Family Care Issue 41 - Self Care! by Family Care

WITH CARERS NZ | ISSUE 41

just for you!

NEW ZEALAND

Help others, help yourself

Self Care Stay well, Be well

GIFTS GALORE BE IN TO WIN!

FOREST BATHING Immerse yourself HOME PRESERVING Delicious distractions STAYING POWER Home lifts RAISED GARDENS With NZ Gardener! INNER HEALTH Lymph wellbeing FOR THE BIRDS Win them over

Plus...

books, learning, care to cook, gardening, useful things, reader stories, gifts + more!

FRUITFUL The charity behind NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backyard bounty

MONEY Ways to make it stretch

IHC Family Whanau Liaisons “Connecting with your community”

The IHC Family-Whānau Liaison programme is a pilot programme running in Northland, Manawatū/ Horowhenua and Christchurch.

Supporting families of young people and children with intellectual disabilities to access funding and service support.

Visit our website: ihc.org.nz/ihc-family-whanau-liaisons With thanks to the IHC Foundation

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this time features

7 One entry, all draws

Complete and return our easy entry form and you will be entered into every reader gift draw! One entry per person please. Just return your form to us and you’re in to win! SEE OUR GIFT ENTRY FORM ON PAGE 6

Reader Gifts! feature

One Entry for All Gift Draws!

Just complete and return this form and you will be entered into every draw from our latest issue! One entry per person please. We'd love to know more about what you like. Please tell us about yourself (tick any that apply)!    

I am a family carer for another/others I am a 'self carer' managing my own health and disability needs I care for a child or young person with a disability

I have (or assist someone who has) these conditions or health issues:

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ I work in health and disability   I work for a community organisation  I share my magazine with others (if so, how many others see your copy of Family Care: _________ )

I would most like to win these reader gifts: 1. _____________________________________________________ 2. _____________________________________________________ 3. _____________________________________________________

Name ___________________________________________

www.carers.net.nz

Physical Address __________________________________

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Mailing Address (if different) ________________________

16 18 21 24 28 30 32 38 42

Paid Family Care Policy changes

regulars

Ways To Wellbeing

Forest Bathing

Raised Gardens

Feeling Lonely?

Financial Planning

Look after yourself Absorbing nature Plant height

Stay connected Ways to save

Your Say Feedback

Books, Music, Film Watch, listen, learn

Useful Things

Aids, equipment, fun stuff

Young Carers

New partnership!

CareWise

Our latest campaign

Marketplace Where it’s at

Preserving

Canny creations

Wastemaster Lymph magic

Elevators & Lifts Multi-level living

Carers NZ infopacks

Thank you so much for the information package you sent me. It is wonderful and there are a lot of contact points I did not know about. This week we have a social meeting with the women who care for husbands who’ve had a stroke and I will take your information to show them. There are probably people like me who were suddenly put in that position and had to find out where they could turn to for help while at the same time feeling overwhelmed by the problems they had to cope with. My husband is making remarkable progress, but we all worry about what the options are if anything happens to us. Your information is so valuable, thank you for sharing it.

MARIAN STOLTE, E-MAIL

Thank you Marian, we’re glad you found Carers NZ’s infopack useful. Please have anyone who would like their own pack get in touch. The packs are free and contain information anyone in a caring situation will find helpful, plus a few fun surprises. These infopacks are designed especially for family carers. They include a copy of the Government’s allencompassing Guide for Carers, which focuses on all government-funded sources of help for carers and those they support. They also include a copy of the latest Family Care, and resources of special interest to carers supporting an older person, or older carers assisting a member of their family. We also have resources for young carers assisting loved ones - they need information that is age appropriate. Organisations can request bulk infopacks to distribute in their networks. To organise a pack for yourself or bulk packs to distribute, just email centre@carers.net.nz or phone 0800 777 797 during business hours.

FamilyCARE 3

reflections

Let’s care more Is it just me, or do the days slip by faster as we approach the end of the year? There is a lot to squeeze in, not least for Carers NZ and the Carers Alliance as we watch what the Government will do with its policy to pay family carers. Recently the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced changes that will hopefully lead to a payment system that is fairer and works better for families. In most cases, a family carer juggles paid work with supporting a loved one who has a disability or is unwell. More of us are living longer at home with higher support needs than past generations. Two thirds of NZ’s family carers are women, and many struggle to juggle work and care. We can no longer rely on women to provide significant care for others without caring for them, too. Their work is important. It warrants payment, and KiwiSaver contributions, and a fair hourly rate - the sooner the better. Being paid to provide intensive care at home is a no brainer economically. The annual unpaid work of family carers was assessed by Infometrics several years ago at (conservatively) $10 billion. Even taking into account government investments in respite, the current flawed Funded Family Care payment (which hardly any carers get), and the Carer Support subsidy, what NZ spends to sustain family carers is a pittance compared to what they contribute to family life, society, and the economy. Just why it has taken years of court and human rights action and soul searching by successive governments to care better for carers is a mystery. In these days of big mortgages and financial pressures, caring can’t be taken for granted. Women’s work can no longer be taken for granted. We need carers, and if we make it harder for families to make the choice to care, we will be poorer for it. It’s often said these are complex issues. That it isn’t easy to change policies or find the money to implement them. Is it just me – I don’t think it’s complicated. Helping carers is a necessary investment. Let’s get on with it.

FamilyCARE Editor Laurie Hilsgen Contributors Anna Barton, Angelique Kasmara, Virginia Linton, Sarah Wale Advertising + Inquiries centre@carers.net.nz Phone (09) 360 7221 Publisher Family Care NZ PO Box 47385 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144 ISSN 1177-3340 Print 2230-4819 Digital Disclaimer Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of Carers NZ, Family Care, or advertisers. Winners of our giveaways will receive their gifts within 6-8 weeks of each draw. By entering a reader gift draw your details may be provided to the supplier of that gift. If you do not want your details to be provided, note this on your entry form. Copyright is owned by the creators of images and graphics used in Family Care; see individual credits below. Cover image Anyaberkut, istockphoto Copyright Family Care. All rights reserved.

You'll find our entry form for all reader gifts on page 6!

FAMILY CARE FRIENDS

Your magazine is supported by these organisations! Send us your email address so we can notify you of gift draws, news, and provide a link to read Family Care online! Just complete our gift draw form on p6 and include your email address or send your details to centre@carers.net.nz

And Flame Art, Lumino, Metlifecare, Quinn Engineering, Phoenix Elevators, Remembrance Glass, Tableau Towbars

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Many of our images and illustrations were sourced from www.shutterstock.com or as indicated: The Food Photographer, Marie C Fields, Anna Q, Mint Fox, Tessa Palmer, Daisy Daisy, Tibanna 79, Pukao, Le Cherning, Maridol777, Rainbow33, Vectormire, Igor Stevanovic, S Photo, U J Alexander, Tanja Essen, Elena Blokhina, Olga Miltsova, Marish, Mygate, Ewapee, Rawpixel.com, Everydayplus, Valerio Pardi, Pixel-Shot, Alan Benge, Schottill, Rook76, Oleg Golovnev

www.carers.net.nz

feedback

your say WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Share your thoughts, or ask other readers for advice. Send your comments to info@carers.net.nz, or post them to PO Box 47-385, Ponsonby 1144.

Feedback

I wanted to write and say how much I appreciate your magazine. My father lives a very quiet life these days (he has Parkinson’s) and doesn’t get out much, so his days are spent watching television and reading. He only recently discovered Family Care and has been reading it cover to cover. He particularly loves the book, film and Useful Things recommendations, but also enjoys reading about other people’s personal experiences. He is really looking forward to the next print issue. Thank you. AMANDA KIRCHER, AUCKLAND

Sharing Family Care

I have just filled in your reader gift entry form which asks how many people I share Family Care with. I don’t EVER hand my magazine on as I read it over and over again, and it takes me awhile to try all the recipes out. Nonetheless most of my visitors read it including my card playing group, my neighbours, and my family. Most of them ask me to copy pages as I am the only one who has a copier, and some eventually get their own magazine. It is very popular! I always stop what I am doing when it arrives and read it, then take it to bed that night to go through it again. Thank you for giving us all so much support.

Constant Juggle I’ve been watching the developments around carers with interest. I work part-time, I have one child with high needs and occasionally aggressive behaviour, plus two teens who help me look after her. Together we support my mother who also lives with us and has dementia. Both Mum and my daughter have a tendency to wander. Because of my daughter’s aggression, even a simple car journey can be extremely stressful for me or her support carer. My life is a continual round of supervising and managing the requirements of my family. I am so lucky I have a supportive employer, but constantly worry how sustainable this situation is for them and for me. I often have to take leave days when my daughter has a meltdown at school and respite for either her or my Mum seems to just cause more stress. I worry about my other children as they don’t get enough of my attention.

My husband passed away six years ago and I have no close family. I often feel like I’m failing at everything and letting everyone down. I know this is common and am fortunate to only have a small mortgage - I can’t imagine juggling all this if I had more commitments. The average New Zealander wouldn’t understand what it’s like to be a carer. The constant emotional and financial stress has worn me down and I am only in my 40s. What must it like to be a carer 24/7 if you’re in your 70s or 80s? I find it hard to prioritise my own self-care and thought

READER STORY

about this when completing the recent Carers’ Strategy online survey for the Government, looking at ways to help carers. Some of the problems will exist no matter what help is available. Nothing can magically cure my daughter’s challenging behaviour or Mum’s dementia. Like so many others we keep going, but I worry about what will happen if I ever get sick, can’t work, or die suddenly. I try not to think about it! Thanks for helping those of us who are struggling, to know that we are part of a community of others facing the same concerns. MICHELLE, BROWNS BAY

PT, INVERCARGILL

Thanks for taking the time to write! Tell others how to request their own free subscription: just phone 0800 777 797 or email centre@carers.net.nz www.carers.net.nz

Share your stories and advice with other readers! We’ll send a surprise gift for every letter we publish! Email your letters to info@carers.net.nz or post them to PO Box 47385, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144.

FamilyCARE 5

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One Entry for All Gift Draws!

I am a family carer for another/others I am a 'self carer' managing my own health and disability needs  I care for a child or young person with a disability  I have (or assist someone who has) these conditions or health issues: _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ I work in health and disability  I  work for a community organisation  I share my magazine with others (if so, how many

others see your copy of Family Care: _________ )

Name ___________________________________________ Physical Address __________________________________

________________________________________________

Carers NZ infopacks

MARIAN STOLTE, E-MAIL

_________________________________________________ Mailing Address (if different)_________________________

________________________________________________ ____________________________ Post Code___________

Update your details! Every form with an email address will go in the draw for a mystery prize. Email* ___________________________________________ Mobile___________________Phone___________________ * Please provide this information if you would like to receive our e-zines, bulletins, offers, and other online resources.

Email to supportteam@carers.net.nz

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SELF PRESERVATION A simple use for cucumbers

I love the calming routine of preserving fruits and vegetables; it’s so good to turn them into delicious preserves for the months ahead. Especially since I discovered that my mother and daughter (who both live with me and who hate fresh cucumber) will eat mountains of the preserved kind! It used to drive me bonkers as we always have an oversupply of cucumbers in my vege patch, but now I’m pleased to be able to adapt a previously shunned food into something useful to feed my family. I have a simple recipe that will make about 1 large jar. Cut up 2 regular sized cucumbers (it’s up to you whether you keep the seeds or skin - our family likes both). Put them into a colander and sprinkle with salt. After 45 minutes, rinse and put them into the sterilised jar. Add 2 tsp each of mustard seeds and celery seeds. Then boil 4 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of sugar, and 2 tbsp of salt. Pour over the cucumbers. Seal and leave for at least 24 hours. TRICIA, WHANGAREI

www.carers.net.nz

Thanks Tricia. We’ve heard recently about the mental health benefits of cooking and preserving. Apparently after World War II returned service people, having missed the tastes and rituals of home, enjoyed turning garden produce and fruit into tasty chutneys, jams, and sauces - all the tastes they’d missed during the War. We’re working with the RSA to find out more about this and will share stories and recipes from that era in a future issue. If you have a recipe or story to tell about a loved one who had this experience, do share it! Meantime, readers may enjoy our preserving basics article complete with a selection of easy recipes, starting on page 32.

FamilyCARE 7

Lumino Day Proud to be supporting those who give so much. Carers NZ and Lumino The Dentists have worked together for the past 3 years to provide free dental treatment to thousands of patients across New Zealand through Lumino Day. Lumino Day 2019, in May this year, saw over 450 patients receive free treatment to the value of just over $150,000. A team of around 100 clinical staff from 40 practices and over 150 support staff, were on hand to treat or assist the patients. Since its inception in 2013, the day has provided treatment to the value of over $1 million to thousands and thousands of patients. Lumino The Dentists GM of Operations Josh Stent says Lumino Day is a wonderful opportunity for the business to provide a service to those people who selflessly give their time to help other people in need. “It was incredible to see so many smiling faces of the people who had been treated by our wonderful team, who gave up their own time on Saturday the 11th May for Lumino Day,” says Josh Watch how Lumino supported those who give so much – click here “We are aware that oral health is often something that gets left behind, so we do like to think that although we may have only seen some patients for a limited amount of time, that the impact and the education we can give, is lasting and contributes to their overall health,” he adds.

STAYING ON TOP OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH THROUGH THE LUMINO DENTAL PLAN Dental professionals worldwide agree that one of the most important things you can do for your oral health is to take charge, with preventative measures. The Lumino Dental Plan is an easy and stress-free way to make sure you stay on top of your oral health, with regular maintenance and support to achieve your oral health goals. Regular oral examinations, diagnostic x-rays and hygiene treatments are intended to identify and stop dental issues early – either before they show up, or before they become much worse. Add to this your essential home-based oral health care habits, such as regular brushing and flossing each day, and you’ve got the basis of a proven tip-top plan for your improved oral health. When you sign up to the Lumino Dental Plan, you’ll receive a bundle of three important essential treatments, that you’ll be able to use over a one-year period. Each year, on top of your bundle of treatments, you’ll also receive 10% discount off any additional dental treatments (excluding dental implants and orthodontic treatments). Your annual bundle of treatments includes: - 1 x comprehensive dentist consultation, including an exam and x-rays - 2 x standard hygiene treatments

Book online now or contact Lumino The Dentists for more information about the Lumino Dental Plan.

feature LITT WAY LE S LOVETO YOU RSEL F

STILL LIFE

Stuck in traffic? Move your eyes from side to side, then up and down, during stops. This will help you stay alert and avoid eye strain, and help you remain calm, knowing that you’re doing something beneficial for your body while waiting.

Self-Care

When did you last do something just for you? PERSONAL BUDGET

If you can, allocate a tiny amount every week to spend just on yourself. Draw this out from your account and place the cash into a ziploc bag. This way you’ll have a visual reference for how much you’re spending without having to constantly check your outgoings.

Tea time

After sitting down with a well-deserved cuppa, cool used tea bags in your fridge, then place them on your closed eyes for a few minutes. The caffeine works to shrink the blood vessels around your eyes, reducing puffiness and dark circles.

“YOU NEED ONLY ALLOW GENTLE HOPE TO ENTER YOUR HEART. EXHALE AND ALLOW HOPE, AND GIVE YOURSELF SOME TIME.” RUSSELL BRAND

SHAZAM FOR PLANTS

Want to be able to learn the names of those plants and trees you spot on your walks? Thanks to the free app NZ Tree, developed at Auckland University of Technology, you can now quickly identify New Zealand’s native shrubs, ferns and trees! Find the app by searching for ‘NZ Tree’ or ‘New Zealand Tree’ wherever you get your apps. 10 FamilyCARE

www.carers.net.nz

“SOMETIMES I GIVE MYSELF A BREAK. I RETREAT A MOMENT FROM THE FRAY, JUST TO BREATHE.” Michelle Obama ETHIQUE VEGAN BODY TREATS!

Ethique is a proudly certified sustainable business, using only plant-based and vegan ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter and essential oils, and little to no preservatives. Cruelty-free, palm oil-free, and all packaging is compostable. To give your skin a delicious, guilt-free holiday, try one of Ethique’s gorgeous body, skin or hair products! Available nationwide - learn more at www.ethiqueworld.com

1 OF 10 ETHIQUE PRIZES WORTH $25 EACH

Help if you care for a friend or family member Carers NZ produces many free resources. You can find them at www.carers.net.nz or phone 0800 777 797 to order copies for yourself, or bulk copies for carers in your network. Many carers feel isolated and aren’t sure what help is out there for them. Our resources are designed specially for all carers including those supporting an older person, older carers, and young carers aged under 24.

Watch our story here! w

GOLDEN GLOW

Antipodes combines the highest quality ingredients sourced from New Zealand nature with science and innovation, to produce high-tech certified organic and premium formulations. Its Blessing AntiPollution Light Face Serum (RRP$54.50) offers protection from city pollution, inhibiting stress on skin cells by up to 52%. Antipodes Kiwi Seed Gold Eye Cream (RRP$75) is a luxurious, illuminating eye cream to brighten and perfect the delicate skin of the eyes. It contains real 23K gold flakes which impart a warm glow as they bring calm to stressed skin. Revolutionary antioxidant Vinanza® grape and kiwi help to brighten the under eye area and address pigmentation. Find these and all Antipodes products at www.antipodesnature.com

1 OF 2 PRIZES VALUED AT $129.50 EACH www.carers.net.nz

Contact Carers NZ if you need advice, have a question, or to request any of our resources. 0800 777 797 centre@carers.net.nz www.carers.net.nz facebook.com/CarersNZ facebook.com/YoungCarersNZ FamilyCARE 11

books, music, film

OUR PICKS!

THE FAREWELL Should someone be told if they have a terminal illness, or do they need to know the truth? The Farewell explores this theme, following a close-knit but fractured Chinese family whose beloved matriarch has stage 4 lung cancer and not long to live. Writer/director Lulu Wang shared this story about her own family on the popular radio show This American Life, leading to the film. Billi is living in New York City, having moved to the United States with her parents when she was young. Her beloved grandmother (called Nai Nai in Chinese culture) still lives in China with her sister, and Billi’s parents have learned of her terminal diagnosis. Everyone except Billi believes they should keep Nai Nai’s fate a secret from her. Billi reluctantly goes along with the plan despite a culture clash - in the US it would be illegal to keep such information from a patient. The family decides to stage a wedding, with Billi’s cousin marrying his new girlfriend as an excuse for everyone to gather in China to hang out with Nai Nai one last time. The family reunion produces conflicts and passions in this warmhearted dramedy everyone will be able to relate to. The Farewell can be viewed at cinemas or online.

THE CARER

YATES GARDENING GUIDE 79TH EDITION (NZ EDITION)

Deborah Moggach, bestselling author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Tulip Fever, explores the dynamics of how caring for an ailing family member can bring all kinds of simmering family tensions into the open. A broken hip lands James into the full-time care of his begrudging offspring, Robert and Phoebe. Compelling, surprising, and funny, this is a highly recommended read! Buy from booksellers or at www.hachette.co.nz RRP $34.99

One of the oldest New Zealand books in continuous publication remains the most comprehensive, reliable and practical source of advice for all New Zealand gardeners. The new 79th edition includes: New recommendations for pest and disease control and updated problemsolving charts - Recommendations on keeping chickens - How to establish a community garden - Encouraging bees in the garden - Growing microgreens Transplanting - A new herb planting and growing chart - And new and revised hints from some of New Zealand’s top gardeners!

‘Unputdownable, fun and tender with characters that jump off the page. Perfection!’ - Marian Keyes

1 OF 2 COPIES

Watch The Farewell trailer here! w

Buy from booksellers or online www.harpercollins.co.nz RRP $49.99

2 COPIES TO BE WON! SEE OUR GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM ON PAGE 6

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RECOMMENDED HEY WOOLFIE

Join singer, actor and television actor Ray Woolf as he recounts adventures from his long and colourful entertainment career. Co-authored with Roger Booth, this memoir begins in Dagenham in the United Kingdom, where Ray grew up. At 17 he moved from London to New Zealand with his parents. Since then Ray has had many roles on stage and screen, and he’s still around as one of New Zealand’s favourite crooners. Unusually for a memoir, Ray provides tips for wannabe singers, and also talks about recent health challenges including living with diabetes and prostate cancer. We enjoyed this ‘Kiwi as’ walk down memory lane with Ray - buy your copy for $40 including shipping. Visit www.raywoolf.co.nz or email chrisrog@outlook.com

YOUR OWN COPY!

Watch Ray Woolf discussing his work and career w “Looking back on 56 successful years I have had in performing arts, I am most grateful for many things and firstly for the support of my parents. My Mum convinced me that I should do some music training, and my formal British beginnings gave me a good start. So did my parents’ decision to migrate to NZ. Having spent over 50 years in God’s Own, I am now really a Kiwi musician. I have performed alongside some wonderful and talented people. I’m still around, I still love to sing, and I love to perform. Gigs of various sorts crop up remarkably often. And who knows? I may still have a television drama or musical in me yet!”

GRANDPA’S NOISES

By Gareth St John Thomas, illustrated by Colin Rowe. RRP$24.99 Children love laughing about body noises. In Grandpa’s Noises, a range of sounds and words coming from body and mouth are explained in a warm, funny intergenerational romp. Children look at life with open, honest eyes but sometimes it takes a bit of thinking and code-breaking to work out what’s really going on. Fortunately for this particular grandchild, while Grandpa’s noises might be a mystery to many, he knows just what they mean! Buy online at www.ekbooks.org or phone (03) 477 1615.

FOUR COPIES TO BE WON! DEALING WITH DEPRESSION “People say things to themselves that they would not dream of saying to someone else in distress,” says Jan Marsh, clinical psychologist and author of Dealing With Depression. Learning to regulate emotions and show compassion to ourselves and others not only reduces the impact of depression but also improves life and relationships, building resilience and decreasing the likelihood of recurring depressive episodes. Just one of several strategies in this book, Jan presents a straightforward, nonjudgmental and effective exploration of depression and how to manage it. “Depression eats away at motivation or immobilises you with indecision, so make it as easy for yourself as you can. Start with something that seems approachable. The important thing is to do something.” Jan was a practising clinical psychologist for 40 years in rehabilitation, mental health services, child protection and court work, and in private practice. Available from booksellers or at www.exislepublishing.com

1 OF 2 COPIES WORTH $19.99 EACH www.carers.net.nz

FamilyCARE 13

Useful things

Aids, equipment, services, and fun stuff to help you at home or out and about!

DEEP SLEEP

Sleep Heavy weighted blankets use deep touch pressure stimulation to relax the body and calm the nervous system. They are a fantastic bedtime addition for anyone suffering from sleep deprivation, insomnia or anxiety, and are also therapeutic for those with ADHD, autism, or PTSD. Sleep Heavy is NZ owned and operated! To purchase call (021) 423 989 or visit www.sleepheavy.co.nz

A SLEEP HEAVY WEIGHTED BLANKET VALUED AT $399.99!

PRETTY & PRACTICAL

Made from recycled fishing nets! Covertogs are high quality garments that will give you a confidence boost in the water! Started by Karen Newton when she couldn’t find swimwear she could get excited about, Covertogs are 100% New Zealand designed, made and delivered. They are made from 100% recycled polyester and nylon, re-using fishing nets that have been recovered by volunteer divers from the floor of the Mediterranean Sea. Tops, shorts, skorts: you’ll struggle to choose from the great range of designs. Learn more by phoning (09) 533 8441, or visit www.covertogs.co.nz

COVERTOGS OF YOUR CHOICE WORTH UP TO $250!

I AM EVA

Washable ‘period proof’ underwear, made in NZ! I Am Eva knickers look and feel just like normal underwear, but absorb up to two regular tampons’ or pads’ worth of flow. They can also be used to manage minor bladder weakness. The innovative super-slim fabric ensures that moisture wicks away from your skin fast, while an anti-microbial application dispels odours. After use, just rinse then machine wash with your other clothes. I am Eva underwear is a reusable, sustainable alternative to tampons, pads and liners. Skye High (high waisted), $45 for one, or $125 for a 3 pack. Brief and teen brief (Ebony or Honey), $39 single, $115 for 3 pack. Phone (021) 0295 8676 or visit www.iameva.co

1 OF 2 GIFT PACKS CONTAINING 3 PAIRS!

THE ENTRY FORM FOR FAMILY CARE GIVEAWAYS IS ON PAGE 6! 14 FamilyCARE

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TREE EARRINGS

New Zealand birds love to gather around these delightful tree earring bird feeders! Simply fill the feeders with fruit, nectar or seed balls and the birds will return again and again. As beautiful and practical artworks for every setting from urban courtyards and terraces to large country gardens, they are ideal for anyone who loves birdwatching. Designed and made in NZ, tree earring bird feeders are handcrafted from sustainable, recyclable materials. Fasten them anywhere from tree branches to balconies! Visit www.sisterhouse.co.nz where you can buy tree earrings plus bird food recipe cards and related items. Or, email hello.sisterhouse@gmail.com or call Nicole on (027) 279 4829.

4 TREE EARRINGS TO BE WON!

help foR CarerS!

Do you support a friend or family member who is ill, has disabilities, or a chronic condition? Carers NZ offers useful information, and advice about available help around the country! We are a national not for profit that works with many other community, government, and charitable organisations to support those in caring situations. Carers NZ assists carers directly via its 0800 and email services, and acts as Secretariat for the New Zealand Carers Alliance of 45+ national not for profits who are working in unity to give carers public visibility and a voice in decision-making that affects them.

Watch birds enjoying Tree Earrings here! w

PREVENTING INFLAMMATION

Phone our National Resource Centre to request a free carer infopack or for a referral to a carer support network in your area. It's free to join our network (just call our 0800 helpline) or email centre@carers.net.nz

“If you’re already leading a healthy lifestyle, there’s still more you can you do to fight sickness and disease. This is the story of inflammation and health—what goes wrong as we age, and what you can do about it.” Author Dr Roderick Mulgan

You'll receive regular e-newsletters, email and posted updates, and we'll keep you informed about important news all carers should know about.

The Internal Flame explores how inflammation affects long-term health and presents new insights through the developing science of ‘functional food’ (also known as nutraceuticals, bioactives, or superfoods) and how these can suppress inflammation.

We'll also let you know about learning and social events you might like to attend in your area, or online!

Buy from booksellers or at www.wildsidepublishing.com (RRP$39.99). Dr Mulgan is also the co-founder of LifeGuard Health - for further details see www.lifeguard.health Reader Steve says “The Internal Flame is a concise but well-researched book which explains the impact that inflammation has on the ageing body. It also pulls together a lot of current thinking around the healing power of food. I highly recommend the read.”

1 OF 3 PRIZES! TWO BOTTLES OF LIFEGUARD ESSENTIALS WORTH $65.80 PLUS YOUR OWN COPY OF THE INTERNAL FLAME! www.carers.net.nz

You might also like to check out our web space that's just for carers. Visit the site regularly to see new articles, blog posts, and helpful information to support you in your role!

Visit www.carers.net.nz

centre@carers.net.nz Facebook www.facebook.com/carersnz Twitter #carersnz Pinterest CarersAir Phone Carers NZ's National Resource Centre Monday to Friday during business hours: 0800 777 797 FamilyCARE 15

did you know?

Funded Family Care In July 2019, the Prime Minister and Minister Genter announced that Funded Family Care is changing in 2020. Funded Family Care is funding for some eligible disabled people to employ their parents or family members over 18 who they live with to provide them with their personal care and/or household management supports. Funded Family Care has been used as a term to cover both the Ministry of Health’s Disability Support Services policy and District Health Boards’ Paid Family Care policies. The upcoming changes apply to both. These changes include: •

repeal of Part 4A of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000

•

change to eligibility to allow: o

spouses and partners to provide Funded Family Care to people with high or very high support needs

children and young people under the age of 18 with high or very high needs to receive Funded Family Care from resident parents or family members (who are over 18)

•

removing the requirement for an employment relationship between a disabled person and their resident family member under the Ministry of Health’s Funded Family Care policy

•

raise pay rates for funded family carers under the Ministry of Health’s Funded Family Care policy, to be consistent with the rates received by care and support workers

These changes to Funded Family Care will make it fairer for family carers and those being cared for, including improved support and ensuring carers are paid appropriately. Right now, the Ministry of Health is working through the details of these changes so that they can provide advice to Ministers about what these may look like and how they can be implemented across New Zealand in a way that is equitable and sustainable. To help prepare advice for Ministers that takes our communities’ voices and experiences into consideration, the Ministry is undertaking targeted engagement in the next two months. This will also enhance the Ministry’s understanding of the impact that potential policy options may have on carers, disabled people and their whānau. For updates as this work develops, including how the Ministry is seeking feedback from people, visit the Ministry’s website.

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www.carers.net.nz

Are you a young carer? The SVA Service Award is a free New Zealand-wide framework that recognises volunteering efforts of Year 9-13 students. The Student Volunteer Army is excited to partner with Young Carers NZ to promote and acknowledge volunteering by young carers.

"Good kids, doing good things for good reasons. Thank you for giving us the ability to reward them" Blair Ludlam, Cambridge High School

Learn more at service.sva.org.nz

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Feel good with Carers NZ’s Stretch Focus & Relax followalong series! Anna Filliol designed these short videos to help you unwind, let go of concerns, and feel good. Here is the introduction to Anna’s short exercises which can be done seated or standing – try one or try them all!

Click here to Stretch Focus & Relax! w

Ways to Wellbeing

There are lots of ways to look after ourselves, even if time and money are tight! By Angelique Kasmara

When you’re already weighed down by family commitments, work, and daily pressures, it’s all too easy to put your own wellbeing last. Yet making a priority of your physical and psychological health creates a foundation for wellness, and replenishes the resources you need to extend compassion to others as well. 18 FamilyCARE

There is plenty of sound evidence to suggest that most self-care activities reduce stress, which amongst other things helps your body strengthen its immune system. Self-care will also help quieten your inner critic, working towards a more expansive and positive way of being. You’ll feel more productive when you learn to say ‘no’ to anything that stretches your resources, which in turn will help bring your goals into sharper focus. There are a number of ways you can achieve a routine for wellness without having to rearrange your entire life. From incorporating a daily five-minute

meditation, to learning methods of getting on top of your finances, there are attainable goals out there in your self-care journey. Finding out what works for you is key. Self-care means different things for different people. With this in mind, we’ve provided a few ideas to get you thinking about what your priorities may be, that you can start right now. Also, introducing many small, nourishing habits into our daily routines will gradually bring long-term rewards for your mind, body, and soul. Try one or two of these every day! www.carers.net.nz

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Physical Self-Care

Dance to a couple of your favourite tracks. Make one small, healthy addition to your diet each day. Squeeze turmeric and lemon into a juice, eat an extra piece of fruit. Aim to get an extra hour’s sleep.

If your job involves physical labour, bring a small tube of hand cream to work. Take a few minutes each day to rub it in. As well as soothing your skin, this action helps relax your muscles. Try a cream with relaxing or other aromatherapy qualities. Write a wishlist. What would you really like to achieve in your professional life? Then write one small thing you can do to reach that goal. Add new goals as you achieve what’s on your wishlist.

Get 20 minutes of sun (or cloud: you’ll still get your Vitamin D). Have a go-to meal. Keeping on top of your nutritional needs isn’t always easy. Come up with a couple of nutritious standbys you can whip up easily and won’t make too much mess - it can be as simple as baking a potato in the microwave for 5 minutes and adding favourite toppings. Potatoes have potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and a surprising amount of protein, making them more nutritious than other starchy options!

Financial Self-Care

Cancel subscriptions. Is there anything you subscribe to that you’re not using? Reduce food waste. For example, separate foods that cause ethylene gas, such as bananas, away from ethylene sensitive food, such as apples, to help avoid premature spoilage.

Increase your hydration by introducing more water-dense foods into your diet such as cucumber, celery, watermelon, strawberries, or tomatoes.

Be intentional with your money. Note your spending by keeping track of your receipts. Borrow items that you only need on occasion instead of buying them. Or, consider a share system with friends or family.

Spiritual Self-Care

Take your time. Before making a purchase, check pricing online, look up a few reviews. This will help with getting a better deal and also help you decide if you really want the item or not.

Spend an hour doing something that feeds your soul. Reading a book, visiting a gallery, going to a religious service, attending a talk. Find 5 unexpected beautiful things each day. A lush piece of bright green moss, an unusual leaf, a spiderweb. Ask for help - reach out. Sit in nature for a few minutes. It doesn’t have to be a park or the beach - enjoying a nearby tree counts!

Social Self-Care Say hi to a neighbour.

Environmental Self-Care

Declutter a corner of your lounge / bedroom / kitchen. Fix a small annoyance that’s been bugging you - chop off those small threads of frayed carpet, get a ‘No Junk Mail’ sticker for your letterbox. Pick up rubbish. This may sound like a chore, but if you’re in a park you regularly frequent, or even just walking down your street, picking up the odd thing or two and putting it in the nearest bin feels good, and makes your immediate environment a more pleasant place to inhabit. Buy secondhand next time you need an item - it’s fun!

Edit your social media feed. Unfollow anyone who’s causing stress. Sit in a ‘third space’ which may be a library, a park, the mall— anywhere public. Quietly observe people. Note their positives: an outfit you like, someone with a kind face. Call a friend you’ve been wanting to check in with.

Professional Self-Care

Have a daily ritual to set you up for a positive day ahead. It may be discussing the latest TV show or sports results with a coworker, or enjoying that first cup of coffee. If you have a desk job, take a break every 20 minutes. Get up, walk around. Check that your computer isn’t too close to your eyes— about 50 cm away is good. www.carers.net.nz

Psychological Self-Care

Take a few minutes to focus on your breathing. Close your eyes; take deep breaths through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Check yourself when you hear your inner critic feeding you negative thoughts. Turn it around. Imagine that voice is your best friend, giving you words of encouragement. Watch something funny. Even a short You Tube clip will release endorphins! Make a vision board. Fill it with favourite photos, inspirational quotes, and beautiful pictures.

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Forest bathing Feeling tired or low? Immerse yourself in the healing powers of nature.

Research has found that a hefty dose of preventative medicine is just one forest away. The Japanese therapy of ShinrinYoku - literally ‘forest bathing’ - was first introduced in 1982 by the Forest Agency of Japan as a method of stress relief for urban residents. With its incorporation into the country’s government health programme, it is now considered a key therapy of preventative health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Studies have confirmed the health benefits of spending time in nature. Just 20 minutes of immersion in natural surroundings significantly lowers stress hormone levels, according to a 2019 www.carers.net.nz

study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. Researchers measured levels of the stress hormone cortisol before and after nature interactions, and found the drop to be significant for those who participated. Other studies have shown that benefits range from improved immune function, mood and cognitive function, to lower heart rate and blood pressure. When you step into bushland, you’re breathing in a number of bioactive substances released by plants, such as terpenes. Usually emitted from leaves, pine needles, tree trunks, and bark, studies show that terpenes mimic antidepressants like Prozac. Another chemical released by vegetation, phytoncides, has also been found to boost the immune system. The popularity of forest bathing is growing around the world, with more people becoming certified as forest therapy guides.

How does Shinrin-Yoku work as a practice, and how is it different from just going for a stroll in the fresh air, that common sense remedy which we’ve all enjoyed at some point? Yaki Wo, founder of Wilderites, a forest therapy group based in Auckland, says “as a therapy, it is simply about connecting with nature through your senses, from sight to hearing, smell, touch, taste, intuition, body radar, feelings in your heart”. Yaki first came across the concept while travelling in Japan. Then, in 2016, her mother fell ill, and Yaki started reading about practising mindfulness as a way to explore her own search for meaning and purpose. After her mother passed away in 2018, Yaki was physically and emotionally exhausted. She knew that the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) was coming to New Zealand to offer training for guides. FamilyCARE 21

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Steps to enhance your Shinrin-Yoku experience MANY HAVE FOUND HAVING A GUIDE HELPFUL IN SLOWING DOWN, GIVING PERMISSION TO THEMSELVES TO SPEND TIME NOT WORRYING ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE. THE COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE CAN ALSO BE VERY POWERFUL.

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Not wanting to jump right back into work, she did the training as way to retreat into nature, get in touch with her emotions and grieve properly. “I’ve become calmer and less anxious, more willing to let go. Also, one fundamental basic of forest therapy is the practice of non-judgmental, deep listening. I am much more able to embrace the diversity of beliefs, views, and values now than I used to be.” During a guided session, participants may be invited to try activities to help them experience their surroundings in new ways. “I start with invitations that focus on opening all senses,” says Yaki. “Some liken these to guided meditations and they can be still or in the form of a slow walk. After that, depending on the trail and the participants, I use different invitations that focus more on one or a few senses.” “For example, in the camera invitation, participants pair up and take turns to be the photographer or camera. The camera will have his/her eyes closed, be led by the photographer to where a photo needs to be taken, open his/her eyes to ‘take’ the photo, immerse in the moment to ‘process’ the photo, and use a gesture or movement to ‘develop’ the photo.” “Some invitations are more interactive

Be present. Hide your phone, remove your pedometer, feel the moment.

Allow your body to guide you. Leave behind goals and expectations.

Pause. Look more closely at a pattern, or notice the ripples of light through the trees. Remember how dogs and small children just go with their instincts - ‘Look, shiny!’ Be more like that.

Take a seat. Use all your five senses to really notice what’s happening around you.

Minimise interactions. If you go with others, only talk if necessary until the end of the walk, when you can gather to share your experiences.

www.carers.net.nz

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whilst others are more still, and usually I use a combination of both.” Importantly, after each invitation is a round of circle sharing, where participants come together and practice sharing and deep listening. Yaki’s forest therapy walks always end with sharing tea and snacks to ease back into the day. She encourages people who would rather experience this on their own to do so, but says many have found having a guide helpful to slow down, giving themselves permission to spend time not worrying about anything else. And in a group walk, the collective experience of sharing and deep listening can be very powerful. If you do choose to go it alone, allow yourself to be aimless, taking in the colours, patterns, and sounds of your surroundings. There are now 62 accredited ShinrinYoku forests in Japan. In New Zealand, where much of our outdoorsy activity means sport, tramping, and extreme activities (anything that generates a lot of movement and noise), how do we adjust to the idea of slowing down? “A number of people who have come to my walks have mentioned how they thought they were connected to nature being Kiwi, growing up barefoot and tramping in jandals, surfing every week,” says Yaki. “But only when they came on a forest therapy walk did they realise they were simply rushing to their destinations and taking photos, missing out on all the magic in the process. One lady said she brought her dog to that very park every day, but had seen it for the first time on our walk.” To experience forest bathing in a group, visit www.wilderites.com or email yaki@ wilderites.com Options include group walks or private walks; look out for koha walks! Yaki is trained and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) Guides and Programs. The ANFT approach to nature therapy is culturally neutral, and will generally start with a guided meditation to slow down and open the senses followed by guided activities (known as invitations) to connect more deeply with your surroundings. Circle sharing is used between invitations to connect participants with each other in a safe, mutually supportive environment. www.carers.net.nz

Home plant therapy

If it’s a challenge for you to get out to a forest or a park, taking care of houseplants can also reap healthy benefits. While researching how to keep air clean inside space stations, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) explored the effects of houseplants in reducing air pollution. They discovered that as well as absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, houseplants eliminate close to 87% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene every 24 hours. Some plants are more efficient than others at absorbing harmful VOCs, which are emitted from paints, plastics, equipment, furniture, cleaning supplies and some fabrics. Below are a few suggestions. We’ve selected them on their air cleansing abilities and / or tolerance towards less than green-fingered gardeners! If you have pets in your house, do check their compatibility with the houseplants. For example, many lilies are known to be toxic to cats. Dracaena The Dracaena is most efficient when it comes to removing acetone, absorbing around 94% of the chemical.

Bromeliad Bromeliads are able to remove around six of the eight VOCs, taking up more than 80% of each over a 12 hour sampling period. Peace Lily Peace Lilies will eliminate acetone, ammonia, benzene, ethyl acetate, formaldehyde, methyl alcohol, trichloroethylene and xylene. They will also reduce the level of mould spores in the air, absorbing them through their leaves and using them as food. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue This common plant absorbs alcohol, acetone, benzene, formaldehyde and xylene. Jade Plant The Jade plant is very good at removing toluene. Orchids At night, most plants stop photosynthesising and start to breathe like a human - taking in oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. But orchids and a few others do the opposite, continuing to suck in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Put them in your bedroom to refresh the air.

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How about A RAISE The benefits of a raised garden are firstly the defined edge between garden and grass or path which stops weeds encroaching. Article by Sheryn Dean, published in NZ Gardener.

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Secondly, it makes them an easy working height. In my opinion, this is at about 850mm high. This is what I call wine-and-weed height: You can hold a glass of wine in one hand and poke weeds in with the other. No bending over, no sore back and no peering amongst the undergrowth to identify cotyledons. As with everything, there are downsides. The main one is you have to lift soil and mulch up out of the wheelbarrow. I get around this by loading it into buckets I can easily lift and tip – yes, a bit laborious but worth it. Climbing peas and beans may require a ladder to harvest so they are best planted elsewhere, as are root vegetables

that need digging, such as potatoes and kūmara – the angle is wrong to get the fork in deep, so I have separate gardens for those too. But everything else – all my salad greens, tomatoes, brassicas, eggplants, garlic and such – are where I can reach easily with a glass of wine in hand (I am not really that much of a wine drinker but it is nice to know you can). Cucumbers, melons and tomatoes trail over the edge and zucchinis expand into the air space (and benefit from the increased airflow). The other huge benefit is, though I am staunchly organic, I long ago gave up trying to weed the driveway and metal around my raised gardens and, figuring this soil will never be used for growing www.carers.net.nz

feature use the principles of hugelkultur, which is a German word for hill culture where they use decomposing wood as an underlying carbon source. Most of our vegetable roots don’t extend below 300 or 400mm, so it is that top layer that needs to be good soil. Underneath that, you can fill with anything that your soil life can eat. Large rounds of wood and old branches, for example, will very slowly decompose into beautiful, water-holding carbon matter. Manure (if you choose to add it) will react with this, generating heat and warming the soil, which your plants will love. Leaves, grass clippings and anything you would normally chuck in the compost can also be used to fill the gaps.

Before you get too keen about filling it up though, think about irrigation as well. I brought a pipe up from underneath and circled it around the insides of my drums so I could add nozzles or drippers (drippers were the best as they didn’t break off or get overgrown) as needed. Made from black corrugated iron, my raised beds got lovely and warm in summer, but it also meant they dried out quickly and an irrigation system on a timer was a lifesaver. And though I was careful to shake the roots of my weeds, and often just pushed them under to compost in-situ, my soil just disappeared. Each year I would top up the gardens with another couple of buckets of compost, puzzling over the speed of nature and how quickly top soil needs to be regenerated. However, I did find leaving the soil level 5-10cm down from the top of the drum gave tender seedlings some crucial wind protection as they got established.

anything, let alone edibles, I do (dare I admit it?) use that dreaded spray on these areas, secure in the knowledge it is nowhere near the leaves or roots of my plants 850mm above.

One question I am often asked is what do you fill them with?

Obviously anything that high contains a large volume. My original raised beds were built as we built the house (possibly even before) so I simply half-filled them with the excess clay lying around the building site. Do not use drainage material – with gardens at this height, you want to prevent rather than encourage drainage. However, a more sensible option is to www.carers.net.nz

Still needing somewhere to grow corn and beans and potatoes and such, last year I got treated to a wonderful new ground garden setup. I put a lot of

research into the materials to use as I have

heard that tanalising treatments leach and was concerned about them entering my food chain. The chrome, copper and arsenic (CCA) used to prevent wood rotting when it is in contact with the soil are all present in our soils at some level. That they can leach and affect the surrounding soil seems to be common knowledge in organic circles – but I could find no evidence to back this up. In fact, I found the opposite. A risk assessment on the environmental impact of the use of CCA-treated wood in soil or in fresh or salt water (by Michael D Hedley at the New Zealand Forest Research Institute) suggests it will have little significant effect on raising these background levels and consequently will not affect ecosystems supported within these environments. Worm counts and microbe studies showed no difference in numbers around treated posts in kiwifruit orchards after one, three, four or eight years (and worms know their soil). Tested levels of chrome, copper and arsenic were within normal soil range 20mm from the treated timber. I then also looked at the alternative to CCA-treated wood, macrocarpa. Five times the price and according to all accounts, there is macrocarpa and macrocarpa. Even a good heartwood won’t last against damp soil. I was not at all keen to use plastic, and if I got inferior softwood, I could be replacing my gardens within 10 years. Since I had waited 10 years for these gardens to be built, that didn’t sit well. So I saved a bundle and chose H4 treated timber for the edges and laid old wool carpet on the paths to be covered in pine needles. NZ Gardener is packed with info about how to get the most from your garden. To have NZ Gardener delivered to your door every month, just call 0800 624 744 or visit mags4gifts.co.nz

“I HAVE SEEN SO MANY TIMES HOW HAVING A GARDEN CAN BRING JOY AND SATISFACTION TO PEOPLE’S LIVES, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DEALING WITH DISABILITIES OR AGERELATED MOBILITY ISSUES. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS YOU CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY PLANTS AND YOUR GARDEN AT EVERY AGE AND STAGE, AND IT’S A GREAT WAY TO GET OUTSIDE AND BE ACTIVE.” – NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll FamilyCARE 25

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A BUNK for the Night Getting away from it all is as easy as booking a spot in one of NZ’s many publicly accessible huts.

BALLOON HUT, KAHURANGI NATIONAL PARK 14 bunks, woodburner, serviced

Gentle tops and extensive views make the area around Balloon Hut one of the most appealing tramping locations in the country. And it can be explored from a spacious, sunny hut with an appeal of its own, set in an alcove right at the bushline. The Tableland is a roamer’s delight, a natural park of tussock tops and rolling silver beech forest just waiting for your feet. Huts on the Tableland date back to the discovery of gold in 1865, when diggers had their shelters scattered around the area. Chinese miners were based in a settlement just below Balloon Hut, but 26 FamilyCARE

all that remains of this is a little neat rock work. By 1875, the gold diggers were moving on to other fields, but interest in mining resurged from time to time. And this is how the first Balloon Hut came into existence in 1909, as a shelter for gold miners working for the Karamea and Tableland Sluicing Co. Described as ‘very basic’, the hut also served as shelter for trampers, hunters, and scientists, and for the public generally. This original hut was located on Mt Balloon Scenic Reserve land, and in 1926 a board that had formed to manage the reserve applied for, and received, a government grant. With this, a group of about eight not only restored Balloon Hut, but also built Flora and Salisbury huts to the same design, with a men’s bunkroom at one end, a women’s bunkroom at the other and a communal room between. Flora is the only example still standing. When the Abel Tasman National Park Board took over the Mt Balloon Scenic

Reserve in 1060, they soon decided that a replacement hut was called for. Materials were helicoptered to the site by John Reid, and the hut was built in 1963. But only a year later, the Forest Service took charge of the area, which became North West Nelson Forest Park. Another change in management came with the formation of DOC in 1987. By the 1990s the hut was deteriorating and in need of serious attention. DOC’s 1992 Hut and Track Review recommended that maintenance ceased. Alarmed, the Waimea Tramping Club set out to adopt the hut and fundraised for an upgrade. Donations and encouragement came from all over New Zealand. The renovation got underway in 1995, supported by DOC carpenters, members of the Waimea and Motueka tramping Above: Balloon Hut and the Tableland, Mt Arthur and the Twins beyond. Photo by Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography www.carers.net.nz

Above: Balloon Hut Photo: Geoff Spearpoint

clubs, and Motueka Rotary Club. The work took a full week, extending the sleeping capacity to 14, adding a veranda and improving the hut generally. In May 1996, Kahurangi National Park was gazetted and opened. As part of the celebration, then Prime Minister Jim Bolger, his wife Jean and a party of 17 people tramped in and stayed at the renovated Balloon Hut. While there, Bolger also officially opened the club’s new toilet, noting that that was a first for him. Changes continue. The gas heater was removed in 2016, and in its place a woodburner was installed and a woodshed built. Balloon Hut can be approached from the Motueka Valley up the Graham Valley Road to Flora Hut. From Flora Hut a wonderful forest track leads down Flora Stream, then back up onto the Tableland past Salisbury Hut and on to Balloon Hut, taking about 5 or 6 hours. Alternatively, drive up Cobb Valley to Trilobite Hut. From there, follow the Lake Peel Track up to the Peel Range and continue across high, easy tops to drop down to Balloon Hut at the bush edge. Allow about 4 hours. www.carers.net.nz

Above: Bob’s Hut, West Matakitaki Valley, Nelson Lakes National Park Photo: Rob Brown

A Bunk for the Night: A guide to NZ’s best backcountry huts By Shaun Barnett, Rob Brown, Geoff Spearpoint

New Zealand has a huge range of backcountry huts, most of which are available for public use. Some can sleep 80 people, while others are tiny two bunk affairs with not even room to stand up in. They are located in our mountains, on the edges of our fiords, coastlines and lakes, beside rivers, in the bush and on the open tops. Together they form an internationally unique network of backcountry shelter, and these huts, so often full of character and history, are destinations in their own right. A Bunk for the Night offers a guide to over 200 of the best of these huts to visit. This beautiful book can be purchased at stores nationwide.

WIN YOUR OWN COPY! Entry form, page 6. FamilyCARE 27

What to do if

you feel lonely Any of us can become a bit isolated. Feeling lonely is something that happens to many of us during our lives. The good news is that there are things we can do about it, and it’s not all about throwing ourselves head first into challenging social situations. The list below is a summary of suggestions from research and clinical experts.

Identify the cause

lead to a pattern of increasing passivity and withdrawal. Understanding how loneliness may be affecting your thoughts and behaviour can help you regain control. The late Professor John Cacioppo was a leading world expert on the psychology and physiology of loneliness. Below, he offers a plan to ease your way out of chronic loneliness by changing your thinking, making a plan, and taking manageable steps.

People become lonely for different reasons, so solutions to loneliness vary from one person to another. Think about what is making you lonely, as that may help you understand what steps you can take to change your situation.

Be kind to yourself Try to challenge any unkind thoughts you’re having about yourself. Practice replacing these with positive statements, and avoid comparing yourself to others. What people choose to share isn’t always an accurate picture of how life is really going for them.

Learn about how loneliness can affect your thoughts and behaviour Loneliness that goes on for a long time can

Self-care Think about your own wellbeing. Things like getting enough sleep, eating good

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food, getting out of the house, taking some gentle exercise, and avoiding recreational drugs and alcohol can help to lift your mood and energy, and put you in a better position to take action on loneliness. Routines If our environment is disordered, it can add to feelings of loneliness, depression, and loss of control, and can also limit social interaction. Simple routines like making your bed in the morning, or doing the dishes before going to bed, can make you feel less lonely and increase your confidence to invite others into your space. Get comfortable with your own company Seeking company out of desperation, because we fear spending time alone, can mean that we settle for poor interactions that can lead to increased feelings of loneliness. Learning to be comfortable with being alone means that we can seek company www.carers.net.nz

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from a position of greater strength. Doing something you enjoy can take your mind off loneliness, whether it’s getting absorbed in a book, music, a creative hobby, or taking yourself out for a coffee, a movie, a walk, or a swim. Other suggestions for lifting your mood include singing out loud, meditation, or keeping a daily gratefulness journal. Take small, manageable steps toward more social connection Just going out of the house to where there are people can be a first step, and can lead to brief, non-threatening interactions. While you’re out, practice smiling and saying hello to people you pass in the street; have a brief chat with a cashier; or exchange a comment about the weather. Practicing small talk in this way can make it easier to take part in conversations in more structured situations. To make more lasting connections, experts recommend focusing on what interests you, in order to meet people with whom you’re likely to get on. So if you’re interested in reading, for example, look for a book club or meetup to join. Another way of connecting with likeminded people in a non-threatening way is to volunteer for something that interests you. A third strategy is to increase connection with people you already know, such as old friends or members of your close or extended family.

Reaching out

John Cacioppo urges us to expect the best from other people, and to work on reaching out to others with warmth, generosity, and goodwill. He adds that all relationships will involve moments of friction, and that it’s important to keep these in perspective, remaining optimistic and consistent in our efforts to connect. Clinical psychiatrist and author Ellen Hendrikson advises it takes 6-8 connections before someone considers us a friend, so we need to be patient. As long as we are mutually kind, she says, we tend to become friends with whomever we see most often. So we increase the likelihood of making friends if we put ourselves in situations where we see the same faces again and again. www.carers.net.nz

Non-profits and community networks have joined forces to battle social isolation in our society. The new Coalition To End Loneliness aims to help New Zealanders feel connected, and know what support is available in their communities. Participants include Age Concern, Alzheimers NZ, RSA, St John, Salvation Army, the Student Volunteer Army, and Carers NZ. We’ll bring you regular updates about the Coalition and how to get help if you feel a bit isolated, or ways to support others who are lonely. Age Concern acts as the Secretariat for the Coalition to End Loneliness. Photo: Coalition representatives at the new network’s inaugural meeting, held in RSA’s national library in Wellington.

WHO CAN HELP?

If our self-help strategies aren’t working, below are some further suggestions. Loneliness can be complicated by issues such as grief or depression. The right help can make all the difference.  See www.mentalhealth.org. nz/get-help/in-crisis/ for information about who to contact if you or someone you know needs urgent support.  If you’re not in crisis, talk to a trusted family member or friend, or seek advice from your GP. Over 65 and feeling lonely?  Contact your local Age Concern to find out about Age Concern’s visiting service and other social connection activities.  Contact St John to ask about its free Caring Caller programme. You’ll be matched with a Caring Caller who will contact you each day for a chat.



If you’re caring for someone else and feeling lonely and isolated, contact Carers NZ to find out about services and support; visit www.carers.net.nz, phone 0800 777 797 or email centre@carers.net.nz

Other useful links www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ connections/200812/easing-yourway-out-loneliness www.thecut.com/2018/05/advicefrom-therapists-on-what-to-do-whenyou-feel-lonely.html www.happierhuman.com/how-to-notfeel-lonely/ www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/ loneliness-research/

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Financial

wellbeing

Stretching dollars can be an extra stress. Little savings add up! Few of us associate words like ‘budgeting’ and ‘cashflow’ with the tranquil notion of self-care. Yet when we’re stressing about our financials, this can unravel any good work we’re doing in other areas of our lives. It makes sense to include our relationship with money in self-care planning. “We’re all running on a hamster wheel,” says financial advisor Lisa Dudson, “so understandably many of us will opt for convenience when it comes to making choices.” Making sound financial decisions is an achievable goal for everyone once you’re armed with the right knowledge. Financial self-care is about connecting with our money in a more conscious and responsible way. It’s all too easy to disconnect ourselves from our ingoings and outgoings, especially when there’s a seemingly endless stream of bills to deal with. 30 FamilyCARE

But the more we actively engage in our finances, the easier it is to reduce other kinds of stressors, Lisa says. And no matter how little or how much we have, we know life can be uncertain, so making the most of what we do have is important. Understand that a healthy financial journey isn’t just about deprivation. It is about creating habits and routines that support and nurture our relationship with money, including taking on the principles of self-care. Just as we’re encouraged to think of doing nice things for ourselves in bite-sized chunks that we are able to do every day,

embrace those small steps we can do regularly for our financial health. “Working out your finances doesn’t have to be complicated, and I personally like to stick to simple, practical advice,” says Lisa. “For example, before you spend any money, pause and think for a moment. Is this the best use of what I’ve worked hard to earn?” Lisa’s website https://acumen.co.nz/ offers free online courses on improving your finances. “I am passionate about sharing my knowledge to help people have the freedom of choice that comes with financial security,” she says.

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Practicing Financial Self-Care

Prioritise your financial wellbeing Take a few minutes a day to focus your attention on money matters. This may include tasks such as going through your weekly spending, weighing up your KiwiSaver options, or seeking info on budgeting workshops. Let go of comparisons There are always going to be people that are better off than you, and on the flip side, people that are worse off than you. Comparing yourself to either doesn’t get you anywhere except maybe the bottom of a deep hole of inadequacy, guilt or despair. Remember that your financial situation is completely unique to you! Open up the conversation With good friends, we can spend hours talking about our relationships, our work, our families and interests, but money can be a difficult one to bring up. Go to someone you can trust and see what happens if you introduce a conversation around money. Prepare to be surprised, and to learn something new. Learn some quick fixes If you are on a tight budget, it can often feel pointless to attempt to save. However, there are some basic strategies that can help you achieve a savings target. Simple things like taking steps to reduce emotional or impulsive spending, looking at ways to reduce debt, and setting savings goals can work wonders in a surprisingly short amount of time. Explore your values It will help if you understand where your relationship to money comes from. Were you told that money was the root of all evil, or that it was the only goal worth pursuing? Were you sent to school with no lunch? Or maybe you have guilt about growing up comfortably? Most of us will fall somewhere in the middle but we’ve all developed our own belief systems based on influences stemming from childhood. Save at the start of each month What can you afford to put aside? Move that amount into a savings account as soon as your earnings come in. This will curb the urge to spend any money left over. www.carers.net.nz

WAYS TO BUDGET

Return to or discover inexpensive hobbies. If your gym membership has lapsed, try walking or jogging for awhile before signing up again. Gardening can provide food for the table as well as a sense of satisfaction from growing something. And remember your local library! As well as having thousands of books available, they provide many other free services, from internet use to CDs, DVDs, and school holiday activities. If you are an emotional shopper, inclined to spend big on goods and services to ‘feel better’, then do a bit of a self-check before getting out your card. How long will this make me happy for? That brief lift you get may bring short-term pleasure, making you reliant on external rather than internal forces for happiness. Seek alternatives. For example, planning for an event you’d really like to go to will help with exercising delayed gratification, as well as giving you an experience that lasts for more than the brief moment of joy you get from an impulse buy. Check out options like ASB’s Save the Change. This handy service works by rounding up your expenditure on selected electronic transactions. A bit like a modern day money jar, you can set up your savings option to round up to $1, $5, or $10 on all electronic transactions, as long as you’re using your EFTPOS or debit card. Transfer what accumulates to your savings. Eat seasonally. At various times of the year, there will be a glut of fruit and vegetables that you can buy cheaply. Set up a budget. Services like Sorted, MoneyLine, and even your online banking facility will allow you to link your accounts and automatically track your budget. Know your local and online options. Overstock, wholesale and liquidation stores can provide just what you’re looking for. Shopping out of season for goods such as heaters is also a

great way to save money. Bargains are always on offer with Grab One or Treat Me. Engage with your local online communities - websites such as Neighbourly or Freecycle can bring surprising bargains to your doorstep. Never underestimate what people will throw out for free! Pay off loans which are saddled with the highest interest rate. Open savings accounts with the best interest rate. Turn off electrical appliances when not in use - remember to switch the power off at the wall as this can bring considerable savings. Make an effort to chat to neighbours and acquaintances you run into regularly. They could turn into your best source of local information. Hot tips such as the best shop for cheap produce, finding a reliable plumber or a great hairdresser, might be gleaned this way! Reader Arlenna Porteners says having a pantry cleanout can stretch dollars. “Use ingredients in the fridge and pantry to create meals and only add meat or vegetables as needed. It’s amazing what you can put together and how much shopping decreases as a result!”

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PRESERVING

the old arts

Crafting delicious jams, sauces and other goodies has never gone out of fashion. Preserving has practical benefits, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relaxing ... and you can share the fruits of your labour! By Sarah Wale

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feature We are constantly hearing that the old arts and crafts are dying out, but don’t you believe it. Sewing, embroidery, knitting and crochet are enjoying a resurgence of popularity, as are handcrafts, painting and other arts, proving that we still need those restful activities to keep us sane in an ever busier world. There is nothing more satisfying than producing something good, especially for those whose everyday lives, no matter how useful, aren’t fully satisfying. Another not-yet-lost art is that of preserving. Fruit becomes jam or chutney; vegetables can be bottled or pickled. There are myriad possibilities for using the produce you have grown or bought when the season is right and prices are low. Although making jams and preserving fruit and vegetables may not always be cheaper than buying them, you are assured that the contents are good and pure, with no nasty additives to take away the goodness. Better still, they always taste better and also give you and those who share the results of your labour the warm feeling that comes from something that has been prepared by hand with love. Making your own preserves can be time-consuming, but not as much as you might imagine. Jam making, for instance, used to be an all day job for our grandmothers, but for us, with so many gadgets, it can be done much more quickly. As little as an hour can turn a pile of strawberries into several gleaming jars of rich, ruby red goodness. Read on to find out more!

Equipment

Cooking To make simple jam, marmalade or lemon curd, you won’t need any special equipment beyond a large, quality saucepan made of a nonreactive metal. Aluminium, cast iron, and copper are all ‘reactive’ and should not be used. Stainless steel, ceramic, glass and metal cookware with enamel coating are all ‘nonreactive’ and thus fine for preserving. A sharp knife for paring, chopping and peeling plus a long-handled wooden spoon (essential for stirring) are the only other items you’ll need. A jam thermometer can be useful for judging when jam has

PRESERVING tips

To start us off, here’s a great tip when making citrus marmalade: freeze the fruit whole. If you do this the skins will soften and you won’t need to boil them for ages until they are tender. When you defrost the fruit it will be soft and you can easily separate the pith, pips and juicy pulp from the skin. These can then be tied in a muslin cloth and the peel cut into thick or thin strips according to taste. All you need to do is pop the lot into a pan with some water and sugar - jam sugar if possible but plain is fine too – and fast-boil for about 5 minutes until setting point is reached. This is not the conventional method but it has never failed me (yet!). It also works when making plum, apricot or cherry jams; the stones slip out easily when the fruit defrosts.

Chop fruit coarsely if you like to get big hunks of fruit like strawberry or plum on your toast or in your sponge cake filling. It also makes a great topping if warmed slightly and poured over vanilla ice cream. Orange or ginger marmalade is great with chocolate ice cream!

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reached the correct setting point, but the old cold saucer test works well too. Some people like to use a pressure cooker; that might be a good idea to speed up the process if you are using a hard fruit that takes a lot of cooking, but it is certainly not worth buying one specially. In addition, if you have a slow cooker, you can let the jam make itself overnight, which saves you time and energy standing over the cooker and also the worry that it might catch on the bottom if you have the heat too high. Containers Recycled jam jars are fine, or you can buy fancy ones, but I like to use the pretty Roses marmalade ones, or any nice or unusual shapes like the hexagonal ones honey often comes in. Different sizes are a good idea because you will find your yield is never exactly right for one size of jar, so anything left over can go into a smaller one. If you’re reusing recycled jars, patience may be needed: the labels can be devilish to remove! Alternatively, Mason or Kilner jars might be worth the investment as you can be sure they will not allow the preserve to come into contact with any unsuitable metal and they are reusable, with just the rubber seals possibly needing replacement after a few cycles of use. They also add value to the gift if you are making preserves to give away. For some preserves, particularly chutneys and pickles made from vinegar or other acids like citrus juice, you will need a suitable nonreactive metal pan. The containers for such preserves should also be nonreactive. Equipment for preserving can be bought for very little secondhand or online and also in shops like The Warehouse. Often budget gold coin shops also sell preserving equipment at reasonable prices. You may even find someone who is prepared to give or lend you theirs. If you can, borrow equipment to begin with, in case you decide that home preserving is not for you. Not all preserves need cooking - some just require the ingredients and a suitable jar to pack them in. Preserved lemons, for example, are cheap (especially if you have your own lemon tree) and easy to make. They really add a zing even to plain chicken or lamb casseroles, to say nothing of more exotic dishes like tagines.

A food processor makes short work of chopping fruit or vegetables finely if you prefer a smoother jam or chutney. Just be careful not to overdo it or you’ll end up with a sludgy puree!

When making marmalade, a lovely rich, treacly old fashioned ‘English Breakfast’ style can be achieved by substituting white sugar with brown. Demerara is good but the really dark muscovado is even better, though perhaps mix it half and half with white or raw sugar as it might be a bit overpowering, not to say expensive. A medium marmalade can be made using raw sugar instead of white.

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Favourites

You will find some great recipes here, but there are also lots online and in recipe books – you probably have a shelf full of those, or you can borrow some from your local library. Perhaps best of all are those recipes handed down through the family, especially that one in your grandmother’s own handwriting. The sides of ingredient packets are a usually foolproof and my favourite jam recipe can be found on the side of the Chelsea Jam Sugar bag. If you have a favourite recipe or any handy hints for making cooking easier and more pleasurable, do let us know and we will start a regular ‘Readers’ Favourite Recipes’ feature in future issues!

GRANNY JUNE’S GRAPEFRUIT MARMALADE Ingredients 6 grapefruit 2 lemons 1.5 litres (6 cups) water 1.25 kg (5 cups) sugar Method Cut fruit into quarters and slice finely, or cut into quarters and place in the food processor to chop up. Put into large bowl and cover with the water. Allow to stand overnight. Put fruit water mix into large pan, bring to the boil and simmer covered until rind is very tender (20 – 40 minutes depending on how you have cut the rind). Add sugar and stir until it is dissolved. Increase heat and boil, uncovered, until marmalade gels when tested on a cold saucer. Pour into hot, sterilised jars and seal.

Recipe from Community Fruit Harvesting. Alexa Johnston’s Marmalade Tips We love Alexa’s Ladies A Plate recipe books and recommend her Jams and Preserves edition if you can find a copy! Here are some of her marmalade basics: Take your time You can spread jam making over a few days, but once you have added the sugar and the marmalade is boiling, don’t leave it to its own devices - watch it closely. Don’t overboil It will darken and may become bitter. Testing for a set Begin testing 15 minutes after the surface is covered with small bubbles; take the pan off the heat. Don’t skim as the marmalade boils If there is any froth on the surface, drop in a teaspoon of butter.

RICH RED TOMATO SAUCE Ingredients 6 kg ripe red tomatoes 2 onions 2 cloves garlic (1 tsp crushed) 1 ½ kg Chelsea white sugar Ground black pepper

4 apples 2 tbsp allspice ¼ cup salt 1 litre malt vinegar

Method Wash and chop tomatoes and apples, skins included. Chop onions. Tie allspice and garlic in a muslin bag. Boil all ingredients together slowly for two hours, stirring frequently. When cool, discard muslin bag and put sauce through a sieve, or use a food processor. Bottle in warm, sterilised bottles when cool. Refrigerate the sauce and use it within a week or freeze it for up to 3 months. Properly sterilised canned tomato sauce can be stored in the pantry for at least one year. Visit www.chelsea.co.nz for lots of recipes for classic jams, chutneys, and preserves.

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LEMON CURD

Ideal filling for pies and tarts, or spoon the curd over ice cream for an easy dessert! Ingredients 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks ¾ cup (165g) Chelsea caster sugar 1 /3 cup (80g) chilled unsalted butter Zest and juice of 2 lemons Method Whisk whole eggs, yolks and sugar in a saucepan until smooth, then place pan over a low heat. Add the butter, juice and zest and whisk continuously until thickened. Strain through a sieve into a sterilised jar. Lemon curd keeps, covered, in the fridge for 2 weeks. It can also be frozen for several months. You know your curd is ready when you can run a finger across the back of your spoon and it holds a trail in the curd. It’s okay if it’s a little looser than you want it—the curd will continue to thicken as it cools. Place plastic wrap directly on top of the curd and let it set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Presenting YOUR PRESERVES

Once you have made and bottled your jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys and preserved fruit and veges, with a little bit of imagination you can make them look extra special as presents for friends and family. With a pile of pretty lightweight cotton or polycotton fabric scraps, some old birthday or Christmas cards, adhesive labels, ribbon, elastic bands and pinking shears, plus a hole punch, you’ll have all you need to make attractive covers and labels to decorate your jars. Lid covers Cut as many circles of fabric as there are lids to cover, using pinking shears for an appealing, non-fraying edge. A standard jam jar cover would be roughly the same diameter as a side plate. If you aren’t sure, draw round the lid on a piece of paper then add a good 5 or 6cms all round. You can then use the paper as a pattern to cut the fabric. That’s it! Once the filled jar has been sealed and is cool enough to handle, centre the circle of fabric over the lid, then use an elastic band to hold it on. Pull down to make sure it is taut. Frill out excess fabric evenly round the jar. Labels A plain or decorated adhesive label describing the type of preserve and the date it was made can be stuck to the jar. Another label made from old greetings cards, cut out with pinking shears, can be tied round the neck of the jar, bearing greetings for a gift, or a list of ingredients if the preserves are to be sold. Make a hole in one corner of the card label and tie it round

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the neck of the jar with a length of ribbon. These are tasks that children will enjoy. You can even buy children’s scissors which cut a deckled or other fancy edge if their hands are too small for pinking shears. To make your gift that extra bit special, slip a long handled teaspoon under the ribbon as a practical finishing touch. You can get nice ones very inexpensively; bamboo spoons also look good if you don’t want to use metal ones. Boxes If you want to wrap your jars and bottles for giving, a pretty, light cardboard box makes it a much easier shape to handle. Indeed, if you find a pretty box, or a plain one you or the children can decorate, you won’t even need wrapping paper. Boxes are available from stationers or from retailers such as The Warehouse, usually at prices that compare favourably with wrapping paper.

With all this talk of giving, don’t get carried away and forget to keep some of your glorious homemade deliciousness for yourself!

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Waste not

Want not

Across the country, volunteers gather each week to pick unwanted fruit from backyard trees. Instead of going to waste, Community Fruit Harvesting shares it freely with community groups and people who can’t easily access fruit.

In the winter of 2011, Di Celliers planted a few fruit trees in her local community garden in Browns Bay, Auckland. They struggled to thrive, and she couldn’t help but notice that the rest of the neighbourhood seemed full of trees absolutely groaning with fruit, many of it left unpicked. “It got me thinking about what I could do,” says Di. “I didn’t grow up in a household with a lot of money, so I’ve always been aware of the importance of sharing.” So she put a notice in her local newspaper, asking if anyone would be willing to share some of their fruit. Soon she was flooded with people offering her their excess. These days, her simple initiative has 36 FamilyCARE

grown to astonishing proportions. In 2018 alone, Community Fruit Harvesting volunteers picked 44,000 kilos of fruit and donated 8200 jars of preserves to 240 charities. Recipients have included the Auckland City Mission, Ronald McDonald House, community groups, schools, and families in need. They’ve even sent produce down to the South Island. Now the group has spread its feelers all over the country, picking unwanted fruit from backyards and orchards in 20 regions from Whangarei to Dunedin. Volunteers transform any fruit which is not suitable for distributing into preserves and chutneys. Its reach has spread far beyond Di’s modest intention of creating a local fruit swap. Extending its initial services from www.carers.net.nz

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the redistribution of unwanted fruit, Community Fruit Harvesting now also provides vegetables and preserves that supplement food parcels distributed through local ministries, the Salvation Army and various food banks. Di says nobody should go hungry while fruit falls to the ground and rots. Community Fruit Harvesting is about making a big difference, one fruit tree at a time. In the process, it is strengthening communities and bringing people together. “Creating this has generated joy in surprising places,” Di says.”I’ve found that people love to give back, to help out and make a difference. Lonely people have connected with others, and the owners of the fruit trees have been amazing.” The fruit is not always perfect and often it’s organic, which the group makes no apologies for. The purpose of Community Fruit Harvesting is to share excess and prevent waste, while at the same time helping others. “We do not promise to distribute ‘perfect’ fruit, nor commercial grade preserves. We each do our best to make a positive difference in our communities.” To volunteer for Community Fruit Harvesting, or if you would like fruit or preserves, go to www.pickfruit.co.nz to find your nearest group. If there isn’t one nearby, consider starting your own! Contact Di through the website for details. “I would like to add that if you’d like to share your excess fruit, or start your own group, it doesn’t have to be through us,” says Di. “The most important thing is the sharing - the channel you do it through doesn’t matter.”

SHARING EXCESS FRUIT PREVENTS WASTE, AND HELPS PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAVE EASY ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE. SHARING MAKES A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE, CONNECTING PEOPLE BOTH THROUGH PICKING AND GIVING FRUIT! www.carers.net.nz

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Lymphatic massage You may not have heard about this therapeutic treatment for those who have had surgery for cancer or conditions affecting our all-important lymph systems. By Virginia Linton

If you have a sluggish metabolism and accumulate fluid in your limbs, lymphatic massage or drainage could help. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a gentle, non-invasive manual technique that has a powerful effect on the body, working directly with your lymphatic system, This system is responsible for cleansing our tissues and maintaining a balance of fluids within the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network of lymphatic vessels and nodes. Lymph nodes transport and filter waste matter and harmful cells through the body. MLD massage is soft, gentle and painfree, and is proven to encourage lymph flow. I had always wanted to try MLD to see if it made a difference to my ankles, which sometimes got puffy after a long day, and also to work on scar tissue that had resulted from multiple abdominal surgeries 38 FamilyCARE

in my 40s. I knew I had significant hidden scar tissue after the surgeries, and the external scars were raised and sometimes painful - I had long thought MLD might help. This type of massage is carried out by a specialist physiotherapist. I found Anna Barton based near my home in Ponsonby and visited her at Body Matters several times to see if MLD could make a difference.

Hidden lymph conditions

MLD massage is not typically publicly funded, but for me the visits with Anna were life-changing. She confirmed that my surgeries and the resulting scar tissue may have disrupted my lymphatic system, causing lymph fluid to flow inefficiently and resulting in buildup in my legs and elsewhere.

A few sessions of MLD released the scar tissue, allowing my lymph system to do its job and almost eliminating the problem of puffy ankles at the end of the day. I wish I had visited Anna long ago, as an inefficient lymph system may have compromised my overall venous system. Only time will tell. Anna believes I also have a mild form of a condition called lipoedema, which women have a low awareness of, even though research suggests that 11% of us have it. Abnormal fat storage in the lower body and sometimes the arms causes cellular damage. There is no cure for lipoedema and it is progressive, causing unexplained weight gain and systemic problems even if the person who has it exercises and follows a healthy diet. www.carers.net.nz

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Symptoms include unexplained swelling and fluid retention, repetitive illnesses like colds and flus (indicating low immunity), and dry or frequently irritated skin. Anna has a background in remedial massage. “I wanted to learn more about how we can best manage and nurture our bodies to live life fully.” “I found that the more I learned about the body, the more there is to learn! Along the way, I discovered this thing called the lymphatic system, something we touched on in college.” “In the process, along with intensive anatomy and physiology training, and the pathologies associated with it, I learned MLD.” Anna studied with two internationally recognised schools of training, leading to further training in oncology massage. Cancer treatment can result in the removal of lymph nodes, saving life while sometimes causing other problems, including lipoedema. There are 62 registered therapists in New Zealand qualified to treat all issues with the lymphatic system, both in private practice and via District Health Boards. To find your nearest therapist Google ‘lymphatic massage’, ask your GP for a referral, or you’ll find links to lymphoedema therapists who perform MLD at www.lymphoedemanz.org.nz

Misunderstood IF YOU AND POSSIBLY ALL THE WOMEN IN ONE SIDE OF YOUR FAMILY DATING BACK GENERATIONS HAVE ‘TREE TRUNK’ LEGS, YOU MAY HAVE LIPOEDEMA. Wearing compression garments can literally contain lipoedema to stop its advance, but because it is not well diagnosed, most of those who have it don’t receive treatment at an early stage, when more can be done to prevent its effects, Anna says. If this sounds like you, a visit to a lymphatic drainage expert can assist with diagnosis and treatment of lipoedema and other lymphatic conditions. www.carers.net.nz

Lymphoedema is another lymphatic condition. Oedema (swelling) can sometimes be misunderstood or misdiagnosed, and some of these conditions if not treated or managed can result in life-affecting health complications, Anna says. Lymphoedema is a condition of the lymphatic system that results in excess protein-rich fluid in the tissues, causing swelling in one or more regions of the body. On its own it is not a fat condition, but can result as a complication of obesity or fat disorders such as lipoedema. Primary lymphoedema, mostly affecting women, is an inherited mechanical failure of the lymphatic system, which occurs when the body can’t uptake fluid from the tissues as it is designed to. The condition usually affects the limbs, although it can also involve the trunk,

breasts, head and neck or genital areas.

Cause and effect

Symptoms usually only appear at puberty or after traumatic load on the body such as childbirth or even a long flight. Secondary lymphoedema affects both women and men, where the lymphatic system is damaged from a trauma to an body part; this might happen following surgery, node removal or biopsy, or accidents that damage the lymphatic system, to name a few causes. Lipoedema, by comparison, is a misunderstood and surprisingly common condition. It is a genetically inherited chronic fat disorder. The body does not metabolise its fat cells normally, resulting in abnormal buildup of fat cells under the skin. Left too long undiagnosed, lipoedema can impair the lymphatic system which results in both excess fluid and fat cells. This is called lympho-lipoedema. If you and possibly all the women in one side of your family dating back generations seem to have ‘puffy’ or ‘fat’ legs, but feet appear not affected (this is a main indicator – fat deposits stop at your ankle), and your lower body size is disproportionate to your upper body, it is possible you could have lipoedema. Whilst most common in the legs, the buttocks, hips and arms can all be affected. This can be mistaken as cellulite, and the feel is very spongy and softer than normal fatty tissue. The affected area is generally painful to touch, can bruise easily and is resistant to exercise and dieting. The main point to note is that it is a progressive disease, and still not fully understood. In many cases the affected area can get very large with this fatty tissue, resulting in negative self-image. Mobility and other systems in the body, notably the lymphatic and circulatory systems, can become compromised over time. Treatment is simply management, consisting of booking with a qualified MLD therapist like Anna who will assess and guide accordingly with compression wear and MLD treatments, and give guidance about home care and exercises to control symptoms. FamilyCARE 39

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Keep moving

MLD is also valuable as a straightforward wellbeing treatment for anyone who wants to give their overall system a boost. “If you can imagine the lymphatic system as the body’s waste disposal, it is responsible for cleansing our tissues and maintaining a balance of fluids,” says Anna. “It filters and transports waste matter and harmful cells, so boosting this system and encouraging lymph flow supports general wellbeing and immunity.” MLD can help with chronic sinusitis and migraines, pain, non-infected inflammation, oedema and swelling after surgery, and recovery from a chronic illness. It’s also helpful for those getting over colds or flu, but shouldn’t be done during acute stages of illness, as it can make things worse. Treatments have the benefit of improving skin and reducing the appearance of bruising. To support your lymphatic system day to day, keep moving! Unlike our circulatory system, which pumps blood around our bodies via the heart, our lymphatic systems rely heavily on the skeletal muscle pump. When we use our calf muscle, for example, it contracts with each step we take, pumping lymph through our system. Changes in tissue pressure also move lymphatic fluids around the body. “As a very large percentage of our nodes reside in our belly, deep abdominal breathing is helpful to encourage this,” Anna says. A qualified therapist can show you some exercises to help encourage lymph flow at home. Exercise or swimming in the water is another great way to encourage lymph flow. Depending on your condition, MLD therapy is recommended from every few days, to weekly, to monthly, or just as needed, she says. Usually MLD treatments are not publicly funded and cost from $85 to $120 for a 60 minute session, depending on location and therapist. If you have primary or secondary lymphoedema, public funding might be possible for treatments - talk to your GP or local DHB lymphoedema clinic. Some physiotherapists specialise in lymphoedema treatments, and if the condition has resulted from an accident, costs may be covered by ACC. 40 FamilyCARE

EXERCISES Keep things flowing with these home exercises, from www.livestrong.com Pelvic Tilt Lie on your back with hands clasped behind your head or stretched out alongside you. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor about hip distance apart. Begin to tuck your tailbone under, pressing the small of your back into the floor, then release. Repeat 10 times.

Leg Slide Lie on your back with your arms alongside your body and your legs stretched out straight in front of you. Inhale, sliding your right leg along the floor and out to the side. Exhale, sliding the leg back into the centre. Repeat on the other side. Perform five repetitions on each side.

Neck Rotation Perform this exercise seated or standing. As you inhale, slowly turn your head to the right to a count of five. Pause and then exhale, bringing your head back to centre for a count of five. Repeat on the left side. Do five repetitions on each side.

Ankle Pumps Lie on your back with legs and arms flat on the floor. Inhale and flex the ankle; exhale and extend the ankle six times, flexing and pointing the toe like a ballerina. Repeat on each side.

Shoulder Shrug Stand or sit in a comfortable position. As you inhale, draw both shoulders up toward your ears then exhale, releasing your shoulders to a neutral position. Repeat five times.

Leg Falls Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly lower the right knee toward the floor by letting it fall open with control to the side. Slowly bring the leg back to centre and repeat on the other side. Perform five times on each side.

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FOR THE

BIRDS

You don’t need a big garden to enjoy New Zealand’s birdlife. See our tips from the Department of Conservation!

How to plan and plant a garden to attract native birds To support our native birds, don't feed them bread. Instead, try sugar water. You can also hang water baths, plant native flowering trees, and leave areas of leaf litter around your garden.

Supply them with food

Whether you have a large site to restore, or are planning a new garden at home, invite the birds over with plants that provide a year round supply of food. A small garden can still attract birds, especially over winter and spring when tūī, bellbird and kererū (native wood pigeon) will travel considerable distances in search of flowers and fruit. Try to use ecosourced plants (plants that naturally occur in your area). These could include kōwhai, flax, kakabeak, and tarata for nectar; and wineberry, karamū, and korokia for fruit. If you have limited space for big trees, try growing plants in containers, e.g. titoki, broadleaf and cabbage trees. Some shrubs like kakabeak can even be shaped to fit in with your garden design - but make sure you allow them to flower so the birds benefit.

Keep the birds safe

Plant favourite bird foods like flax and kōwhai where you can see them from inside the house. But avoid planting too close to the house as reflections on windows can confuse birds. A number of kererū are killed every year trying to fly through panes of glass. Birds such as fantail, grey warbler and silvereye are insect eaters so plant varieties are not as important as a healthy mix of spiders, moths, beetles, and earthworms etc. A good layer of mulch or leaf litter on the garden will encourage insects, and birds are a natural way of keeping them under control. Ruru (morepork) and kingfisher eat insects as well as mice. Some native birds have become wary about feeding on the ground. Think about growing ground creepers like fuchsia procumbens in a hanging basket - a wonderful sight with red www.carers.net.nz

berries hanging down. Climbing plants like metrosideros carminea (crimson rata) and passiflora tetrandra (NZ passionfruit) could grow along a wall or over a pergola. Stoats, rats, weasels, possums, cats and hedgehogs prey on birds, including their eggs and nestlings. If you want to keep the birds flourishing, controlling pests is a must. Setting traps and laying poisons (toxins) in bait stations are suitable methods of control.

Habitat requirements

Before planting, check if there is already a reliable food source at the site in terms of fruiting, flowering and seeding trees. The thickness of leaf litter is also a factor for insect-feeding birds and lizards. Wildlife has different requirements for nesting sites and hiding places. Kingfisher, morepork and longtailed bats, for example, prefer standing dead trees whilst lizards will use fallen logs. Your site may not be large enough for some species to nest and breed but they may still use it as a seasonal feeding ground. Many areas of native bush and wetlands are now small and widely spaced across the landscape. Your garden may help birds move between these areas.

What to plant

There are many native trees, shrubs and climbers that look attractive in the garden and also provide shelter and food for wildlife. There are numerous hybrids and cultivars of native plants developed for garden situations. These should not be planted in or near natural bush to avoid cross-pollination. The advantage of ecosourced plants is that native wildlife has coexisted with them for thousands of years, and has adapted to using them as a food source. Your local plant nursery should be able to advise further. Find lots of advice about attracting native birds to your garden at the Department of Conservation website, www.doc.govt.nz FamilyCARE 41

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Home lifts For many households, stairlifts and elevators are still a luxury addition, but more New Zealanders are seeing this equipment as a practical investment that allows them to live where they want to for as long as possible. There are a range of options from simple stairlifts that allow people with mobility needs to move around different levels of their property (indoors and out), to sophisticated multi-passenger elevators featuring home-friendly finishes. As with any equipment, it pays to shop around. We’ve researched a range of stairlift and elevator choices to help you make a start if you’re considering installing equipment of your own. With New Zealand’s ageing population steadily increasing, future-proofing your home can be a sensible idea. With a great range of styles and models available these days, finding one that fits your particular needs is easier than it’s ever been. There are even portable options if you are planning to move in the future, or are renting your home and won’t need the equipment long-term.

Elevators

As permanent installations that offer multiple passenger and goods use, home elevators can require a large amount of space to install. This can be a key consideration, especially when you’re retrofitting a lift into your existing home. There are a range of styles to choose from. Platform lifts are standalone units which go by many other names including wheelchair lifts and low rise lifts. They are available in permanent and portable models, and can 42 FamilyCARE

More New Zealanders are ‘ageing in place’ by installing home elevators and stairlifts. Make the best choice for you! By Angelique Kasmara be a cost-effective, flexible solution for locations where installing an elevator is not viable. However, they tend towards single passenger use and limited load weight and rise capacity, so won’t suit everyone. Both home elevators and platform lifts give the opportunity to continue living safely and independently in your home which, for many of us, will be a long time – as a whole, New Zealanders are living longer. Clive Snell, general manager of Phoenix Elevators, says it’s important to factor in the cost of installation and regular maintenance when making a decision. Clean, simple installation is an appealing aspect for many, and the Phoenix product range reflects this, with its latest designs requiring minimal installation work. Clive says regular servicing will keep your asset functioning smoothly for a very long time. “Just like any other mechanical item, do look after your lift! We recommend scheduling an annual service.”

No longer unusual

Assessing which design suits your needs best will depend on the design of your dwelling and, of course, your budget. While recovering your lift investment may not be a deciding factor, it pays to consult real estate agents when making your choice so the costs and any added value are in proportion to property prices in your area. We checked out elevator options in New Zealand and were surprised by the number of organisations supplying home lifts. There is clearly a growing market for these mobility solutions! Futureproofing is important for all generations, says Marina Skocigoric, sales representative for Cremer Lifts. www.carers.net.nz

feature

Help to choose, and funding options

“Stairs can often be the most dangerous part of the house,” says Raglan-based occupational therapist David Guest, who specialises in environmental assessments and modifications. He says there are several factors to consider when it comes to safety issues with this feature of the home. Sometimes he’ll recommend two walking frames: one upstairs and one downstairs, to make transfers from stairs or an elevator to the landing easier. If you have a disability which makes it difficult for you to get around your home, you may be eligible for government assistance for modifications. A Ministry of Health Equipment and Modification Service (EMS) qualified housing assessor will help you work out what modifications best suit you, based on your disability related needs and situation, and will advise on the most cost-effective options. Modifications they can help fund may include handrails, ramps and a platform or stair lift. Some of the things to consider will be accessibility issues around your entrances; whether you will be operating or travelling on a lift by yourself or with assistance; and lift capacity (how much weight will your lift have to handle)? There can be subtle differences between products. David works with suppliers to best match a client’s needs in their specific environment. There may be cognitive issues around what a client can do, so he factors this in when making recommendations. For more information about accessing equipment in New Zealand, visit www.health.govt.nz (search ‘Modifying Your Home’).

SUPPLIERS ENCOURAGE THOSE CONSIDERING A LIFT TO CREATE A ‘WISHLIST’ TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THEIR BUDGET, THE DESIRED POSITION OF THE ELEVATOR OR STAIRLIFT, SIZE REQUIREMENTS, AND FINISH PREFERENCES. “We have noticed that there are more multi-level developments happening so demand for lifts is increasing. They are becoming a more standardised piece of equipment in New Zealand homes.”

Liftstyles

There’s a wide range of elevator technologies on offer in the marketplace. Some are better suited to new builds than others, or to restrained spaces, or for indoor or outdoor use. While there is no minimum size requirement for a domestic lift, consider the combined weight of passengers, freight, and items such as wheelchairs or scooters your elevator would typically carry. Do you need a ‘through lift’ with double doors that allow you to enter from one end and exit through the other? www.carers.net.nz

This is much easier if you are manoeuvring a wheelchair or mobility scooter, but will require more generous landing spaces than a single door configuration. Another consideration is the size of your finished lift well, the enclosed space that allows the elevator car to move between floors, with at least one entry door at each level.

Fit for purpose

Do consider everyone who is likely to use your lift. Glass-walled lifts can be a source of extreme anxiety for people with vertigo, and can also present issues for those with a vision impairment. However, they may be preferred by people with hearing difficulties, as they are able to sense space beyond the elevator car, particularly in the case of a malfunction. Some elevators require excavation of a pit beneath the lift well to house operating machinery and electrical, plumbing, or other connections. Pneumatic elevators only require a level floor surface for installation; no excavation is needed, so remodelling costs are less. Check the installation requirements for your preferred lift model(s) with suppliers and your builder or designer. Hidden elevators are another option if you have an area you can tuck an entire elevator into. Often you can choose internal finishes for your elevator (flooring, wall colours and surfaces) to complement your home’s decor. FamilyCARE 43

Homelifts

Helpful Checklist!  Factor in your mobility needs, existing space

and construction costs when drawing up your budget.

 Is there an authorised service which is local to your area for maintenance and repairs?

 A demonstration ride in several different models will make the choice easier.

 All domestic lifts must comply with the New

ential or

Zealand Building Code, and building consent should be sought prior to installation.

 In a new house, most of this would be taken care of, with the designer or builder working with your lift supplier. In retrofit situations, the lift supplier can advise and organise full Building Code compliance for their product. Most Councils will require an independent inspection after installation.

home evel

 While parts like door locks and indicator lights

may need replacing from time to time, the main machinery in home elevators is robust and should have a long service life!

 Currently ongoing inspections are not a

requirement for home lifts. Follow your supplier’s guidelines about how often safety inspections should be carried out.

 All lifts will at some point require maintenance so ask your supplier about service plans. Suppliers say the cost of maintenance work would be similar to a car service.

 Talk to a number of companies when choosing your home lift or elevator.

 Funding assistance may be available; seek • • • • •

Adaptability No Lift Shaft 24/7 Service Backup NZ Wide Service Almost No Builders’ Work

Phoenix Elevators

t: 0064 9 2749419 | 0800 823 030 f: 0064 9 2745930 | m: 006421990368 e: info@phoenixelevators.co.nz 44 FamilyCARE

advice from your local needs assessment service, occupational therapist, or ACC client manager.

 If you’re planning a new building but don’t want

to install an elevator initially, allow space for it to be added later. This will make it easier and less costly when the time comes.

 Often models come with a diagnostic system and numerical display to ensure you always know the lift is operating correctly.

 Ask questions about noise, space requirements, and always keep in mind who will be using the elevator, whether it’s the whole extended family over the weekend or just one person.

 There’s a huge range of options and prices out there. Contact your local suppliers for a quote.

www.carers.net.nz

feature

Plan ahead

Suppliers encourage those considering a lift to create a wishlist, taking into account their budget, the desired position of the elevator, size requirements, and finish preferences. Consider whether an external platform lift that is exposed to the weather might be sufficient to help you move between floors. All the suppliers we spoke to offer guidance and support with installation, and service options once lifts are installed. Most suppliers can provide a ballpark estimate of costs before visiting your property if you provide clear information about the type of lift you’re looking for, where it will be sited, and whether it is for a new home or will be installed in an existing building. Ensure your lift is sited where there is sufficient room to manoeuvre equipment into and out of the doors without difficulty. Costs will vary depending on the type and style of the lift you choose, and its finish and features. You’ll need to plan for build and alteration costs on top of the purchase price of your elevator, and should allow for regular service checks to ensure your lift continues to operate safely and smoothly. If you’re building a new dwelling but don’t want to install a lift straightaway, allowing space to add one later will reduce building and installation costs when the time comes. Many elevators include battery backup so they can continue to operate (in a downward direction at least) in the event of a power failure. Communication options are also available so elevator users can call for help if the lift malfunctions.

TALK TO SUPPLIERS ABOUT WAYS YOU CAN CUSTOMISE THEIR ELEVATORS TO SUIT YOUR HOME - MANY OFFER A BESPOKE DESIGN SERVICE TO MEET SPECIFIC PREFERENCES. Stairlifts

A popular access solution, stairlifts consist of a chair which travels between floors. The chair is attached to a track fixed to the stairs, or to the wall alongside the stairway. Stairlifts can be installed on both internal and external stairs, and there are models out there for curved stairlifts. The chair folds up against the wall when not in use. No matter what’s trending in the marketplace, Peter Illman, NZ office manager for Acorn Stairlifts says that reliability, ease of use, safety and affordability should always be of primary concern when it comes to choosing equipment. “Our stairlifts come standard with a diagnostic system and numerical display to ensure you always know the lift is operating correctly.” “Many customers look to sell their homes when the stairs become a problem for them. However, a stairlift can be a more cost-effective solution, enabling people to stay and enjoy the home they love.”

Things to consider

How do you get around? If you need to use a wheelchair or have trouble sitting, a stairlift may not be the best option. Will you be able to get on and off the stairlift by yourself? How long do you think you will be able to do so – at least a couple of years more? How long do you think you might be living in your present home? Will you be there for at least two more years? Will you be operating the stairlift yourself or will you need someone to help you? Do you have a single flight of stairs or is there more than one flight of stairs? Does the stairway curve? The lift needs to travel the whole length of the staircase, not just one flight or part of a curved stairway. Is there enough space on the stairs for the track to run along beside them? Generally stairs need to be at least one metre wide so there is enough space beside the track for other people in your home to walk up and down the stairs safely. Is there enough space at the top and bottom of the stairs for you to get on and off the lift safely? Do you have style preferences? Ask suppliers about colour and material finish options.

www.carers.net.nz

FamilyCARE 45

feature

Elevator mechanics

An elevator’s drive system—the mechanism by which the elevator is raised or lowered—defines the types of home elevators and how much space may be required to install them. Traction elevator cars are pulled up via rolling steel ropes or belts over a deeply grooved pulley, commonly called a sheave. The weight of the car is balanced by a counterweight. Hydraulic lifts are powered by a piston that travels inside a cylinder. An electric motor pumps hydraulic fluids into the cylinder to move the piston which smoothly lifts the elevator car. Electrical valves control the release of the oil for a gentle descent. Machine roomless elevators (MRL) are a type of either traction or hydraulic elevator which do not require a machine room for the elevator. Pneumatic elevators are easiest to retrofit into an existing home, using a vacuum system to make the elevator car ascend or descend. They do not require a pit or machine room.

Suppliers

Below are contact details for elevator and stairlift suppliers in New Zealand. This is not a comprehensive directory but will give you a good start to learn about equipment options if you’re considering a home lift. For ease of installation and maintenance, check with suppliers who can assess your environment and recommend suitable options. Abode Elevators 0800 404 060 www.abodeelevators.co.nz Access Elevators 0800 745 438 info@lifts.co.nz www.lifts.co.nz Acorn Stairlifts 0800 782 404 www.acornstairlifts.co.nz Cremer Lifts 0800 404 060 info@cremerlifts.co.nz www.cremerlifts.co.nz

46 FamilyCARE

Independence 0800 926 677 info@independence.co.nz www.independence.co.nz

Quinn Lifts (07) 867 6712 lifts@quinn.co.nz www.quinnlifts.co.nz

Kone New Zealand 0800 775 663 www.kone.co.nz

Simplex Lifts 0800 746 753 info@simplexlifts.com www.simplexlifts.com

Logan Elevators 0800 353 828 admin@loganelevators.co.nz www.loganelevators.co.nz Otis otisnz.marketing@otis.com www.otis.com Phoenix Elevators 0800 823 030 or (021) 990 368 info@phoenixelevators.co.nz www.phoenixelevators.co.nz Powerglide Elevators (07) 394 8521 or (029) 294 3006 info@powerglide.co.nz www.powerglide.co.nz

Stiltz Home Lifts 0800 926 677 www.stiltzlifts.co.nz Supreme Hoists (07) 549 0503 info@supremehoists.co.nz www.supremehoists.co.nz VENZ (09) 947 9805 info@vacuumelevators.co.nz www.vacuumelevators.co.nz Vestner 0800 358 383 www.vestner.co.nz

www.carers.net.nz

New support for employers & family carers!

1 in 8

nz workers are family carers

Did you know that almost 90% of New Zealand’s family carers are aged 15 to 65? Often carers struggle to juggle the support they give to family members who are elderly, unwell, or have a disability with earning an income. And many employers don’t realise that 1 in 8 of their employees have caring responsibilities at home.

Carers NZ is preparing a new programme to support working carers and their employers.

We’re talking to employers now about how they can be CareWise, and have had a great response!

CareWise will be launched soon to improve the social sustainability of workplaces, and help family carers stay in work.

Employers are welcome to pre-register to stay informed about CareWise by visiting www.carewise.org.nz or emailing centre@carers.net.nz

We can all expect to give or receive family care during our lives, and employers are wanting to support workers during times of illness, trauma, or after a challenging diagnosis.

We are also looking for carers to share their stories about the realities of juggling employment and family care. Please get in touch!

New Zealand is one of the first countries in the world to have an initiative like CareWise, developed in partnership with business associations, unions, government agencies, and employers. It’s free to participate in CareWise which provides coaching and tools to help employers make their workplace carer friendly.

Sometimes family carers need to change jobs or retrain to find employment that allows them to better manage work and caring. Others are returning to work when their caring role ends. CareWise is for them too! We’ll be telling you more about CareWise in future issues of Family Care!

Join our network – it’s free! By connecting with Carers NZ, we can keep you informed about issues important to carers, and helpful programmes like CareWise. Contact us on 0800 777 797 or email centre@carers.net.nz www.carers.net.nz

FamilyCARE 47

Supporting carers to stay in work CareWise provides practical help for employers and working carers

Employers committed to being CareWise receive ongoing advice and help for their workplace: • 0800 helpline support for caring employees, staffed by trained Carers NZ staff. The helpline offers practical guidance to carers so they are aware of available help and how to access it. Carers can request free infopacks containing useful resources, and receive individual advice about their role. • Link to Carers NZ’s helpful website from your staff portal. The site includes planning tools, downloadable resources, and a wealth of information across a range of caring topics. • Electronic access to Family Care for all employees and printed copies for communal work areas. The publication is an essential resource for carers of all ages and situations, containing practical, uplifting articles and information about helpful products and

7 THINGS EMPLOYERS CAN DO TO BE CAREWISE

services. The magazine includes regular features about CareWise workplaces and steps participating employers are taking to support caring staff. • Printable posters with work-care information and messages for your workplace (updated regularly), plus regular CareWise articles to share in staff communications. • Employers are asked to complete a self-assessment to determine current carer friendliness, receiving guidance about ways to improve areas of weakness. Participating employers sign a charter committing to being CareWise in their workplace. • Eligibility to participate in the CareWise Employers Network for sharing and to learn about carer friendly best practices here and internationally.

1. Allow carers to work flexible hours. 2. Allow carers to take and make care-related calls and messages at work they’ll be happy to make up this time so they can better manage caring. 3. Allow carers to attend medical and other appointments with the person they support, making up work time later if needed. 4. Allow carers to work from home sometimes, to help them juggle care responsibilities, and transport and service costs. 5. Allow carers to talk about their role and plan together what will happen if there is an emergency or caring responsibilities increase. 6. Provide help information to carers in the workplace, such as Carers NZ’s free infopacks and Family Care. 7. Develop human resource and leave policies that are carer friendly Carers NZ can help!

48 FamilyCARE

www.carers.net.nz

Employers who care Empathy and flexibility Amitha Esther Vanaguntla (Esther) is a busy mum working full-time as a kindergarten teacher, Sunday school teacher and elder at her local church. Her younger son, Michael, 16, attends a special needs school. “My employers knew about my situation when they hired me. It has always been a helpful and encouraging environment.” Amitha has simple advice for employers with staff who are family carers. “Just talk to them about what’s happening in the family, and be considerate if they need time off for meetings and appointments.” Being able to keep her phone on at work is an important way her employer supports her caring role, she says. Cindy Watkins Barlow, manager of Auckland’s Blockhouse Bay Christian Kindergarten, says Esther is a great asset. “She is a hard-working, professional and wonderful teacher.” Their workplace is a supportive environment for carers for several reasons, says Cindy. “A number of staff have children with learning difficulties or disabilities, so I guess we have empathy in this area. As a Christian kindergarten, it is our philosophy that all children are special. We want to live out our beliefs.”

Goodwill makes all the difference Vanessa Caseley works full-time as a van driver for a local kindergarten to support herself and her son Ben (23). “Flexibility in hours, being able to make up lost time later, job sharing, and being open to working from home where possible can take pressure off an already stressed parent,” she says. “A little goodwill from your employer makes such a difference.” Vanessa has health issues of her own, having been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. She and her ex-husband adopted Ben, as her condition made pregnancy risky. When Ben was 5 he was diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, auditory processing disorders, and learning difficulties. Vanessa home schooled Ben for many years.

of general population

of working carers

50%

61%

“He is the light of my life. We are a little team that has battled adversity in spite of a world that can lack empathy. My employer allows me to take annual leave with notice when I need to take Ben to appointments. I am grateful for my employer’s support.”

THE MAJORITY OF CARERS ARE OF PRIME WORKING AGE

Carers aged 35 to 64 years form a greater proportion of carers as a whole (61%) than people of the same age group in the general population (50%).

Workers aged

35-64

www.carers.net.nz

FamilyCARE 49

IS YOUR WORKPLACE CARER FRIENDLY? CARERS NZ CAN HELP!

www.carewise.org.nz BECOMING CAREWISE MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE!

You’ll receive feedback about steps you can take to be more carer friendly, if needed

We’ll send you the CareWise charter when we launch

You’ll be confirmed as a CareWise workplace after making any recommended changes

Sign the charter and send it back to Carers NZ

Carers NZ will help you support carers in your workplace ongoing

You’ll then be able to evaluate your workplace’s carer friendliness with our free online tool

Stay up to date with NZ and global news for employers, and best practice tools and HR policies

50 FamilyCARE

www.carers.net.nz

FamilyCARE

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Carers NZ is happy to share copies of Family Care with community groups. Get in touch: 0800 777 797 or email centre@carers.net.nz

Young Carers NZ If you’re a young carer, or support young people in caring situations for friends and family members, visit our Facebook page for day to day support! Connect with other young carers, and receive regular information to support you in your role. Schools and community organisations can request copies of our helpful free resource, Are You A Young Carer? We also produce an infosheet for anyone working with young carers and parents. Request these resources by phoning Carers NZ on 0800 777 797 or email centre@carers.net.nz Bulk booklets are available on request. Young Carers NZ is a national programme of Carers NZ.

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Family Care Issue 41 - Self Care!

Articles inside

Forest bathing

Ways to wellbeing