WA Winter 2022 by Australian Carers Guide

A MUST HAVE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR TODAY’S FAMILY CARERS WINTER 2022 | Issue 3 WA

AGED CARE

Reforms “at a glance”

ELDER ABUSE If you see something Say something

The Power of Human Connection

Lonely but not alone

My parents

died in debt! What do I do?

Diabetes

6 Healthy Eating Habits

overlooked benefits of

respite

WINTER 2022 Aust $9.95 ISSN 2652-8282 03

9 772652 828004 >

TIME OU

Puzzles, Quizzes Word Games Riddles & More

How Technology is helping seniors feel younger

RACHEL LANE

COMMUNICATION

Aged Care Gurus

Managing Aphasia

Do I have to sell my home to transition into aged care

How to communicate with someone who has aphasia

HELPFUL AND PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR FAMILY CARERS AND THEIR ELDERLY LOVED ONES

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For more information about our services Simply Helping Lower North Perth

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PAUL KOURY – PUBLISHER

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This Issue’s Contributors Gemma Poole Aged Care Group Australian Government Department of Health Maree McCabe AM Chief Executive Officer Dementia Australia Helen Walker Education Specialist OPAN: Older peoples Advocacy Network Rachel Lane Principal - Aged Care Gurus and Co Author of Aged Care, Who Cares Paul Koury Founder - Publisher Australian Carers Guide Andrea Alvarez Aged Care Decisions Lead Generation Manager Michael Clohesy Wills and Estates at Gathered Here National Head of Legal Services Will Richardson Puzzles supplied by Richardson Publishing Group

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

ello readers and welcome to the Winter 2022 edition of the Australian Carers Guide. Thank you to those who have called or written in to express your appreciation for our guide. We are continually humbled by your comments and appreciate your feedback. It is truly a labour of love for us as we work to ensure that all carers can find practical, educational and helpful content all in one place. Our mission remains to reach and support as many of our 1.3 million primary carers as we can. What happened to the Autumn edition? To everyone who contacted us wondering where the Autumn edition went, we did not publish it, this year. Reason being, that last year when we went to launch Edition 1 in Spring 2021, instead of the guide being published 1 September, it was published on 1 October a month after the season began. At that time in Melbourne, Covid was particularly nasty, and we were all under stage 5 lockdown. Businesses ground to a halt and so did our trade partners in whom we relied on to produce our guide. To honour our readers and advertisers with the full 3 months in the market, our summer guide had to be published in January. We would have had to go on being a month behind each season unless we bit the bullet and extended one edition. We decided to do this early so the summer edition was given 5 months in the market which is why there

was no Autumn edition. The result is we are now back on track and able to publish at the beginning of each season. Shaping our magazine together As you know, we consider The Australian Carers Guide to be a joint venture shaped by us and you, the readers. That’s why before each issue is produced, we take in your feedback and suggestion and select the most requested to be added to our content. Aged Care Reforms This was one of the top two topics which you asked to see in our guide, and we are pleased to announce the launch of this new section. We begin by informing you of the 5 Pillar 5-year plan so you see exactly what has been proposed and know what to expect. Officials at the ministry of health have agreed to supply us with a detailed breakdown of what was rolled out every 3 months. We will then look at what was proposed and compare it against what

“

Whether you’re new to caring or have been providing care for many years, you will find something interesting, meaningful, and entertaining in every edition.

”

actually occurred and keep you informed of the realities of the Aged Care Reforms. Managing those with Chronic conditions. The second topic was to provide advice on caring for and where to find support for your loved one who has a chronic condition. With the recent media attention on Bruce Willis’s famous actors battle with Aphasia, we thought it might be informative and helpful for those 140,000 Australians currently battling this chronic condition. We also look at Diabetes which is another prevalent and growing chronic condition amongst Australians. However, there are some things listed that can help reduce, slow down and even reverse their unwanted symptoms. National Expos for Carers – Come say hello Now that the Covid restrictions have eased across the country, many public events are now taking place. There are three major expos taking place over the coming months. They are taking place in Perth, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The Australian Carers Guide is proud to be supporting all 3 Events. We will be exhibiting and speaking at each Expo. If you are in these states and

ISSUE 3 Winter 2022

intend visiting the expo, please come say hello as we would love to meet you. (See Home Page for details) OPAN conference into Elder Abuse As our guide continues to reach and influence many advocates for the elderly, we are pleased to announce that the Australian Carers Guide now welcomes OPAN (Older Persons Advocate Network) as a friend and partner. Be sure to check out our article on Abuse is Abuse which came as a direct result of the Elder Abuse conference held by OPAN in Tasmania. Keeping you up to date in-between issues Also, please visit our website where you’ll find further practical resources, including videos, podcasts, and other carer resources for you to enjoy. Take a moment and visit our Facebook page and then click “follow us”. This will ensure you receive updates of important information in between issues.

The Australian Carers Guide is produced four times per year in Print, Digital and Online formats. Subscription offers are inside. If you would like to put forth your suggestions, ideas or any feedback, please send emails to: Publisher@acguide.com.au or write to us at: PO Box 6155 Wantirna VIC 3152 Paul Koury – Publisher

JOIN US ONLINE Please be part of our community and stay in touch with us on Facebook. australiancarersguide.com.au facebook.com/Australiancarersguide

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To learn more about the benefits of self-managing and how to get started, scan the QR code or visit mable.com.au

Featured Contents 18

64 88

90 ABOUT AUSTRALIAN CARERS GUIDE The Australian Carers Guide is a valuable resource for everyone who is caring for an ageing parent, spouse or an elderly loved one. Out of the 2.7 million informal carers in Australia, 1.3 million care for their elderly family members or a loved one. Until now, there has never been anything in the mainstream market specifically for our family carers. Our guide delivers useful and practical information, all geared toward the carers and their well-being.

5 OVERLOOKED BENEFITS OF RESPITE CARE We know how valuable self-care is. There is so much to gain from these overlooked benefits of respite care, whether it be for you or your elderly loved one. BEARING ARMS TO COMBAT LONELINESS There are some wonderful programs run by Non For Profits that are making a real difference in combating loneliness for our elderly. Read this article to learn how they are using Social Connection Programs to connect seniors with their greater community. MANAGING CHRONIC ILLNESS With the recent media attention on famous actor, Bruce Willis’s battle with Aphasia, we thought it might be informative and helpful for those 140,000 Australians who are currently battling this chronic condition and for their carers. We also look at Diabetes which is another prevalent and growing chronic condition amongst Australians. ELDER ABUSE – ABUSE IS ABUSE Elder abuse takes on many forms. Some overt, some subtle. All abuse is an unacceptable violation of the rights of older people. Speak up...OPAN are there to support you and advocate on your behalf. ROLE TO SOUL You are more than just a carer! Read about Anna and Paula’s personal story of their journey as carers. THE 5 PILLARS – THE 5 YEAR PLAN The governments plan for aged care reform is summarised in their 5 Pillars over 5 years document. We included the document in this edition for your referral AGED CARE REFORM – UPDATE Officials at the Australian Government Department of Health have agreed to supply us with a detailed breakdown of what was rolled out every 3 months. We will look at what was proposed and compare it against what actually occurred and keep you informed of the realities of the Aged Care Reforms. DID YOU KNOW We share with you Stanley’s story and how changing his address, cost him his pension.

Publication Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 72365477 Australian Carers Guide is published by PAK Allied Media on a quarterly basis. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Printed in Australia.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Simplifying home care… Because you have other priorities

Introducing Baptistcare’s Demystifying Home Care Guide, your essential resource when it comes to navigating home care. With over 50 years of caring for WA, we’re helping you from the start with up-to-date information on government funding and eligibility criteria – there’s even clear tips on how to apply.

To get your copy, call 1300 660 640 or visit baptistcare.com.au

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Acknowledgment The Australian Carers Guide acknowledges the Wurundjeri People as the traditional custodians of the place we now call Bayswater, where this magazine is published. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and emerging.

An area where you will find useful tips, wise advice and helpful updates.

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A place where you can interact and share your thoughts with us and share anything that’s on your mind. In this edition we look at an all too common issue of parents dying with debt. Who is responsible for paying off that debt and how the handling of the estate works Maree McCabe shares on the myths and warning signs of Dementia. You‘ll be surprised to learn what you thought may not be the case at all. Also learn what you should consider to best manage travelling with a loved one who suffers from Dementia. Dr Raelene Wilder shares her years of research in technology for seniors. See the positive outcomes of how the elderly, when taught and trained, come to embrace it. Read how Social Communication Programs can help keep our senior community young, engaged and entertained.. Rachel Lane founder of Aged Care Gurus discusses whether it’s necessary to sell your home to fund your transition into Aged Care. Rachel looks at the pros and cons so you can be well informed when making these decisions.

RECIPES

Winter Warmers for our Winter Edition. Enjoy.

TIME-OUT

Pages of Fun: Puzzles, Sudoku, Word Search and Quizzes to enjoy.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Residential aged care the right way, your way. We’ve been providing personalised, high-quality care in metro and regional WA for more than 50 years. At Baptistcare, we understand no two people are the same. That’s why we take the time to get to know you and how you want to live your life. We offer tasty and nutritious meals prepared fresh on site daily, as well as specialised memory support for those living with dementia. If you’re considering residential care for your loved one, we’re sure you will a find a place to feel at home in one of our 12 residential aged care locations across WA. Albany

Gwelup

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YOUR FEEDBACK

We’ve got mail 👋

Hello fellow carers. Thank you to all of you that wrote to us and shared your stories. We read each of the over 300 emails and letter we received. In needs to be said that we are continually humbled by your selfless commitment to your elderly loved ones irrespective of their appreciation or lack thereof. We want to let ever carer know how we appreciate you. You are all saints who continually sacrifice yourself to provide daily care to your elderly loved ones. No greater love is there than to set aside your life to love and care for another. UNRULY BEHAVIOUR

FORGOT TO RETIRE

SIGN ME UP

Hi, my mother is now 80 and her social and etiquette skills have decreased dramatically. The other day, she just stood in front of my husband with just undies on. Her eating is becoming messy and she is not even conscience of it. She does not help in any way and just expects more and more and manipulates us. We are so unsure of what to do.

My 92-year-old dad has decided he wants to go to a retirement village - he has a level 4 care package. I know he’s left his run probably 20 years too late. My question is…. can a retirement village refuse to sell a villa to my dad because of his age & health issues? He has carers come in to attend to him. Thank you.

I would like to initiate a project that teaches sign language to seniors in aged care. I suspect that one of the biggest impediments to communication and socialisation as we get older is that most of us lose our hearing to varying degrees. I saw this video and it makes such sense for so many reasons. Do you know if it’s being put into practice?

Denis Montcrieff, SA

Sue Thomas, VIC

■ Your mum may not be able to control her behaviours if she does have some organic, degenerative changes going on in her brain. I suggest getting her reviewed by a geriatrician or neuro-psych for evaluation. Also look at her magnesium levels as extra difficult behaviour can occur if magnesium was low.

Karen Harper, WA

■ Since he has level 4 package. Find a nursing home he might like, then go in on respite care. You get 63 days per financial year. Then if he doesn’t like it, he can come home without losing his package. If they take away his package it could be a very long time before you get it back.

■ Sounds like a great idea, (pardon the pun) but would also involve also training the staff. Maybe too much for staff to take on in the present environment. I imagine such a project would need to be initiated by volunteers. But I can definitely see the merit and investigate it further for you. Stay tuned.

TIPS FOR NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION 4 Be patient and calm. 4 Keep your voice, face and body relaxed and positive. 4 Be consistent. 4 Make eye contact and respect your loved one’s personal space. 4 Use gentle touch to reassure. 4 Observe your loved one’s non-verbal reactions. Share your experiences or comment on our articles. Send stories, suggestions, comments and pictures to: Australian Carers Guide, PO Box 6155 Wantirna, 3152 or email us at Editor@acguide.com.au You may remain anonymous if you wish. We look forward to hearing from you. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

THE TIPS, WISE ADVICE AND HELPFUL UPDATES NIGHT OWLS AND EARLY BIRDS People who stay up late and sleep in the morning tend to be smarter, science says. Although night owls are often thought to be unproductive, that’s not what evidence shows. Researchers at the University of Liège in Belgium have found that an hour after waking up, early-risers and their nocturnal contemporaries show approximately the same degree of alertness. Tested again 10.5 hours after waking, it was the night owls who were more alert. So much for the early bird catching the worm! Source: entrepreneur.com

NUTRITION

TALKING TO PEOPLE WITH MEMORY LOSS Speak clearly. When talking to a person with memory loss, speak slowly and with purpose so that you’re easy to understand. Speak only as loudly as you need to. Don’t speak louder than you need to, or you may insult the individual and make them frustrated. Give them time. Give the person ample time to formulate a response, and don’t interrupt. Avoid distractions. Find somewhere to talk that doesn’t have background noise such as television or pets, so you don’t have to compete for attention. Talk about one thing at a time. Don’t confuse the individual by rapidly changing the conversation. Break up topics and alert the person to conversational changes. Source: RN Central

PROTEIN POWER

STAY SAFE – USE WIPES

Eggs are loaded with vitamins, minerals, high-quality proteins, good fats and various other lesserknown nutrients. Eggs also contain small amounts of almost every vitamin and mineral required by the human body, including calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, manganese, vitamin E, folate and more.

Traditional supermarket shopping trolleys have 361 times more bacteria than a bathroom door knob.

Source: nutritiondata.self.com

Source: Kitchn

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

THE GRANDPARENT SCAM

THE

HOW IT WORKS A call starts with “Grandma? Do you know who this is?” Thinking it’s their grandchild, victims will say “Yes. I know it’s you John.” The caller now has a first name they will start using to gain credibility. The scammer will now ask for money because they ma? Grand now were in a car accident or uk Do yo is? is h t o h w they’re under arrest and u o y t in jail in another city or Is tha n? Joh country. Sometimes John Yes. It’s elp! they’ll put another h I need person on to act like a police officer or lawyer. The victim will draw funds from their bank account and wire money to the “grandchild” to help.

HOW TO AVOID IT Never offer information asks. If someone asks “do you know who this is?” simply say no. Press your caller for details and ask them to repeat their story. Ask questions that your real grandchild could answer but an impostor could not. After you hang up, verify the story by calling the parents of the “grandchild”. Never wire money to someone under uncertain conditions as it’s nearly impossible to trace. Never provide your credit card number over the phone or web unless you are sure the funds request is legitimate.

If you think you’re a victim, call your local police. Remember, this is not your fault.

THINGS NOT TO DO BEFORE BED 1 Eat chocolate—Chocolate, especially dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, is a sneaky source of caffeine. It also contains the stimulant theobromine, which has been shown to increase a person’s heart rate and sleeplessness.

2 Skip your wind-down time—

Take 30 minutes before you head into your bedroom to put away anything that’s too stimulating, thought-provoking or absorbing. Focus on activities that relax you and bring closure to your evening, such as making a to-do list and packing a bag for the next day.

3 Eat spicy or fatty foods—Having a

large meal too close to bedtime can make falling asleep uncomfortable, especially if you’re bloated or painfully full. Spicy and fatty foods can be particularly risky.

4 Chug lots of water—The best strategy

for staying hydrated is not to drink a huge glass of water at night or to sleep with water by your bed. Instead, drink plenty of water throughout the day—and be sure to use the bathroom before you head to bed, even if you don’t feel as if you have to.

5 Turn up the heat—Turn the

thermometer down slightly before bed for a better night’s sleep.

Having a bedtime routine signals to your brain that it’s time for bed! WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

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HOUSE PLANTS

THAT ARE GOOD FOR YOU SPIDER PLANTS FOR MOISTURE Furnaces and air conditioners can sap humidity. A collection of spider plants can boost the relative humidity in a bedroom from 20 per cent to a comfortable 30 per cent.

ASPARAGUS FERN TO PURIFY AIR Carpets, paint cleaners and print toner give off pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can irritate your eyes, skin and worsen asthma. Plants are good air-scrubbers soaking up VOCs.

HERBS FOR BETTER DIGESTION Mint may help to tamp down bloating or gas. You can grow common varieties such as peppermint and spearmint (essential in mint juleps) in containers. Basil, another good cooking herb, can also help to calm your stomach. Try steeping the leaves in hot water.

RELAX WITH LAVENDER

Images: CanStock

This fragrant purple plant has been an important herbal medicine for

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

centuries. Inhale lavender oil, massage it on your scalp for aromatherapy or boil the leaves for tea.

ALOE FOR FIRST AID Aloe can help to treat sunburns and other minor burns. It can also soothe psoriasis and other skin conditions. Juice from the aloe plant can even help you poop if you’re constipated!

BAMBOO FOR SHARPER FOCUS Plants may help to make it easier to concentrate on your tasks and strengthen your memory. Bring home a golden pothos or bamboo palm and you just might clear that to-do list.

FLOWERS FOR FASTER HEALING A bouquet of flowers or a potted plant as a gift in hospital can be more than just thoughtful. Researchers have found that following surgery, people might actually recover quicker if they have plants in their room. They also tolerated pain better and needed fewer medications when surrounded by greenery.

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overlooked benefits

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

respite care BY ANDREA ALVAREZ

When you’re a carer for someone who needs support, it’s a big responsibility. It can be easy to put their needs

What is respite care and its benefits?

Respite care in Australia is temporary, shortterm care that gives carers the opportunity ahead of your own, but it is essential to take a break from caring for elderly, to engage in self-care to maintain sick or disabled family members. You can organise family or friends, volunteers or your health at the same time. It can paid carers to care for your loved one for a few hours a week, overnight or for feel equally overwhelming to a vacation period. The time away from your day-to-day caregiving be in need of a carer and routine can help to recharge Allowing your batteries and refresh to place your health and yourself time to yourself, while achieving safety in the hands of a maintain your own your own personal goals outside of your carer role. health and wellbeing loved one. Respite care

in Australia exists to help carers refresh and revitalise themselves and to help those needing

will ensure you can provide the best care possible to your loved one

care to continue receiving quality care during this time.

Australian respite care not only helps you, but also benefits the person needing care. It can provide variety in their routine, give them the opportunity to socialise outside of their usual support network and provide additional stimulation. Respite care can also be used to try out care in an aged care facility without committing to permanent care. If you and your carer are facing challenges in the day-to-day routine, some time away can give you a fresh outlook and help both of you find solutions you might not otherwise have thought of. The right type of respite care can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. At Aged Care Decisions, we take the time to learn about you and your loved one’s unique needs and match those to the best respite care options in your area. Speak to the Aged Care Decisions team to see how our free placement service can help you find the right care for your loved one, while giving you a much-needed break.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Types of respite care in Australia

In Australia, respite care is offered in a variety of ways. You can ask friends and family to help out wherever they can, or you can use a professional service that specialises in respite care. Respite services offer both in-home and out-of-home programs, so you can choose the option that best suits your situation. You can choose to enlist a volunteer or paid carer to offer in-home support on an as-needed or regular basis. Carers can provide care for a few hours or even stay overnight. The benefit of in-home respite care is that loved ones remain in their familiar home environment and you are assured that they are safe and comfortable. When looking at short-term care, there are three main care types to choose between: ◗ Residential respite care ◗ Community respite care ◗ Emergency respite care

Residential respite care

Aged care homes offer short-term stays to loved ones to give them the opportunity to embrace new social activities and form new relationships, while also giving carers time away from their caregiving duties. This is referred to as residential respite care. Respite care in a residential aged care home is usually for a minimum of 2 weeks. It is also important to note that short-term care recipients will get the same service as permanent residents, including: 20

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗

A room Meals Personal care Laundry Access to social activities

This is an ideal option for those needing regular short-term care because you can book in on a regular basis. You can book up to 63 days of subsidised respite care (including emergency care) over the course of each financial year.

Community respite care

Community care has a range of options for occasional care, including day care, club, residential and in-home settings. You can access day, overnight and weekend care in the following options: ◗ Centre-based respite at a day centre, club or residential home between 9 and 3 during the day ◗ Cottage respite where your loved one stays overnight or for a weekend in the community or with a host family ◗ Flexible respite in your home or the community for a day or night

Emergency respite care

If something unexpected happens, you may not be able to care for your loved one. Emergency respite care ensures your family member continues to receive the care they need in times when you can’t provide it. Our Aged Care Decisions team can help you determine which type of respite care is right for you and help you through the process. Once you provide your details, we will be in touch to offer our free service.

Tips for overcoming common obstacles to respite care in Australia Both receiving and giving long-term care can sometimes be challenging. When you care for someone long-term, it can be hard to let someone help. It can seem easier to do it yourself rather than involving someone else. As a care recipient, it can feel like you are giving control of your life to someone else. It’s important to remember that support is available and it can improve both of your lives. These tips aim to help carers and care recipients overcome some common obstacles.

ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS

TESTING THE WATERS

It’s rarely healthy to spend every minute of the day with another person, regardless of the quality of your relationship. Creating a wider support network brings additional relationships that provide essential stimulation through social interaction – for both of you. Taking a short break can be a positive way to maintain a strong relationship.

If you’re considering future long-term aged care options, a respite care stay in an aged care home allows you to experience this type of care without any long-term commitment. If you decide it’s the right fit for you, you can transition into permanent care at an aged care home when you’re ready.

Respite providers offer a wide range of social activities and opportunities for care recipients. Embracing these and participating can be the difference between a positive and negative stay at your chosen respite care service. Not only can they provide enjoyment and stimulation, but also the chance to build new friendships.

STAY CONNECTED

Respite care offers opportunities to meet new people and stay connected. By remaining open to connecting with others, your respite stay can be a welcome break from the daily routine and bring new connections for now and in the future.

EMBRACE OPPORTUNITIES

TAKE BREAKS

No one works in an office job 24/7. Everyone needs breaks, including carers. Try not to feel guilty about needing time for yourself because ignoring your needs can leave you burnt out and unable to provide optimal care. Allowing yourself time to maintain your own health and wellbeing will ensure you can provide the best care possible to your loved one.

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Top tips for finding the best respite care in Australia To find the best respite care for your loved one, you need to do some research and planning. The first step is to identify the needs of your loved one, as well as your own needs. Next, you need to decide on which type of care would be best suited Identify and how often you the needs need it.

of your loved It can be one, as well as beneficial to your own record the daily tasks that you do so needs

you can see where you need support and easily pass details on to the respite carer. Here are some questions to help you make a plan:

◗ How much time do I need outside of my caregiver role? ◗ Do I need regular or occasional support? ◗ What type of environment does my loved one prefer? ◗ Would they prefer to stay at home or go out into the community? ◗ Would my loved one benefit more from one-on-one interaction or group social interaction? ◗ What is my budget and what type of subsidy are we eligible for?

What is the easiest way to find respite care in Australia? You can research respite providers in your local area or you can use a placement service to do the research for you. If doing your own research, you should interview each potential service over the phone and in person. Ask questions to ensure you fully understand the level of care and the type of environment on offer. An alternative to finding care yourself is using the help of a placement service.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Placement services make finding the right respite care in Australia easy and straightforward.

Using an aged care placement service to find respite care in Australia An aged care placement service partners with respite services around the country. They are well-informed about the options and vacancies available and understand the importance of meeting each person’s unique needs. Simply share your situation with the placement service and they will give you a list of available options and connect you with suitable aged care providers. There are a number of placement services available in Australia, of which Aged Care Decisions is the largest. ACG

NEED A REST AND RECHARGE?

At Regis, we know what it takes to care for someone you love, and what a difference a bit of extra support can make. Respite at Regis gives you the opportunity to take a break with the comfort of knowing your loved one is receiving the care and companionship they deserve. We’ve been nurturing trusted connections with our employees, clients, residents and their families for nearly 30 years.

We focus on every person as an individual so we can provide the best possible care and help them find the smile in every day.

Through our range of tailored aged care services, we are committed to helping people realise their wellbeing goals and lead meaningful lives.

Find out how Regis Aged Care can help you get the support you need. Give us a call on 1300 998 100 or pop into a Home today.

Call 1300 998 100 | Visit regis.com.au

CARE & AGEING WELL

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Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre 30 - 31 July 2022 9.30am - 4.00pm

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Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Connection

The Power of

Human

BY ALICIA RENFREW

Loneliness is a growing

epidemic impacting seniors

across the country. 1 in 4

older Australians are lonely, which greatly impacts their physical health, mental

health, and overall wellbeing.

Inclusee delivers specialised digital programs and activities to their community to increase inclusiveness and connection for lonely and isolated seniors. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Loneliness is a growing epidemic impacting seniors across the country. 1 in 4 older Australians are lonely, which greatly impacts their physical health, mental health, and overall wellbeing. This is more likely to lead to depression, anxiety, and chronic illness. They are considered significant health and wellbeing issues in Australia because of the impact they have on peoples’ lives.

t affects people from all walks of life. It’s a feeling of distress when people do not experience social relationships in the ways they would like. It causes a feeling of social isolation, which is different to feeling alone. Social isolation is seen as the state of having minimal contact with others. Some definitions include loneliness as a form of social isolation1 while others state that loneliness is an emotional reaction to social isolation2. The two concepts do 30% of not necessarily Australians co-exist, as do not feel part a person of a group of may be socially isolated but not friends lonely, or socially connected but feel lonely3. Research suggests that loneliness is highly stigmatised. Those affected are reluctant to talk about their experiences of loneliness, as they worry it is a sign of personal weakness and how they will be judged by expressing their feelings. This makes identifying people at risk of loneliness and social isolation more challenging. Part of the challenge in reporting on social isolation and loneliness stems from a lack of information about these experiences and a lack of universally agreed upon definitions. We need to form meaningful connections with others. Loneliness may be a sign that a person’s relationships are inadequate or don’t meet their needs or expectations. Research has found that loneliness is related more to the quality of the relationships, rather than the quantity. A staggering 30% of Australians do not feel part of a group of friends. A person experiencing loneliness feels their relationships are not meaningful and they are not understood by others.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

COVID-19 AND ITS IMPACT ON SENIORS AND CARERS Some of the measures implemented to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, such as physical isolation and lockdowns, have potentially exacerbated pre-existing risk factors for social isolation and loneliness, by limiting human contact and connection, or removing it altogether. In surveys undertaken since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, just over half (54%) of respondents reported that they felt lonelier since the start of the pandemic4. The pandemic has seen carers experiencing a decline in psychological well-being, concerns about their own personal health and well-being, with increased practical and logistical concerns, and reduction, withdrawal, or suspension of the care recipients’ key support services. This has resulted in increased social isolation, lack of information, added challenges with daily activities and overall heightened stress levels. In addition to an increase in the number of hours of care provided, carers also said they were needing to take on different types of support than before. The lack of respite supports was a common reason carers gave for their decline in their wellbeing. This highlights the considerable negative impact the pandemic has had on our carers health and wellbeing, which exacerbates pre-existing risk factors for social isolation and loneliness.

TO THE RESCUE We know that isolation and loneliness is a huge problem for this community. We recognise the impact this has not only on seniors themselves, but also their caregivers. Our organisation’s foundation is based on our mission, which is to use the power of connection to relieve isolation and loneliness for Australians. We are a non-profit organisation that has been specialising in community connection for 49 years. That’s why we develop and deliver cutting edge social connection programs – to improve the lives of others, to engage 1

our communities and build happiness and confidence in our seniors and their carers. We have built a community where everyone feels valued and comfortable to join in and connect on their terms. We have the experience, capabilities, and passion to create a community that provides connection, enjoyment and belonging.

Hawthorne 2006, 2 Heinrich & Gullone 2006, 3 Australian Psychological Society 2018; Relationships Australia 2018, 4 Lim et al. 2020.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

to improve the level of care they provide, by offering additional resources to support the participant to create other meaningful, social connections, whilst also providing the carer with much needed support and valuable time to be able to carry out other activities in the home, or even just some welcomed rest.

SPECIALISED PROGRAMS

We are leaders in connection, positively enhancing the lives of older Australians who are vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. Our Social Connection Programs are designed to connect seniors to volunteers, their peers, friends, family, and their greater community, using the power of digital technology. Our programs are developed with both the carer and participant in mind and have proven very successful in providing much needed, additional support for our carers, as well as the people for whom they are caring. Carers have found the programs hugely beneficial not just for themselves, but also the people they care for. Our programs enable carers

We connect people together, creating a place they feel valued, comfortable and can belong.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

These programs are open to seniors in specific aged care planning regions in Australia. Our specialised programs are designed for participants and volunteers to connect, learn, and enjoy. We are a Connecting Community that delivers experiences for participants and volunteers that are enjoyable and inclusive. We connect people together, creating a place they feel valued, comfortable and can belong. Our simple technology and easy to join specialised programs allow you to completely connect to the community, whether it’s connecting with individuals, groups, or family and friends. Our programs are funded by various government grants including the Commonwealth Home Support Program and the Federal Community Visitors Scheme. They are completely free for the participant; however, some eligibility conditions apply. If the participant does not meet our funding criteria, we will always be happy to refer them to a similar service funded in their specific area.

Once you receive the device, it’s as easy as

1, 2, 3

1. Turn your device on 2. Get comfy in your favourite chair 3. Your volunteer connects the call to your device, you see their smiling face on the screen.

PROGRAMS – COMFORTABLY CONNECTED

access the this community, even if there is no internet connection at home.

Learn new skills, gain knowledge and confidence using technology with our supportive learning programs. Find enjoyment in discovering new interests, revisiting favourite activities, and coming together for special events. With a diverse range of specialised programs and activities delivered through our easy-touse digital technology, we are a thriving community offering something for everyone. All you need to do is join in. You can play bingo, the ultimate online trivia or be whisked away on a virtual adventure with interests2enjoy, or connect2one if you prefer to have a virtual visit all to yourself. Would you rather see a smiley face in person? You can join our face2face program, where you can share stories, memories, and experiences with your volunteer over your favourite cuppa.

NOW IT’S TIME TO JOIN IN The Inclusee community is a place where people can make new connections and revisit old ones, learn new skills, and find enjoyment in activities, interests and events. Our goal is to increase inclusiveness and connection by creating a community that delivers experiences for participants and volunteers that are enjoyable. You can connect with us by calling 1800 287 687 or visiting www.inclusee.org.au ACG

Interested in learning digital skills? Our learn2tech program has been designed to teach you anything and everything about the digital landscape. All you need to do is choose your topic and join in with your very own, dedicated Digital Mentor. We empower our community by providing the tools, support, and skills to give people the freedom to connect on their terms. Each participant is provided with a digital tablet on loan that has been specially programmed with easy-to-use software and a mobile internet connection built into the device (via a SIM card). This enables each participant to WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Enjoy more everyday living in every day Mobility equipment and daily living aids Emprise has over 1,200 products available and on display for you to try for function, size and comfort in two of the largest mobility equipment showrooms in Western Australia - in Bibra Lake and Mandurah.

z Walking Aids

z Bathroom and Bathing Aids

z Mobility Scooters

z Toilet and Toileting Aids

z Wheelchairs (manual and electric)

z Continence Management

z Adjustable Beds

z Dressing Aids

z Bedroom Equipment

z Eating and Cooking Aids

z Chairs - recline, lift and adjustable

z Bariatric Equipment

z Pressure and Postural Care

z Patient Handing Equipment

Since 2005, Emprise Mobility has been helping Western Australians who experience mobility challenges arising from age, disability or illness to enjoy more everyday living in every day. We sell, service and hire an extensive range of mobility equipment and daily living aids to help you:

Our experienced staff, including our Occupational Therapist team, are happy to take all the time needed to discuss your needs before recommending the most appropriate solution.

z Live with comfort, security and dignity z Accomplish daily activities more easily z Retain your independence as long as possible z Get up, out and about z Stay safely and comfortably in your home

Sales, Hire & Service

We take pride in our after-sales service. In our well-equipped workshop, our experienced Service team services, maintains and repairs the equipment that we sell. We have a wide range of equipment available for both short and long term hire. We work with both individuals and organisations (e.g. NDIS, DVA, Home Care Package providers, other funding providers and Allied Health professionals) to provide ‘best fit’ solutions to those who need them. Emprise Mobility is a registered NDIS Provider.

Visit one of our two large, well-stocked showrooms and let our friendly staff understand your needs and help you try products for size and comfort. Our Occupational Therapists can provide guidance and assessments of those with more complex needs.

Perth (Bibra Lake): 5 Sobek Pass • (08) 6555 4222 Mandurah: 8 Magenta Terrace • (08) 6555 4255

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

H eart & Stroke slow down ask

listen write it down

repeat

point

e communicate our thoughts, ideas and feelings to others in many ways. We do it with words—spoken or written. We communicate through the use of voice, hand gestures, and face and body movements.

APHASIA A language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate. It can occur suddenly after a stroke or head injury or develop slowly from a growing brain tumour or disease. Aphasia affects a person’s ability to express and understand written and spoken language, making it hard to read, write, work with numbers, join in conversations, and share thoughts and feelings. Aphasia can be mild or severe, depending on the brain damage. It may be temporary and improve quickly, long lasting, or permanent. Once the underlying cause is identified, the main treatment for aphasia is speech therapy. A speech pathologist can help people find different ways to access those words or different ways to build pathways within the brain to help put words together.

Living with

aphasia TIPS for family/friends ❏ Get the person’s attention and speak slowly.

❏ Give one idea at a time.

❏ Use questions that

need “yes” or “no” answers.

❏ Avoid open-ended questions.

Instead of asking, “What would you like to drink?” ask, “Would you like tea or coffee?” Also try asking “Can you show me?” Gesture or point to an item.

❏ Repeat or reword sentences. ❏ Write down your message using a black marker.

❏ Don’t interrupt. ❏ Pay attention to body language. ❏ Establish a clear general topic first and then move on to the details.

❏ Use short, simple sentences and an expressive voice.

❏ Use pictures or drawings and focus on just one at a time.

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There are two types of aphasia:

EXPRESSIVE AND RECEPTIVE With expressive aphasia you know what to say, but the words come out wrong. The words may be jumbled, not make sense or be totally different from the words you wanted to say. With receptive aphasia you can hear spoken words and see written words but have a hard time knowing what they mean. You may also take word meanings very literally, often unable to understand some forms of humour.

DEALING WITH CHALLENGES Aphasia can be very frustrating. You may find it hard to enjoy time with family and friends, or even to ask for what you want or need. You may find that some people treat you differently. Try to let people More know how you feel. Make sure they know you than are still able to join 140,000 in conversations Australians in your own way. live with Get those closest Aphasia to you to read this article. This will help them understand what you are experiencing and give them ideas for how to communicate with you. Your first goal may be to find a way to communicate with your family and team. You may need to use other forms of communication such as picture boards, hand signals or using a pencil and paper to draw or write words.

STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATING Find out what part of your communication is affected. The therapist on your healthcare team who can help you with communication is called a speech language pathologist. If you are not seeing one, get a referral. Your therapist will help identify what type of communication and speech problem you have. They will then develop a plan to help you regain communication skills. 34

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

TIPS for staying connected Here are some strategies that people with aphasia use to communicate.

❏ Focus on one task. Don’t try to multi-task.

❏ Write things down

before saying them. Try using short written notes. Keep a pencil and paper handy.

❏ Try using flashcards with

keywords and pictures, such as “TOOTHBRUSH.”

❏ When people communicate with

you in writing, they should use markers that make it easy for you to see the words. When you are writing, using a pencil is easiest.

❏ Use Scrabble tiles to spell out words. ❏ Not able to write? Try gestures,

hand signals and simple picture boards to point at.

❏ If you have trouble finding words, try looking around to find clues from your environment.

❏ Computers and smartphones

have apps to help with aphasia. They speak words that are typed. Or they may help you find the name of an object.

Here are some areas they may work on: ◗ improved understanding in conversation— asking you to match pictures to a spoken phrase ◗ improved ability to use the right words— asking you to name things you see in pictures ◗ improved ability to read— working with you to read a short paragraph and answer questions about it

◗ improved ability to write— practising skills needed to write ◗ improved ability to speak clearly— exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in speech. Make a plan with your therapist. They can show you how to practise to improve your communication skills. Make sure your family and friends know about your plan and how they can help you communicate with them.

Where to Get More Support More than 140,000 Australians live with Aphasia and their ability to stay connected, and participating is key. Ask for help. Speech language pathologists are the team members who specialize in helping you communicate. To find one in your area visit The Australian Aphasia Association aphasia.org.au and check if there are aphasia support groups that meet in your community, and access information and tools for both health professionals, families and people living with Aphasia.

AMAROO @HOME HOME CARE SERVICES

You’ll be in good company

At Amaroo, we understand that companionship and social support is an integral part of your health and wellbeing. We will work with you to help you stay connected and engaged to your social networks and community.

A personalised approach to support your health and happiness

Our Home Care Coordinator will partner with you and your family to develop a personalised package for your exact needs. From personal care and nursing, to household tasks and shopping; we will tailor a plan to enable you to continue to do the things you love in your own home.

We’re for people, not for profit

Ama Amaroo has been caring for the seniors community of WA for over 50 years. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are solely focused on providing the best care we can.

ARRANGE A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION CALL US

9490 3899 OR VISIT

amaroovillage.com.au WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Delivering meals to WA homes since 1984 Choose from over 60 meal options including salads, soups and desserts. Special dietary options including vegetarian, low salt, gluten free, diabetic and pureed. l

Provide high nutrition and protein meals;

Delivery to the door with a personalised service;

Support NDIS, Home Care Packages, Meals on Wheels;

Values driven Customer Service Team;

Fresh made then ‘snap frozen’ to provide the highest quality food; and

Meals designed by dietitians to provide balanced meals for taste and nutrition.

Order NOW!

www.homechef.com.au

orders@homechef.com.au (08) 9378 2544

HIGH QUALITY GREAT TASTING M E AL S

W ell-being

Diabetes: steps to 6

healthier eating

How choosing the right food can help you manage your diabetes

f you have diabetes you have too much glucose (a type of sugar) in your blood. If your blood glucose levels remain high for too long, it can have serious health consequences. However, managing your diabetes carefully can help you live a full, healthy and active life. Whatever type of diabetes you have, enjoying a healthy diet is the cornerstone to managing it well

Food, glucose and insulin Glucose is found in carbohydrate foods, such as grains, legumes, milk and yoghurt, fruit, sugary foods and starchy vegetables. During digestion glucose reaches your small intestine where it passes into your bloodstream. One of the functions of your blood is to carry glucose around your body. When glucose reaches body tissues, such as muscle cells, it moves into the cells where it’s broken down to provide energy. The glucose concentration in your blood is automatically regulated by a number of hormones, including insulin, which is needed to move glucose from the blood into the

cells. Insulin is produced by your pancreas – a gland found behind your stomach – from where it enters your blood. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes result in too much glucose building up in your blood, but they have different causes. Let’s look at their differences,

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where your pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin, so glucose is unable to move into your cells. With Type 2 diabetes, your cells gradually become resistant to the action of insulin. Your pancreas then needs to produce more and more insulin to manage your blood glucose levels. Eventually it may not be able to produce enough insulin, so your blood glucose levels continue to rise. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

You may experience symptoms of diabetes such as excessive thirst and passing urine a lot. And over time, increased blood glucose levels can cause irreversible problems to the delicate blood vessels and nerve fibres, which can lead to complications such as loss of eyesight, kidney failure, damage to the blood vessels of the heart, and nerve damage in your hands and feet. The aim of diabetes management is to lower the risk of long-term complications and reduce the impact of symptoms on your day-to-day life, by keeping your blood glucose levels within a range that’s recommended for you. Your credentialed Diabetes Educator and Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) can give you advice on lifestyle changes to help you maintain the blood glucose level that’s right for you.

Simple healthy eating habits for people with diabetes Whichever type of diabetes you have, here are six simple healthy eating changes that can make a substantial positive impact on your short-term and long-term health.

Switch to healthier fats

Diabetes increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, so it’s important to do what you can to keep your heart healthy. All fats are rich in kilojoules but too much of the saturated kind can lead to increased cholesterol levels. This can contribute to a build-up of fatty deposits (plaque) in your arteries and lead to heart attack and stroke. Excess fats of any type can also lead to weight gain. Being an unhealthy weight can make your cells less sensitive to insulin, so trying 38

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

to stay within your healthy weight range is important for your diabetes management. Eating less fat overall and switching to healthier mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats most of the time can help to manage your weight and keep your blood glucose levels in your healthy range.

Some simple swaps include: EAT LESS

REPLACE WITH

Full-fat dairy foods

Low-fat dairy foods

Fatty, processed meats such as sausages and salami

Lean meat and skinless poultry, tofu, legumes (beans and lentils), white and oily fish (see below)

Ready-made meals and takeaways which can be high in fat and salt

Home-cooked meals using fresh low-fat and lowsalt ingredients, flavoured with herbs, spices, and citrus juices.

High-fat snacks which may be high in sugar or salt, such as biscuits, cakes, pastries, chocolate and potato chips

Avocados, unsalted nuts (such as walnuts,

macadamias, almonds and hazelnuts) and seeds such

as sunflower and pumpkin

Focus on fish

The essential fatty acids found in fish, the omega-3 fats, are especially important for good health. Omega-3 fats can help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy, reduce blood pressure and may even be able to boost your mood. Aim to eat two portions of fish a week of which at least one should be oily fish such as mackerel, rainbow trout, salmon or sardines. The Heart Foundation recommends a daily intake of around 250-500mg of omega-3, which can be obtained by eating two to three 150g portions of oily fish per week. If you don’t eat seafood, omega-3 fats are also found in walnuts, canola oil, flaxseeds, chia seeds, soy products and omega-3 enriched eggs.

Go low GI

Eating carbohydrate-rich foods will result in your blood glucose levels rising, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid them. The Glycaemic Index (GI) is a system that measures how quickly a particular carbohydrate-containing food will trigger a rise in blood gluco se levels. The lower the GI number, the slower the carbohydrates in the food break down during digestion and the slower the release of glucose into your bloodstream. This means you’re more likely to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Low-GI foods may also help you feel full for longer and increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin.

Each carbohydrate-containing food is given a GI ranking number between zero and 100: ♦ Low GI = 55 and under ♦ Medium GI = 56-69 ♦ High GI = 70 and above

A simple guide to switching to low/medium-GI foods: EAT LESS White bread and white flour-based foods

Wholegrain breads, rye bread, pumpernickel, fruit loaf, stone ground wholemeal flour, sourdough bread, wholemeal pita bread, wholemeal chapattis High sugar breakfast High fibre, low sugar cereals breakfast cereals such as those made with wholegrains, nuts and seeds, and bran-based ones Mashed potato

Baked potato with skin, unpeeled boiled Nicola or Carisma potato, sweet potato

White rice

Basmati rice, Doongara rice, pasta, noodles (not instant), bulgur (cracked wheat), freekeh, quinoa, barley

Fruit juices

Whole fruits such as apples, pears, grapefruits, peaches, plums, oranges, cherries, firm bananas. Though take a note of sugar content in the fruit, if you have diabetes.

Choose mostly foods with low or medium GI such as oats, muesli, dense grainy breads, beans and lentils. Yoghurt and milk also count as low GI foods.

Vegetables – fill half of your plate with veggies and aim to opt for different colours for a wider range of nutrients

You’ll often find the ‘low GI’ symbol on packaged foods which can help guide your shopping choices. It’s important for people with diabetes to not eat high-GI foods too often and particularly to not eat a large number of high-GI foods in one go. Low-GI foods help to slow down the absorption of an entire meal, including any higher GI foods, reducing the likelihood of fluctuations in blood glucose levels. So if you enjoy an occasional treat, have it in small portions as a part of healthy meal of mostly low-GI foods.

EAT MORE

Love those legumes

Make legumes (also called pulses) a part of your diet by adding them to soups, salads, casseroles and curries. Legumes such as lentils, kidney beans, haricot beans, black-eye peas, black beans, chickpeas, butter beans, and low-salt baked beans contain soluble fibre which dissolves in water to form a thick gel in your intestines, helping to lower blood cholesterol levels and slow digestion. They also contain a wide variety of nutrients and are a good source of protein. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Take note that legumes do contain carbohydrates (although they are low GI) and not everyone’s blood glucose levels respond to carbohydrate foods in the same way. It’s important to monitor how your glucose levels respond to different foods. This is especially important if you use insulin or take medicines. Your credentialed Diabetes Specialist or Diabetes Educator can teach you how to check your blood glucose levels.

Limit alcohol intake

Examples of a standard drink include: ♦ 375 ml of mid-strength beer (3.5% alcohol volume); or

♦ 100 ml of red wine (13.5% alcohol); or

♦ 30 ml of spirits (40% alcohol).

If you do choose to drink, keep to the recommended limits, avoid sweet wines and beers, and choose sugar-free mixers.

Don’t skip meals Alcohol is high in kilojoules without medical (energy) and alcoholic cocktails advice and pre-mixed drinks can hypoglycaemia be high in sugar. This means Intermittent fasting and skipping is where your blood drinking alcohol can raise your meals are currently popular glucose levels dip blood glucose levels. However, methods of losing weight, but drinking a lot of alcohol can dangerously they may not be suitable if you also lead to hypoglycaemia low. have diabetes. Some people can (where your blood glucose levels experience a drop in blood glucose dip dangerously low) if you are using insulin or taking certain diabetes medicines. levels at night, so it’s important to refuel with breakfast in the morning. Avoid drinking alcohol Ideally, your breakfast should include a soon after exercising. mix of low-GI carbohydrates, lean protein During exercise, glucose and fibre. Ideas you could try include a is absorbed by cells in the boiled egg with wholegrain toast, muesli or exercising muscles, so porridge made with traditional oats with drinking alcohol afterwards fresh or dried fruits, natural yoghurt, and could lower your blood a handful of almonds or walnuts, or lowglucose levels further. salt baked beans with sourdough toast followed by a piece of fresh fruit. Alcohol can also make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight, as it adds Always talk to your doctor or credentialed kilojoules to your energy intake and can Diabetes Educator before starting an stimulate your appetite. intermittent fasting weight loss program. ACG The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend that adults should drink no more than ten Author: standard drinks a week, and no more than Jenny Boss four on any one day.

Freelance writer and regular contributor to Bupa Healthlink

Further information:

Diabetes Australia

www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

GenesisCare changing the face of care Delivering a truly personalised care experience, close to home Your care is at the core of all that we do, along with the commitment to offer access to precise, evidence-based treatments, when and where you need them most. We have seven cancer care centres in WA, offering high-quality, personalised oncology treatment, tailored to your individual needs. Find a oncology centre near you: genesiscare.com

Disclaimer: Any medical procedure or treatment involving the use of radiation carries risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with treatment, all patients should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.

Abuse is Abuse If you see something, say something

The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study: Final Report released in December 2021 by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), tells us that abuse is experienced by an estimated 14.8% of people over the age of 65, equating annually to more than 200,000 older people being directly impacted.

The prevalence study states that the most common forms of abuse are: Psychological Abuse - 11.7% Neglect - 2.9% Financial Abuse - 2.1% Physical Abuse - 1.8% Sexual Abuse - 1% 42

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Some older people (3.5%) experienced more than one type of abuse, with the most common combination being psychological abuse and neglect. The abuse of older people is clearly happening in Australia right now, and there is plenty we can do.

n Australia, older people are often denied their human rights as a result of ageism and ageist attitudes leading to abuse, neglect, and poor care. This was clearly demonstrated during the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. We know that domestic and family violence increased during the recent COVID-19 lockdowns, and we suspect there was a correlating increase in the abuse of older people. Older people have a right to feel safe and respected and given a voice at every stage of their aged care journey. The older persons’ family, friends and trusted health professionals are well placed to recognise and respond to abuse. However, perpetrators of abuse are often family members, adult children, friends, neighbours or acquaintances.

SO, WHAT IS ABUSE OF AN OLDER PERSON? This is key as many older people and those that are entrusted to care for them often do not recognise the signs and risk factors of abuse. Abuse is often complex deeply personal and unique to each person. Sometimes, both the victim and perpetrator do not recognise that what is occurring is abuse.

This is an unacceptable violation of the rights of older people

But no matter how difficult, it is important for us all to be aware of the possibility that abuse may be occurring. This means we need to recognise and respond appropriately to signs of abuse and speak up and inform ourselves and older people of the supports available We must also educate people on what abuse is - some people may not be aware that their behaviour is abusive.

According to the prevalence study, family members make up nearly 20% of abuse perpetrators and only a third of people experiencing abuse seek assistance. Many older people are concerned that confronting or reporting the abuser may mean lack of contact with grandchildren or that they will be further isolated from family.

This study also states that negative attitudes, such as ageism, resentment of the older person and the caregiving role and lack of empathy and understanding toward the older person can set the scene for abuse. While a Carers Australia report from 2016 cites caregiver stress can also be a factor in the abuse of an older person.

Council of Elders members (L-R) Danijela Hlis, Val Fell, Ian Yates AM, Dr Kay Patterson AO and Gillian Groom AO attending COTA Tasmania’s National Elder Abuse Conference. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

“Worryingly, almost two-thirds of older people don’t seek help when they are abused,” said the Honourable Dr Kay Patterson AO, Age Discrimination Commissioner who was the Walk the Talk Ambassador and a strong advocate for Almost older people and two-thirds issues of abuse.

of older people don’t seek help when they are abused

SPEAK UP..!!

In a nationwide response to the abuse of older people, the 7th National Elder Abuse Conference “Walk the Talk” was hosted in Hobart, Tasmania. The conference presentations focused on driving change and on speaking up to ensure Australia cares for all people, young and old. Many presenters spoke with passion that the more we speak up and “walk the talk” the greater the awareness and the more likelihood of a better rate of prevention. At the conference, Dr Rae Kaspiew AIFS Deputy Director of Research, and co-author of The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study: Final Report said the findings reveal a significant hidden problem in Australia. “The fact that it’s often the people closest to them who are committing the abuse is particularly concerning, as this can create a desire by the victim to keep the abuse a secret to avoid shame, embarrassment and negative repercussions for the perpetrator – especially when it comes to family members.” Walk the Talk conference sessions focussed on the various forms of abuse and innovative approaches to address and reduce occurrences. Diverse communities were highlights of the program. 44

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One of the plenary sessions was an in-depth discussion on emotional, physical, medical and financial elder abuse across Victorian Aboriginal communities, highlighting the need to respect Elders through information and education. A well-attended session on financial abuse included a presentation on a trial program addressing financial abuse by Victoria Police. The result was a much better outcome for older people experiencing elder abuse than the service was experiencing before the trial program commenced. Shannon Wright, CEO of Seniors Rights Service in NSW presented on innovative communication tools developed by the organisation to inform people in diverse communities on financial abuse. A panel hosted by Compass, an Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) project, discussed financial safety and how improving the digital literacy of older people improves financial safety, as well as a discussion on what does financial literacy mean and how does it help keep people safe. The panel included Brendan French, Executive General Manager, Customer and Community Advocacy, CBA who was joined by Anna Bligh, CEO, Australian Banking Association, and Mary Patetsos, President, FECCA. Dr Catherine Barrett, Director of OPAL Institute in partnership with OPAN, highlighted 10 actions to help prevent sexual abuse. This vital and necessary training for residential aged care workers aims to prevent the estimated 50 sexual assaults that occur each week in residential aged care. The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) sent a delegation of staff and older people who participated in several sessions.

Samantha Edmonds, Manager Policy and Systemic Advocacy, Older Persons Advocacy Network facilitated a panel session that included Ian Yates AM, CEO, COTA – One Year on from the Royal Commission: Will the rights of older people be better protected? Importantly OPAN, via Community Sponsorships, assisted older people from diverse lived experiences to participate in this panel. Joining the panel was Theresa Flavin, Kevyn Morris, Val Fell and Danijela Hlis, all members of OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group Members. Their various perspectives added the much-needed voices of older people on the complex issue of elder abuse. The panel discussed whether recent restrictive practice reforms and the introduction of the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) have resulted in greater protection of the rights of older people and reduced abuse and neglect, all from the perspective of older people themselves. OPAN Education manager Helen Walker presented on Abuse of the Older Person: eLearning Program for Health and Aged Care Professionals, OPAN’s free online training module that supports health and age care workers to assess and respond appropriately to signs of abuse.

A CALL TO ACTION Invited decision-makers from approximately 35 key and influential organisations within the sector came together to design a short Action Plan that all organisations attending the think tank will sign up to support. EAAA will circulate the Action Plan to participants in the conference and other stakeholders.

SO WHO IS OPAN? The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) comprises nine state and territory member organisations that helped thousands of older people work through issues and concerns with their aged care services. Age care advocacy provides a crucial means for individuals to understand and exercise their

rights when engaging with the aged care system. All older people should have access to an advocacy service that promotes and protects their human rights across a broad range of issues with aged care services. The network members are independent of the government and aged care providers. In the last financial year alone OPAN member organisations responded to over 2,344 occasions of support for older people at risk of or experiencing abuse and over 23,000 occasions of general advocacy support. Due to increased demand, OPAN has significantly increased the number of professional aged care advocates available across Australia. Advocates can be contacted by calling the free and confidential 1800 700 600 line. ACG

Anyone concerned about the abuse of an older person, or their own safety can call OPAN 1800 700 600 or 1800 ELDER Help (1800 353 374).

Walk the talk together – speak up and call abuse out. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

L aw

What happens when your parents

BY MICHAEL CLOHESY

DIE IN DEBT? Children are often concerned about what happens with their parents’ debts should they pass away. A common concern is that the family may be personally responsible for the repayment of Mum and Dad’s debts.

he death of a parent can sometimes mean financial turmoil for surviving relatives, however fortunately lingering debts aren’t the responsibility of the adult children in the family. Debts are paid from the deceased person’s estate and then the remaining assets are distributed amongst the beneficiaries. How debts are dealt with is dependent upon a number of factors: ◗ Are the debts secured or unsecured? ◗ Is there a guarantor for the debts? ◗ Were the debts in the sole name of the deceased person or were they held jointly with another person (such as a spouse)? ◗ What types of assets are in the estate (such as bank accounts or real estate)? WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

DEALING WITH THE ESTATE If parents die in debt, the first place their executors must turn their attention to is the estate. (Note that executors are appointed in the will of the deceased person). The role of the executor is to collect and distribute all of the deceased person’s assets. The first step is to pay all the debts of the estate and once this is done the remaining benefits under the will are available for distribution to the beneficiaries. Depending on your state or territory, the executor may be required to publish a ‘Notice of Intent’ to distribute. This notice allows the opportunity for any creditors to claim any outstanding debt from the estate. It also enables other family members or previous spouses to make a claim if they believe they may be entitled to an inheritance.

PAYING OFF SECURED AND UNSECURED DEBTS Secured debt, such as a mortgage, is secured against a particular asset e.g., the home of the deceased person. These secured debts will be discharged (paid out) by the executor before any unsecured debts are paid. If the deceased has an outstanding debt which is secured against an asset, the lender can sell that asset to repay the debt. While the beneficiaries of the estate are not responsible for the debt, the estate will lose the asset to discharge the debt. Credit cards and personal loans are usually considered unsecured debts, as they are not secured against a particular asset. These unsecured debts will be repaid using other assets of the deceased e.g., money sitting in the bank accounts.

IF THERE IS A GUARANTOR FOR THE DEBTS A guarantor promises to continue repayments when the borrower passes away. This means that when a friend or family member has guaranteed a debt, the creditor can hold the guarantor responsible for the debt after the deceased’s death. If the debt 48

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is secured, the lender can also sell the asset given as security to repay the debt.

WHERE THE DEBTS WERE HELD JOINTLY WITH ANOTHER PERSON (SUCH AS A SPOUSE)

If a secured or unsecured debt is held by the deceased and another person, The then both will be death of responsible a parent can for paying sometimes mean the debt. financial turmoil It will need for surviving to be calculated relatives how much of the debt is payable by the estate of the deceased. The assets in the estate may be used to pay off the deceased’s part of the debt. If there are no assets in the estate of the deceased or not enough to pay off their share of the debt, the joint account holder will have to repay the full outstanding debt.

THE TYPES OF ASSETS IN THE ESTATE

(SUCH AS BANK ACCOUNTS OR REAL ESTATE)

When a person dies, any debts they have are paid out from money in bank accounts or cash made available through the sale of any properties that were owned by the deceased. The remainder of the assets are then distributed amongst the beneficiaries in accordance with the terms contained in the will. If there is not enough money left in the estate to cover all debts, then debts can be written off. This is a complex process requiring specialist legal advice. Unfortunately, it also means that there won’t be assets available for distribution to the beneficiaries. ACG Michael Clohesy is the National Head of Legal Services at Gathered Here. Michael can be emailed at michael@gatheredhere.com.au

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D ementia care

BY MAREE MCCABE AM

CEO DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA

Myths & Warning Signs of Dementia Confronting the Myths

ere are the most common myths which perpetuate misleading information and stigma about Alzheimer’s disease and the other forms of dementia.

“Dementia is a natural part of ageing” MYTH 1

Dementia is not a natural part of ageing.

It is a group of neurodegenerative diseases that affect both young people (younger onset dementia) and older people (those aged over 65). Dementia is a social and health condition, not just an aged care issue. Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians and the leading cause of death of women in Australia.

“Dementia is untreatable and cannot be slowed down” MYTH 2

There is no cure for dementia, but early symptoms can be managed through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.

Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment and extended quality of life. Just as you would with heart disease and stroke, you can advise your patients to make life changes and include risk reduction strategies that reduce the likelihood they will develop dementia - the earlier, the better. 50

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“I’m not able to support a patient with dementia.” MYTH 3

General practitioners, general practice nurses and other health care professionals play a crucial role in assisting their patients to find specialised care, support, counselling and information. Your advice, experience and ability to offer your patients services and resources about driving non-pharmacological treatments and advanced care planning is vital. So too is managing their medication. Referral to Dementia Australia is a great place to start.

“Early diagnosis is not beneficial” MYTH 4

By recognising and understanding the symptoms of dementia, general practitioners, general practice nurses and their primary care teams are in a prime position to empower their patients. Early diagnosis is important to determine appropriate treatment needs for your patient and to help them plan for their future.

Furthermore, a timely diagnosis provides your patient with the opportunity to learn about their condition, understand changes as they occur and better plan for the range of day-to-day issues associated with having a cognitive impairment.

Problems with language

Health professionals can support people living with dementia, along with their families and carers, to achieve better clinical outcomes and a better quality of life.

Problems with abstract thinking

Warning signs of Dementia

The early signs of dementia are very subtle and may not be immediately obvious. Early symptoms also vary a great deal. Usually though, people first seem to notice that there is a problem with memory, particularly in remembering recent events. The early signs of dementia can include: Memory loss that affects day-to-day function It’s normal to occasionally forget appointments or a friend’s phone number and remember them later. A person with dementia may forget things more often and not remember them at all. Difficulty performing familiar tasks People can get distracted from time to time and they may forget to serve part of a meal. A person with dementia may have trouble with all steps involved in preparing a meal. Confusion about time and place It’s normal to forget the day of the week – for a moment. A person with dementia may have difficulty finding their way to a familiar place, or feel confused about where they are.

Everyone has trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with dementia may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words, making sentences difficult to understand.

Managing finances can be difficult for anyone, but a person with dementia may have trouble knowing what the numbers mean. Poor or decreased judgment A person with dementia may have difficulty judging distance or direction when driving a car. Problems misplacing things Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. A person with dementia may put things in inappropriate places. Changes in personality or behaviour Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time. Someone with dementia can exhibit rapid mood swings for no apparent reason. They can become confused, suspicious or withdrawn. A loss of initiative It’s normal to tire of some activities. But dementia may cause a person to lose interest in previously enjoyed activities. Only a medical practitioner such as your local doctor or specialist can diagnose dementia. If a firm diagnosis has been made, it is helpful to find out about dementia and the support that is available to help you manage. For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available and the Helpline is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. Further information can also be found at dementia.org.au WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Travelling & Holidays

with Dementia BY MAREE MCCABE AM, CEO DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA

Living with dementia does not mean you cannot travel. Travelling can be stressful and challenging but it can also be a very rewarding experience. Planning ahead can help ensure you have the best possible experience.

f you are a firsttime traveller, planning with a trusted and recommended travel agent may be a good idea. Booking a holiday package, with many of the travel arrangements prebooked can help reduce the stress of travelling. It’s also worth exploring online travel forums and blogs for travel advice specific to your chosen location. Being aware of capabilities and possible challenges can help with your decision about going on holidays and can assist you in deciding where you want to go, and what you might do whilst you are travelling.

Things to consider before planning your holiday:

• How does your experience of living with dementia impact on you?

• Can you complete daily living activities on your own, or with the help of a family member or friend? • How will you respond to changes in routine and environment? • What is the capacity of your travelling companion to support you without the assistance of other usual support networks? 52

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• Can you or your travel companion manage well if a crisis arises? • Are you, or the person travelling with you, prepared to adjust travel plans should your needs change midtrip?

Signs that travelling and holidays may not be suitable for you: • If you regularly feel disorientation, confusion or agitation, even in familiar settings.

• If you regularly feel that you want to go back home, even when you are away from home on short visits. • If you have incontinence problems. • If you are unable to walk safely or for longer distances. • If you feel angry or anxious when your needs are not met, which sometimes causes you to have physical or emotional responses. • If you have an existing predisposition to falls or a high risk of falling. • If you have other unstable medical conditions. • If you are unsure whether travelling is a good idea, seek the advice of your healthcare professional.

Some things to consider when planning your holiday: Medical Clearance • Consult with your doctor to see if your travel plans are suitable for your situation. • Some airlines, cruise ship operators and insurance providers may ask for written medical clearance from your doctor. • Check whether you can a letter from your doctor for your prescription medications that you need to take on your trip. You may need to purchase extra medication if you plan to be away for an extended time. Time and Duration • The time of year, season and duration of the trip are all important factors. • Consider trialling a short domestic holiday before doing a longer or international trip. • Avoid travelling at peak travel seasons, such as Christmas. • Be prepared to allow plenty of time for everything. • Plan to travel at the time of day when you are usually at your best. Book in Advance Booking ahead can help ensure that accessible accommodation, special assistance and transport options are available. It also provides you with time to prepare for your trip. Communications • If you are travelling overseas, explore options for a mobile phone plan with international roaming and save important telephone numbers to your mobile phone. • Download and practise using messenger apps, so you have quick and easy access to your support networks while you are away.

Medication • Pack a first aid kit. Include all medications you may need while you are away • Keep medication in carry-on luggage in case checked luggage is lost or delayed. • Bring prescriptions and additional medication. This can be helpful if your medication gets lost, runs out, or if you decide to extend your trip. • Prepare a list of all medications and dosages in case you become unwell. Identification • Consider wearing a disease identification bracelet and have some form of identification on you at all times. • Keep the details of your accommodation and a contact number with you when holidaying in places unfamiliar to you. • If you’re travelling in a nonEnglish speaking country, consider making cue cards with “dementia” printed in the local languages. Travel Insurance • Travel insurance is very important. It can cover losses, damage and some unexpected costs that may occur during your travels. • Some insurance company guidelines may require you to disclose a dementia diagnosis. • Be sure to read the policy carefully to ensure it covers exactly what you need.

While on holidays

New environments can sometimes be confusing and difficult to adapt to. There are strategies you can use to prevent or manage challenges. Maintain Routine • Try to keep mealtimes, bedtimes, and medication schedules as close to home routine as possible to help reduce stress and anxiety. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

• Writing the routine down might be helpful for you or your travel companion to have something to refer to. Travel Tips for your Companion • Ensure the person with dementia is well informed of where you are going and what you will be doing. Try not to overload them with complicated or excess information.

and notes as these will be useful to support reminiscing when you return home. • Keep your sense of humour when things don’t go to plan. Holidays always have highs and lows. They will be part of your experience. ACG

• Having your itinerary on hand for reference can be helpful. Know the Warning Signs • Learn to recognise the warning signs of anxiety and agitation in yourself. • Expect increased confusion, agitation and behavioural changes during your trip and have a plan for managing this. Enjoy • Holidays are a fantastic opportunity to make memories and have fun. Take lots of photos

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Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

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Ensure you get the support you deserve.

P ersonal Story

BY GILL PALLISTER

My story about

how my church and community helped care for my Mum and Dad. By the time people reach advanced age, they’ve lost many things – their jobs, the sport they played, the clubs they belonged to. And often, their friends have either passed on, or are frail and ill. There’s one thing they should never lose though, but they often do, and that’s their spiritual connection. 56

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MY MOTHER My Mother was what I would call a moderate churchgoer – a couple of times a month, Christmas Day, Easter Day. She believed in God, and I think she prayed, although God never came up much in her conversations. In moving around over the years, mum had long periods of time of not going to church at all. Eventually, mum and dad found a very small suburban church close to where they lived. Mum had just started to get ill at that time, and I had to move in with them, to help Dad look after her.

The people from this little church gave us enormous support. They rallied around us and helped in so many ways. Even the priest often came over to give mum communion. Someone gave her a “holding cross”, which is a cross made of wood, and it’s shaped in a way that fits comfortably into the hand. (I believe they’re hand carved by monks somewhere in Victoria). It gave her such comfort that she always had it with her and passed away with the cross in her hand. I asked the funeral director to leave it with her.

Christmas and Easter, where they showed bits of services from a cathedral, with all the pomp and show, he would say “look at this – this isn’t right – Jesus didn’t live like this.”

DAD’S TURNING POINT When he joined our small local church, he developed a change of heart. He started going to church more often, and he really appreciated the support they were giving us during mum’s illness. He lived six years after mum died, and he stayed quite close to the church during that time. Again, in my dad’s final days, we too were given wonderful support from the congregation.

On weeks when I couldn’t take mum to the Sunday service, someone from the congregation always came by Unfortunately, though, it the house to leave the service doesn’t always work that sheet in our letter box. Mum We are not way. People are often loved partaking in the life forgotten about or less often human beings of the church. She would contacted, especially if it’s having a spiritual help me with such things a large congregation. as crafts for the church experience, we are fete She liked to feel that DIFFERENT BELIEFS – spiritual beings she was involved and SAME COMMUNITY contributing in some way. having a human I myself was a volunteer in a live-in aged care facility experience MY FATHER a few years ago. I noticed Pierre My Father however, had a Teilhard de that every week the local different spiritual experience. Chardin priest would come and give the He was born in the North of residents a Communion service. England, soon after the end of This was lovely. But there was a the First World War. Church was very important factor that wasn’t being compulsory – Sunday morning and evening, considered – the unique characteristics of and Sunday school in the afternoon. Come different denominations. A lot of them may rain, hail or shine, and in that part of the not have had communion as part of their world, snow, he had to do these three services and due our very diverse people things religiously, every Sunday. He wasn’t groups and cultures, many have religions happy with the way churches operated. outside of the common ones we of which He saw the wealthy people of the town we know. Therefore, it’s as important for be first in line for everything, all the time. those people to have leaders or members And he saw how the poverty that existed of their religious communities, church, then was often ignored by the church, the temple, synagogue or mosque visit them. very people they were meant to help. Not only would this benefit the aged, but He was your typical CEO. Christmas and also support and encourage the family Easter were the only times he went to members. This is where community carers church as an adult. Having said that, he still can be a wonderful resource. People who maintained a strong belief in God. And he could volunteer their time to visit the aged had his own strong, deep belief about what and fill their hearts and souls. This can apply church should be like. When on the news at to residents in live-in facilities, as well as

“

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WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

people being cared for at home. They could also be given some passive activities, such as craft work or folding service sheets, so that they still feel valued and a contributor.

HOPE This would be also good for the carer as for the person being cared for. Caring is a 24/7 job. The carer can lose their spiritual connection as well. And so, in doing these things for their loved one, they maintain their own connection. In my years of caring, I spent many hours in hospital chapels. The comfort that gave me was wonderful. I would go to the chapel when nobody else was there and simply rest and reflect. These things are not the only part of a spiritual connection – and they’re not the most important part either. For me, the most important part is the inner connection with God – prayer time and meditation time. When people are in their advanced years, they can’t always concentrate and focus as they used to. So, they need encouragement, help, and reminding of these things. They need someone to remind them how important reflection time is. Maybe make a place for them in their living area, where they can have their prayer book and a

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

notebook with pen for journaling if that’s what brings them peace, a dedicated quiet place for their quiet time. If they find reading a challenge, the carer could read to them. I believe this would bless the carer too.

CATERING FOR ALL BELIEFS Recently, I heard of a care facility celebrating the Hindu festival, Diwali. Diwali is the festival of lights for Hindus. Although most of the residents weren’t Hindu, it gave them an insight into a different culture, allowing “Our them new insights hearts are into differing restless until religions and may they rest with even initiate with God” conversations. Saint Augustine Alternatively, care facilities, with family/ resident permission, can find out what religions their residents follow in order to acknowledge them in a simple, inclusive and informative manner. Facilities that provide this kind of diversity are to be commended.

THE GREEN ROOM IS FULL OF QUESTIONS But what about people who have never contemplated much about the purpose of life? I often found myself sitting in a hospital chapel, reflecting, praying, and thinking about this question because in their advanced years, not a lot happens throughout the day and night and the hours can seem quite empty. So, what do they do when they have finally exhausted their own resources? Where do they look for strength, for wisdom, and hope? From where do they find comfort and peace? What I realized was that when people are knocking on deaths door, it’s amazing that it’s often then that they contemplate the bigger questions of life. What was it all for? What was my purpose? Where to now? Is this really it? I believe it’s possible, at any age, to introduce people to a faith, belief, spirituality, whatever they want to call it, which will help them in so many ways. And I believe with kindness and sensitivity, there are ways to do this.

TIME TO THINK For example, in a live-in facility, maybe just have people talk to them – staff, volunteers, and ask them if they have any thoughts or ideas about their future. Do they have a belief structure? Engage in their views. Ask questions. Take time to understand and learn. We can all learn something from each other. However, if they have no belief, ask them if they would like to talk about that. God would lead the conversation. He will move their hearts. These conversations need always be gentle and gracious. The quickest way to alienate people away is to be pushy. It’s surprising how much time the frail and aged have to sit and examine the meaning of life.

She said “I believe in God, I believe we’re all spiritual beings, I just don’t like organized religion”. I understood this. I love going to church. I can’t explain why, I just do. But I wonder about rote prayers and liturgy – the same thing over and over again. If your children came to your house every week, sat down, and said exactly the same things they’d said every week for the past umpteen years, you’d be bored and you wouldn’t feel very cared about or loved. Is this how we make God feel? And although I’ve talked a lot here about giving people the rituals and so forth with which they’re familiar and comfortable, would it also be an idea to encourage them to form their own relationship with God in their own way? In other words – make it personal? Maybe, when facilities are looking for volunteers, they could ask for people who are willing and able to help with this. People who are willing to engage with residents and help them connect and embrace their spirituality in a more profound way. Families, if they choose, could also take part in these conversations. I would wish for all people to end their lives having a personal relationship with God, as my parents did. And if that relationship has never existed before, how wonderful to discover that love, peace and freedom in the closing years of one’s life. ACG

I’ve often heard people describe themselves as spiritual but not religious. I once asked someone what that meant. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

W ell-Being

MERCURY

The menace in your mouth?

From chronically tired to feeling great 60

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

A TRUE RETURN TO HEALTH STORY Hi, my name is Karen and I am the primary carer for my mother Enid who is in her mid 80’s.

hank God, my mother is relatively independent so not extremely demanding but the little I had to do was extremely difficult. Knowing that I had a few years of caring in front of me, I was perplexed as to why I was always fatigued. I could barely keep up with life, and I didn’t know why everyone else seemed way more together than I was. I finally realised that it wasn’t because I was disorganised or inadequate but rather because I felt sick more often than I felt well. In fact, sometimes I felt so sick that I wasn’t able to help my beautiful mum. Often, everyday tasks seemed as hard as scaling Mount Everest. I desperately wanted to give my mother the care she required, but I was simply too wiped out. When shopping, I would be tired for 2 to 3 days afterwards. I also began to get behind on all family tasks and could never seem to catch up. I simply didn’t have the energy to keep up with life and my insomnia was rapidly getting worse.

DOCTOR, DO SOMETHING! I became desperate. I went to several doctors where I was confronted with puzzled looks. I gave them a list of all my symptoms: ◆ Insomnia ◆ Debilitating Headaches ◆ Weight Gain ◆ Fatigue ◆ Abdominal Bloating (very noticeable when it occurred!) ◆ Lower Back Pain ◆ Intolerant To Exercise (exercise made me feel sicker and exhausted) ◆ Cracked Heels ◆ Breathlessness ◆ Heart Palpitations ◆ Heartburn ◆ Sinus Drainage

I know. It’s a lot!! But it’s true. I was hoping with all my heart that when reviewing my symptoms, they would have a light bulb moment and identify the problem. But alas…. So, I began my own journey of investigation and discovery. Guess what my research revealed?? Many of the symptoms that I was experiencing pointed to my body being highly toxic. My body was overloaded with poison. I began to suspect that it might have something to do with my mercury fillings. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

The research indicated that my symptoms perfectly fitted the profile of a mercury poisoned person.

A BIG DECISION After much thought and prayer, I finally decided that I should have all my fillings replaced. (Never do that without researching your dentist and appropriate mercury replacement protocols-it can make you sicker otherwise.)

PREPARATION BEFORE THE DENTAL WORK Before I had my fillings replaced, I made sure that my body was strong enough for the removal by taking appropriate supplements:

◆ I had a Vitamin C IV at my integrated doctor’s office.

◆ B vitamins ◆ Vitamin C ◆ Vitamin D

◆ At home, I swished some activated charcoal around in my mouth to absorb any mercury particles.

◆ Trace minerals

◆ I took an activated charcoal pill.

◆ Milk thistle for my liver.

FINAL THOUGHTS

◆ Magnesium

On the day of my dental work, my highly trained dentist took appropriate precautions to protect me from being exposed to mercury. ◆ He removed the fillings in chunks rather than drilling into them. (It only took seconds to pop out the old mercury fillings.) ◆ I had oxygen over my nose to prevent me from inhaling mercury vapor.

I am so grateful that I feel great now! Although it was a long process it was worth every minute! It also taught me so much about varying toxins and how they effect your body and how, to the best of my I tell you ability, avoid serious health firsthand, Health is problems in the future.

“

Wealth and without it you can’t do much.

◆ The dental assistant sprayed cold water in my mouth the whole time (also helps to protect from being exposed to mercury). The dentist replaced the fillings with a biologically compatible material that did not compromise my immune system. 62

POST REMOVAL SAFEGUARDS

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

”

Needless to say, mum is so much happier because I can visit her more often and meet all her care needs. I tell you firsthand, Health is Wealth and without it you can’t do much. ACG

Disclaimer: This post is not medical advice. I am not a doctor or medical professional. I share only from my own experiences and research. Consult your own practitioner before making changes in your diet or supplements.

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WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

FROM ROLE TO 64

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Becoming a carer, or requiring a carer, is another transition in life that may come gradually or suddenly in midlife and beyond. But when it happens, we’re instantly uprooted and transplanted into foreign territory. Our former aptitudes and strengths may no longer matter; your vulnerabilities once hidden, may roar to the surface. But given the new longevity of our population, there will undoubtedly be a time when we will either need to give care or will need to receive care.

his major life shift triggers many unconscious shadow issues, or habitual difficult patterns: for carers, resentment of the lack of freedom, impatience with the other’s demanding needs, betrayal about the loss of a dream. As one woman put it, “When my husband got sick, we lost our future.” As a client said, “When my brother was diagnosed, my life became about nothing but him. I can’t cope.” As a friend said, “Did I stay healthy just to take care of him?” And a husband told me, “I adore her, but I’m not built for this kind of patience.”

OUR TEMPERAMENT OUR RESPONSES Our default shadow characters, and their coping strategies, may take over. It can help to do shadow-work by naming them, quieting the mind, and observing them, rather than automatically allowing them to take charge. Depending on our temperament “The Saviour” will try to cure the loved one, “The Victim” will feel helpless, overwhelmed, confused, and alone, “The Researcher” will obsess with googling possibilities and “The Denier” will turn away, unable to see the reality of “what is”. For those receiving care, this shift may trigger a dark night in the liminal zone, a loss of identity, purpose, and meaning— and an uncertain end. As a cancer patient told me, “Don’t ask how I’m feeling. I am not a cancer patient. That’s not who I am.”

Soul

By Connie Zweig, Ph.D.

Adapted from The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

In addition, it may bring up denial, or the Fighter, or the Rebel, or the Obedient Patient. Beneath the roles, the shame of dependency, the loss of agency, and the fear of death, linger. As one man shared with me once, “I was so competent. Now I can’t even drive.” A wife told me, “I never had to depend on him for anything. Now I feel trapped and ashamed.”

ANNA’S STORY For both carers and receivers of care, shadow-work can move toward conscious caring, crossing the threshold from an outer orientation of role—the helper and the patient—to an inner orientation of two souls on a healing journey.

had not been by her family. And she had been unknowingly over-giving, neglecting her own self-care, and, most importantly, expecting something in return—to be acknowledged, appreciated and valued. When Anna reflected on her own responsibility for her reactions, she saw that her ego had a secret agenda: She admitted that a part of her—her shadow character that she, “The Saviour”—wanted credit for her friend’s remission. When her friend complied with Anna’s recommendations, they got along. But when her friend made different choices, Anna’s ego was offended. As she examined the hidden motives in her shadow, she could feel more accountable for her reactions, and her heart opened again to her friend. She learned how to serve differently, to move in and out of the caring more fluidly, without identifying with it. And she learned to see her friend as a soul undergoing an ordeal, rather than another person she could fix.

PAULA’S SPECTRUM OF EMOTIONS

Caring can become a portal to selfknowledge through shadow awareness. And it can become a messenger of one’s own mortality awareness. For example, my colleague Anna told me that, for a full year, she attended to a friend with cancer, taking her to doctors, buying food, and listening to her struggles. When that woman went into remission, Anna was exhausted and resentful. “She never really appreciated all that I did. She didn’t thank me in any meaningful way.” Anna’s early childhood injury, feeling unseen and unacknowledged by her parents, had been triggered during her long year of caring. In her shadow, she was striving mightily to be seen and appreciated by her friend in a way that she 66

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

When a person is caring for a spouse, it’s likely that the shadow will erupt at some point. When my client Paula was caring for her husband Jim, and it became clear that his undiagnosed illness was becoming chronic, she began to feel trapped. “Three months is enough,” she said. “It’s looking more like three years of cooking, cleaning, chores, and driving to doctor’s offices. What about me?” she asked. Paula needed to talk about her accumulating feelings as the situation worsened, or they would be stuffed into the shadow. She felt that she couldn’t burden Jim with them, so she brought them to me. I explained how important it is for carers to have a safe place for their own self-care, sometimes just to vent, sometimes to explore shadowwork. Once she could reorient and focus on herself, Paula expressed difficult feelings. “Who am I, now that my freedom is gone? Now that my future is gone? Jim was my rock, my refuge. Now, as he deteriorates, I’m lost and disoriented.”

Paula felt growing resentment and concern that, if this was her life from now on, she would become bitter and depressed. “The other day I felt so frustrated that he couldn’t help with anything that I lost it. I yelled and stormed out. Now, I’m so ashamed. He doesn’t deserve that.”

THE SOLUTION

Paula decided to hire a professional for two days a week to fill the role of caring. In this way, she could set limits on her own doing, focus on her own creative projects, and begin to orient from role to soul in her marriage. Someone in different We explored how she could identify circumstances might join a carer the anger and resentment before support group, find a friend or it boiled up to the surface: Her relative who can provide relief Join a carer skin felt hot, and her throat care, or seek help from a support group, closed. Her body felt like it local social services agency. find a friend or would explode. She named This self-care allowed relative who can this shadow Resentment Paula’s higher emotions and learned how to slow provide relief care, to emerge in her caring: down this reaction with deep compassion, empathy, or seek help from breathing and telling Jim that generosity, patience, and a local social she needed a break before nonjudgmental awareness. the anger erupted. Then she services agency Rather than contracting would go for a walk and release into her narrow new role, she the energy from her body. began to expand out of liminal Paula also felt helpless and useless. space and find space in her new As we traced these feelings back to her reality. She found patience with Jim’s childhood, she recalled how helpless she felt slower pace and eventually understood that in the face of her father’s alcoholism. This patience was now her spiritual practice. had shaped the Helper role that she took in She was opened to it, breath by breath. the family, which was now re-emerging and This kind of caring from the inside out triggering intense early-childhood feelings. can become part of our sacred service or “I had to be there for my mother’s needs karma yoga, a path to greater unity. It can with Dad. But who was there for mine? lift us out of habitual roles and labels, such Gosh, here I am again, helping others and as husband, wife, patient, helper, father, feeling invisible and unappreciated.” mother, son, or daughter, which can limit our capacities for giving due to shadow issues. For most of us, the re-creation of early And it can move us into the realm of soul. dynamics in our adult circumstances When we encounter one another behind can add emotional charge to our current these masks, in moments of profound responsibilities. Paula came to realize that joining, our feelings of separateness dissolve. “The Helper” part of her was not what her Now, as our ego barriers fall away, we often husband needed. She was not trying to can discern the other person’s needs. ACG fix him or to earn love. Paula saw that the

“

”

Helper emerged when she couldn’t tolerate her own feelings, so she tried heroically to fix things. She wanted to be a successful Doer, as she had been in her midlife years. But Jim mostly needed her loving presence, not her heroic doing. He didn’t need advice or solutions. He didn’t need to be cheered up. And she mostly needed to give love. So, their deeper needs, beneath the roles, actually fit.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

T echnology

How Embracing Technology Keeps you Young

New technologies are being invented all the time. Keeping up with it all can sometimes feel too hard, especially if life is already busy. Why should you get on board with the latest app or the next new gadget? Won’t it just mean wasting time and money on something you don’t even need? 68

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

by Dr Raelene Wilding Associate Professor, Sociology La Trobe University

y work as a sociology researcher suggests the answer is both yes, and no. Yes, jumping on the band wagon of the latest new technology can end up costing you time and money. But no, because sometimes that new technology can help to change your life for the better.

Finding and bookmarking good quality websites can help you to have a wealth of valuable information at hand. Consider bookmarking the details of your local government, support services, social activities and other relevant and important information that you find useful.

So how do you work out the difference?

LEARNING TO PLAY

For many years now, I have been working with groups of older people to introduce them to new technologies and talk to people about what technologies they use and why they use them. The stories I have been gathering over the years offer some good life lessons for all of us.

One thing that I learned very early in my research is that older people think about technology as a serious tool. This is true. But what they often don’t realise is that it can also be a source of fun. An important part of the sessions I run is learning how to use technology for entertainment, pleasure and fun.

STREAMLINING YOUR LIFE All carers face huge challenges. There never seems to be enough time to do everything in a day, and it is difficult to get the help and support that might make life a bit easier. New technologies are not going to solve these problems. But, there are now a lot of online services and apps that can be helpful.

This might sound frivolous, but in fact a lot of the games available online are also very good for your brain. Some people enjoy colouring or design games that help them to think about colour and form. Others enjoy word games such as Scrabble, Wordle or a wide range of wordfinding and crossword games. There are many different trivia apps to help test and develop general knowledge. And then there are puzzle games to test your spatial awareness or simply to have fun trying something new.

Online grocery shopping services can save a lot of time and money by helping with meal planning and budgeting. You can create a list, search for specials and organise a click and collect or home delivery service, all in your pyjamas. There are also a wide range of apps that can help you to do everything from remember and manage medications to monitor diets, nutrition, exercise and sleep. You might also use apps to organise your personal records, create beautiful online photos and videos or send birthday and holiday greetings to friends and family. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

It is always important to download your games from one of the reputable app stores, and it is usually a good idea to try the free version before deciding to spend money on a game. If you find that you’re not having fun with a particular game, then just stop playing it and delete it, and look for something new.

you to find out whether this could be a good addition to your routine entertainments. The key message here, is to be open to the ways that new technologies might offer a new sparkle to your everyday life.

THINKING LIKE A TEENAGER

Back in 2001, Marc Prensky claimed that young people A more expensive option than New are ‘digital natives’ and that mobile phone apps is a game technologies the rest of us are ‘digital playing console or gaming immigrants’. What he means might offer a new computer. This can be quite is that young people speak the a big investment but can help sparkle to your language of the technologies to open up new worlds of they grow up with, while the everyday life. entertainment and fun. When rest of us have to learn that I introduced virtual reality to language. This means we never a group of older adults, they quite take those technologies were sceptical at first. However, for granted in the same way. after a bit of time and experimenting, they started to find some games and This idea can be helpful if we use it to experiences that they really enjoyed. One stop giving ourselves a hard time. Yes, man was thrilled that he was able to take that teenager seems to know all about the

a virtual reality tour of some of the major museums in Europe. He had not been able to travel for years, and particularly missed visiting cultural landmarks. One of the women really enjoyed the deep sea diving experience, saying it reminded her of scuba diving as a younger woman. One of the quieter women in the group surprised herself and everyone else when it turned out she really enjoyed shooting at targets in a virtual reality shooting game – and was actually very good at it! Gaming experiences like these can involve quite a big investment of money, so it is a good idea to ask around before buying one yourself. Does a friend or family member have a console that you can borrow for a while? Do they have some games that you could try? Trying before you buy can help 70

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

latest computers. But do they also know how to use a landline telephone? And a fax machine? And a typewriter? Learning and re-learning new technologies can even give us an advantage – we know from experience that this latest computer will one day also end up in the dust heap of history. So, we tend to pay less attention to the marketing hype that surrounds each new gadget. But what young people might be able to teach us, is how to make the most of the technologies we do have. Do you remember when a new mobile phone or computer would come in a box with a thick instruction booklet? The pages and pages of tiny writing in multiple languages, with an index so

you could look up a particular feature? Digital immigrants still remember those instruction manuals and mourn their loss. In fact, some of the more dedicated digital immigrants will go to the trouble of finding an instruction manual online and print out the pages they might need. What does the digital native do? They turn on the phone and start pressing buttons. They show it to their friends, who compare it with their own phones. They learn about the phone by using it and by talking about it, not by reading about it in a book.

that digital immigrants don’t do very often. As one woman in her 90s once told me, ‘I can’t ask my son about that anymore, he gets frustrated when I ask him for help’. A man in his 80s shared that he feels like a burden when he asks for help. A woman in her 70s told me she felt ashamed that she has not been able to keep up with digital technologies. She would rather just struggle along without a new phone than have to declare ignorance.

This has been one of the hardest things to teach digital immigrants. When I host sessions with older people to help them feel more confident using technologies, they are usually reluctant to experiment with their phone. They worry that they will press the wrong button or break something. I had a lightbulb moment when a woman in her 80s said to me, ‘I keep hearing my mum’s voice in my head – don’t touch that, you’ll break it!’ She helped me understand that digital immigrants grew up being told to look but not touch, and to only use technologies after they had been taught how to use them properly. But the digital technologies of today simply don’t work that way. It would take several lifetimes to learn everything about your mobile phone. Instead, digital natives know that the best way of learning is by doing. But this can also be done in safe ways that help to avoid something going wrong.

SHARING AND BEING SOCIAL Digital natives don’t treat new technologies as sacred objects to be left alone. They play with them and through them. When they discover a new feature, they tell their friends about it, and they expect their friends to return the favour. If something goes wrong, they talk to their friends about it, in the hope that someone will have a solution. And they usually do. Digital natives learn about their technologies in social groups, not by reading instruction manuals. I discovered that this is something

I was delighted when all of these men and women discovered that they could actually learn how to use the digital technologies that mattered to them. More importantly, they discovered the joys of meeting with each other once a week to share what they had learned. They made new friends and supported each other to use their devices more effectively. What does this tell You can us? Well, first, start feeling that you might like part of a want to start community of talking to your tech savvy friends about new explorers technologies. What do they use? What do they struggle with? How does this compare with your experience? You could maybe challenge each other to find a new feature or game once a week, and catch up over a cuppa to share your discoveries. Expanding the network of people you can turn to and share with can help you to feel like less of a burden. You can start feeling like part of a community of tech savvy explorers. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

If your friends are not keen on this approach, there are also other options available. Libraries often have sessions for learning about new technologies or platforms. Consider attending some of their sessions, and maybe suggest that they host a weekly morning tea or ‘tech group’ for people to start being social with their technologies.

BEING SAFE ONLINE When people are convinced that they would actually like to use new technologies more often, one of the biggest fears they face is online safety. We have Libraries all heard the stories often have of people losing money or sessions for information learning about new online, and technologies or the devastation platforms. this can cause. It is very important is to seek out trusted information about staying safe online. We all know how to cross the road safely to avoid the dangers of cars, buses and trucks (they were also new technologies once!). Now it is just as important to learn how to use the internet safely. Local libraries often offer excellent sessions to help keep you informed. There are also useful online resources – including Tech Savvy Seniors (https://www.telstra. com.au/tech-savvy-seniors) and Staying Safer Online (https://www.esafety.gov. au/seniors/staying-safer-online).

MAKING TECHNOLOGY CARE WITH YOU There is no need to feel anxious about new technologies. There are lots of ways we can build confidence in using the latest devices and keep ourselves safe in the process. One step we can take is to start thinking about technology as a tool instead of a goal. We don’t need to use a bulldozer to weed the garden. In the same way, we don’t always need to have the latest gadget in order to do our online shopping or keep up to date on social media. Think carefully about what it is you want the technology to do, and then choose the tool that best helps you to meet that need. The pace of change in new technologies can make it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But new technologies should be looked at as a source of support, which you can choose to use or ignore. If you start to feel that you are caring more for your technologies than they are caring for you, then it might be time to pause and reset. Reach out to some friends, your library and trusted online information, so that you can take back control of the tools in your life. ACG

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

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A slice of Life

A Lighter side

to caring

By Mary Bart

Images: CanStock

Caring for our elderly loved one is not all doom and gloom. Many of us often find that unexpectedly hilarious things happen. Funny stories make us and the person we’re caring for—laugh, and they often help us to get through difficult situations. But before we take a look at three families and their ways of coping, let’s look at what laughter can do for our health.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

ost of us love a funny story but there is also a serious side to most stories. Not only do they make us chuckle and create great memories, but they can also be used as learning opportunities to improve our caregiving. It’s been proven that laughter is a natural medicine. It lifts our spirits and makes us feel happy. It’s contagious, reduces stress hormones (cortisol and epinephrine) and releases endorphins that can potentially relieve pain.

8 laughter ways to bring

to your day

1 MARY AND CAYE Mum and I loved to go shopping. Whether we were buying food or sheets and towels, she was always excited by the thought of wandering up and down the aisles together. Because I felt a shop was a safe environment, when mum was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, I would sometimes encourage her to go ahead of me into another aisle. She enjoyed the feeling of being more independent. When we met up again, we would often pretend we were friends who hadn’t seen each other in ages. I would laugh and say, “Wow, I can’t believe it’s you, I’ve missed you” and give her a really long hug. Our laughter often turned into us making funny noises at each other. We’d try to sound like birds chirping or dogs barking, or would start doing hiccups, burps or snores. The more ridiculous the sounds, the greater our laughter.

Laughter isn’t always a natural part of a caregiver’s life. Here are a few tips for increasing the humour in your day. 1 Watch comedy sitcoms and movies. If you have a favourite series,purchase the full DVD set to have on hand. 2 Look on YouTube for free videos and musicians that will bring a smile to your face. Most people like watching old episodes of Seinfeld, I Love Lucy or a Dean Martin special. 3 Keep a camera close by so that you can take a few photos of funny things that happen during the day. Connect with family and friends to exchange pictures. 4 Don’t take yourself too seriously. Try to laugh at harmless mistakes. 5 Keep a journal of funny stories and situations. Later on, these memories might just bring a smile.

Moral of the Story

6 Find a joke of the day.

As Mum was losing her memory and not always sure of herself or able to find her words, our funny, very public hugging and silly noise game helped to keep her amused. I learned to do what was best for MY mum, regardless of where we were or who was watching. The funny thing is, at the end of

7 Search for pictures of kids or animals doing all kinds of silly things that will get you laughing. 8 Caregiver support groups are often instant source of funny stories. Most people have one to share. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Laughter is indeed

the best medicine Looking to improve your mood and get positive health benefits. Check this out!

her life, our noisy, funny hugging game was one of our best ways to communicate with each other. She didn’t have to worry about finding a word—she just had to make funny sounds and our laughter would continue to unite us. When you’re full of joy in your unique role as a carer to your unique loved one, often the world around you will applaud.

2 DREW AND LEE

Laughter stimulates circulation

One day, Drew was left on his own to figure out the basics of being a carer for his mother-in-law when his wife was suddenly called into work.

Laughter strengthens the immune system

It was mid-morning before he tiptoed into Lee’s bedroom to see if she needed anything. Without a doubt, there had been an accident. The room smelt awful. After a few seconds of horror, Drew realized he would have to change his mother-in-law’s adult diaper—but where in the heck were they kept and how in the world should he do it?

The average person laughs 17 times a day. Kid’s laugh 300 times a day

Laughter decreases stress hormones which helps resistance to disease. Source: Vanderbilt University

Women laugh more than men Laughing improves the memory of adults in their 60’s and 70s. Source: University of Maryland

Laughter releases endorphins We laugh up to 30 times more in the company of others than ourselves.

Laughing can help you burn calories

A good chuckle can effectively burn 10 to 40 calories.

In a panic, Drew called his wife for step-bystep instructions, but she didn’t answer and he couldn’t find the spare diapers. Naturally, the first course of action was to call a neighbour to come to the house to sit with Lee while he rushed out to the pharmacy. Clearly lost, Drew found himself floundering helplessly in Aisle 3 when a fellow shopper approached him with some “Been there, done that” advice as he pointed him in the right direction. Rushing home to save the day, Drew barely had time to feel embarrassed as he had to get down to the task at hand. After all, Lee needed him, and he wasn’t going to let her down—plain and simple. Happy to report, the operation was totally successful. What an experience!! It was safe to say, that Drew got to know his mother-in-law a heck of a lot better after that ordeal. To this day, they all still find the situation extremely amusing.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Moral of the Story Yes, Drew learned a valuable lesson in caregiving, and yes Drew made every effort to preserve his mother-in-law’s dignity, but more than that Drew found a friend in his next-door neighbour. A neighbour that had compassion for Drew and a heart to help. She was also happy to support them by way of providing some muchneeded respite for Drew and his wife when she was available.

“

replied by saying, “Well, Mitch, you don’t look so hot either!” They both laughed, gave each other a quick hug, and enjoyed catching up.

Better a neighbour nearby, than a brother far away

At home later that night, Steve took a good look in the mirror and agreed that his very honest friend was right. He had been so consumed with caring for Rita that he never thought about himself. He had put regular exercise in the “too hard” basket. Didn’t bother getting regular haircuts or even shaving every day as he was accustomed to doing. So, before his next visit, Steve got all cleaned up. He felt better and consequently, made Rita feel better by just looking at her handsome husband without the added burden of how her husband was coping.

”

3 RITA, STEVE AND MITCH Steve had been caring for his wife Rita for almost a year after her major head injury that resulted in several emergency brain surgeries and strokes. One Friday, Rita was rushed to the hospital….. again!! Her situation proved serious enough for the hospital to admit her for an extended period to monitor her condition. While Rita was in the ward on the third floor of the hospital, Steve ran into the wife of his old friend Mitch. Steve discovered that Mitch had also been admitted to hospital for observation. Later that afternoon, Steve was excited to reconnect with his old buddy. After all, they hadn’t seen each other since Rita got sick. Upon seeing Steve, Mitch chuckled and, in his normal sarcastic way, began with an insult: “Steve, you look like a grumpy old goat with matted hair. What happened?” Steve

Moral of the Story In the middle of everything, carers often need a reminder to pay attention to their own We don’t health and hygiene. laugh because Looking and feeling we’re happy. We’re good is not only essential to your happy because own quality of we laugh. life, but it also helps -William James to make caregiving more manageable in the long run as well as lightening the burden of the loved one for whom you are caring. ACG

Mary Bart is the chair of Caregiving Matters, an Internetbased charity that offers education and support to family caregivers.

FROGS MAKE US SMILE... Why are frogs so happy? They eat whatever bugs them.

What happens to a frog’s car when it breaks down? It gets ‘toad’ away.

What kind of shoes do frogs wear? Open ‘toad’.

What do you get when you cross a frog with a spaniel? A ‘croaker’ spaniel.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

F inance

Should you

Keep or Sell

by rachel lane from aged care gurus

your home

It’s amazing the number of people who believe that you have to sell your home when you move into aged care. When asked who will force them to sell the answer is typically either the government or the aged care home. It’s a myth. 78

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

hether you choose to keep or sell the family home when you move into aged care is up to you. Selling the home may be the right decision but there are a few things you should think about first. Let’s start with how the home is assessed for working out how much you can pay for your aged care. For calculating the amount that you can contribute towards your aged care costs the value of your former home is capped at $178,839 (unless a protected person lives there in which case it is exempt). A protected person includes: your partner or dependent child, a carer who is eligible

for an Australian Income Support Payment who has been living in the home for at least 2 years or a close relative is eligible for an Australian Income Support Payment who has been living in the home for at least 5 years. If your home is worth less than the $178,839 cap then the market value of the home will be used in the assessment. In most cases the market value will be far greater than the cap. As these special rules only apply to your former home, if you choose to sell, you are increasing the amount of assets and potentially income that will be included in the aged care assessment.

HERE’S HOW THE AGED CARE MEANS TEST WORKS 50c per dollar above $28,974.40 per year (Single) $28,454.40 per year (member of a couple) 17.5% of assets $52,500 - $178,839.20 1% of assets $178,839.20 - $431,517.60 2% of assets above $431,517.60 IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A COUPLE: • Half of the combined income and assets are assessed • If your calculated amount is $60.74 per day or less you are considered a low means resident • If your calculated amount is more than $60.74 per day you will pay the market price for your accommodation, your Means Tested Care Fee is the amount above $60.74 per day. • There is an annual limit of $29,399.40 that applies to the Means Tested Care Fee • There is a lifetime limit on means tested fees across Home Care and Residential Aged Care of $70,558.66.

Now let’s look at how Centrelink treat your home for the purpose of calculating your pension. Just like with the aged care assessment your home receives special treatment in calculating your Age Pension. • Under the pension assets test the full value of your home is exempt for 2 years from the date you or your partner leave the home (whichever is later). • When the 2 year exemption ends the home is included in your assessable assets at the market value but your pension assessment changes from a homeowner to a non-homeowner giving you an asset test threshold and cut off that is $216,500 higher. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

While the asset value of the home receives special treatment for both pension and aged care means testing it is important to know that if you receive rent from the home it is assessable income for both pension and aged care means tests. There is special tax treatment too. As a general rule you can keep the main residence Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption on your former home for six years after moving into aged care if the property is rented and potentially beyond this if it does not produce income. Be careful though, as the tax implications for you and those who stand to inherit the home are complex and warrant seeking specialist advice.

So with all these special concessions why are most people so quick to sell the former home? Well typically the former home represents the majority of wealth for the person entering aged care, without selling it they cannot meet their cash flow needs. You see, while you can choose to pay for your aged care accommodation by daily payment the interest rate is 4.07%p.a. Which means a $500,000 accommodation deposit (RAD) has an equivalent daily payment (DAP) of $20,350p.a. When this is added to the basic daily fee ($54.69 per day/$19,962 p.a), a means tested care fee and any additional

services you can easily be looking at an annual cost of $50,000 or more. The bottom line is if you have a home and a small amount of money in the bank it is easy to jump to the conclusion that Typically you have to sell it.

the former home represents the majority of wealth

But for all of the reasons listed above as well as the potential impact on your estate planning wishes it is vital to crunch the numbers, or get a Retirement Living and Aged Care Specialist® adviser to crunch them for you. The treatment of your home is unique from any other asset and once it’s sold, it’s too late. ACG

A list of Retirement Living and Aged Care Specialist® advisers can be found on our website www.agedcaregurus.com.au Rachel Lane is the Principal of Aged Care Gurus where she oversees a national network of specialist advisers. She writes regular columns on retirement living and aged care for the Sydney morning Herald, Melbourne’s The Age and the Brisbane Times and she often speaks on TV and Radio. Rachel has co-authored a number of books, including the Best Seller Aged Care, Who Cares? and her new book Downsizing Made Simple. All figures are correct as of May 1st 2022

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

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NEWS VIEWS &

Software village guru proves a hit with community operators and consumers alike Transitioning to a Retirement Village is a complex business

Six months ago, Rachel Lane launched Village Guru, a software programme designed to take the financial confusion out of downsizing to a Retirement Community, and it’s proving to be a big hit with operators and consumers alike. “My motivation was actually very simple, almost every person that I spoke to who had downsized to a Retirement Village or Land Lease Community (including my own grandma) said the same thing “My only regret is not moving sooner” I wanted to remove the financial confusion from that decision. Rachel understands people’s confusion about exit fees, Age Pension, Rent Assistance and Home Care Package costs, with delays being weeks, months or sometimes, years. Consequently, people just shelve the idea in the “too hard” basket. Sadly, Rachel adds that these seniors miss out on enjoying the lifestyle that retirement communities offer, the sense of feeling safe, being part of a community, and engaging in hobbies and sports. Calculating age pension, rent assistance, home care costs and exit fees is extremely complex, and for many almost impossible to navigate. Rachel understands that from varying contracts between villages to disclosure documents, to the Age Pension calculator (like the one on the Services Australia website) and 82

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then to the My Aged Care Home Care costs estimator can be virtually impossible to comprehend, even for the mathematician of the group. So what does Village Guru do?

In a nutshell, Village Guru is an online software that makes it easy for retirement communities to answer potential residents’ burning questions, like: • How much does it cost to move in? • What are the ongoing costs? • How will moving here affect my age pension and rent assistance? • Will it impact on my home care package costs? • How much will I get back after I leave? • And how long will I have to wait for my money? The software caters to communities that offer payment options, enabling clear comparisons between different contracts. It can also compare between moving or staying at home and even between one community and another. The software organises costs in simple-to-understand terms of ingoing, ongoing and outgoing costs, and estimates age pension, rent assistance and home care package costs. “The Village Guru software has helped empower our clients to take control of their downsizing journey. Having a straightforward comparison of options allows clients to move onto their next chapter with confidence,” says Kate Melrose, at Ingenia Communities.

“This is a great software tool that will help our customers make more informed decisions,” adds Tony Randello, CEO, Aveo Group. The software has proved popular with the Not-for-Profit providers too with Bolton Clarke, Uniting, Anglicare and Baptcare recently signing on.

“At Bolton Clarke, Village Guru will help our clients see how affordable retirement living can be with the flexible and accessible finance options on offer. Providing free, tailored report that allow our clients to access their options with transparency,” states Kim Teudt, Executive General Manager, Retirement Living, Bolton Clarke. Where to from Here?

Having just launched the first enhancement, Rachel says, “We know that data is key. So, we have spent time creating a dashboard for the sales users to see immediately where they are up to with their customer reports, using colours and graphs to make that data meaningful, quickly. For managers it’s all about having data on activity and trends that can be filtered by user, village and state and exported easily to their own sales reports.” She goes on to say “we won’t stop there, we are always listening to our customers and we are really lucky to have customers that give us great feedback, we are already working on our next enhancement” Feedback from pilot partners Aveo and Ingenia helped Rachel create software that is easy to use, powerful and flexible.

MEDIA

RELEASES

Victorian unpaid carers set to receive a deserving ‘thank you’ respite voucher for their tireless work and support with older and disabled loved ones LINK Community & Transport, established in 1982, recognises Victorian carers through its innovative ‘Thank you for Caring’ initiative – with support from Vic Government Support for Carers Program

Considered the unsung heroes of our community, thousands of Victorian unpaid carers will be receiving a well-deserved rewards voucher as part of LINK Community & Transport’s ‘Thank you for Caring’ program. “Thank you” gift cards

LINK will roll out the vouchers from now until the end of June across Metro Melbourne, growth corridors and select regional locations. These will entitle eligible unpaid carers to receive some well-earned help and time off - through social outings, help from flexible carers, advice on support options, and where necessary, counselling support. There are thousands of unpaid carers in Victoria who are shouldering a lot of the burden in caring for loved ones and community members in need. This translates to a more caring society and a decrease financial burden on the state. Club LINK ‘gift cards’ will be presented as a way of formally thanking carers for their efforts in looking after the needs of older,

disabled, impaired and unwell Victorians and ultimately decrease financial burden on the state. We See You

According to Dr Danny Davis, Managing Director, LINK Community & Transport, the ‘Thank you for Caring’ campaign is expected to become an annual program for LINK, acknowledging the tireless work unpaid carers do in supporting vulnerable Victorians. “These unpaid carers, many of whom don’t even recognise themselves as carers, are just looking after the people they love. Their roles remain behind the scenes, passionately and diligently supporting older, disabled or unwell Victorians so they can live well at home – and stay connected to services and community,” Dr Davis said. “But with this responsibility, we often see that the carers are forgotten. They put themselves through fire to look after their loved one(s) – without recognition, help or support. Many of them don’t even recognise themselves as carers – they are just looking after the people they love.” “Having spoken to many of our LINK clients and their loved ones, we understood that clinical terms like respite, or conversations in clinical settings, was confronting for many people, and asking for help felt like an admission of failure to protect.” Caring for the Carers

either be a truly special experience, time with a professional or just doing something normal for a while. “We’ve also designed a special set of premium outings to choose from that will help make these people feel special and reconnected to the world. The LINK gift cards will entitle the carer with an array of activities from LINKs Premium Outings program, from its standard outings guide, as well as access to flexible carers, support and counselling services. ‘Thank you for Caring’ packs will be given to hospitals, GP surgeries and pharmacies to hand on to their patients who are receiving care, so the care recipient can say thank you to their carer. Alternatively, you can visit www.lct.org.au to ask to participate in the program. LINK takes each client through an Intake and Assessment process to understand the carer’s situation, their needs, and the needs of the person they are caring for – including any registrations the person may have under aged care, NDIS and other programs. This allows LINK to fit service to the needs of the individual carer and care recipient and recommend other services and other financial and practical supports that might be available. Our commitment at LINK is intimate and thorough, ensuring that clients and carers are living their best lives.” https://www. linkcommunitytransport.org.au/

“Our Say Thank You for Caring initiative turns that on its head. We invite the care recipient to say thank you, and give a gift, to that special person in their life ‘who goes out of their way to help’. And the gift can WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Continued

2022 Dates Announced for Care Expo Melbourne and Brisbane Care Expo Melbourne

With the launch of Care Expo Melbourne unable to proceed in 2021 due to the pandemic, Australian Events now looks forward positively to the inaugural Care Expo Melbourne 2022, which will take place at Melbourne Showgrounds on 12 & 13 August 2022.

Carer Expo Brisbane will connect providers from aged care, disability and in-home support through to education, mobility, mental health, social, recreational services and more with professionals and endusers from Victoria’s vital sectors of disability, aged and community care. Director of Australian Events, Bob Carroll, stated: “Care Expo in Brisbane and its new partner-event in Melbourne fulfil an essential role in connecting providers with industry professionals and end-users

A Powerful Statement and a Precious Gift Advocacy

If you or the person you care for were unable to speak for yourselves, who would you want to speak for you? What would you want them to say? Did you know that almost one in three of us will be unable to make our own medical decisions at the end of our lives? Even if you’re fit and healthy, anyone can experience an accident or sudden illness, as we have seen recently with several high-profile sportspeople. Plan and prepare

Advance care planning offers the best chance for us to live life on our own terms as we face more health challenges. We can clarify our treatment preferences in advance, preparing ourselves and reducing 84

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from the health, care and support sectors. We are proud to be able to facilitate connections, solutions and education for the most vulnerable sectors of Australia’s growing and ageing population. We look forward maximising opportunities for all Care Expo participants in what is shaping up to be an exciting year for the events industry across Australia”. Care Expo Brisbane

In its fifth year, the flagship event Care Expo Brisbane will take place at Brisbane Convention Centre on 15 & 16 September 2022. This year’s event Care Expo Brisbane reached new performance milestones, with the highest number of exhibiting organisations and keynote speakers since inception. 91% of surveyed exhibitors said exhibiting at the event is important to their organisation, assists in reaching more clients and in generating sales/ leads. 87% of surveyed visitors stated that they would recommend Care Expo Brisbane to their family, friends or co-workers. the stress on our loved ones in case there comes a time when we can’t communicate. We can make a powerful statement about how we want to live, and a precious gift for those we care about most. A national study led by Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA) has found that only 15 per cent of Australians have taken the opportunity to express what is important to them and document their preferences. Important to discuss what’s important

While you and the person you care for still have decision-making capacity, have a heart to heart about what’s most important to you or create a legally binding advance care directive. It can provide peace of mind, meaning you’re both more likely to get the care you want and avoid treatment you don’t want.

Plans are firmly in place to deliver even greater customer value in 2022. Following in-depth exhibitor and visitor consultation, Care Expo Brisbane 2022 will feature a number of enhancements designed to maximise the B2B aspects of the event. These include switching event days to Thursday and Friday, growth of content to the high-level seminar programmes and accelerating the focus on two key growth sectors: Built for Care and Food for Care. The Australian Carers Guide is proud to support the Care Expos and will be exhibiting at both events. Please visit us in Melbourne at Stand 62 and in Brisbane at stand 50 For information on Care Expo, including stand and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.careexpo.com.au Media Contact Courtney Stephens, Marketing Manager Tel: 07 4634 7288

courtney.stephens@australianevents.com.au

It also relieves loved ones of the burden of making critical decisions by guesswork. ACPA offers you support and resources, including conversation starters. Talk about what treatment you would want if you were to become unwell. What outcomes of treatment would, and would not, be acceptable? What does it mean to you, to live well? Visit advancecareplanning.org.au to access a free starter pack and other information. For free, personalised advice, call the National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582 from 9am - 5pm (AEST) Monday to Friday. Advance Care Planning Australia is funded by the Australian Government and administered by Austin Health.

expert advice CARER

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

The Carer is telling me that my father is difficult to care for, but he seems fine when I’m around. What should I do?

With her restless leg syndrome, my Mum is up all night. I’m worried because she often sleeps in and doesn’t take her medication until lunch time.

Your father may be having some difficulty with a stranger in his home, which may be leading him to appear to be difficult with the Carer. You should ask your father, when the carer is not present, how he is feeling about having the care. He may be more comfortable speaking to you when you are alone. You should also ask the Carer what he/she means by “difficult.” Is it a personality conflict? It may just mean that a change in carer is required.

GETTING ENOUGH REST

Photos: CanStock

How long should a healthy elder sleep? It is commonly thought that the older we get, the less sleep we need. However, research shows that adults over 60 years of age should sleep an average of seven to nine hours a night. However, sleep patterns typically change as we age and efficiency decreases, so you may find yourself needing a nanna nap. Despite feeling like you’ve had a full night’s sleep, you might find yourself wanting an afternoon nap or have difficulty staying awake. Sleep is important to our physical, emotional and cognitive health; if you are having difficulty sleeping and it is impacting your quality of life, start a sleep hygiene routine. • Have your main meal at lunch • Have a regular bedtime • No coffee/Tea or chocolate after 5pm

Coping with RLS can be extremely difficult if you feel no one can relate to your illness. Ensure that your Mum is receiving the support she needs to help her cope. These self help tips may help her: •R educe caffeine, alcohol and tobacco use, particularly in the evenings— substances such as these often increase symptoms. •A pply heat or cold. Have her take a bath or soak her feet in hot water, briefly use a heating pad or cold compresses, or apply a hot water bottle. he could lie on her side with a pillow •S between her knees to initiate sleep. •G et up—fighting the urge to move might make the feeling worse. NOTE: When applying these self-help techniques, do not use hot water if your Mum has diabetes. If she still has difficulties with sleep, talk to your mother’s pharmacist to see if it is ok for her to take her medications at lunch time. It may be that just as long as she is taking her medications at the same time every day, it is ok to take them at lunch time, especially if she is sleeping in late in the morning.

HEALTH FACT Doctors recommend most healthy people get a colonscopy at age 50. If nothing abnormal is found, you can probably wait 10 years before your next one because colorectal cancer tends to grow slowly. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Wise Advice

TIPS FOR WALKING SAFELY THIS WINTER With winter comes rain and sometime black ice on our roads and footpaths. Try to find ways you can protect yourself from falling. Here are some practical suggestions. The right shoes: For warmth and stability choose shoes that are waterproof, lightweight, well-insulated and have low, wide heels. Make sure the tread is thick, non-slip and made of natural rubber. Consider: It’s your feet that’s the only body part that makes contact with the ground. Therefore, we should pay more attention to our footwear. We do when buying car tyres, so even more so when it comes to footwear.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Chose a pair with wide soles, non-slip soles and are comfortable can help. I suggest seeing a podiatrist to make sure the inner fit suits your foot shape. Do you use a cane? If so, consider a retractable cane. You can place it in your bag when it isn’t required. This allows you to perform actions relatively unencumbered by your stick. Wear bright colours: This will help other road users and cyclists see you more easily.

Prevent heat loss: Wear layers, a warm jacket, gloves or mittens and a warm hat and scarf. Slow down: Try not to rush. Plan your route and think carefully about your next move as you are walking along.

Q&A BURNOUT COMING

POORLY BEHAVED

I’ve been rushed off my feet at work and I’m caring for my aunt each evening. It’s exhausting and her own kids don’t ever seem to notice or appreciate it. Should I say something?

Little children who came to visit our long-term care home before the pandemic were too noisy and disruptive—running and shouting was quite common. Can I request peace and quiet?

Most definitely. There are many reasons why others don’t step up when it comes to caregiving, some more reasonable than others. You are being very generous but there is no harm in asking for your aunt’s children to step up or at least to help arrange for alternate care. If you don’t get anywhere, check with her family doctor for advice and a possible referral for homecare.

SKIN RASH Recently I noticed my carer has a nasty rash on her hands and arms. It’s awkward to ask her about it but I’m concerned it is contagious. Should I be worried? You should be worried until you know for sure that it’s okay and that he or she is getting the best treatment for it. If there is a homecare company involved ask them for advice. If you’re on your own, buck up the courage to politely mention you’ve noticed it and have some concerns.

Visitors, especially little ones, don’t always realize that there are appropriate codes of conduct or how much noise they are making. Best to chat with the home’s administrator and see what can be done for future visits. Perhaps there’s a separate area in the home where residents with visiting kids can use. It’s also okay to politely chat with them and ask them yourself as well.

SORRY, I FORGOT Missing medical appointments has become a habit for my father who lives with diabetes. It’s embarrassing not to mention dangerous. My sister and I want to help but don’t really know where to start. Researchers tell us forgetting appointments happens all the time, so he’s not alone. Assuming your dad isn’t intentionally avoiding them, try these tips: 1. Set up a calendar either in hard-copy or on his smartphone (or both) that you can all review each week. 2. Ask doctors to copy you on any correspondence so you can either take him to the appointment or assist with reminders. 3. Ask for texts or reminder calls for him from the doctors’ offices. 4. Try to book appointments on the same day or afternoon each week whenever possible. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

The 5 Pillars – $18.8 Billion

5 pillars over 5 years Aged Care Reform at a glance The government’s aged care reform plan is focused around 5 pillars: • Home care – supporting senior Australians who choose to remain in their own home • Residential aged care services and sustainability – improving and simplifying residential aged care services and access • Residential aged care quality and safety – improving residential aged care quality and safety • Workforce – supporting and growing a better skilled care workforce • Governance – new legislation and stronger governance.

Pillar 1:

Pillar 2:

Home Care

Residential aged care services and sustainability

2021

• 40,000 more home care packages. • Senior Australians able to access assistance and information about aged care through 325 Services Australia Service Centres, and aged care specialists in 70 Service Australia centres. • Extra support for informal carers.

2022

• 40,000 more home care packages. • Respite services for 8,400 additional clients every year.

2023

• 500 local Community Care Finders provide targeted, specialist face‑to‑face support to vulnerable senior Australians to help them access aged care and connect with other health and social supports. • Senior Australians can access a new support at home program. • Single assessment workforce will expand to the new support at home program.

2024

• New support at home program supports senior Australians to stay in their homes and keep connected to their communities. • Single assessment workforce will continue assessments for the new support at home program.

• Supplement of $10 per resident per day. • Continuation of the increases to the homeless and viability supplements. • New prudential monitoring, compliance and intervention to help providers build financial sustainability, capability and resilience. • Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority established, extending role of existing hospitals pricing authority to include aged care advisory function.

2022

• New funding model to improve quality of care for 240,000 people using residential care and 67,000 people using residential respite care each year. • Average care minutes for each resident increased to 200 minutes per day, including 40 minutes of registered nurse time. • Registered nurse on site for a minimum of 16 hours per day. • Structural Adjustment Program delivers increased provider viability and a strengthened aged care market. • Single assessment workforce introduced to improve the experience of senior Australians in residential care. • Better reporting, including through Star Ratings, to help senior Australians make easier comparisons and improve choice of care.

2023

• Minimum care time becomes mandatory. • Annual funding increases and price setting take into account advice from the new Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority.

2024

• Increased choice for senior Australians receiving residential care with care packages assigned to consumers, not providers. • New residential aged care accommodation framework gives senior Australians more choice and improves accessibility and dementia-friendly accommodation. • Aged Care Approval Round discontinued.

2025

• Improved service suitability that ensures the care needs and preferences of senior Australians in residential aged care are met.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

The Government’s 5 Year Plan Pillar 3:

Pillar 4:

Pillar 5:

Residential aged care quality and safety

Workforce

Governance

2021

• Immediate improvements to the quality of care in dementia, diversity, food and nutrition services. • Stronger clinical care standards developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. • Up to 120,000 additional GP services through boosted Aged Care Access Incentive. • Increasing dementia care capability delivers better outcomes for people living with dementia. • Palliative care services expanded to support end-of-life care at home.

2022

• Residents access improved care through Primary Health Networks facilitating telehealth and outof-hours triage services. • Expansion of the Serious Incident Response Scheme gives 1 million senior Australians receiving home and community care greater protection. • Stronger presence of Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in facilities with an extra 1,500 site audits. • Providers to report regularly to residents and families on care.

2023

• Improved support and training in dementia care and minimising restraint (restrictive practices).

2024

• National Aged Care Data Strategy improves the information that is available to senior Australians about the quality in aged care. • New independent regulatory authority established following review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

• Up to 6,000 new personal care workers in workplaces. • Surge locum workforce capacity in regional and rural locations. • Improved training in dementia care and minimising restraint (restrictive practices).

2022

• Up to 7,000 new personal care workers in workplaces. • 33,800 additional training places rolled out over two years for personal care workers to attain a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing). • More registered nurses in workplaces due to nurse incentive and financial support schemes. • Single assessment workforce in place to conduct assessments across residential and home care.

2023

• Additional training places for personal care workers to attain a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing).

2024

• Continued growth of the aged care workforce and a demonstrable increase in registered nurses choosing aged care as their career.

2025

• Initial rollout of expanded regional network to improve local planning and understanding of needs. • Council of Elders established to provide a direct voice to Government. • National Aged Care Advisory Council established to provide expert advice to Government. • Expanded capital infrastructure grants available to improve access to better quality aged care services for First Nations people and those in rural and remote locations, or who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. • Improved services and health outcomes for people in remote and Indigenous communities as a result of additional aged care funding.

2022

• New workforce of trusted First Nations people to assist Older First Nations people navigate and access aged and disability care.

2023

• Introduction of a new, values based Aged Care Act.

2025

• Strong and effective governance of aged care is in place with senior Australians at the centre and improved care outcomes consistently delivered.

• Tangible improvements seen in staffing levels, skill mix and training of the care workforce. • Workforce continues to meet the demand for aged care services, particularly in home care.

2025

• Senior Australians receive high quality, compassionate care. • Confidence in aged care is rebuilt.

health.gov.au/aged-care-reforms WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Aged Care Reform One year ago, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety handed down its historic report Care, Dignity and Respect. The Australian Government’s response sets an ambitious agenda of reform to improve the quality of aged care for senior Australians, and better support their families and carers.

he first year of the Government’s 5-year reform of aged care has been one of solid progress and there is much more that remains to be done. The Australian Government is committed to a new era of aged care for Australia – putting the care and changing needs of senior Australians first. We have a real opportunity to transform the industry – and the day-today lives of people accessing and working in aged care and those who care for them.

HELP TO FIND THE RIGHT AGED CARE SERVICES

Our goal is for all Australians to feel confident about accessing high quality and safe aged care, when and where they need it.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

We’ve already made changes to make it easier for senior Australians and their carers to find safe, high-quality aged care services, and greater choice to match their care needs. Senior Australians are accessing and navigating aged care services through the My Aged Care website and telephone line, and are receiving local, personalised help at Services Australia service centres. Local help is currently available in almost 40 locations and will be available in all 80 locations by the end of 2022. Through the new National Aged Care Advisory Council and the Council of Elders, senior Australians’ voices are being heard by policy makers and Government. The continued implementation of the reforms are now guided by these 2 important groups of representatives to ensure the measures introduced meet the needs and expectations of senior Australians, families, carers and the wider community.

Quarterly Update Over the last year, we’ve started introducing new ways to help senior Australians navigate the aged care system, understand their options, get support and connect to services that meet diverse needs. We are mapping better ways to access the age care system, services like care finders for vulnerable and socially isolated people will be available nationally from January 2023, and the EnCOMPASS: Multicultural Aged Care Connector program for culturally and linguistically diverse seniors, families and carers to find support.

Government funding is now paid to home care providers based on the services they actually deliver to senior Australians – meaning the maximum amount of package funds go towards a person’s support. The new Support at Home Program starts 1 July 2023 and will help senior Australians, including people with complex care needs, to get care and support at home. People will be able to choose their providers and the services they need – including allied health – and change services as their needs change. The new program will replace 4 existing programs: the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, the Home Care Packages Program, the Short Term Restorative Care Program, and Residential Respite. The new Support at Home Program will reform the delivery of in-home care, including: ◗ assessment, provider funding and regulation of the market ◗ put a greater focus on reablement and restorative care ◗ provide individualised support plans and clear service inclusions.

HOME CARE Home care continues to increase as more senior Australians choose to receive aged care in their own homes, enabling them to live independently for longer. At the end of 2021, the number of people accessing home care packages increased to 217,724, a 25 per cent increase since the end of 2020. Seven hundred packages are released each week. The rise in the number of packages available has reduced approval wait times by 25 per cent.

We have started to design the Support at Home Program through consultation and research and encourage you to continue engaging with us on this Program throughout 2022. The Support at Home Consultation Calendar lets you know when these activities are happening.

health.gov.au/aged-care-reforms WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

NEW AGED CARE ACT We are making changes to the Aged Care Act to embed a culture of respect, care and dignity for senior Australians. We’re doing this because a number of recommendations from Care, Dignity and Respect require legislation changes as the existing Act, which has been in place since 1997, is primarily about funding for aged care providers. The new Act is due to start 1 July 2023, subject to parliamentary processes. Amendments to the current Act have already been made to introduce important and urgent changes such as: ◗ stronger controls over the use of restrictive practices to ensure they are only used as a last resort, where the impact on the care recipient is considered and consent is clear ◗ behaviour support plans are required as part of restrictive practice arrangements ◗ government funding is paid to home care providers based on services they actually deliver to senior Australians. To help us develop further legislative changes, we invite senior Australians, families and carers, stakeholders and aged care workers to engage with us through the Aged Care Engagement Hub.

MORE PROGRESS FROM 2021 Senior Australians are better protected through the new Serious Incident Response Scheme, electronic medication charts, improved quality indicators, and changes to restrictive practices.

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Providers, who are now paid monthly for the care they provide, are receiving extra funding of $10 per resident per day to improve food and nutrition for residents. The Government is also providing more than $100 million through the Business Improvement Fund, helping to ensure nearly 200 residential aged care providers are financially viable. The newly established Workforce Advisory Service to support providers, offers free, independent and confidential help with workforce planning. The expanded Independent Hospital Pricing Authority has also commenced work on aged care pricing, and will consider the delivery of high quality care as a central pillar of its work.

We have implemented a national network of local Department of Health staff to engage with local providers, stakeholders and communities. This will ensure local issues and needs are contributing to national plans and reforms relating to aged care. Carers, whether formal or informal, are a critical element to providing high quality and respectful care for senior Australians. To ensure there is an appropriate level of care available, the Australian Government and aged care providers are growing and upskilling the workforce. There are additional payments and incentives for nurses, more aged care nursing scholarships, and an extra 48,800 training places for people who want to work in aged care. The national A Life Changing Life campaign encourages job seekers to consider a rewarding, flexible career in the aged care sector.

Visit www.careandsupportjobs.gov.au to find out more about working in the care and support sector.

Meet Eleanor, a personal care worker who was awarded a government scholarship to study a Certificate 4 in Ageing Support. Giving Back Through Care For Senior Australians I started working as a personal care worker in aged care about 12 years ago. I love working with older Australians… the smiles on their faces, the stories they tell. I’m currently doing a Certificate 4 in Ageing Support through a scholarship. I really love the placements. I’ve been doing placements in an aged care facility and they’ve offered me some shifts when I finish the course. I’ll be able to work in home care and residential care and it’s really opened my eyes to how residential care works. You’ve got to have a lot of patience in this job, especially with people who have dementia. Sometimes, I encourage people to do things that they don’t think they’re capable of. They get a lot of joy when they accomplish something they thought they couldn’t do, like cutting up a sandwich. I really enjoy looking after older people; I feel like I am giving back to them.

COVID-19 SUPPORT As we advance these reforms, the aged care sector remains under pressure continuing to manage the COVID-19 response. Throughout the pandemic we are providing facilities with gloves and masks, rapid antigen tests, anti-viral medications and helping to pay for workers. We understand the ongoing challenges for everyone working and living with COVID-19, and acknowledge and appreciate those who have collaborated with us to progress the aged care reforms alongside this extraordinary challenge.

THE FUTURE OF AGED CARE As we move into the second year of the aged care reform program, there are many more impactful changes to come with a new support at home program and a range of initiatives to improve dementia care, including accommodation design, education and training. The Government will continue to work closely with providers to administer the level of care, dignity and respect that our senior Australians both need and deserve. We are also hearing from senior Australians and their carers on issues that impact them. These changes are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about meaningful change for all Australians, now and for generations to come.

GET INVOLVED We invite senior Australians, families and carers, aged care providers and staff, researchers, experts and stakeholders to help us design changes to aged care, which will benefit all Australians. So far, more than 5000 people have engaged on reforms such as quality improvements, star ratings and the new Support at Home Program, and more than 18,000 people have participated in webinars. Find out more and get involved with the aged care reforms through the Aged Care Engagement Hub. You can register for updates and participate in engagement activities. You can also provide feedback over the phone, or have information posted to you. Visit www.agedcareengagement. health.gov.au or call 1800 200 422 (My Aged Care’s freecall phone line). Stay up to date with newsletters and alerts for the aged care sector by subscribing to our newsletter Your Aged Care Update at www.health.gov.au/ aged-care-newsletter-subscribe

By Aged Care Group

Australian Government Department of Health Information correct as at the time of printing

health.gov.au/aged-care-reforms WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

Did you know?

How simply changing your elderly loved one’s address could cost them their Aged Care Pension. That’s what happened to Stanley and here’s his story...

LET’S LOOK AT STANLEY

As an unintended consequence of the change of address, Stanley’s age pension ceased because according to Centrelink, Stanley had left his permanent place of residence.

tanley’s situation regarding permanent aged care was a big issue for him. However, Stanley’s dilemma can be resolved. The assistance of a skilled advisor qualified in how the aged care system works and with experience in the social security system can be invaluable. For several

CHANGE OF ADDRESS – CENTRELINK DENIES PENSION According to Centrelink, he had left his principal home which was then counted as an assessable asset meaning that he was no longer eligible to receive the pension.

Stanley lived independently at months, home but required assistance Stanley received and had been assessed for and was in receipt of a level no pension 4 home care package. Over For several months, Stanley payments! time as his health declined, received no pension payments!! Stanley found it more and more His family innocently assumed difficult to manage at home. Covid this to be correct and therefore did issues meant that Stanley and his not question the matter. Their focus family delayed his entry to permanent was on their dad’s wellbeing and his care residential aged care even though he had needs being met. They felt that their father been re-assessed as requiring it. As an not being entitled to receive any further interim measure Stanley moved in with one pension payments was just an unfortunate of his two daughters who both acted as his and unexpected price to pay. carers. He continued to receive his level 4 home care package with his daughters It was only when Stanley’s daughters realised ensuring that he kept connected with his own that he could no longer be effectively home. This was very important to Stanley, cared for at home and required immediate so the girls took their dad back home for a permanent residential aged care that couple of nights every two weeks. the matter of his pension payments was discussed. Stanley’s family sought the STANLEY MOVES IN WITH assistance of a qualified aged care financial HIS DAUGHTERS professional at Nixon Financial Services. They worked with Stanley’s daughters to Now, because Stanley spent most of his prepare a timeline of events and then met time at his daughter’s residence, the family with Centrelink to explain his situation. changed his mailing address with Centrelink Centrelink’s provisions around exempting to continue to get his mail. 94

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

the principal home allow for an income support recipient to vacate their principal home to enter a care situation and for the home to continue to be an exempt asset under the assets test for a 2-year period. The provision applies whether the person in question intends to return to their principal home and the care in question does not have to be provided by a residential aged care facility. If after 2 years, the person has not returned to their home, the home becomes an assessable asset.

investigate and review the circumstances of their decision and as a result his pension payments were reinstated and retrospective payments were made.

The advisor was able to assist Stanley’s daughters to request that Centrelink

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Miscommunication can result in errors being made by organisations, care recipients or carers and these errors can have severe financial and emotional implications for those affected. Aged care financial professionals have the financial, personal and technical skills to assist and in some cases restore financial and emotional peace of mind.

See page 6 for more details

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

L X X XX XS

e r o M

sizes

Not everything you need is always available from your local retailer. Don’t settle for what’s just on the shelf. Get the right fit with sizes from XS to 3XL, Junior to Adult, Unisex to Male or Female, boxers to full briefs, King Single to King size. Everyday continence products available in more sizes and fits. To order visit store.independenceaustralia.com or call 1300 788 855

Or scan QR code to start shopping

Mind your Step!

Help prevent Trips and Falls

KEY FACTS ■ Nearly 1 in 3 older Australians have experienced a fall in the past 12 months. ■ Falls usually happen because gradual changes to our bodies make walking difficult, or they can be caused by hazards in and around the home. ■ Falls can cause hip fractures and other injuries that require lengthy hospital care and long-term effects. ■ See your doctor for a check-up if you have ever fallen before, even if you weren’t injured as a result.

DANGERS IN AND AROUND THE HOME Nearly 2 out of 3 falls happen in and around the home. Common household hazards include: ◗ poor lighting ◗ unsafe footwear, such as loose slippers or narrow heels

WHY MIGHT OLDER PEOPLE FALL? If someone falls, it’s not necessarily because they are not concentrating or they are clumsy. Reasons why older people might have a fall include:

CHANGES TO THE BODY Our bodies change gradually and over many years as part of the normal ageing process. As you get older, you may notice: ◗ balance problems, such as feeling unsteady when you walk ◗ weaker muscles that, for example, make it harder to lift your feet when you walk ◗ poorer eyesight, meaning you don’t see quite as clearly, or have difficulty with sudden light changes or glare ◗ slower reaction times ◗ new health problems, such as incontinence (problems with urinating or with your bowels) or dementia

◗ slippery surfaces, such as wet or polished floors, or spills ◗ trip hazards like rugs, floor mats and electrical cords ◗ steps and uneven surfaces

SLIPPING

Nearly 2 out of 3 falls happen in and around the home

Changing what you wear around the home and fixing dangerous surfaces can reduce the risk of slips occurring. Use non-slip mats in wet zones, such as the shower and bathroom. For larger rooms, it may be worth making the whole floor with non-slip material. Install hand rails or a seat in the shower or bath. Place nonskid tape on the edges of steps and stairs to make it easier to see. Remove moss, slime or fallen leaves from outdoor paths. Wearing properly fitted shoes that fit firmly to the foot can also help prevent slips. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

TRIPPING

AFTER A FALL

Even small things can be trip hazards. Keep any walkways clear of clutter, and tape down any electrical cords along skirting boards. Mark any small changes in floor level with contrasting colour so they’re clearly seen. Install a “draught excluder” on the bottom of doors instead of loose material that can be tripped over. Get rid of old mats and torn or stretched carpet.

Many older people become fearful of falling again and lose confidence in walking. You may start to do less physical activity. However, over time this reduced movement actually makes it more likely to have another fall because of poorer balance, weaker muscles and stiffer joints.

WAYS TO

PREVENT

Falling at Home BY WYATT MYERS

Clean up clutter. The easiest method for preventing falls is to keep your home neat and tidy. Remove all clutter, such as stacks of old newspapers and magazines, especially from hallways and staircases.

Integrative Medicine in McLean, Virginia, suggests installing grab bars by toilets and bathtubs and handrails in stairways and hallways. Have a handyman or family member help with this if necessary.

Repair or remove tripping hazards. Sometimes home fixtures can contribute to falls, which can then lead to back pain and other injuries. Examine every room and hallway, looking for items such as loose carpet, slippery throw rugs, or wood floorboards that stick up. Then repair, remove, or replace those items for more effective fall prevention.

Install grab bars and handrails. These safety devices are crucial for going up and down stairs, getting on and off the toilet, and stepping in and out of the bathtub without injuring yourself. Gary Kaplan, DO, founder and medical director of the Kaplan Center for

Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Avoid wearing loose clothing. You want to feel comfortable at home, but baggy clothes can sometimes make you more likely to fall. Opt for better-fitting and properly hemmed clothing that doesn’t bunch up or drag on the ground.

Light it right. Inadequate lighting is another major hazard. To create a home that’s more suitable for the elderly, install brighter light bulbs where needed, particularly in stairways and narrow hallways. Robert Bunning, MD, associate medical director of inpatient services at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., also recommends adding night-lights in bedrooms and bathrooms for better guidance at night.

Wear shoes. Socks may be comfortable, but they present a slipping risk. Preventing falls at home can be as simple as wearing shoes. You can also purchase non-slip socks that have grips on the soles of the feet if shoes are too uncomfortable.

Make it nonslip. Bathtubs and showers, as well as floors in kitchens, bathrooms, and porches, can become extremely dangerous when wet. To prevent falls on slick surfaces, Dr. Kaplan recommends nonslip mats.

Live on one level. Even with precautions like guardrails, stairs can present a significant falling hazard. “If possible, live on one level,” says Kaplan. “Otherwise be extra-careful when you negotiate stairs.” If it’s not possible to live on one level, try to limit the trips you take up and down the stairs.

Move more carefully. Dr. Bunning explains that many people fall at home by moving too quickly from a sitting to a standing position and vice versa. Preventing falls like this is as easy as taking your time. “All you have to do is pause after going from lying down to sitting and from sitting to standing,” he says. “Also take a pause before using the railing on stairs, whether going up or down.”

HOW DO YOU PICK UP A SENIOR WHO HAS FALLEN? They should start by rolling over to one side. Rest there to let the body and blood pressure adjust. Next, they should slowly get up on their hands and knees and crawl to a sturdy chair.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

R ecipes

Eat well Live well Age well Hi Everyone, Winter is knocking on our door with a frosty fist but a welcoming hand of hospitality is awaiting this chilling season. In this edition, I have included some wonderful winter warmers that I hope you enjoy. This hearty cauliflower soup is full of goodness and will warm you up on those cold, wintery days. As the days grow shorter and the nights are longer, we all need a good ‘pickme-up’ at the end of the day. Nothing will satisfy better than a dessert like this delicious and simple to bake, Crème Caramel. Enjoy!!

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Curried Cauliflower Soup

A hearty SUPERFOOD in one big pot. Cauliflower is rich in nutrients, is a great source of antioxidants and is great for your skin, eyes, and hair.

INGREDIENTS Olive Oil 1 chopped onion 2 cups cold water 1 cup coconut cream 1 garlic clove, crushed ⅓ cup mild curry paste

1.5kg cauliflower 4 cups vegetable stock 1 tablespoon chopped continental parsley Salt to taste 3 florets cauliflower to garnish

METHOD Heat oil in large saucepan. Add onion, garlic and stir 3 minutes. Then add curry paste and stir 1 minute Add cauliflower, stock and water. Bring to boil then simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. Cool, then blend. Add coconut milk. Stir over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in parsley then season with salt. Top with remaining cauliflower and serve with warm crusty bread.

This dish of deliciousness has a crunchy cheesy top but the sauce is the thing that brings out all the flavours. If eggplants aren’t available, you can use any of your favourite vegetables that would tantalise your tastebuds.

Vegetarian Moussaka

Welcome to an exotic version of the much-loved lasagne, minus the pasta. An urban cosmopolitan showpiece with a sauce that packs a punch! Also, an alternate healthy winter dish, eggplants have antioxidants like vitamins A and C, which help protect your cells against damage.

INGREDIENTS

SAUCE

1 kg eggplants

1 kilo ripe tomatoes

1 bay leaf

3 tablespoons flour

2 onions, finely sliced

salt, pepper, sugar

1 cup mozzarella cheese, sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon butter

Oil for grilling

4 basil leaves

½ cup parmesan cheese

METHOD Wash, peel, and slice eggplants thinly. Sprinkle with salt. Allow to drain in a colander for 30 minutes. Wipe dry. Grill. Sauté the onions until pale golden. Add garlic and chunky pieces of peeled tomatoes, herbs, salt, pepper, and sugar and simmer for 30 minutes. Puree and cool. In a baking dish, place layer of eggplants, spoon 3 spoons of tomato sauce, 3 of parmesan and 1 layer of mozzarella. Repeat until all ingredients and used, finishing with the cheeses. Bake in a moderate oven for 30-40 minutes.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

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R ecipes Baked Potato with Chives

Say ‘hello’ to TWO of 4,000 humble potatoes! Good for baking. we recommend the Russet or King Edward. The potato is full of fibre, potassium and high-quality protein.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

6 large baking potatoes 4 tablespoons sour cream 1 cup grated cheese 3 to 4 tablespoons milk 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature Salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Pre-heat oven to 240°c. Scrub potatoes; pat dry.

Delicious

Reheat in oven 10 – 15 minutes.

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Pierce the top of the potatoes with a fork. Bake for 50 minutes, or until tender. Remove a thin slice from the top of each potato and scoop out most of the potato into a bowl. Leaving the shells intact. Reduce the oven temp to 180°c. In a bowl, combine the potato with cheese, sour cream, 3 tablespoons milk, and the butter and beat until well blended. Add more milk if needed. Beat in salt and pepper, then spoon the mixture back into the potato skins. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and chives.

Enjoy preparing this light and airy vanilla custard. As the chef you’ll deserve, to have more than one serve.

French Crème Caramel

Call me Crazy, but let me tell you that this delicious dessert is rich in Calcium!! One serve is already 10% of the recommended daily amount. So popular is this dessert that to this day the French and Spanish are still fighting over its origin. Irrelevant – we just love to EAT it!

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

1L Milk

Heat ¼ cup of sugar with water until golden.

6 Eggs

Pour in a caramel mould.

1 cup Sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla essence

Heat milk but do not boil. Add sugar and rind and vanilla essence.

1 tablespoon fine lemon rind

Steadily, add whisked eggs continually stirring

SYRUP

When mixture is ready, place mould in a “Bain Marie” (Place warm water in oven tray half way up the mould)

¼ cup Sugar Water just to cover

Pour mixture into mould and bake in a moderate oven (180°c) 1-1½ hrs. When a golden colour, take out of the oven and cool to bring to room temperature. Run knife around the edges, then transfer to a serving platter by flipping crème caramel upside down.

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

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Time Out

Improve your memory, concentration and reasoning. The benefits of puzzles are numerous. They maintain or develop problem-solving skills, and help you relax, even when they are so frustrating.

Wordwheel

Find as many words of three or more letters in the wheel as you can.

Each word must use the central letter and a selection from the outer wheel – no letter may be used more times than it appears in the wheel.

N V

A D

Can you find the nine letter word hidden in the wheel?

Countries N O R W A

A A

C N A R

N H R

R N

R U M R

U D

R A A

O U

N O M B

N U R W

R C

W Q R

They will be placed only once and may be either horizontal, vertical or diagonal and go either forwards or backwards. Words can cross.

ARGENTINA

JAPAN

AUSTRIA

NEW ZEALAND

BRAZIL

NORWAY

CHILE

PERU

ENGLAND

PORTUGAL

FINLAND

RUSSIA

FRANCE

SPAIN

GERMANY

SWEDEN

INDIA

THAILAND

IRELAND

WALES

U D T

M A

L W R A

A N N

A G D

D A

O G E

R N

N N M R

E G U

B D

R A

E O O

W A

W P G Y

O D

U A

H N

N R A

C R

ARGENTINA

104 Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

AUSTRIA

JAPAN

NEW ZEALAND

Wordsearch

Can you find the words in the grid?

Jumbo Arrow-word

Solutions on page

114

Complete the clues to fill the grid.

The arrows show the direction in which the answer to each clue should be placed. Pasta pockets

Take up of a practice

Vessel

Bath sponge

Stupid

Part of a pedestal

Lie

Long narrative poem

Things that may happen

Criticise strongly

Key details of a subject (5-6)

Minimal bathing suit Rocky peak

Distinctive design

Solemn promises

Very short skirt or dress

You (archaic)

Colour or tint

Feline animal Branch of the armed services

Along with; also

Short tail

Deceiving

By way of

Clasp

___ Pot: Khmer Rouge leader

Hog

Back muscle (informal)

Without warning

Bitumen

Poor city district

Ruction

Suitable

Vitality Increase the running speed of an engine

___ Kilmer: US actor

___ Ivanovic: tennis player

Cried

Metal container; is able to

Leap on one foot Annual car test (inits)

US state Song by two people

Unstable

Replace ___ off: fall asleep

Web access company (inits)

Popular sport

Care for; look after

Command to a horse

Genre of music Be nosy

Advanced degree (2,1)

Code signal of distress (inits)

Spaces or intervals Sound reflection

Spirited horses

WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

105

Jumbo Crossword Complete the crossword clues to fill the grid.

LOVE PUZZLES?

All puzzles are kindly supplied by Richardson Puzzles & Games - their puzzle book range is available to purchase from all good book retailers.

106 Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

Solutions on page

114

Crosswords can

relieve stress and boost your mood ACROSS

DOWN

1 Made the sound of a duck (7)

2 Deprive of weapons (5)

5 Gather or collect (4,2)

3 Lowest female singing voice (9)

8 Hanging down limply (6)

4 Short close-fitting jacket (7)

11 Deep anger (3)

5 Medley of dried petals (9)

12 Central (4)

6 Cautious (7)

13 Fierce and intense (of a situation) (3-6)

7 Climbing spike (5)

14 Relating to a wedding (6)

8 Suspend; prevent (5)

15 Very confused situation (9)

9 The Hunter (constellation) (5)

16 Leader in a race (5,6)

10 Inactive pill (7)

20 Security for a loan (10)

17 Strangely (5)

21 Person banking money (9)

18 Recording medium (4)

24 Something that cannot be done (13)

19 Altruistic (9)

29 Opposite of an acid (6)

20 Brief appearance (5)

31 Person who fells trees (10)

22 Instruct; teach (5)

33 Toughness (10)

23 Lift up (5)

35 Yield (6)

25 Isolation (9)

36 Plant with bright flowers (13)

26 Fragments (4)

40 Violation of anything sacred (9)

27 Stagger (5)

42 More desirable (10)

28 Late (5)

44 Minor crime (11)

30 One of the continents (4)

48 Rearing; caring for (9)

31 Barks (5)

50 US state of islands (6)

32 Topic (anag.) (5)

51 Purity; lack of guile (9)

34 Bring about (5)

52 Related by blood (4)

36 Free from dirt (5)

53 Allow (3)

37 Austerity (9)

54 Slacken (6)

38 Abash (9)

55 Shovels (6)

39 List of food options (4)

56 Lived (7)

Mediocre (7) WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

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Give your brain a daily workout!

Looking for a mental challenge? This editions brainteasers will really get those cogs whirling!

Sudoku

Place the numbers 1-9 once in each row, column and 3x3 bold-lined box. 5 4 1 9

9 6

2 3 4

1 4 2

4 9

6 3

2 1 2 6 4 3 2 8 1 9 5 9 7 4 5

3 5

1 3

Solutions on page

114

5 6 3 4

4 5 9 5 2 3 5 6 2 3 1 8 2 5 3 6 1 6 8 2 3 4 4 1 6 3

EASY

2 9 8 6

6 3 7

2 5

5 2

MEDIUM 108 Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

4 6 9

9 1 7 5

6 1 1 3

3 2

9 1 6 8 2 4 3 4 2 6 8 7 9 9 1 5 4 6 1 5 7 8 1 8 2 7

HARD

Kriss Kross

4 LETTERS DEAR FELL NECK NEST 5 LETTERS LEAKS PLACE SWELL 6 LETTERS CEASES FIDGET HASSLE HERMIT

Square Maze

7 LETTERS EXCEEDS TENSION 8 LETTERS AWAKENED ENVELOPE 9 LETTERS EXCLUSIVE GARDENING INSISTENT 11 LETTERS ACCELERATOR CONSIDERING

Find the path out without breaking through walls.

START 

FINISH WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide 109

Benefits of a

Big Belly Laugh

THE BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER

t’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.

But by seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter, you can improve your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, find greater happiness—and even add years to your life.

LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of wellbeing and can even temporarily relieve pain.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent.

Laughter burns calories. Okay, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes

110 Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

a day can burn approximately 40 calories— which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year. Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment. Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.

LAUGHTER HELPS YOU STAY MENTALLY HEALTHY Laughter makes you feel good. And this positive feeling remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss. THE LINK BETWEEN LAUGHTER AND MENTAL HEALTH Laughter stops distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing. Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more. Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict. Laughter draws you closer to others, which can have a profound effect on all aspects of your mental and emotional health.

COMIC CORNER Jokes Laughter is good for the soul and a merry heart does good

like medicine

I told my doctor that I broke my arm in two places. He told me to stop going to those places. I always wanted to marry an archaeologist. The older I got, the more interested she became. A lot of people cry when they cut onions. The trick is not to form an emotional bond.

I always thought orthopaedic shoes were overrated, but I stand corrected.

What do you call someone with no body and no nose? Nobody knows. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

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abbreviations

When it comes to Aged Care, acronyms are plentiful…ACSA, HCP, CHSP… But what do they all mean? Fear no more. We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly used ones – how they work and their service to the community.

ACAT: Aged Care Assessment Team Helps the elderly and their carers determine what kind of support will best meet their needs when they are struggling in their current living situation. Ever had a chat with someone where the talk is littered with acronyms – but you have absolutely no idea what they are saying? ACAS:

Aged Care Assessment Service (Victoria) Only provides teams who help frail older people and their carers, to work out what kind of care will best meet their needs. After each assessment, a patient’s level of support and service needs are recommended. ACF/ACH: Aged Care Facility or Aged Care Home Accommodation for older people who can no longer live at home independently, who require help/support for everyday tasks/health care. ACIA: Aged Care Industry Association (ACIA) Association of aged care providers, whose members operate residential aged care, home care, home support and retirement living services. 112 Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

ACS: Aged Care Services Support and services provided to older people in their own home or in an aged care home to assist with everyday living, health care, accommodation and equipment. ACSA: Aged & Community Services Australia The leading national peak body supporting not-forprofit, church and charitable providers of retirement living, community, home and residential care. ADL: Activities of Daily Living Refers to the basic skills needed to properly care for oneself and meet one’s physical needs in six areas: eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, continence, and mobility. It’s used as an indicator to determine the level of care and supportive services needed in senior’s care plan. AIP: Ageing in Place Indicates that a resident can enter an aged care facility at low care and can remain there as their care needs increase to a high care. ATSI: Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander

CA: Carers Australia The national peak body representing Australia’s unpaid carers, advocating on their behalf to influence policies and services. CBC: Centre Based Care For elderly people who require low to medium living support, group activities, excursions and social support are provided in a local centre. CC: Community Care Personalised care and support services to help the elderly continue living at home. CDC: Consumer Directed Care Are services chosen by the elderly person living independently at home, they decide the types of services and care and the providers of the services. CHSP: Commonwealth Home Support Program The entry-level home support program assists older people to live independently in their homes and communities. It also provides respite services to give carers a break. COTA: Council on the Ageing Provides leadership in social policy and community information, and education for older persons.

CRCCs: Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centres Assists carers by providing access to information, respite care and other support appropriate to carers’ needs and circumstances, and the needs of those they care for. DAP: Daily Accommodation Payment Is the daily non-refundable payment for accommodation in an aged care home. It can be paid regularly up to a month in advance, similar to paying rent. DOH: Department of Health Develops and delivers policies and programs and advises the Australian Government on health, aged care and sport. DTC: Day Therapy Centre Offer a range of services (physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy) for older people living independently either in their own home, or aged care homes. HC: Home Care Services/support given to older people with care needs to live independently in their own homes. HCP: Home Care Packages A program funded by the Australian Government to support older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes. They use a consumerdirected care approach to ensure the support suits a person’s needs and goals. HCS: Home Care Service(s) Support/care services provided to an elderly person in their own home.

ILU: Independent Living Unit A small home designed for older people who are actively independent, usually in a village environment MAC: My Aged Care Provides the entry point to the Australian Government Funded aged care services for the general public. NDIS: National Disability Insurance Scheme NDIS provides information and connections to services for people with disability. The scheme also provides support for their families and carers. NESB: Non-EnglishSpeaking Background NSA: National Seniors Association Is a not-for-profit membership organisation and advocacy group of working and retired older Australians. OPA: Office of Public Advocate OPAN: Older Persons Advocacy Network An agency that can provide information to consumers their families and carers about their rights and responsibilities when accessing aged care services. RAD: Refundable Accommodation Deposit Is a lump sum payment for accommodation in an aged care home. This is the price of a room, in lump sum form that you have agreed with your aged care home to pay and is fully refundable when you leave the aged care facility.

RAS: Regional Assessment Service Is the program which undertakes aged care home support assessments RC: Respite Care Services designed to give carers a break from their caring role during planned or regular breaks, short holidays or emergencies. RV: Retirement Village Group of residential premises predominantly occupied by senior citizens who live in apartment style rooms /suite of rooms. SM HCP: Self-Managed Home Care Packages A program funded by the Australian Government to support older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes. The elderly package receiver can choose the provider(s) and services given, including the workers or contractors, when the services are provided and can control how the funding is spent. STRC: Short-term Restorative Care A program which provides services to older people for up to 8 weeks (56 days) to help them delay or avoid long-term care. VHC: Veteran’s Home Care Home care for eligible veterans, war widows/ widowers through the department of Veterans’ Affairs. WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

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Puzzle Solutions Jumbo Crosssword QUACKED P N O O O MA I N CUT T R T B P I MBROG L I O A E U COL L A T ER A T R I MPOSS I B I E E I WO O D C U T T E O P L S OUT PUT C F I S M L SACR I L EGE V O N A DE L I NQUEN R M U M H AWA I I I N G G L E T RE L ENT SP

Square Maze

I CKUP D A I RE HROA T B E O A FRONTR U D A A L DEPO L E L I T Y A U A A R RES I L C D I HRYSANT T PRE F ER A R A CY NURT L N A NOCENCE A S H ADES EX

ROOP Y R L R I DA L O C UNNER N B S I TOR E R A L KA L I F I S I ENCE S A HEMUM M S AB L E A UR I NG R O AK I N S S I S T ED

Word Search

Sudoku - EASY

N O R W A

A A

C N A R

N H R

R N

R U M R

U D

R A A

O U

N O M B

N U R W

R C

W Q R

U D T

M A

L W R A

A N N

A G D

D A

O G E

R N

N N M R

E G U

B D

R A

E O O

W A

W P G Y

O D

U A

H N

N R A

C R

O A

S A

T R

T N

I W

114 Australian Carers Guide | WINTER 2022

3 2 6 1 5 4 9 8 7

9 6 1 4 3 2 8 7 5

5 3 4 8 7 9 6 2 1

2 8 7 5 1 6 4 3 9

7 5 8 3 4 1 2 9 6

4 9 2 6 8 7 1 5 3

5 4 1 9 9 6

6 1 3 2 9 5 7 4 8

1 9 6 3 7 2 8 5 4

2 3 4

1 4 2

1 7 5 9 2 8 3 6 4

Jumbo Arrow-Word L

8 4 9 7 6 3 5 1 2

Sudoku - MEDIUM

7 5 4 1 8 9 6 3 2

8 3 2 4 5 6 1 9 7

6 7 8 9 2 1 3 4 5

4 1 5 6 3 7 9 2 8

6 3

2 1 2 6 4 3 2 8 1 9 5 9 7 4 5

9 2 3 8 4 5 7 6 1

3 4 7 2 6 8 5 1 9

5 6 9 7 1 4 2 8 3

Sudoku - HARD

2 8 1 5 9 3 4 7 6

8 4 9 5 7 3 6 2 1

6 7 2 4 1 9 3 5 8

3 1 5 2 8 6 9 7 4

2 3 8 9 4 1 7 6 5

5 6 4 3 2 7 1 8 9

7 9 1 6 5 8 4 3 2

4 8 6 1 3 5 2 9 7

9 2 7 8 6 4 5 1 3

1 5 3 7 9 2 8 4 6

Word Wheel

T E

I B

A T

ATTRIBUTE: abet, abut, bait, bar, bare, bat, bate, batter, bear, beat, beau, bet, beta, bier, bit, bite, biter, bitter, bra, brat, brute, but, butt, butter, rebut, rib, rub, tab, tribe, tribute, tub, tuba, tube, tuber TARGET: 19, GOOD: 26, EXCELLENT: 32

Kriss Kross

I N S I S T E N T E N E N A E N S C O N S I D E R I C T C O E E K N L X C E X C E E D S R L A A U S W E L L T S E E O I S G A R R V K E H A S S L

F E H V E L O P E L R N G M I T P L A C E W D E A R F K I E D D E N I N G E E E D T

N T

N V

A D

INNOVATED: advent, avid, avoid, dative, deviant, diva, divan, dive, divot, dove, innovate, invade, invent, naive, native, nave, nova, ovate, oven, vain, van, vane, vat, vein, vend, vent, vet, veto, via, video, vie, vied, vine, voe, void, vote, voted TARGET: 21, GOOD: 28, EXCELLENT: 34

HELPFUL CONTACTS

CRISIS - EMERGENCY - INFORMATION : INSTANT HELP AVAILABLE BELOW

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE 000 (TRIPLE 000) Emergency assistance 000 (24 hours/7 days) Lifeline’s 24/7 service on 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467 24/7 telephone counselling service Beyond Blue’s support 1300 22 46 36 SANE Australia’s service 1800 187 263 Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 Urgent mental health care for anyone having a mental health crisis: NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 ACT Mental Health Triage Service 1800 629 354 SA Mental Health Triage Service 13 14 65 NT Crisis Assessment Triage Service 1800 682 288 WA Mental Health Emergency Line 1800 676 822 QLD 24-hour mental health care 1300 642 25 TAS Mental Health Services Helpline 1800 332 388 VIC Mental Health Services go to health.vic.gov.au for your local provider MindSpot Clinic call 1800 61 44 34 for adults with anxiety or depression QLife’s support service on 1800 184 527 National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 Centrelink for Carers & Disability 13 27 17 Aged & Disability Advocacy 1800 818 338 Centrelink for ABTSI 1800 136 380 Centrelink for older Australians 13 23 00 Department of Veterans Affairs 1800 555 254 My Aged Care 1800 200 422 Medicare 13 20 11

National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 Healthdirect for a nurse triage service 1800 022 222 (all states except for Victoria) NURSE ON CALL phone 1300 60 60 24 for health help from registered nurses in Victoria Poisons Information Centre 131 126 for 24/7 assistance 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 for sexual assault/domestic and family violence counselling Gambler’s Help hotline 1800 858 858 24/7 Australian Men’s Shed Association 1300 550 009 MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 support to helping men deal with relationship problems GLBTI peer support on 1800 184 527 Mon–Thurs 6 pm–10 pm, Fri–Sun 6pm–9pm National Alcohol and Other Drug 1800 250 015 for free 24/7 Hotline support National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 for free financial counselling

Elder Abuse Prevention 1300 651 192

Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 relationship support services

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 13 14 50 and 1800 131 450

Translating and Interpreting Service Dementia Support Australia 1800 699 799 WINTER 2022 | Australian Carers Guide

115

aegis Amherst

aegis Shoalwater

aegis Montgomery House

aegis Bassendean

aegis St Michaels

aegis The Pines

aegis Hermitage

aegis Shawford

aegis Sandstrom

aegis Parkview

At aegis aged care, we care like family. From Alkimos in the north to Busselton in the south.

aegis Anchorage

aegis Woodlake

aegis Stirling

aegis Karalee

aegis Lakeside

aegis Lincoln Park

aegis Banksia Park

aegis Banksia Park Transitional Care

aegis Greenfields

aegis Ellenvale

aegis Alfred Carson

aegis Hilton Park

aegis Ascot Transitional Care

aegis Balmoral

aegis Carrington

Now Open

aegis Shorehaven – Alkimos

aegis Shoreline – Coogee

aegis Melville

aegis Amberley

To start a conversation or book a private viewing, please call 6254 8211. Or email: admissions@aegiscare.com.au www.aegiscare.com.au

Aegis offers premium quality aged care and the very best in living environment and services. Above all, it’s our people who make the difference. Our staff are chosen for their compassion and empathy for the dear residents in their care. Welcome to aegis aged care, your new home where we care for you like family. AEGI0115