Community Connections

When you are reluctant to change, think of the beauty of autumn.

The Eden Alternative is dedicated to creating quality of life for everyone regardless of age and ability. St Carthage’s is dedicated to creating communities that benefit from the unique gifts we all have to offer. We started our journey to become an Eden organisation in 2010. In November 2014 we achieved 5 of the 10 Eden Principles. There are 5 more to go and we think we are ready to take the plunge. In April 2016 we will apply for validation against Principles 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9. We have been readying ourselves in preparation for the Community Visit from the Eden in Oz and NZ team, who will assess us. There are many stories to share about our journey of culture change and bringing to life the philosophy and principles of the Eden Alternative. There are 2 Eden stories in this Newsletter—about Grace and Mary. I hope you enjoy reading their stories. Perhaps you have a story you would to share in the next newsletter—we would love to hear from you. For more information about the Eden Alternative you can ask your Support Planner or visit the website at www.edeninoznz.com.au

We celebrated Christmas with a Children’s Christmas Barbecue attended by families and Santa Claus. We played handball, had fun in the sensory room, and ate lots of yummy salads, sausages and desserts.

Each child received a present from Santa Claus. It was a fun—filled day with families meeting each other and creating new friendships.

2

St Carthage’s Community Care Christmas Party 2015

2015 has come and gone but we sure had a blast at our end of year Christmas party. The foot stomping, toe tapping music from Anne Saul and the wonderful band entertained us throughout the day. So did Mr Twister with his clever balloon twisting skills that brought a smile to everyone’s face, regardless of their age.

The South Lismore Bowling Club put on a lovely meal as usual and it was just so heart warming to see so many of our friends and their families join us in celebrating another terrific year together. I think the angels were really looking down on us……. and what gorgeous angels they were!

Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who gave their time so effortlessly on the day. A very big special thanks to all who came along and shared the occasion with us.

What’s happening in 2016 at the Senior Day Club?

We’ve hit the ground running at the Senior Day Club and have some great engaging programs coming up over the next few months.

We are getting together with Bunnings to do some hands-on projects such as building window flower boxes and tool boxes.

Something that is really exciting is our program with local schools in the community. Together with a local pre-school we are running a music and singing program, which is a hit with our Tuesday Day Club and we are about to start a men’s handyman program with Lismore South Public School.

On our Italian Day Club, our members are supporting children from Trinity Catholic College to improve their Italian language skills.

What a great opportunity for giving and receiving.

The Senior Day Club is a great place to find variety, friendships and a great cooked lunch.

If you would like to know more about our programs, you only have to contact our office on 6620 0000.

3

MARY Mary has a Home Care Package with St Carthages and lives in Grafton. Mary is a passionate gardener, spending many happy hours planting, weeding and watering in the community garden in the village where she lives. As a symbol of connection, Mary donated a pot plant filled with plants from her garden which have been planted in out Seniors Day Club garden. Mary is keeping the 3 plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom at bay by gardening, caring for her cat called ‘Come On’ and spending time with her grandchildren. Thank you Mary! Lesley

GRACE I have been supporting Grace to become more independent with cooking for the last 8 months. From when we first started to now I would like to say how proud I am of Grace and how far she has come. We now mostly concentrate on six recipes on a rotational basis and this week Grace made Italian Risotto, with very little guidance or help. Grace is lucky to have the support of her mum who has purchased the things to help Grace be able to become more independent in the kitchen. Grace has a new food processor, knives, electric frying pan, bowls, dishes and mix master. Grace also does the shopping and can now use the self serve checkouts and has become very focused on keeping the kitchen clean. Peter

FOR SALE 2012 PRIDE Electric Motor Scooter Storage since new, all extras included

New twin batteries provided Price: $1500

Phone: 02 6622 4881

4

St Carthage’s Community Care Bloke’s Bus Group

Question: What do you get when you throw a cheeky bunch of blokes together on a bus for the day? Answer: a whole lot of bad jokes but an awful lot of fun! That’s what happens when the Bloke’s Bus Group get together for their weekly road trip. The Bloke’s Bus Group was established two years ago now, after discussions with a carer who felt there weren’t enough services available that offered variety and spontaneity, that were specifically tailored to men. The service is essentially respite for carers with the recipient/client being over the age of 65. Most of our clients are aged between mid 70’s to late 80’s and have an aged related condition of some kind including memory loss. I think there are a number of reasons why the day works so well. We have great staff who facilitate the day and know how to find that common thread in the group that brings them all together. The men plan the destination and activities themselves. Often a day is spent visiting a place where someone grew up, talking to old neighbours and reminiscing. These outing have great significance to them as they really get a buzz being able to share stories from their past and it’s an opportunity for us to really get to know them better. The outings vary depending on what they want to do and what we can find in and around our local area. They go to museums, coffee plantations, a lama farm, visit vintage car and machinery museums. They even went paint-balling one week to add a bit of variety and excitement. But really, they don’t mind what they do as long as they do it together. A quote from one client was, “we started out just as a

group of men and now we are a group of mates”. An added unexpected bonus to this group is how the carers have formed a friendship and many of them have become a great support network for each other. The group occasionally visit each other’s homes and the carers put on a lovely morning tea and introduce them to others in their family. It’s heart-warming to see families supporting each other and truly showing an interest in what the blokes on the

bus are doing. You can see the pride and joy in their face when they all get together. The Blokes Bus Group has been such a success and thanks to the wonderful committed families and staff that support them, it has been a great outcome for both the client and the

carer. I can’t tell you how important it is to be open minded and try something with variety, spontaneity and purpose. Health and wellbeing is vital as we get older and by reducing loneliness, helplessness and boredom, we are creating opportunities for more fulfilling lives for our clients. This, after all, is what the Bloke’s Bus Group is all about.

5

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Medical Appointments

There are two questions you may like to ask when visiting your doctor. These two questions will help you and St Carthage’s with maintaining a great quality of care:

1. If a new medication is started or your medication is stopped a new medication summary is needed

2. If you require assistance with non-Webster packed medication, eye drops, creams, patches, St Carthage’s will need detailed instructions on a signed and dated doctor’s note.

St Carthage’s Community Care requires procedures to be followed when assisting individuals with medications, ointments (both over the counter and prescribed), eye drops, patches and any other therapeutic products you may need.

For staff to assist with medication that cannot be stored in a Webster pack, the

medical practitioner is required to WRITE or PRINT out CLEAR and PRECISE

instructions that will be put in your home file. Staff will then have a guide to

follow when assisting you and will be able to sign the Medication Management

Sheet located in your home file.

The NDIS is being introduced in stages, as it’s a big change and it is important to get it right and make it sustainable. Existing service users and new participants will enter the scheme progressively. There are particular fact sheets on the NDIS website www.ndis.nsw.gov.au

In NSW, the NDIS will be rolled out by district. When the NDIS commences in a district, people currently receiving supports through New South Wales Government specialist disability services will be moving first.

The NDIS will become available in the Northern NSW district from July 2017.

The Northern NSW district covers the local government areas of:

Ballina

Byron

Clarence Valley

Kyogle

Lismore

Richmond Valley

Tweed

6

As we age, so does our home. General wear and tear combined with our changing needs can present a variety of home and safety hazards. This is a guide to help you identify any risks in your home.

Do you have access to a telephone, especially at night? Consider changing to a cordless phone or keeping a mobile phone by the bed. Alternatively install a personal emergency alert system that alerts your family, neighbours or emergency services when triggered.

Do uneven surfaces, rugs create a tripping hazard? Is the carpet torn? Remove throw rugs and runners or use double-sided tape to secure them to the floor. Small tears, a little glue or carpet staples can fix the problem

Is there adequate light? Increase light wattage to allowable levels and investigate additional lighting options. There are various additional lighting solutions available such night lights, rope lighting, battery powered, touch, sound or motion-activated lighting – all of which enhance comfort, convenience and safety in your home.

Are your floor surfaces slipper (indoor and outdoor)? Apply non-slip adhesives or coating to your floors, stairs, driveway and walkway. Add a rubber mat or adhesive non-stick decals to the bottom of your shower or bath

Are grab rails available near the bath and toilet? Installing grab rails near the shower, bath and toilet can help prevent falls and other accidents as well as avoid damage to existing household fixtures you may currently be using for support. In general, towel rails, shelves and other bathroom fixtures are not weight bearing and should not be used for support.

Do you have clear and accessible pathways? Ensure your pathways are free from obstruction. Rearranging furniture can allow better circulation in, around and out of rooms. Ensure power cords run behind furniture or are well secured. If you use walking aids you may require wider pathways in and around your home.

Is there too much clutter and not enough space? It might be a good time to clean out cupboards and drawers of items you no longer wear, use or need. Similarly remove unnecessary furniture or invest in more practical storage solutions for your home.

Is your furniture steady, comfortable and easy to get in and out of? It might be a good time to update key furniture pieces with more stable practical items that suit your needs.

Are cupboards and shelves too high or low? Move items to the shelves that are easiest to reach and access

Is there spoiled food in the refrigerator? The dangers of eating expired or spoiled food can be many including food poisoning. Go through your

refrigerator weekly, check expiration dates and bin all out of dates foods. Periodically go through your pantry and check the expiration dates of all non-perishable items.

Is your emergency contact information within easy reach? A refrigerator is a good place for emergency contact information. Be sure to include mobile, work and landline phone numbers for your next of kin, your GP and a list of all current medications. Pre-program emergency telephone numbers into your phone if it has the capacity to do so.

7

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE NEWSLETTER

If you have a story, a hobby or some activity which gives you a sense of freedom and

pleasure, we would love to hear about it. We could publish your story and pictures in

the Community Connections newsletter to share with all at St Carthage’s Community

Care. You can send your story to us via email, fax, post or call your support planner.

Please check the last page of this newsletter for our contact details.

ST CARTHAGES COMMUNITY CARE

Bank Account Details

BSB: 062 565

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1081 4476

ACCOUNT NAME: St Carthage’s Community Care

BANK: Commonwealth Bank of Australia

REFERENCE: Customer ID on invoices

(being first 3 letters of the surname and first 3 letters of the first name)

St Carthage’s Community Care will send invoices to clients who receive services and/or attend centre based respite.

When making payments please quote the Customer ID stated on the invoice. If you are unsure of the Customer ID reference please contact our office.

Ways for you to make payments for the services you receive are:

DIRECT PAYMENT FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT arrange payments monthly or fortnightly to be deducted from your account and sent to St Carthage’s Community Care.

DIRECT TRANSFER THROUGH INTERNET BANKING transfer money from your account to the Direct Payment Details stated on the invoice.

DIRECT DEPOSIT AT ANY BANK the invoice and payment can be taken to any bank and deposited into the bank account stated on the invoice.

BY MAIL cheques or money orders made payable to St Carthage’s Community Care and sent to PO Box 4028, Goonellabah, NSW 2480.

IN PERSON at 3 Jubilee Ave, Goonellabah and pay either by cash, cheque or money order.

ACCOUNT QUERIES If you have any queries regarding your account, please contact the office on 02 6620 0000 or if you live outside of the local area, please call 1300 761 833.

8

St Carthage’s Community Care

3 Jubilee Avenue (PO Box 4028) Goonellabah NSW 2480

Phone (02) 6620 0000 / 1300 761 833

Fax: (02) 6620 0066

Email: comcare@stcarthages.org.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stcccorg

Website: www.stccc.org.au

Postage Paid

Australia Priority

PO Box 4028 GOONELLABAH NSW 2480 PH: 02 6620 0000 or 1300 761 833

This Newsletter has been sent as these details are held by

St Carthage’s Community Care 3 Jubilee Avenue, Goonellabah NSW 2480

If you no longer wish to receive mail or you need to change / update your details, please contact us on

02 6620 0000 or 1300 761 833 *(calls from mobiles phones charged at applicable rates)