CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 26 - August 2020
CELEBRATING NATIONAL SPEECH PATHOLOGY WEEK According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1.2 million Australians have communication disability. Individuals living with communication disability may find it difficult to understand and be understood by others. Last week was Speech Pathology Week (23rd to 29th August), Afford celebrated the valuable support speech pathologists provide for individuals experiencing communication difficulties. Personalised support from a speech pathologist can identify communication support needs and strategies to develop specific skills. Speech pathologists within Afford’s Allied Health team use a variety of strategies to develop an individual’s communication skills, one of which is the PODD system. A PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) is a book to support communication between people with complex communication needs and their family, friends, carers or support workers. The PODD is custom made for each client and contains a range of symbols and words. A PODD offers personalised vocabulary (using symbols, photos and text) for the client. The speech pathologist will identify their client’s receptive and expressive language levels and overall needs to customise template sizes to support their client to extend/improve their language skills. PODDs can grow as the client’s language abilities progress. PODDs can be purchased through an NDIS Plan (as assistive technology budget or through therapist hours) or as an out-of-pocket expense. It is just one element of the wide variety of services Afford speech pathologists offer. If you think your loved one may benefit from their own PODD book, first speak to an Afford speech pathologist to see if a PODD is right for your loved one. Contact our Allied Health team on 1300 233 673 or alliedhealth@afford.com.au. Facilitating Successful Communication – Tips Adapted from Speech Pathology Australia’s website: • Treat the individual with dignity and respect • Have a friendly manner and speak in a common tone, volume and speed • Choose a quiet place and avoid loud, crowded areas • Don’t guess, tell the person if you don’t understand what they are trying to communicate • Be patient and give the individual time to respond in their own way • Don’t be afraid to ask the individual about methods or devices that may help you communicate with them Get more resources and information about communication disability via the Speech Pathology Australia website. https://bit.ly/3jotXqs
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
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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
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS SUPPORTS?
Afford recently launched our award winning services in South Australia and Western Australia to support more individuals living with disability nationally! Are you a local or do you know someone in Adelaide or Perth who needs support or help in navigating through the technical NDIS jargon? South Australian services are available in the suburbs of Elizabeth, Enfield, Pooraka and Gawler. In Western Australia, locals in Cannington, Mirrabooka, Mandurah, Rockingham, Stirling, and Joondalup can benefit from more choice for disability supports in their regions. From Support Co-ordination and Customer Care through to Day Program and Allied Health services, Afford works with individuals and their families to help them through the NDIS process to access necessary funds. Call 1300 233 673 to speak with an Afford Customer Care team member.
BEAT THE BOREDOM WITH SUDOKU! Enter numbers into the blank spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 without repeats. Good luck!
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 26
THE AFFORD LIFESTYLE – GROUP HOME INDEPENDENCE Afford accommodation pride themselves on providing an individual tailored approach to each of our residents, particularly with shopping and meal preparation in their homes. Through our Afford lifestyle model, clients are given weekly opportunities through resident meetings and one on one conversations with staff on what they would like to eat for the coming week. Our wonderful staff assist clients in choosing different delicious recipes, working with mealtime management and specific diet plans to ensure clients receive healthy nutritious food which they love to prepare and eat. Clients are encouraged to select the groceries from a list to create their menu plan. They then visit the local grocery store to experience the holistic approach of planning and shopping. Clients enjoy selecting fresh produce of fruits and vegetables. Their favourite part is smelling the fresh aromas of the produce and feeling their textures whilst they bag the amount they need. Clients select which meats and specific proteins they need for the week to create their delicious meals, choosing their drinks and on occasion a treat or two for dessert! This process also promotes our clients to experience their community and build relationships with their local retailers, in some cases, clients have become so much of the community that grocery store employees know our clients by their first name. When the shopping is finished, our clients are supported to load their selections onto the store’s conveyor belt, engage in friendly and polite conversation with the checkout staff and pay for their weekly shop. Once home, our clients place the groceries in their appropriate locations and feel a sense of accomplishment. Building our clients independence and skills is what the Afford lifestyle is all about. Clients love gathering in their state of the art kitchens for a catch up chat and to cook up a storm with their roommates in the evenings. They enjoy the different smells of their cooking while it simmers on the stove. Clients take ownership in their homes and enjoy inviting their friends from work or day program over to a nice home cooked dinner and are more than happy to have their family visit to show off their cooking skills.
UPCOMING QLD GETAWAYS
For many carers, the idea of a holiday may seem like an unrealistic and unreachable goal. Having a relaxing holiday with your loved one might be more realistic then you think, we have 3 upcoming QLD Getaways available to BOOK NOW! • Cairns 4 Night Getaway • Townsville 4 Night Getaway • Sunshine Coast 4 Night Getaway Includes all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), selected activities and transportation. Based on 1:3 support ratio with limited participant numbers subject to health and safety regulations of QLD. Contact Afford Getaways to find out more and book on: 1300 233 673 or email getaways@afford.com.au
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
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upcoming online carers events Even in these times carers can still connect with each other and find support via online events!
ONLINE EVENTS Event Free Online Laughter Yoga Every Wednesday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM AWST Online via Zoom
DETAILS Cost - FREE By Changing Lives Australia Need a laugh?? Join us for our FREE weekly online Laughter Yoga sessions for Community. Great for your mental health and wellbeing. Register via - https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/ free-online-laughter-yogatickets-109587232362?utmmedium=discovery&utmcampaign=social&utm-conte nt=attendeeshare&aff=escb &utm-source=cp&utm-term-
ONLINE DETAILS EVENTS Cost - FREE Event
ONLINE DETAILS EVENTS Cost - Multiple options Event
Supported DecisionMaking Online Workshop
By Carers Victoria
Women’s Health Week Comedy Gala
Tuesday 22nd September
We will explore how supported decision-making can be recognised for people with cognitive disability.
1:00PM 2:00PM Online via Zoom
Do you support an adult with cognitive disability to make important legal decisions?
Register via - https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/ carers-victoria-supporteddecision-making-onlineworkshop-7513-registration117247214575?utmmedium=discovery&utmcampaign=social&utmcontent=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utmsource=cp&utm-term=listing
Saturday 26th September 7:30PM 8:45PM Online via Zoom
By Jean Hailes for Women’s Health More than ever, we all need a laugh and Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is delighted to be able to share the laughs with even more women by live streaming the Women’s Health Week Comedy Gala right around Australia. Get together with the girls at home, don’t miss this one! Register via - https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/womenshealth-week-comedy-galatickets-107029738830?utmmedium=discovery&utmcampaign=social&utm-con tent=attendeeshare&aff= escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=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)
I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air; I don’t have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?
Call our friendly Supported Employment team today on: 1300 233 673 or visit www.afford.com.au/services/work/ Answer: Fire.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au