CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 44 - February 2022
SUPPORTING OUR CARERS THROUGH COVID-19 As we continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19, we would like to thank our carers for their unwavering commitment to our services. Your trust in our staff and the understanding you show, is greatly appreciated. You can be reassured that will continue to support you in every way we can. We have put in place very strong safety measures which have included the use of the Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT). This means we can all be assured that anyone entering any of our services is not positive with COVID19. All staff and clients attending our day programs or our factories are required to show a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result before entering the site. The tests are conducted on arrival at the centre or before boarding the vans for transport. All staff entering our homes are also required to be tested outside the home before they start each shift. We have now received plenty of stock of the tests, which ensures we can continue to operate as normal as much as possible. From time to time, we expect that things may need to change if there has been a close contact exposure at any site or we are experiencing staffing issues due to the number of positive cases in the community. But as always, we will ensure you are kept informed, and we will continue to work with you to minimise the impact on our services. In line with the Australian Governments vaccination program, and our own COVID19 vaccination policy, we require all staff to be fully vaccinated including any booster vaccinations. If you have not yet had your booster shot and it has been three months since your last vaccination, you can access the Australian Government’s vaccine clinic finder to find a suitable location: https://bit.ly/3IPD3tf. The Australian Government’s Carer’s Gateway has a dedicated hotline to assist carers in making an appointment. In addition, they can inform you of local disability vaccination hubs that suit a range of accessibility needs. You can contact the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Financial assistance may be available if you need to self-isolate or quarantine due to testing positive to COVID-19 or are caring for someone self-isolating or quarantining. The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is available in all States and Territories. Visit Services Australia and select your state to learn about eligibility requirements. We know these ever-changing circumstances can affect mental health. Afford carers can access the voluntary, confidential and complimentary counselling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). If you would like to speak to a professional face-to-face, online or via telephone, contact EAP on 1800 81 87 28 / (02) 8247 9191 or info@accesseap.com.au. Once again stay safe and let us know if there is anything we can do to help!
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS
Edition 44
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
NO-BAKE VALENTINE’S CAKE! Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14th and it is an excellent opportunity to show a romantic partner, your family or friends how much you care! If you are short on time, try our no-bake cake and share this sweet treat with special someone. INGREDIENTS: • 25g ready to roll red icing. • 450g unfilled sponge cake. • Buttercream icing. • Pink liquid food colouring. • Assorted red, pink and white lollies. METHOD: 1. R oll out the red icing following the packet directions. 2. Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out two hearts. Place a lollipop stick in between. Set aside on a lined baking tray overnight or until solid. 3. P repare the buttercream following packet directions and gradually add pink liquid food colouring. 4. Slice the cake into 3 three equal parts. Place buttercream in between each layer of the cake. 5. Cover the outside of the cake with buttercream and smooth. 6. Decorate with the icing heart and lollies on top. Recipe thanks to Taste: https://bit.ly/3KBK8PE.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 44
AFFORD’S TELECARE SERVICES Does your loved one access Afford’s Allied Health Services? With increasing COVID-19 cases and individuals choosing to stay home, we would like to remind carers that TeleCare is available! Thanks to our highly flexible options, clients can receive allied health remotely. Occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychology, behaviour support and paediatrics to children over seven years old are all available. Our clinicians can assist via telephone, video conferencing or even email. Utilising TeleCare can help clients adapt to change, continue their current goals, build life skills, and transition back to regular activities. Contact the Allied Health team to find out more at 1300 233 673 or alliedhealth@afford.com.au.
SELF-MANAGING WITH THE ‘MY NDIS APP’ The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has recently launched the new ‘my NDIS app’. It allows self-managed participants or their nominees to view NDIS plans and budgets while also allowing them to make claims or changes. The free app was created to give users more control over their plan and was designed with accessibility needs in mind. The NDIA consulted participants and staff during the design process. Their feedback helped ensure the app was user-friendly and had the necessary assistive technology. The app can be downloaded now onto Apple and Android devices. • iPhone users click here to download: https://apple.co/3H197K3. • Androd users click here to download: https://bit.ly/3qUQHVR.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 44
check out these upcoming events Events give carers the opportunity to connect with each other and find support!
EVENT
DETAILS
EVENT
For more information: https://bit.ly/3H3cTmg
EVENT
Caring Through Crisis: Disaster Planning
By Carers NSW
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Caring through Crisis: disaster planning provides carers with an opportunity to plan ahead for future emergencies, especially when caring for someone with complex needs.
Online event
For more information: https://bit.ly/3H1N1al
Friday, February 4, 2022
DETAILS Cost: FREE
Cost: FREE
Cost: FREE Surviving By Carers QLD and Thriving in 2022 Top tips for carers to create more time and Thursday, relieve pressure in 2022. February 3, 2022 In this highly practical workshop, you’ll 1:30 PM – learn how to manage 3:00 PM competing priorities, reduce overwhelm and Online event stress, making time for self-care and keeping on top of it all.
DETAILS
5 Ways To Wellbeing Tuesday, March 1, 2022
By Carers SA Introducing you to five simple & effective ways to improve your psychological and emotional health.
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM If you care for a family member or friend who Glenelg has a disability, are frail North Community aged, a health condition or illness, mental illness Centre or alcohol or drug related Glenelg North, SA, problem, join us for this AU, 5045 free educational session. For more information: https://bit.ly/35eCH0F
Contact allison: 0435 960 517 allison.storjohann@ afford.com.au
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au