.

Where does stress come from? When we become stressed, our bodies react by kicking the autonomic nervous system (ANS) into gear. The ANS usually controls the processes in our bodies that we don’t think about – breathing, keeping our hearts ticking, etc. When we face a stressful event, the ANS releases hormones called adrenalin and cortisol, which cause physical changes in our bodies.

These changes are the same as those cavemen – the ‘fight or flight’ response: our heart rate increases to send blood to our major muscles more efficiently; the capillaries under our skin close down, which raises our blood pressure, but allows us to sustain a surface wound and not bleed; our eyes dilate to give us better vision. In these stressful moments, the ANS also suppresses our digestive, reproductive and immune systems to give our body plenty of time and energy to react more efficiently and quickly to the stressful event.

Our bodies, hardwired in their responses after millions of years, will run through the motions of preparing us to hit hard or run fast.

When stress becomes distress These reactions were all very helpful when the stressful event was coming face-to-face with a woolly mammoth; but today, when stressors are more present in our everyday lives, the body’s physical response to stress can cause some unpleasant and unwanted issues, including:

stress lessAt some stage in our lives, we’ve all felt stressed out – and no matter how many times someone reminds us that “stressed is just dessert spelled backwards”, it’s not an especially sweet sensation.

• Headaches

• Sleep disturbance or insomnia

• Digestive problems

• Anxiety

• Anger, irritability

• Social withdrawal and isolation

• Weight gain or loss

• Depression

• Fatigue

• Low self-esteem

• High blood pressure

• Weakened immune system

• Heart disease

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Learn about your body, and identify your stress responses

The earlier you can identify that you are

feeling stressed out, the sooner you can

make efforts to limit the level it reaches,

and its impact on your life. It can be helpful

to keep a ‘stress diary’, in which you make

notes about stressful events and how you

reacted to them. Writing about your stress

can also help to give you distance from it –

to look at it objectively.

Look after your health

Make sure you are eating well and getting

regular exercise. Try to make time to do

things that make you feel good – dancing,

stretching, swimming, meditation,

running are all great ways to break

out of a stressed-out mindset. Avoid

using alcohol, tobacco or other non-

prescription drugs to help relieve stress,

as they can actually do the opposite. Talk to someone who cares

Find a friend, family member or other person

who will listen. Grab a cuppa and have a chat

with them. Never be embarrassed or ashamed

of wanting to talk about your feelings. No

matter how tense or low you feel, you deserve

to be listened to and cared for. If you don’t feel

comfortable talking to a friend, there are other

options. The carer advisory line (1800 242 636)

can be a great place to start – the advisory line

team can give you advice on how to maintain your

own health and wellbeing, and may be able to

refer you to other support services that can help

lighten the load.

When to get seek professional help

Being permanently stressed is not good

for your health, and can impact on every

aspect of your life, including your caring

relationship. If you are chronically stressed,

it is worth seeking professional help. A

great place to start is by talking to your

GP. You may also be eligible for counselling

services provided by Carers Associations -

call 1800 242 636 for more information.

tips for managing

stress

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What is an advance care directive?

An advance care directive is a written document that records the medical treatment wishes of a person, which can then be used if that person is unable to communicate those wishes themselves due to illness or injury. The document may also appoint a substitute decision maker and include other aspects of end-of-life care, such as spiritual or religious wishes.

Any person over the age of 18 can make an advance care directive, unless they are already unable to make their own decisions about medical treatment due to a disability, illness or injury.

How do I make an advance care directive with the person I care for?

Start with a discussion! Ask the person you’re caring for what they would like to happen if they couldn’t make decisions for themselves, what would be important to them, who they would trust to make those decisions, and what healthcare providers should think about when caring for them. Let the answers come from the person you’re caring for – these are their choices, and they have a right to make them unimpeded and without influence.

The person creating the directive, their doctor, and the substitute decision maker (which may be you) should then have a conversation about the person’s health, what treatments are available for their injury or illness, and which of those the person would want to have and which, if any, they would refuse.

Once the person completing the directive feels comfortable with their decision, write a document for the substitute decision maker, family and those involved in providing your

care. You do not need a lawyer to complete an advance care directive.

Make sure you sign and date it, and have it witnessed (it is often helpful to have your doctor act as a witness). Keep a copy for the person you’re caring for, then distribute copies to the substitute decision maker (which may be you), other family members involved in care, any appropriate healthcare providers including a GP. If the person you’re caring for has a hospital file, you can also ask to have the advance care directive included in their hospital file.

There are advance care directive forms available to download and fill in, which may make the documentation process easier:

TAS: www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/palliativecare

VIC: www.health.vic.gov.au/acp

Can an advance care directive be changed, updated or revoked?

Yes. An advance care directive is a living document and can be changed at any time. In fact, it should be revisited annually to make sure it is still appropriate and relevant to the person’s wishes. If the person you’re caring for would like to update their directive, and are still able to make decisions for themselves, they can update their directive simply by creating a new one and destroying copies of the old directive. Make sure you inform anyone who has a copy of the old directive that a new one has been created.

If you would like more information about creating an advance care directive for the person you care for (or for yourself – everyone should have one!), start by talking to your doctor. On the next page are some resources that may be helpful along your advance care planning journey.

advance care planningHAVING THE CONVERSATIONCaring for someone comes with many responsibilities. Some are small, like grocery shopping or reminding someone to take medications; but others are significant, like acting as a substitute medical decision-maker for the person you care for.

In a situation where a person is not able to make their medical care wishes known, a primary carer may be the one who is expected to make those decisions. These decisions can be difficult and stressful, especially in a medical emergency – that’s why it’s so important for you and the person you’re caring for to have a conversation about their wishes for their medical treatment and care, and create an advance care directive.

Advance care planning means that you can carry on knowing that the person you care for has control over their medical treatments, and that in a crisis when you are making decisions on their behalf, those decisions are informed.

National resourcesAdvance Care Planning Australiawww.advancecareplanning.org.au

Palliative Care Australiawww.palliativecare.org.au/

advancecareplanning(02) 6232 4433

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

www.racgp.org.au/your-practice/business/tools/support/acp

1800 472 247

Tasmanian ResourcesGuardianship and Administration Board

www.guardianship.tas.gov.au1300 799 625

Office of the Public Guardianwww.publicguardian.tas.gov.au

(03) 6165 3444

Public Trusteeswww.publictrustee.tas.gov.au

Hobart: (03) 6235 5200Launceston: (03) 6335 3400

Devonport (03) 6430 3690Burnie: (03) 6430 3600

Advance Care Planningwww.dhhs.tas.gov.au/palliativecare

Southern region: (03) 6224 2515Northern region: (03) 6336 5544

North West region: (03) 6440 7111

Victorian resourcesOffice of the Public Advocatewww.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au

1300 309 337

Guardianship and Administrationwww.vcat.vic.gov.au/disputes/guardians-

administrators(03) 9628 9911

Department of Health - Advance Care Planning

www.health.vic.gov.au/acp(03) 9096 1350

State Trusteeswww.statetrustees.com.au

03 9667 6444

ADVANCE CARE planning

15

16

money talk: NILS

Having a smartphone can make our lives easier in so many ways – they give us more options to stay in touch with people, help us cheat at trivia nights, help us navigate, and keep our schedules. But beyond being in the right place at the right time, our phones can also help improve our wellbeing. Here are a few free apps that can help keep you healthy and happy.

Food SwitchSmiling Mind is a website and app developed by a team of psychologists that uses meditation and mindfulness techniques to help users manage feelings of stress and anxiety. The short sessions, which are focused on building physical and psychological awareness and emotional resilience, can be completed at home or even on-the-go.

For: iPhonePrice: Free

Developed by Bupa, FoodSwitch can help you see what’s in the food you buy, and make healthier choices when doing a grocery shop. Use your camera to scan the barcodes on most foods, and you’ll get a rating for fats, sugar and salt; FoodSwitch will then suggest some healthier options. You can also choose SaltSwitch mode for lower sodium options, and GlutenSwitch for gluten-free options.

For: iPhone and AndroidPrice: Free

Because the UV rays that cause skin damage leading to cancer can’t be felt, we often feel like we don’t need to be protected, but the statistics show otherwise: Australia has the highest skin cancer incidence rate in the world! The SunSmart app lets you know when you need sun protection, and also features a UV alert so you know when UV is at its peak, a vitamin D tracker and a sunscreen calculator.

For: iPhone and AndroidPrice: Free

Smiling Mind Sunsmart

A broken-down fridge, the bill for next term’s text books, unexpected medical costs – all of these things can add an extra layer of stress to our everyday lives. The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) was developed to give Australians on low incomes access to fair and safe credit to purchase important items, from home appliances to medical treatment.

What are the loans for?

NILS loans of up to $1200 are usually available for the purchase of household items like washing machines, beds, or fridges; you can also apply for a NILS loan to pay for essential items like medical aids. NILS is not available for emergency relief, bond or rent money, living expenses or debt repayment.

Who is eligible?

NILS loans are available to health care card or pension card holders who are on a low income, have lived in their current residence for more than 3 months, and who show a willingness and capacity to make the necessary repayments. Eligibility is determined by the organisation or group providing the loan, and they may adjust the eligbility criteria on a case-by-case basis.

How much can you borrow?

The amounts loaned vary between providers, but generally, NILS loans are for up to $1200. The repayment period is usually around 12 to 18 months.

Find a NILS provider near you

Australia-wide: www.goodshepherdmicrofinance.org.au or (03) 9495 9600Tasmania only: www.nilstasmania.org.au or 1300 301 650

tech talk: apps for wellbeing

TECH talk

It may not be your favourite spring thing, but a good, clean house can be a great refresher after being cooped up all winter. Here are some cheap and cheerful tips to make spring cleaning a breeze.

• Got too much on your plate? Try just knocking off one task at a time! Choose one thing you’ve been meaning to do – maybe a loose cupboard handle or a wardrobe reshuffle – and go for it

• House smelling a little musty? You can use some ‘around the house’ ingredients to make your home smell great: just boil a pot of water, add some orange peel and a few drops of vanilla, bring the water down to a simmer and leave it going for 30 minutes or so (refilling with water as necessary)

• Cleaning doesn’t have to be an expensive undertaking! Make a great window cleaner with half a cup of white vinegar mixed into 2 litres of water; pick up your sponges, microfiber cloths and gloves from the local $2 shop; watch your water usage by ensuring the washing machine and dishwasher are always full before turning them on

Find more great cleaning tips on websites like brightnest.com, homelife.com.au, and lifehack.org.

Ingredients• 500g penne pasta • Coarse salt and ground pepper • 4 tablespoons olive oil • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced • 1/4 teaspoon dried chilli• 1 large eggplant, cut into 3/4-inch chunks • 750g tomatoes, cored and cut into small chunks • 2 tablespoons tomato paste • 1/2 cup torn fresh basil, plus more for garnish • 3/4 cup ricotta cheese

Directions1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain pasta; return to pot.

2. Heat oil over a medium heat in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic, and dried chilli; cook, stirring, until softened (about 5 minutes).

3. Add eggplant to skillet; season generously with salt and pepper. Cover, and cook until eggplant begins to release juices (about 5 minutes). Uncover; stir until tender. If the bottom of the pan browns too much, add a few tablespoons water, and scrape with spoon.

4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and 1/4 cup water to skillet; stir until softened (about 5 minutes).

5. Add the sauce to pasta, toss through with basil; gently reheat if necessary.

6. Serve. Top each serving with a spoonful of ricotta, and garnish with more basil.

Recipe from www.marthastewart.com | Photo by Paola Sersante

3 7 2

4 6 8

6 2 9

3 5 7 1 4

8 2 6

6 7 8 4 2

6 5 8

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Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.47)

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Thu Jul 31 12:21:25 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

Pasta alla norma

Spring cleanON A SHOESTRING

Brain trainingSUDOKU

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17

TAKE A break

Carers Victoria counsellors Sandra Hatton and Mary O’Mara delivered our second three-day counselling sanctuary at Portsea in June. This innovative program was attended by 10 carers who care for family members living with dementia and/or aged related conditions.

The program provided intensive counselling sessions over three days, balanced by having respite in a beautiful location and sharing social time with other carers who have a similar caring role. Some aims of this unique program were to provide group counselling with the focus on improving personal health and wellbeing.

The sessions included discussing stories and experiences, time in nature, mindfulness, and creative exercises. This gave the participants an opportunity to:

• express, explore and understand difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences

• identify and challenge personal blocks that may prevent self-care

• share and learn helpful strategies from each other

• identify inner resources and strengths

• try out helpful new ideas and experiences that may improve their self-care

Participants spoke of how important it was to be with other carers who understood caring experiences. Too often carers are not able to speak their truth and the feelings of isolation add further layers for them to navigate. One participant commented, “I was sad for it to end. I felt an immediate bond with the rest of the group”.

The carers were supportive of each other from the beginning, which assisted the group to function extremely well. Some group members experienced personal insights with a few ‘light bulb’ moments arising throughout the program.

One exercise included a mindful walk in nature, aiming to engage all senses while silently being in nature; this exercise assists in quietening anxious and demanding thoughts. The nature walk was followed by a creative exercise.

Collectively the group contributed to a long list of helpful strategies. This list was collated at Carers Victoria and

posted out to participants to give them a visual reminder of all the helpful ideas that arose out of the program.

The intensive nature of this program means it won’t be suitable for every carer, however here is some feedback from carers who attended:

• “I felt very safe and supported. The counsellors were very open to any needs of the group”

• “My mind was opened up to alternate ways of caring for myself”

• “It was a new experience and an awakening”

• “The experience was confronting but rewarding” This poem was written by a group participant during the creative exercise.

My Mindful WalkI tread the path of wonder

As I walk along the way

And I wander up and down

The hills of life, at times I stray!

There’s a sense of new adventure

I’d forgotten – I think that’s true

Then I felt the pathway calling

To refresh me and renew

To renew my hopes and senses

And share with those I knew.

Nature has a healing spirit

When we pause to heed the call

A helping hand, a hearty laugh

When our backs’ against the wall.

Just spare some time to listen

Walk pensively and think

Reach out and share the journey

Feel you’re still in the link

(by Patsy)

For information on the Carers Victoria carer counselling program please contact the Advisory Line on 1800 242 636.

Finding a New YouA COUNSELLING SANCTUARY AT PORTSEA

18

• I’m connected to other carers who understand

• I can attend special events where I can relax,

de-stress and have a laugh

• I receive practical advice, support and information

• I receive my Carers in Victoria magazine, full of

helpful tips and advice

• Most of all, I’m a member because Carers Victoria

supports me!

Membership is FREE for carers, former carers and carer support groups.

Contact our membership team to find out more on

9396 9561 or go to www.carersvictoria.org.au

BAIRNSDALE

Thursday 11 September

Bairnsdale RSL

2 Forge Creek Road, Bairnsdale

RSVP by Thursday 28 August

MORNINGTON

Monday 15 September

Brooklands of Mornington

99 Tanti Avenue, Mornington

RSVP by Friday 29 August

BENDIGO

Wednesday 17 September

Bendigo All Seasons

171 – 183 McIvor Road, Bendigo

RSVP by Wednesday 3 September

BALLARAT

Wednesday 8 October

Ballarat Lodge

613 Main Road, Ballarat

RSVP by Wednesday 24 September

MELBOURNE

Saturday 18 October

Melbourne Town Hall

Cnr of Collins and Swanston Streets

Melbourne

RSVP by Friday 3 October

GEELONG

Wednesday 22 October

Simonds Stadium Kilgour St, Geelong

RSVP by Wednesday 8 October

WARRNAMBOOL

Thursday 23 October

Lady Bay Resort

2 Pertobe Road, Warrnambool

RSVP by Thursday 9 October

WANGARATTA

Thursday 30 October

Quality Hotel – Wangaratta Gateway

29-37 Ryley Street, Wangaratta

RSVP by Thursday 16 October

RESERVE YOUR SPOT!Register online at www.carersvictoria.org.au or call 1800 242 636.

Please RSVP for one event only.

Doors open 10.30am

Events run from 11am to 1.30pm

Lunch is included, so please advise if you have special dietary requirements.

Why I’m a member

of Carers Victoria

Come and join Carers Victoria for a wonderful day out.

Nourish your mind, body and spirit – relax, unwind, and learn about improving your wellbeing. Find out about services and supports in your local area and make new friends with other carers, whilst enjoying lunch and entertainment.

Mingles are FREE events for family carers – register your attendance today as places are limited.

VIC

The quarterly magazine of Carers VictoriaISSN 1445-6761 2014: Issue No 3 (Spring)

Editor: Lisa Green, Davina Noakes

Graphic Design: Lisa Green

Contributors: Anne Muldowney, Hop Nguyen, Kate Topp, Lisa Green, Davina Noakes, Simone Favelle, Kate Johnson, Mary O’Mara, Sandra Hatton and Callum Bartlett.© Carers Association Victoria 2014 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all rights are reserved.

Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to Publications, Carers Victoria, PO Box 2204, Footscray, Victoria, 3011

The views expressed in this work are not necessarily those of Carers Victoria. Carers Victoria has made every effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of information at the time of publishing. Carers Victoria cannot guarantee and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information. This  work is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional advice. To the full extent permitted by law, Carers Victoria does not accept any liability for any claim, injury, loss, or damage suffered or incurred by use of or reliance on the information, however it arises.

Carers Victoria Level 1, 37 Albert Street (PO Box 2204) Footscray, VIC 3011

Phone: (03) 9396 9500 Carer Advisory Line: 1800 242 636 Fax: 9396 9555 TTY: 9396 9587 (textphone for the hearing impaired)

publications@carersvictoria.org.auwww.carersvictoria.org.au

Carers Victoria is funded by Victorian Departments of Health; and Human Services, Federal Departments of: Health and Ageing; Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; Veterans Affairs, Trusts and Foundations and the generosity of the community.

ARBN 143 579 257 Inc No. A0026274M

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