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.

For some they are primary carers.  A primary carer is the person who takes most of the responsibility for providing care for the person requiring support. This involves being ‘oncall’ 24 hours, 7 days per week, 365 days a year and most primary carers never EVER get a day off. Carers may assist with the tasks of daily living: feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, or administering medications.

There are 856,000 primary carers in Australia and many of them never get a break.

A national survey of carers health and wellbeing revealed: Carers have the lowest levels of wellbeing of any Australian group. Over half reported some level of depression, with one third found to be severely or extremely depressed. More than one third of carers are experiencing severe or extreme stress. Caring does not get easier with time. Caring compounds the effect of any other factor that leads to reduced wellbeing.

With this in mind, Lifebridge Australia are holding a Caring for Carers Information Session and Morning tea where participants can listen to discussions about being a carer and what they may experience.

The session will be held on Thursday 27th April, 2023 at the Kingscliff Cottage, Cudgen Road, Kingscliff from 10am to 11am.  The guest speaker is Lifebridge Customer Care Manager, Stefany Stockwin-Wunsch.

If you would like to attend, please call 1800 043 186 to register your attendance by Monday 24th April 2023.

This information session will also be held virtually via ZOOM for those who cannot attend.  If you would like to participate online, please email Colleen Lonnie, Program Development Officer – Colleen.Lonnie@lifebridge.org.au and she can email you the Zoom meeting link.

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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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Due to public demand ‘Mystery Road Trip 2 hit the road on Saturday, 4th December 2021.  The ‘Mystery Road Trips’ will continue right throughout 2022!

Staff Member Warren Hanley provided the following account of Mystery Road Trip 2.

We woke to a beautiful sunny day creating a positive vibe for our second exciting integrated group mystery tour day out.

After successfully picking up all participants we enjoyed the picturesque journey through the hinterland to our first mystery destination – the Crystal Creek Cafe where the staff were very helpful and accommodating. There is an order at the counter process which was all part of the fun for the group coming up and, with a little support, ordering their own choice of drinks and snacks.

For our enjoyment, carafes of beautiful crystal creek water were supplied to our table, it was so nice to have water straight from the source. From our relaxed position perched straight above the creek, everyone thoroughly enjoyed conversations and laughter. The lovely Sophie and Jannah took some happy snaps.
We all worked off our morning tea by with a little bit of exercise by taking one of the short walks along the creek to the amenities down the back of the cafe and spotted turtles and a friendly water dragon lizard sunning himself on the rock.

Before departure our trivia games were introduced, which once again were a hit with participants busy searching out their targets. We ventured on another majestic drive through the mountains and rain forest out the back of Murwillumbah through the village of Uki to our second destination, the gorgeous Crams Farm Reserve where many a positive comment was expressed with the rolling hills, waterway and Mount Warning backdrop.

With assistance from group members we donned the tables with their covers and prepared our delicious barbecue lunch which consisted of a generous range of salads and meats. Everyone delighted in their lunch before finishing off with some Tiramisu Ice cream slices for desert.  We created some really fun group photos with Jannah suggesting a great spot with the glory of Mount Warning as a backdrop.

After loading up the buses for departure it was unanimous a drive by the lake viewing area at the bottom of the property was a good idea so off we went on our return journey via the lake through the rain forests and creeks, valleys and ranges safely returning all our wonderful guests to their homes.  Our guests showed their elation for a great day out with all looking forward to next time, our third Integrated social group mystery day out. Bring on the fun times!

Big thanks to the team for a well planned, thoroughly enjoyable, safe day of mystery and trivia.

For more Information on the new Integrated Services activities, feel free to call Janelle Egas or Andrew Weir on 1800 043 186.

The post Group Integration Mystery Road Trip appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The Festival is free to attend and will have information stalls from local organisations, entertainment, presentations and interactive activities for seniors. These represent the dynamic activities and services available for seniors in our area, from death rites, legal issues, health and wellness to drama and dancing and sports, comedian and films.

Theatre Presentations include – ‘Demystifying your choices for the end of life care’ – ‘The role of elders in Aboriginal society’ – ‘Natural remedies for the Ageing Body’.  Plus enjoy head and hands massages, drama, chair yoga and drumming and Verandah Talks by the local organisations.

Lifebridge Australia will be exhibiting and you will have a chance to speak to members of our Aged Care team. Simply visit our stall and say hi, we would love to meet you and assist in any way possible.

The Festival is located at the Byron Community Centre, 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay and is open from 10am to 4pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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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.

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