On Friday, 15 July 2022,  the Friday Sports Group joined the Friday Fun Group in creating merriment in the Cottage where both groups celebrated Christmas in July. A festive Christmas tree, sparkling garlands, and colourful bauble ornaments added a cheery seasonal backdrop.

The 17 participants from both groups enjoyed socializing. as they sampled a range of morning tea biscuits and slices while sipping cups of hot drinks.

Maestro John entertained with a round of ‘Jingle Bells’ accompanying his own singing on piano, just before the start of the Cottage ‘Christmas in July Mini-Golf Classic’. All who teed off showed commendable point scoring and flair.  Team rivalry between the Friday Fun and Friday Sports Groups was soon overridden by general comradery as noted by the numerous eruptions of cheers and applause from all players, when points were scored by members of either team.

Taking turns on the putting ‘green’ worked up appetites for the roast pork lunch served with crackling, apple sauce, roasted sweet and white potatoes, caramelised onion, peas and gravy. The clean plates were a testament to volunteer Trevor’s talents in the kitchen! Main course was followed by sweets of apple crumble with cream.  Delicious edible take home treats of beautifully wrapped Christmas shortbread baked by Amy were provided as delicious edible souvenirs of the event.

Maestro John continued his passion for live music as he led the group in a round of The Seeker’s ‘Morningtown Ride’ before the Friday Sports Group gathered on the patio with Support Workers Sophie and Maryann to play Uno while group participant Rae and Support Worker Gina engaged the Friday Fun Group in an Elvis Music fest and singalong.

At one point, foot tapping wasn’t enough for me and I was compelled to jive and twirl around group participant Ron as I took his hand. He responded with gleeful laughter that I could have mistaken for Santa’s ‘Ho, Ho, Ho!’

Lael – Community Support Worker

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A massive congratulations goes to Ryan Lindsay, one of our very talented artists who participates in the Lifebridge Visual Arts Program, for taking out First Prize in the NSW state-wide Challenge Art Competition, 2018.

The artists of our Murwillumbah Art Hub have been partaking in this competition since its inception eight years ago and have been awarded prizes each and every year, an achievement they hope to repeat again in 2019.

The theme for the 2018 competition was “Australian Country” and more than 200 artworks were submitted by people with a disability and foster care children across the State.

Beaming with pride, Ryan was presented with his winning certificate and prize money recently at our Murwillumbah Art Hub. His parents Wendy and Merv popped in for the occasion with a celebratory cake and sandwiches for morning tea.

We are all so very proud of Ryan’s achievements and encourage you to pop into our beautiful gallery at Shop 1, 131 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah to meet our talented artists and view their artworks, all of which are for sale.

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So after years of caring for others, looking out for their best interests and ensuring they are happy and well, it’s time to put your hand up and say I might need just a little bit of help too. This can often be difficult for many to do, because we start to believe that’s the beginning of the slippery slope we don’t want to ride. When in fact, this can be the exact opposite.

Did you know, there are many options available to help you stay in your home for longer?

Home Care is helping almost 1 million Australians stay in their homes for longer. With services designed to help you maintain your independence and empowering you to continue making the decisions about the things that affect you in your life. Home Care is about making sure your safe, comfortable and well at home while you do you.

So what are the different options available and which one is right for you?

There are many different types of home support available. The option you choose will depend on the level of care you need, how long you need it for, and whether you want to rely on government-subsidised services, private services or help from your personal networks. The main options are:

• basic or short-term support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program
• more or longer-term support with a Home Care Package
• private services

Commonwealth Home Support Program

The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is good for people who need basic or short-term support, for example, when recovering from illness. CHSP is a government program that supports older people who are still managing well at home, but want some extra assistance, such as home help, delivered meals, personal care or home maintenance. The service is subsidised by government, but you have to pay some fees.

With the CHSP program, you choose from a pre-described list of services available. There isn’t much flexibility. As such you only pay for the services you use.

Before you can receive CHSP services, you need an assessment. The Regional Assessment Service (RAS) will visit you at home to assess what services you can use. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for a referral to RAS.

If long-term assistance will be more beneficial, a Home Care Package may be better for you.

Home Care Packages

Home Care Packages provide long-term support for older people wanting to stay in their home for longer. With a Home Care Package there is flexibility in the service you receive. You have choice.

There are four different levels of care with a Home Care Package.

• Level 1 for basic care needs
• Level 2 for low-level care needs
• Level 3 for intermediate care needs
• Level 4 for high-level care needs

Your level of support will determine the number of hours of care and services are able to be delivered.

With a Home Care Package, you will be assigned a Case Manager from the provider you have chosen. They will help you to understand the system and work out a care plan that suits you and your needs. You will choose which services you will spend your allocated funding on and know once you have been approved for a Home Care Package it stays for the long-term.

Fee-For-Service

If you’re in a position to, you might prefer to use private care services. Many companies and organisations offer fee-for-service home care. You don’t need an assessment and you can contact organisations directly to find out what they offer. You choose what services you want to purchase and are responsible for paying the costs.

Each care option gives you support to stay at home. But it is important that you understand the differences. If you need any assistance in making your decision or understanding your options or process please contact Lifebridge on 1800 043 186.

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If you’re in the process of transitioning to the NDIS you’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase ‘reasonable and necessary’, and probably with great prolificacy at that. But what does ‘reasonable and necessary’ mean and why is it important to understand?

‘Reasonable and necessary’ is important to understand because it’s by this determination that the NDIS provides funding for your supports.

If you have a disability that is likely to be permanent and significant the NDIS will fund reasonable and necessary supports to help you to reach your goals and aspirations, and to take part in activities that increase your social and economic participation.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) makes its decisions on what is determined ‘reasonable and necessary’, based on the NDIS Scheme Act (2013) and the rules made under the NDIS Act. There are also operational guidelines which provide practical guidance for decision makers.

As defined by the NDIS ‘reasonable and necessary’ is defined as:

Reasonable: Something that is fair
Necessary: Something you must have

This will be different for everyone.

In its determination, the NDIS will review what formal and informal supports you already have in place. Formal supports are those delivered to you via a skilled professional including providers or practitioners, and informal supports are those delivered via your support network such as parents, carer’s or family members.

A reasonable and necessary support will be that in which helps you to reach your goal and aspirations, be more independent, take part in social activities and work, actively take part in the community and or enjoy an ordinary life.

When does this take place?

When you attend your planning meeting, the NDIA Planner or Local Area Coordinator, will gather information pertaining to your individual circumstances including an overview about you, where you live, the people who support you and your daily life. From this they will determine which supports are reasonable and necessary to your situation. When assessing what is reasonable and necessary, they will be evaluating whether a support request is:

• related to your disability & doesn’t include day-to-day living costs not related to your disability support needs
• represents value for money
• is likely to be effective and work for you

Once determined, these supports will be allocated in your NDIS Plan and you will have the choice of which providers you will like to deliver services to you.

If you require additional information or further clarification regarding ‘reasonable and necessary supports’, please contact Lifebridge on 1800 043 186.

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Over the coming months, you will receive your NDIS plans. Due to legislative requirements you are required to sign a service agreement with the organisation that supports you. Lifebridge will not be able to provide service unless we have a signed service agreement. As such, we require you to please notify us as soon as you receive your NDIS plan. This will help make your transition as seamless as possible.

Under a block funded model, organisations were able to provide subsidised services. This means we did not charge our customers the true cost of service provision as it was part of the block funding. Now that Lifebridge will not be receiving block funding it will be necessary to charge full price for some activities.

Lifebridge is currently managing its transport fleet in line with the introduction of NDIS and expect to decrease the number of vehicles we currently provided. For 1:1 customers Lifebridge will either limit or not be able to provide transport. This will be discussed with you when you receive your NDIS plan and alternatives will be explored with you.

Also, the NDIS has placed a pricing cap on some of the activities being offered. This pricing does not cover the full cost of the service for an organisation like Lifebridge. The costs that we charge not only pay for your support worker they also contribute to all the things that sit behind a service to make it happen. E.g support co-ordinators, rostering staff, payroll staff, managers, electricity, internet data, petrol, registrations, insurances, workers compensation to name but a few things.

In order to continue providing the services that you are asking for and to keep prices as low as possible, Lifebridge will need to change its business model. This means that over the coming twelve months we will be changing our staff structure and moving to a more mobile and flexible model of service.

Some of the changes will include:

• Rather than meeting at and running activities from Caloola, eventually they all will be run in the community.
• Transport will be limited and will only be provided according to plans
• Your core relationship will move from your co-ordinator to your support worker
• All Lifebridge employees will only be able to provide assistance according to your plans
• There will be greater flexibility in what is provided and you will have a strong voice, with other participants in creating the activities that you participate in.

Once again, I would like to remind all our customers that if you require more information regarding why Lifebridge is changing its service model or in preparation for your planning meeting, please contact us on 1800 043 186. Lifebridge has a team of NDIS Champions that have been working alongside many of our customers to ensure that they understand the changes and are prepared.

I would also like to remind our existing customers that it is extremely important that you notify Lifebridge as soon as you receive an activated plan. Lifebridge is not informed when you transition so it important to ensure a smooth change over that you let us know.

On behalf of Lifebridge, we look forward to continuing our partnership and navigating the transition alongside you.   Let’s take this historical step together and create the successful outcomes that have been promised.

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