CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 21 - March 2020
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON At Afford we recognise and celebrate the incredible role carers play in the lives of our clients and the community. It takes energy, dedication, strength and selflessness to be a primary carer. As the number of coronavirus cases rises across Australia, the level of anxiety within the community is increasing. Now more than ever, we encourage you to reach out to other carers for support, it’s a difficult time for everyone, but we will get through it together. We would like to share some tips to manage stress at this time, and encourage you to practice self-care techniques to help promote a positive frame of mind; • Maintaining good social connections and communicating openly with family and friends – we suggest non-contact methods such as phone calls, texts and FaceTime or Skype. • Keeping up a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting quality sleep. • Practising relaxation, meditation and mindfulness to give your body a chance to settle and readjust to a calm state. How to stop the spread? • Washing your hands before and after leaving facilities – this includes supermarkets, pharmacies and any other essential places of business that you visit. • Keeping at least 1.5 meters distance between yourself and others. • Avoid large public gatherings. • Using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and putting them in the bin. • Cleaning of the environment around you regularly such as touched surfaces, tables, doorknobs and light switches. Afford’s Carer Support Program supports over 600 carers. To help you stay connected with each other, we’ve created an Afford Carers Facebook page and encourage all carers to join. If you haven’t already, please like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AffordCarers During this time Afford remains open and providing exceptional quality supports to our community. Our organisation has taken extensive measures that ensure that Afford continues to provide supports safely at this time, and we remain vigilant in our adherence to the latest Government advice and requirements. You can read more about these measures and Afford’s response to COVID-19 here: https://www.afford.com.au/coronavirus-response/
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 21
Zhave your sayZ share your thoughts and ask other readers for advice We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, stories and advice with other readers. Let us know what you want to see in our next edition. Inspire someone! Send your letters to: Afford Marketing - Carers Newsletter 3-7 Marieanne Place Minchinbury NSW 2770 Or email: marketing@afford.com.au
STATE OF THE ART SENSORY TECHNOLOGY OPENS AT NEW MIAMI HUB! Queenslanders – Miami Hub is open! One of the key attractions for the Miami Hub is the state-ofthe-art sensory wall. The Miami Hub sensory wall is the first of its kind to be installed in an Afford Day Program in all of Australia. It offers a complete sensory experience. Images projected on the wall react to your touch and movement. You can watch underwater sea creatures floating across the wall, and see them move, pop and swim away at your touch. These new technologies, coupled with traditional disability supports as well as Allied Health services, make the Miami Hub a base for all disability services under one roof. In addition to this amazing new sensory wall, Miami Hub also features an engaging sensory room which heightens the senses of smell, touch, sound and sight to provide a complete sensory experience. Gentle light, soothing sounds and relaxing textures create a supportive learning environment. The sensory room includes bubble tubes which support colour recognition and hand-eye coordination. Individuals can change the colours and watch the bubble flow. These techniques support cause and effect learning. The fibre optics that cascade down from the ceiling of the sensory room at Miami Hub have also been incorporated for all clients to promote deep sensory engagement. The fibre optics stimulate and hold attention. They also provide a soothing and tactile experience. With Afford expanding services in Queensland, we’re here to be your partner on your NDIS journey. If you have any questions about services and supports in Queensland please contact Customer Care on: 1300 233 673
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 21
5 WAYS TO WELLBEING Wellbeing is defined as the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. In the current environment it is so important we look after our wellbeing. Here are 5 quick tips to help you during this hard time. PHYSICAL WELLBEING: • Keep fit! Put on your favourite music and dance around the house. • Set a bedtime and try to go to bed at the same time every night. • Drink plenty of water and eat healthy. • Take a walk and boost your Vitamin D. FINANCIAL WELLBEING: • Budget and track your spending. • Cancel any subscribtions or memberships that you may not need right now. SOCIAL WELLBEING: • Call or video call a family member or friend. • Review your social media profiles, update your information and unfollow anyone who may cause you stress. ENVIRONMENTAL WELLBEING: • A messy room is a messy mind! Declutter and clean up the house. • Sort through your clothes and donate or sell any clothing that no longer brings you happiness. • Do some gardening, weeding or clean up your yard. SPIRITUAL WELLBEING: • Read a book or listen to one on Audible. • Write down your thoughts and feelings in a diary or journal. • Try meditation or yoga. • Reach out if you need help. With so much happening in the world right now, it can be easy to put your wellbeing last. It’s important to take the time for yourself and relax and recharge.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 21
upcoming online carers events Even in these times carers can still connect with each other and find support via online events!
ONLINE EVENTS Event Preparing for your NDIS planning conversation 1st April 2020 9:00am 10:30am Online Webinar
DETAILS Cost - Free By Mission Australia. This workshop will cover: •
• • •
Help you understand your current supports and how to prepare for your planning meeting. Explain the process of a planning meeting. How to manage your NDIS funding. Detail the next steps.
Register via - https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/ webinar-subiaco-preparingfor-your-ndis-planningconversation-tickets97937550851?aff=ebdssbo nlinesearch
ONLINE DETAILS EVENTS Cost - $20 - $25 Event
ONLINE DETAILS EVENTS Cost - Free Event
Meltdowns & Shutdowns with Autism Workshop
By SJI Autism & Carer Support.
Cyber Safety Project
By Bendigo Community Health Services.
This webinar is for Parents, Carers, Secondary Teachers & Integration Aides who are keen to hear lived experiences, practical strategies and ideas to assist teenage females on the Autism Spectrum.
21st April 2020
Learn how to keep your children safe online. What you will learn: • Discover the in’s and outs of Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat & TikTok. • Uncover mobile apps and games that can be potentially harmful. • Discuss ways to manage digital wellbeing for children at home.
18th April 2020 9:30am 11:30am Online Webinar
More details and tickets via https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/supportingteenage-females-on-theautism-spectrum-tickets95307412035?aff=ebdssbo nlinesearch
6:15pm 8:00pm Online Webinar
More details and tickets via - https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/cyber-safetyproject-parent-careronline-webinar-tickets98507122455?aff=ebdssbo nlinesearch
Riddle me employment
Looking for a job that will be right for you? With the support of our experienced team, you can find the job that’s right for you, a job where you will gain new skills, feel valued, a job that lets you earn money and be in control of your life. Afford is proud to offer the following employment services: - Disability Employment Service (DES) - Supported Employment (ADE) - School Leaver Employment Support (SLES)
What two things can you never eat for breakfast?
Call our friendly Supported Employment team today on 1300 233 673 or visit www.afford.com.au/services/work/ Answer: Lunch and dinner.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au