We’re thrilled to announce the launch of NEW Group Programs across the Tweed Shire starting July 1st—and they’re designed to inspire, connect, and uplift!

Whether you’re looking to get active, express your creativity, build new friendships, or simply have a laugh—we’ve got something just for you. These programs are more than just activities—they’re experiences crafted to bring purpose, joy, and independence into every day.

Creative Circles
Move & Groove Fitness
Sing for Joy Choir
Brain Boost Café
Garden & Gather Sessions
Social Out & About Adventures
Game On! Weekly Socials

With a strong foundation in Montessori principles and Positive Psychology, our programs are person-centred, strengths-based, and full of heart.

If you’re a carer, participant, or someone looking to connect and thrive—we’d love to welcome you. Let’s make these years the most fulfilling yet!

📞 Call us today 1800 043 186 or speak with your Support Worker to join the fun!

The post New Group Programs appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

Upcoming Changes to Aged Care Services

The Australian Government is introducing significant changes to aged care services to improve quality, simplify processes, and ensure sustainable support. These changes include the introduction of the Support at Home Program (SaH), which will streamline services into a unified system and commence on 1 July 2025.

Disclaimer

This information is based on the current details available and provides a preliminary outline of the rules, regulations, and program specifics which remain subject to change. On a monthly basis, we will continue to update you as new information becomes available.

Participants Approved for a Home Care Package Before 12 September 2024

What it means: If you were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you will continue under your existing arrangements for the duration of your participation in the program.

Impact for you:

• Your services will align with the new service list, and funding will remain the same.
• Your financial contribution arrangements will not change.
• Any unspent funds as of 1 July 2025 will be carried over and retained for additional service, subject to the rules and limits set by the Support at Home Program.

Participants on Interim Home Care Package Plans (Approved Between 12 September 2024 and 1 July 2025)

What it means: If you are approved during this period, you will initially follow the current Home Care Package (HCP) rules and contributions and transition to the Support at Home Program from 1 July 2025.

Impact for you:

• Your contributions and service arrangements will adjust in line with the new program from 1 July 2025.
• There will be a limit to unspent funds that can be carried over.

Key Points for the Support at Home Program (From 1 July 2025)

• Service Plan Development: Your service plan will be created during the assessment process, clearly outlining the specific services and activities you will receive, including your co-contribution for each.
• Budget Management: Funding will be allocated quarterly, with limits on unspent funds to be rolled over.
• Case Management: 10% of your overall funding will be allocated to case management. These funds will be pooled across all participants and managed by your provider to coordinate and oversee your care and support.
• Service Levels: The system will move from 4 package levels to 8, with dedicated grants for assistive technology, home modifications, and end-of-life care pathways.
• Capped Pricing & Co-Contribution: Service prices will be capped, and rates of co-contributions will be determined by the government and published in February 2025.

Staying Informed

Lifebridge is committed to supporting you through these changes. We will share updates as more details become available and offer focus groups to address your questions and concerns.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help every step of the way.

The post Aged Care Reforms appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

Changes to the NDIS

The Australian Government is introducing important updates to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). These changes aim to improve service quality, simplify processes, and ensure sustainable support for participants. While there may be new names for services, updated care plans, and changes to some staff roles, the high standard of service you receive will continue.

Changes to the NDIS (Commenced October 3, 2024):

• Refined Eligibility Assessments: Updates will make eligibility assessments fairer and more consistent for participants.
• Clearer Lists of Funded Supports: New, detailed lists will clarify what can and cannot be funded by the NDIS. A one-year transition period will help participants adjust.
• Updated Plan Management: Enhanced frameworks for managing plans and funds will offer more tailored and flexible support options.
• Information Requirements for Reassessments: Participants may need to provide additional information during reassessments to ensure accurate and comprehensive support.
• Foundational Supports: A new category called “Foundational Supports,” likely aimed at children, will bridge gaps between the NDIS and mainstream services.
• Enhanced Data Security: All cloud-based services must store data within Australia for improved security.
• Improved Incident Handling: Staff will undergo advanced training in incident investigation to enhance safety and participant support.

The post NDIS Reform appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

Christmas Shutdown & Contact Procedures

Over the Christmas/New Year period, Lifebridge will undertake a partial closure to provide for some much-needed staff leave.

The Kingscliff office and “Cottage” will be closed from 4pm on Tuesday 24th December 2024 and will reopen at 8:00am on Thursday 2nd January 2025.

Lifebridge will continue to deliver essential services to customers during this shutdown period.

• All Groups and non-essential CHSP services will be postponed during this period.
• Please leave a message on the Reception phone if you need to cancel or change a service during the shutdown period. Ensure your message clearly includes your name and phone number so one of our staff can return your call.
• During the shutdown period, the Lifebridge reception message bank will be monitored daily.

If you have not done so already, it is important that you contact Lifebridge immediately to advise us of your service requirements over the Christmas/New Year period. This will enable us to determine our staffing requirements during this time.

Lifebridge Reception Number is: 1800 043 186

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Relax and enjoy a delicious lunch beforehand in Bistro 16. The menu is very extensive and includes salads, burgers, seafood, paddock, pizza, pasta or stir fry. Something for everyone.

Guest speakers will be sharing their own personal dementia journey.

Dementia affects close to half a million Australians. That number is set double in the next 25 years. Many Australians will start experiencing the impact of dementia amongst their own family and friends in the coming years.

This year’s theme is Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future. Since 2019, the focus of the Dementia Action Week campaign has been to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with dementia and their carers.

Communities that take action to become dementia-friendly have:

• less fear and a greater understanding of dementia.
• less stigma and discrimination.
• more support and better systems for people living with dementia to live well in their community for longer.

During Dementia Action Week, we encourage you to reach out to your community and learn more about the needs of people living with dementia, their families and carers who are living in your area.

If you would like to find out more about how Lifebridge can help you or someone you know who is experiencing the effects of dementia, please contact us on 1800 043 186.

If you would like to attend our Information Session, please contact Janelle or Colleen on 1800 043 186 or email admin@lifebridge.org.au

The post Information Session – Share your Dementia Journey appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The 1st July 2025 start date will ensure providers have the time they need to be well prepared for the changes and avoid disruption to customers during the change process.

The Support at Home Program design will continue to be developed through:

• Advice from the new Aged Care Taskforce on funding arrangements and options to make the system fair and equitable for all Australians.
• A pricing study conducted by the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority to determine fair and efficient prices for home care.
• A study to develop an inclusions and exclusions list for assistive technology and home modifications and advise on the assistive technology needs of older  people with progressive conditions
• A study into the provision of higher levels of care in the home, to support people to stay independent and in their own homes for longer.
• A trial of the new integrated assessment tool, tested with up to 20,000 older people entering aged care.
• A trial of an assistive technology loans program to be conducted in association with states and territories.
• Continued consultation sessions with older people, their families and carers, as well as aged care providers and peak bodies.

The Department of Health and Aged Care will provide a fact sheet in the second half of 2023 to help people stay informed about the reforms to in-home aged care.

Once Lifebridge has further information we will be working with our customers to help develop our services ready for transition to the new program.

The post Support at Home Program appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

A sneak peak at our beautiful upgrade

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