CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 39 - September 2021
TELECARE SERVICES AT HOME Afford’s TeleCare Services continue to bring allied health services, routine and interaction to our clients. We would like to reach out to carers who have not yet considered the benefits of remote allied health during these challenging times. Afford’s Allied Health Professionals can utilise remote digital technology to provide occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychology, behaviour support and paediatric services to children over seven years old. These services are highly flexible and can be accessed from the comfort of your home. We can provide services over the telephone, via video conferencing or even email to suit your loved one needs. There are many ways TeleCare can assist clients, including: • Continuing their current allied health goals. • Building upon their life skills. • Making recommendations for future NDIA reviews. • Completing carer and family training. • Helping clients adapt to lockdown changes. • Planning for the transition back to normal activities. Many of the assessments and interventions typically delivered face-to-face can be performed remotely, with some resulting in equal or greater outcomes. Contact the Allied Health team to find out more about TeleCare services today. 1300 233 673 alliedhealth@afford.com.au
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS
Edition 39
Zlike us on facebookZ share your thoughts and ask other carers for advice Did you know Afford has a Facebook page dedicated to our carers? It’s your go to for connecting with other carers in the Afford community. Head over and give our page a like! www.facebook.com/AffordCarers
SPRING VEGETABLE LASAGNE Spring has sprung, and what better time to try out a healthy take on the fan favourite, lasagne. By swapping mince for greens, you will get your daily vegetable intake and make the most of the spring growth in your veggie patch. INGREDIENTS: • 30g butter • ¼ cup plain flour • 1 ½ cups milk • 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed, thickly sliced) • 2 zucchini (cut into ribbons) • 2 green onions (trimmed, cut into 8cm lengths) • 1 cup frozen peas • 2 tomatoes (thinly sliced) • 2/3 cups basil leaves (chopped) • 10 dried instant lasagne sheets • 250g fresh ricotta • 1 cup grated cheese METHOD: 1. Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fanforced, and chop vegetables. 2. Create your white sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring for one minute or until bubbling, then remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk until combined, then return to heat. Cook and stir for approximately three minutes or until sauce boils and thickens, then remove from heat. 3. B ring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus, zucchini and onion. Boil for two minutes, then drain on a paper towel. 4. Cover the base of an ovenproof dish with 2/3 cup white sauce, then layer 1/4 lasagne sheets. Alternate lasagne sheets with vegetables and then top with remaining white sauce, basil and sprinkle with cheese. 5. Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden and the lasagne sheets are tender. Recipe from: https://bit.ly/AffordRecipe
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 39
MAKE TIME FOR MINDFULNESS DURING COVID-19 Carers Australia has partnered with Mental Health Australia and Mental Health Carers Australia to deliver their new project, ‘#CaringThroughCovid.’ This initiative delivers new resources to improve the wellbeing of carers, particularly those who assist someone with mental illness or psychosocial disability. All carers selflessly take on a role where they put others before themselves. With the added stress of COVID-19, it is clear that these resources are needed now more than ever. One of the most incredible resources is the online mindfulness sessions, where self help topics are discussed each week, followed by a guided mindfulness exercise. Those who cannot attend the sessions can access the audio clips or videos with Auslan translation on the website at any time. In addition, carers can also access a podcast, ‘The secret life of carers’ hosted by author, public speaker and activist, Jamila Rizvi. The Carers Australia website encourages carers to use their Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) survey to self-reflect and assess their life satisfaction and wellbeing.
SUPPORT FOR YOUNG AUSTRALIAN CARERS The Young Carers Network is an initiative by Carers Australia to raise awareness about young carers and provide much needed support. Applications have just opened for the 2022 Young Carer Bursary Program, which offers 1,000 grants to the total value of $3,000 each year. This initiative helps those young carers who are supporting loved ones and looking to study and follow a carer path as a carer. This grant can give them the financial support, to start their study journey. According to The Young Carers Network, there are “235,000 Australians aged 12 to 25 who are in an unpaid caring role.” They often juggle their caring responsibilities with school and employment with little time left to enjoy their youth. Applications are open until September 30th 2021. Carers under the age of 25 who are currently studying or plan to study in 2022, are encouraged to apply. For details on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Young Carers Network website. www.youngcarersnetwork.com.au/bursary/young-carer-bursary.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 39
check out these upcoming events Events give carers the opportunity to connect with each other and find support!
FREE EVENTS Event
DETAILS Cost - FREE
National National Carers Week Carers Week is an opportunity to recognise, celebrate, and Sunday raise awareness among 10th Oct all Australians about the Saturday diversity of Australia’s 16th Oct 2.65 million carers and their caring roles. Multiple events For more information: online https://bit.ly/3AfSwPf
SA EVENTS Event
DETAILS
Adelaide Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle Expo
By Catalyst Foundation
Thursday 14th Oct 10:00 AM 4:00 PM
Cost - FREE
Come to discover pathways, explore your options, try out products, learn about services and get quality up-to-date information. Free entry! For more information: https://bit.ly/3tIxG8V
QLD EVENTS Event
DETAILS
Brisbane Disability Expo
By Social Impact Institute
Friday 15th Oct Saturday 16th 9:00 AM 3:00 PM
Cost - FREE
The Brisbane Disability Expo will link thousands of people with a disability with hundreds of product and service providers as well as presenting a range of informative and interactive presentations delivered by industry experts. For more information: https://bit.ly/3ke5nvS
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au