New Carer Support Services to give carers better support and skills

Carers can now access new online services:

• Peer support – to assist carers to connect with and learn from other carers. This online community forum will help carers share their stories, knowledge and experience with others.

• Self-guided coaching – to support and teach you skills useful to your caring situation. The coaching modules will cover a range of topics and can be completed at your own pace online.

• Counselling service – a new phone-based counselling service to provide short term emotional and psychological support.

• Practical skills courses – to improve carers’ general skills and knowledge are being gradually rolled out. You can explore the first module, Dealing with stress now on www.carergateway.gov.au.

New local service delivery

Once established, a network of new Carer Gateway service providers will help carers access new and improved local and targeted servicing, including:

• Carer support planning – to help carers identify what areas of support will best help them in their caring role and to develop a simple plan for ongoing support and service.

• Tailored financial packages – to give carers practical assistance. The packages will be arranged by service providers and might be either one-off practical support in the form of equipment or an item to assist in your caring role or a range of ongoing practical supports, such as respite or transport, provided over a twelve-month period.

• In-person counselling – for one-on-one support with a professional counsellor if you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

• In-person peer support – where carers can meet with people in similar caring situations and share stories, knowledge and experience.

• In-person coaching – where carers can work one-on-one with a qualified coach to gain skills and resilience to help them as a carer. Carers can reflect on how they are going,
  how they would like things to be, and how they might take steps towards making things happen.

• Emergency respite care – to make sure the person they care for will be looked after if an urgent or unplanned event stops them from being there.

What do I need to do now?

We encourage carers to access the new online services through the Carer Gateway website: www.carergateway.gov.au.

Carers can continue to access existing services, including counselling, information and advice, and emergency respite through their usual service providers until the new Carer Gateway service providers commence.  These changes to carer services do not affect any state or territory carer services carers may be receiving, young carer bursaries or other services delivered through My Aged Care or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Why are these Carer Support Services changing?

To improve support for carers, the government has undertaken research and engaged with stakeholders over 2 years to re-design services. This has resulted in the development of the Integrated Carer Support Service model.  Improvements includes the introduction of new early-intervention services and a new service deliver model that will provide carers with a support system that is easy to navigate and provides a consistent experience across the country.

More information

For more information about services for carers you can contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit the website (www.carergateway.gov.au). Carer Gateway provides a range of information that can help carers in their role, from practical advice and resources, to help finding support services.

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“We have been disgusted at what rubbish we have been picking up in our local area. Plastic straws, plastic cups, takeaway containers and other pollutants that most people don’t know end up in our waterways and kill our local wildlife”

The group felt so strongly about this growing problem in our community that they decided to take action.  With their newfound skills in photography, photography editing, videoing and video editing the film “Litterally Impacted” was born.  Under the direction of Lifebridge support staff member Julie Lowe (who is a very talented photographer and videographer),  the Multi Media and Photography Group have been going from strength to strength.  When the Multi Media and Photography Group first commenced several years ago at Lifebridge, many of the participants didn’t even know how to use a camera, let alone produce, direct and star in their very own film so this is a major achievement for everyone involved.

The group held an advanced screening of “Litterally Impacted” at our Kingscliff Cottage on Wednesday 3rd July, 2019 and everyone who attended was very impressed indeed with the quality of the film and the message that it conveyed.

“I literally got goosebumps when I first saw the film as I was so proud of what the Multi Media and Photography Group had achieved and I was so impressed with how beautifully this important message was conveyed throughout the film.  So much so, that I too have been cleaning up my local roadside areas – the film had litterally impacted me to do something positive about the litter problem in my local area”.  Denyelle Drury (Communications and IT Officer for Lifebridge)

The film is now available to view on our YouTube Channel – check it out and see for yourself what an amazing job they have done.

If you would like to be a part of our Lifebridge Multi Media and Photography Group, please contact us on 1800 043 186 or email us at admin@lifebridge.org.au

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What are the benefits to me, you might ask?

Firstly, it is good for your brain. Did you know that any type of art and craft activity helps to clear your mind and allows you to focus on the present moment? When we are being creative, our minds release feel-good chemicals, which are natural anti-depressants.

Secondly, it improves your self-esteem. The art of making something yourself, using your hands and your imagination is incredibly satisfying and the more you practice, the more confident you become.

Thirdly, creativity is fun. Whether you are painting, knitting, sewing, making dolls, cross stitching, wood working, restoring furniture, upcycling, recycling, making jewellery, it is all about having fun and enjoying the creative process with like-minded people.  Building relationships and connecting with others is known to boost positive emotions.

Lifebridge have a diverse range of art and craft programs available:

• Creative Craft – Decoupage, cross stitching, doll making, water colours, folk art and more.
• Tinker Shed – wood working, restoring furniture, upcyling and recycling, paid restoration work.
• Visual Arts – painting, sculpture, mixed media and more.
• Textiles – wood working, bike repairing, tie dying and more.

To find out how you can join one of our art and craft programs, please give us a call on 1800 043 186 or email us at admin@lifebridge.org.au

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Equally reassuring is the commitment to increase funding to the NDIS by 23% between 2018 and 2021. It is intended that all Australians will be able to access the NDIS by 2020. The benefits of having a National Scheme means consistency across borders and hopefully less complications and confusion across the States. Currently 140,000 Australians receive NDIS funding in regions where the scheme has been rolled out.

We are pleased to announce that Lifebridge has recently attained NDIS provider registration in Queensland. The National Disability Insurance Scheme commences roll-out in Queensland effective 1st July 2018. We will provide further information regarding our Queensland services and programs in future newsletters.

The result of these announcements is an opportunity for providers to adapt and grow. To provide services differently and to be innovative in a changing marketplace. At Lifebridge, there are many changes happening both internally and externally to accommodate the changing environment. All of these changes are intended to build upon the services and experience you receive at Lifebridge.

We’re passionate about what we do and we enjoy being a part of your journey and I would like to thank you for sharing them with us. We’re very proud to be your provider of choice in this new market.

The post CEO Update – May 2018 appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

And to this point, an additional 14,000 Home Care Packages would be released over a four-year period. The announcement of these additional Packages is very welcomed and at Lifebridge we are excited by the commitment given to in-home aged care. With an ageing population it is somewhat comforting to see focus being placed, where it is needed.

Australians are now expected to live almost ten years longer than they were 50 years ago. This move by the Government seeks to maximise the opportunities that a longer life brings.

What’s less than pleasing however, is that there are still are over 100,000 Australians in the queue to receive a Home Care Package. There is a real need to reduce the wait times for aged individuals, their family members and their carers, so that they can receive the services they need now and not at a time when it’s too late.

These services are fundamental for thousands of Australians who require additional support to remain in their homes.

Looking at Disability Services sector, the Government has committed $43 billion of Commonwealth money over the next four years for the NDIS. This is just over half the $83.2 billion cost of the scheme over this period, consistent with the Commonwealth’s share.

In a Government statement, “Funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme is in place and always will be, ensuring that Australians living with disability can access the lifetime care and support they need.”

In supporting the roll-out of the NDIS, the Government is also committing over $64 million over 3 years to establish an NDIS Jobs and Market Fund. The purpose of which is to raise awareness of NDIS Job opportunities, overcome market barriers, address service difficulties in rural and remote areas and help businesses build their capacity.

While its expected this fund will help, it will require additional support to more closely align growth with demand.

For those who receive supports but are ineligible for the NDIS, the Department of Social Services will establish additional continuity of support arrangements at a cost of $92 million over 5 years. The Budget says that “eligible recipients will receive a level of support that is consistent with that which they currently receive.”

There are five separate elements:

1. The programs Better Start, Helping Children with Autism, Work-Based Personal Assistance, Remote Hearing and Vision Services for Children, Younger Onset Dementia Key Worker Program, Australian Disability Enterprises, and Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers will cease mid-2019. People receiving support from these programs who are ineligible for the NDIS will have access to funding to enable them to continue to receive assistance.
2. People who are 65 years and over, not an NDIS participant and need access to Auslan will have continued access to the Auslan Booking Service.
3. The Mobility Allowance will cease in mid-2020. People receiving it at that time (who are not NDIS-eligible) will be grandfathered and continue to receive it but there will be no new entrants. The Government hopes that this change will enable parliament to approve a Bill that is encountering resistance.
4. People receiving assistance from Partners in Recovery, Personal Helpers and Mentors, and Day to Day Living support will continue to do so through arrangements being put in place with the Primary Health Networks.
5. Four carers programs will be incorporated into the Integrated Carer Support Services.

Some other key facts:

NDIS in states and territories – Over the coming year, state and territory governments will benefit from the transfer of almost $3.4 billion from the DisabilityCare Australia Fund – established in 2014 to assist governments to implement the NDIS.

Carers Allowance – The Carers Allowance will be means-tested for the first time, with the government setting a $250,000 income test threshold. The money saved will be directed to Integrated Carer Support Service consisting of early intervention for carers.

Mental health – There will be an increase of $338M over four years in mental health funding, which will focus on suicide prevention, research and older Australians.

NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission – $43M will establish the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This funding will establish the national office and a regional office for NSW and SA.

If you would like more information about what this budgetary announcement means or would like to speak about how this may impact you, please contact Lifebridge on 1800 043 186.

The post Federal Budget Review: Disability & Aged Care appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The post A Scheme responsive to the community appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

What is a Service Agreement and what is its purpose?

Understand what a Service Agreement is and what information you should look for in your Service Agreement.

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Things you need to know about a NDIS Service Agreement

Before you can begin receiving supports from a Service Provider, you will need to set up a Service Agreement with them.

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The post You’ve got your NDIS Plan, what now? appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

You’ve got your NDIS Plan, what now?

What steps do you need to take once you’ve received your NDIS approved plan?

Read more…

Things you need to know about a NDIS Service Agreement

Before you can begin receiving supports from a Service Provider, you will need to set up a Service Agreement with them.

Read more…

The post What is a NDIS Service Agreement and what is its purpose? appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

What is a Service Agreement and what is its purpose?

Understand what a Service Agreement is and what information you should look for in your Service Agreement.

Read more…

You’ve got your NDIS Plan, what now?

What steps do you need to take once you’ve received your NDIS approved plan?

Read more…

The post Things you need to know about a NDIS Service Agreement appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The rollout in Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Northern NSW, Mid North Coast, Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, Murrumbidgee, Western NSW and Far West regions completes the NDIS rollout in NSW. Now available statewide people with disability are at the centre of decision-making and are empowered to live the life they choose.

Lifebridge under the NDIS will continue to place our customers at the centre of their supports. Every step taken prior to the introduction has been to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible. You may find now, that you have already been contacted by the NDIA to develop your first plan. If you haven’t been contacted yet, there’s no need for concern they will be in contact in due course.

Once you receive your plan under the NDIS it is vitally important you let us know and we can work with you to continue delivering your services with minimal disruptions.

We’re very excited to continue providing service under the NDIS and equally as excited to continue providing supports to each and every one of our customers.

The post NDIS scheme rolls out across NSW appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.