CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 25 - July 2020
DEALING WITH LOCKDOWN – TIPS FROM A CARER My Disability Insights is a website created by Vivienne Armstrong, a carer who has a passion for sharing her tips and personal experiences to help other caregivers. She has cared for her son for 37 years and in that time has launched a community dedicated to helping other carers take back control of their life. Vivienne and her son live in Victoria and like many of the residents from the state, she finds herself looking at many more weeks of constraints as Victoria goes back into lockdown. “I am frustrated knowing it would not be people within our demographic flaunting safeguards,” she wrote. “As carers, we are aware that those in the community who don’t walk our path cannot be blamed for not understanding how their behaviours, including congregating against government advice, could impact us. In reality, unless you live with the responsibility of the care of someone else, you cannot possibly understand how we feel.” She offers advice on two ways to handle what is going on in our lives through this present situation, one optimal and one dysfunctional. The dysfunctional one is to live in panic and fear, no one wants to do this but it happens easily if we let our imagination run amok. Try to stick with the positive approach that has sustained you through your caring journey, you have come this far. You may just need to be reminded of a few steps to stay on track. Answer these questions to put things in perspective to give yourself a positive platform: 1. Is the media telling me constantly negative news? Do I really need to follow every news article, or should I just keep a heads up once a day? 2. How many people do I personally know who have had COVID-19 and just how sick are they? This can really make you put things in perspective. At this point in winter my son has a greater threat from circulation problems due to cold temperatures. So that is what I am concentrating on containing. Our usual care in the community will see us doing what is appropriate in all areas. No need to add more fear. 3. If the people I personally know who have had it were not seriously ill then why am I fearing the worst? Shouldn’t the reports in the news discussing how so many don’t even have symptoms and most recover without concern, give me encouragement. 4. Yes, some people get really ill but I don’t know their background, their health or age. I don’t know if they were already ill in the first place. I have no idea about how anyone who has become sick lives their lives. I only know how I live mine and about the care I take of my loved one. 5. If I am doing all the right things to protect my family I should feel safer, not vulnerable. Think of the protective strategies you put in place like a force field. The more strategies you have in place, the better prepared you are, and the quicker you can respond should you need to. “For our own mental health we must remain positive and continue doing what we know is best for those we love” Vivienne wrote. The information from this story was provided by Vivienne Armstrong. Her full blog can be found on her website, we encourage you to check it out for more handy tips and carer support: https://mydisabilityinsights.com/blog/
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 25
Zlike us on facebookZ share your thoughts and ask other carers for advice
4 TOP TIPS FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING Looking after your mental wellbeing is important. There are so many ways you can improve your mental health, check out the below 4 top tips to help boost those positive vibes. Communicate: It’s important to maintain communication with your family and friends. Social interaction has so many benefits for your mental health. Talking to strangers can also be a nice way to boost your social interaction - try saying hello and asking how someone’s day was the next time you visit your local cafe or gym. (just make sure you keep 1.5m distance!) Regular communication can give you a feeling of acceptance and increased self-esteem. 4G
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
Keep active: Keeping active is such an easy way to improve your mental wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be hard, going for a quick 30 minute walk around your neighbourhood can make a huge difference to your overall health. Exercising promotes the release of feel-good chemicals in your brain, like endorphins and serotonin making you feel happy! Balanced diet: When we eat badly we feel bad, it’s important to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet for your overall health! What we eat doesn’t only effect our physical health but also our mental health. Nutrition is important and you can feed your body the good stuff by eating more fresh fruit and vegetables. Get creative: You don’t have to be Picasso to feed your creative side! Listening to your favourite music can be an easy and quick way to feed your creative side and boost your mood. Painting, drawing, cooking, knitting, colouring and journaling are all other ways in which you can get creative. Getting creative can be therapeutic and helps relieve stress as it gives the mind something else to focus on.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 25
A WARM WINTER SOUP Thanks to Woolworths Australia, check out the recipe below for a delicious recipe for Barbecue Chicken & Noodle Soup! Cooking is a fantastic way to practice mindfulness and is an easy and fun activity to improve your mood, improve your focus and reduce stress. Plus when you are finished you get to enjoy the delicious homemade soup! Ingredients for Barbecue Chicken & Noodle Soup: • 3 dill sprigs, stripped, stalks reserved • 1 leek, trimmed, thinly sliced, offcuts reserved • 1 large carrot, sliced lengthways, offcuts reserved • 20g butter • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 220g dried thin egg noodles • 1 tbs lemon juice • Lemon slices, to serve • Bbq chicken
Cooking method: 1. Remove meat from chicken, discarding skin (or see tip). Shred meat and set aside. Place chicken bones into a large saucepan with stripped dill stalks and offcuts from leek and carrot. Cover with 2l of water and simmer over medium-high heat for 15 minutes.
Serves 4
15 min prep
30 min cook
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add leek, carrot and garlic and cook for 8 minutes or until leek is soft. 3. Strain stock, discarding the solids. Add 1.5l of the stock to leek mixture and bring to a simmer. Add noodles and simmer for 3 minutes or until noodles are tender. 4. Add chicken meat and simmer for 2 minutes or until heated through. Add lemon juice and season to taste. Ladle soup into bowls, top with lemon slices and sprinkle with reserved dill tops to serve. Note: You will need a barbecue chicken for this recipe. Tip: For an indulgent soup topper, spread chicken skin onto an oven tray lined with baking paper and roast at 180°c for 5 minutes or until crisp. This recipe is thanks to Woolworth Australia: https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/recipedetail/7443/barbecue-chicken-noodle-soup
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 25
upcoming online carers events Even in these times carers can still connect with each other and find support via online events!
ONLINE EVENTS Event Carers Victoria Support Services for Carers Online Workshop Monday August 10th 1:00PM 2:00PM Online via Zoom
DETAILS Cost - FREE Carers Victoria - Education This workshop is open to people wanting to know more about the support services available for carers. Register via - https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/ carers-victoria-supportservices-for-carers-onlineworkshop-7467-registration113307608106?utmmedium=discovery&utmcampaign=social&utmcontent=a-
ONLINE DETAILS EVENTS Cost - FREE Event
ONLINE DETAILS EVENTS Cost - FREE Event
SJI Carers Yoga Online
By SJI Autism & Carer Support
Didgeridoo Down Under Live on Zoom
Multiple dates every Tuesday
Beginners welcome! This is something for Carers to use to support their mental health through learning breathing and stretching exercises. There is no limit to how many sessions you can do!
7:30PM 8:30PM Online via Zoom
You will need a yoga mat, small pillow and a towel. Register via - https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/ sji-carers-yoga-onlinetickets-113576442196?utmmedium=discovery&utmcampaign=social&utm-con tent=attendeeshare&aff=e scb&utm-source=cp&utmterm=li
Thursday August 13th 8:30AM 9:30AM Online via Zoom
By Manross Memorial Library This high-energy, Australiathemed show combines music, culture, comedy, character building, storytelling and audience participation. All ages welcome: families are encouraged to participate together.
Register via - https://www. eventbrite.com/e/didgeridoodown-under-live-on-zoomtickets-113674822454?utmmedium=discovery&utmcampaign=social&utm-con tent=attendeeshare&aff=e scb&utm-source=cp&utmterm=listing
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 has to be broken before you can use it?
Call our friendly Supported Employment team today on: 1300 233 673 or visit www.afford.com.au/services/work/ Answer: An egg.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au