Vickie Weber for winning the $50 Coles/Myer Voucher for

completing the 2017 Carers SA Survey

What’s on in March

Sunday March 11th—Port MacDonnell Bayside Festival Monday March 12th—Adelaide Cup public holiday FREE—Tech Savvy Seniors. Computer training for seniors at the Mount Gambier Library. Call 8721 2540 for more details and bookings

Inside this issue

Welcome Pg 1 What’s on in March Pg 1 Congratulations Pg 1 Young Carers Pg 1 March activities Pg 2 Future Groups Pg 2 Bordertown Mosaics Pg 2 Election Debate Pg 2 App of the month Pg 3 Quote of the month Pg 3 Comm. Funding Reg. Pg 3 Circle of Friends Pg 3 Knitting & Crochet Pg 3 Respite Update Pg 4 Towards a Better Life Pg 4 Stay in touch Pg 4 Follow us on Pg 4 Useful Numbers Pg 4

Welcome to our March Newsletter.

Those of you with school aged children will be back into the swing of schooling and that rhythm of life. Maria has a note in our newsletter this month to remind you about the supports we have available via the respite program for Young Carers via education supports.

Charmaine is busy organising a vibrant diverse and interesting range of activities for you all – you will see her list for expressions of interest – remember it’s your time to be doing something for you during these sessions.

Unfortunately for us, Liz has decided to spread her wings and fly the Carers SA nest. We wish her well in her University studies and her business pursuits. We appreciate all of her work over the past year.

I often talk with people in caring roles about the importance of self-care. It is like when you board a plane and the hostess tells you that parents must put their oxygen on first before putting it on their children. When we put ourselves last all the time there is a risk of running out of energy to sustain us in our caring role. We are here to be your oxygen in a way by providing you with groups, retreats and respites to sustain you in your caring role and we are only a phone call away.

Remember to contact us when you need a break, a person to listen to what is happening in your life or some contact with other people who are in caring roles. We look forward to seeing you in groups or at events during the year.

Attention Young Carers

Do you support someone like a parent or a sibling with a disability? Do you find that at times because of the care that you provide to this person it might be hard to keep up with your studies? Do you feel at times you might miss out on getting together with your mates for school sports?

The respite team may be able to assist with helping you to stay engaged in your education such as arranging tutoring support; helping to purchase uniforms or textbooks; help out with the cost of school camps. To see how we can help, contact us on 8724 8700 to speak to Maria or Colleen. Remember if you’re under 18, get mum or dad to talk to us.

Issue 3—March 2018

Carers SA would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians and carers of the country of Australia. We acknowledge and respect the Aboriginal people of Australia's relationship with country and their cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Future groups – new ideas!

As you may or may not know – we try to include something that everyone would like to do & some are more tailored to suit more individual tastes. That said, we are looking for suggestions of what you would like to do or try in a group. Our aim is to get you started and then for you to continue this activity without us. E.G: Book club, Movie club, Arts & craft club, Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre group, Carers Choir, Fishing Charter group. If you are working - would you like to attend an evening meal? Parents who work—do you want an evening session. We would love to hear from you & chat about your creative ideas. Call Charmaine today on 8724 8700!

Carers SA Newsletter - Limestone Coast

Carer Groups & Activities - March 2018

Group / Activity Date Time Venue

Mt Gambier Parents Group (Circle of Friends)

Monday 5th March 1:00pm—3:00pm Carers SA Office

Election Candidate Debate Thursday 8th March 7:00pm—9:30pm Belgiorno Tapas Bar

Newsletter—BIG FOLD (All welcome)

Wednesday 14th March 10:00am—12:00pm Carers SA Office

Bordertown Carers Group (Circle of Friends)

Thursday 15th March 11:30am—1:30pm SA Ambulance Centre

All Welcome! (Guest Speaker—Aged Rights Advocate Services)

Thursday 22nd March 10:00am—11:00am Carers SA Office

Robe & Kingston Carers Group (Circle of Friends)

Tuesday 27th March 11:30am—1:00pm Robe District Council

Please book in as soon as you can, as numbers are required for planning and catering purposes. A group or activity MAY be cancelled if less than 4 bookings are received.

New carers are always welcome. Complimentary beverage and light refreshments are supplied. All activities are free unless stated.

Bordertown Carers Group Mosaics

In offering you new things to try, last month it was Mosaics. A few carers said they had been meaning to try Mosaics but didn’t really know how to start. At the end of the day people were excited to go home and do it again to cover some of their pots, tables and surfaces etc.

Election Candidate Debate

8th March 7:00pm— 9:30pm Belgiorno’s Tapas Bar Room

Percy Street (opposite our office)

MT GAMBIER

We have 25 spaces for carers to attend this debate, book in early to secure place. This is your chance to ask questions, air your current concerns and issues to candidates seeking election in Mt Gambier and Mackillop electorates at the state election. If you can’t attend you can send us a question and we can ask it for you on the night. Being an informed voter means you can vote in your best interests and that of the person you care for. With MyAgedCare and the NDIS carers need to be well informed about how these systems impact upon you and the person you support. Don’t miss out!

Book in at the office by the 1/3/2018 ph 08 8724 8700

App of the month

Pacer App

Pacer is like having a walking buddy and fitness coach in one app. It has personalised fitness plans and guided workouts, which

help you achieve your unique fitness goals. You’ll get motivation and support to get more active by joining groups and becoming a part of the amazing Pacer community. Work out anywhere, any time with Pacer.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pacer-pedometer-step-tracker/id600446812?mt=8

Carers SA Newsletter - Limestone Coast

RED CROSS CARERS TRIPS ARE BACK!

Monday 12th March

9.30—3pm Echo Farm

Bellum hotel are just a few things you will visit

Carer to contribute $15 for entry to Echo farm & morning tea

Call 87248 700 to register your interest

PeRmaPlus Carer Support Groups

Relationships

This month in our groups we will be introducing you into the concept of Circle of Friends – this is a tool to create a group of friends who commit to wrap around a devalued person. Many parents tell us that their most pressing worry is what happens to their child

when they die, and this is a way of starting a plan to keep your person safe.

Be sure to book in 8724 8700

Knitting & Crochet squares for our Blanket

Hope your squares are going along well!

We are looking at joining all the squares together in May this year – if you would like to start doing some squares for the blanket – then give us a call so we can get you started.

Thanks for all of your contributions!

We have been asked to tell you what changes are happening under the NDIS for Carers SA and respite provision to you. This is what is in our contracts we, will tell you about all the funding areas over the next few months.

COMMONWEALTH FUNDING REGULATIONS UNDER THE NDIS

PROGRAM GUIDANCE

Respite Support for Carers of Young People with Severe or Profound Disability (RSCYP)

Short-term and/or immediate (emergency/unplanned) respite CRCC’s can continue to provide short-term and/or immediate (emergency) and unplanned direct respite services to care recipients under RSCYP until they become NDIS participants. Carers of care recipients aged 65 years and over are not eligible for RSCYP assistance. Short-term assistance and the NDIS The NDIS does provide short-term accommodation and assistance (e.g. respite care) under Support Category 1.01—Assistance with Daily Living. NDIS participants must be referred back to the NDIA to seek a review of their plan if they require short-term assistance and it is not funded through their plan. CRCCs must strongly encourage all care recipients under the age of 65 who have a confirmed severe or profound disability, to contact the NDIA and test their eligibility by applying for ongoing assistance under the NDIS

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our newsletter and communication with you. We would love to hear from you with any feedback or suggestions. Call us on (08) 8724 8700 or email us at secarers@carers-sa.asn.au

Useful Numbers

After Hours GP Advisory Line 1800 022 222

Aged Rights Advocacy Service 1800 700 600

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Life Line 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

My Aged Care 1800 200 422

National Carer Gateway 1800 422 737

National Disability Insurance Scheme 1800 800 110

Police Assistance 13 14 44

www.facebook.com/CarersSA

www.twitter.com/CarersSA

Stay in touch.. Follow us on..

Carers SA Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre provides Carers with access to 24 hour emergency respite care as well as short term breaks that are planned or unplanned. Respite may be needed for a variety of reasons such as if a carer: ~Is in an emergency situation ~Becomes ill or are admitted to hospital ~Is under stress or needs a break ~Wishes to attend a special event ~Needs to care for their own health wellbeing and cannot leave the person for whom they care without support.

For respite call: 1800 052 222

Carers SA Newsletter - Limestone Coast

Towards a Better Life! Expressions of Interest

In this newsletter you will find a flyer on the above event. We will support 2 carers to go to this event. With the introduction of the NDIS and the move to Market Based Service delivery, it is critical that carers hold a sound knowledge base from which to argue for a good life for the person they care for. John Armstrong is a wonderful presenter and Sandi has worked in collaboration with John and members of the SRV network across Australia for many years. This workshop will teach you about the history of disability, ways to overcome social stigma and social isolation, as well as helping you plan for a better life. Call us on 8724 7800 if you want to know more or put your name on the list to be considered to attend the workshop.

Limestone Coast—Mount Gambier Office Staff

Sandi Regional Team Leader

John Program Manager Community Services

Maria Assessment and Liaison Worker

Janie Senior Admin Officer

Colleen Assessment & Liaison Worker

Charmaine Carer Support Worker