CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 8
AFFORD SUPPORTS CARER WELLBEING TOO When you join our Afford community, you can trust that you will always get support when and where you need it. We’re here to make your role as a carer, easier. Afford Rewards for Carers - We’ve developed Afford Rewards for Carers because we believe that our services should extend beyond our sites. With Afford Rewards for Carers you can access discounts and deals from a variety of retailers and businesses. Save on your weekly shopping at Woolworths or Coles, get Instant eGift Cards or Cashback and more. Opt-in by emailing marketing@afford.com.au or calling (02) 8805 3700 and ask to speak to someone about Afford Rewards. Once setup and registered, simply log onto www.affordrewards.com.au or download the SmartSavings app to start saving instantly! Carer Events - As part of our Afford community, we welcome you to join our various Carer Events that are held across our Day Programs. These events give you the opportunity to share your experiences with others and get NDIS advice, but also take some time out for yourself, while our staff care for your loved one by staging a disco, or other fun activity. Knowledgeable Support Coordinators - We love the NDIS! Afford can help you and your loved one transition to the NDIS, or to make sure that supports are evolving with your loved one. Allied Health - Over the past year, we have established a strong Allied Health team in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The team offers psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology and feeding support services. They can assist you and your loved one manage behaviours, develop new skills and achieve your NDIS goals. We are so proud to have supported one of our clients say his first word at the age of 26 through Allied Health supports! We appreciate that your selfless role as a carer can be challenging, so we’re here to support your loved one in all aspects of their life, and to be your partner in this journey.
A reminder to all our readers we are always available to talk if you find any Afford services interesting, or if you have a good idea on how we can improve services. Contact the Afford Team for any further information to: info@afford.com.au or 1300 233 673
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 8
Carer PROFILE AMIR BEHNAM Who are you caring for? Lydia, my daughter How long have you been a part of the Afford Community? Four months How has Afford helped you as a carer? Afford has given me more time to do all the tasks that I need to do throughout the day, while they care for Lydia If you had a whole day all to yourself, what would you do? Read or meet up with friends What is one tip you can give others transitioning to the NDIS? Always put your son/daughter’s needs first over yours
Stay Connected with your Support Coordinator The NDIS is focused on empowering individuals to grow and develop at work, home and in life. Keep in touch with your Support Coordinator to make sure that your loved one is receiving funding relevant to their needs. Support Coordinators can help you apply for funding for new supports such as an in-home hoist or wheelchair; they can connect you with new services such as Allied Health; and help you get the most out of the NDIS. Your loved ones’ needs may have changed, or their goals may have evolved. Support Coordinators are there to help you review and update supports so that your loved one can live the life they want. To speak with an NDIS Support Coordinator, contact Afford on 1300 233 673 or visit www.afford.com.au.
Afford Lifestyle Channel Launched! Afford has now launched its very own Afford Lifestyle Channel on YouTube. This channel is a place where stories from our group homes and their residents can be shared. Home isn’t a place - it’s a feeling. So throughout this year, we will be showcasing the very best of The Afford Lifestyle and the wonderful emotional connections our residents have with their homes. Our channel will include videos of our client’s adventures and the friendships they have formed while living in an Afford home. Check out some of the amazing stories on our new Afford Lifestyle Channel here: https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCitzfTUK0_ As3Y1gOG878fQ
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 8 SETTING THE RIGHT EATING HABITS FOR YOUR CHILD If you feel that your child may need support for feeding, our Allied health team can help. The team is currently rolling out feeding clinics across NSW, and very soon in QLD and VIC, to support families with children 18 months and older who could be considered picky eaters or problem feeders. A ‘Picky Eaters Problem Feeders Workshop’ was recently held at our Minchinbury Head Office on 12 February. Families and carers who attended the workshop were able to take away real strategies to implement straight away at home with their child and also gained some insight into possible factors that may influence their child’s eating habits. Children who could benefit from Afford feeding support would only able to tolerate a limited number of foods; be underweight due to limited food choices; eat different foods to the rest of the family; or refuse entire categories of food textures or nutrition groups. Our Allied Health team are qualified SOS Feeding therapists and can create and implement feeding programs within a group or on an individual basis. If you would like to speak with one of our Allied Health team, call Afford on 1300 233 673.
Connect with Your Community in Melton, Victoria Melton City Council Neighbourhood Programs in Victoria is offering a range of activities for children and adults in their local areas. Visit their Learning Directory at www.meltonlearning.com.au to find something to suit people of all ages and all abilities. There are local programs to improve your health and fitness, increase your skills and qualifications, meet new people, get involved in the community and much more. Activities include yoga and walking groups, Thai cooking classes and tomato preserving, sewing and gardening, kids craft, drama and fitness and a whole lot more. Sign up for their mailing list via the website to have the latest events, activities and things to do in Melton delivered directly to your inbox.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 8
upcoming carers events and activities
UPCOMING CARER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Keep up to date with info sessions, events and seminars at www.facebook.com/pg/Afford/events/ EVENT
DETAILS
CONTACT
VIC Communicating Date – 27th February 2019 With Professionals 10:00AM - 12:00PM Practical skills to help you clearly state your needs and wishes when working with services. NSW NSW Youth Mental Health First Aid
QLD QLD Women with Disability: Panel Discussion
Places are limited. Register by calling 1800 242 636 Carers VIC
Date – 20th & 27th of June 2019 9:00AM – 5:00PM Teaching mental health first aid skills to adults to give initial help to adolescents and young adults experiencing mental health problems.
Places are limited. Register by calling (02) 9332 0777 Mental Health Carers NSW
Date – 8th March 2019 10:00AM - 12:00PM On International Women’s Day, join us for a discussion of issues facing local women with disability.
Places are limited. Register on Eventbrite https://bit.ly/2NgnCi3
Club Afford If your loved one wants to get out and about and socialise with others in a welcoming environment with support, find out about our Club Afford activities near you. Club Afford is a membership based program that offers discos, movie nights, fitness sessions, outings to local events and attractions and more! Club Afford was established to encourage healthy lifestyles by providing engaging activities and programs that interest our clients. Club Afford operates on weekdays, after hours and on weekends. See what activities may be available that could interest your loved one. You could take that time to recharge your batteries or catch up on other family duties, while your loved one is participating in social activities that they love.
think before you print 1. Use both sides of the paper 2. Go digital - read online! 3. Be selective about what you print 4. Use scrap paper for notebook paper 5. Recycle
Find out more by calling Afford on 1300 233673.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au