Lifetime Networks recognizes the importance of friendship

What will happen to my child when I am no longer here?

This is the question 5 families of adult children with intellectual disabilities asked themselves back in 1998.

Typically, people with intellectual disabilities have many paid people in their lives, including doctors, therapists, specialists and support workers; sadly there often is a lack of friends.

Making friends can be challenging for everyone. The challenge increases with the addition of barriers such as mobility issues, communication issues, physical differences ….. in fact, any perceived differences. To answer that question, those 5 families formed Lifetime Networks.

At Lifetime Networks we understand the importance of friendship as being one of the cornerstones to a fulfilling life. We create opportunities for people with disabilities and their families. We provide friendship and support services so that all people can live rich and rewarding lives in our community – safely and with friends that care.

Lifetime Networks is a fee for service model. We strive to provide self-determination and empowerment to those we support. Some people work and pay for services, some have family assistance, some have government assistance, some people require bursaries, and many people use a combination of the above.

Lifetime Networks works diligently fundraising to provide for people who cannot afford services. It is a very lonely world without friends. Our goal is to alleviate that loneliness and assist with ‘friend raising’.

Lifetime is privileged to also have a wonderful group of volunteers who recognize the importance of friendship. We are very proud of our volunteers who in 2022 contributed 2344 volunteer hours to alleviate loneliness and build friendships.

Loneliness is a disease with terrible consequences. We invite you to work with the Lifetime Networks Family to ‘friend raise’.

BY TOM ARNOLD

Liz was still working for the school board when her mother began struggling with dementia. She moved into her mother’s apartment to help provide care. But a full-time job and being a full-time caregiver quickly became more than she could manage. She retired early, and put all her energy into caring for her mom.

It wasn’t easy. There can be long wait times for respite care in Victoria. Without other family to call on, Liz’s own health suffered under the constant strain of 24/7 care duties.

In fact, she was always so busy making meals and being a de facto nurse that she stopped spending time with friends. That’s why so few people noticed when Liz started to change too.

In phone conversations, she started to forget names, and words. But always being quick with a joke, she’d poke fun at herself and move on, so her friends never thought much of it. It wasn’t until Liz herself got lost on a walk near her home that people realized something was really wrong.

Within weeks, doctors confirmed that Liz had dementia too. Friends jumped in to help where they could. It was clear, however, that neither Liz, nor her mom, could continue living on their own.

At the time, none of the publicly-subsidized care homes in Victoria had immediate vacancies. Both Liz and her mom had to settle for private options that charged between $7,000 and $8,000 a month. By the time they were able to