Dear Carers,
Happy Carers Week 2021! – A Million Reasons to Care
Every year, as we celebrate National Carers Week, we take the opportunity to highlight the many ways that carers have contributed to the health, safety, wellbeing and economic stability of families, friends, the ACT community and the entire nation. More than ever, the resilience and dedication that you have shown through the many challenges we faced during this pandemic, has enabled all of us to collectively push forward, stay safe and survive.
National Carers Week is a chance for carers to have a platform, an opportunity to raise the profile of 2.65 million carers across Australia, the focus for carers to become visible and the community to say thanks.
Here at Carers ACT, we continue to think of new ways we can better support you in your caring role. We have recently launched our carer coaching program to help you navigate through your own personal journey and enable you to maintain a balance between your role as a carer and your other roles as well as your individual needs.
We likewise continue to advocate so that, in all aspects, your rights are recognised and respected. This month, we are focusing on urging the government to renew its commitment to the implementation of the ACT Carers Strategy, which sets out actions to achieve your vision of a Canberra that Carers for Carers. We pushed hard for support for the Strategy, while carers provided insight and time into developing the strategy. We have worked collaboratively to deliver to the actions that will achieve the goals in the strategy, and the Government has committed to supporting the implementation of the Strategy. We continue however to call for funding for the Strategy and ask you to also call for funding to improve the services and supports to carers.
In line with this year’s theme for National Carers Week, “Millions of Reasons to Care”, we celebrate the many reasons that we are thankful for the care that you continue to provide for your families and the most vulnerable people in our community.
Happy National Carers Week to you all!
Yours truly,
Lisa Kelly
CEO
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NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 2021
National Carers Week, running from 10 – 16 October, is a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank Australia’s 2.65 million carers for the incredible work they do. This year’s theme, “Millions of Reasons to Care”, focuses on raising awareness about the vast diversity of carers and their caring roles.
Our National Carers Week Ambassadors from the ACT, Lorraine and Raelene, share about their own experiences and tell us what it truly means to be a carer. Check out their videos and learn about their caring story, together with those of other carers all around Australia by heading to
National Carers Week Ambassadors.
The year 2021 has continued to be a challenging time for our community and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has meant that carers are under intense pressure as they continue to care for their loved ones. To learn more about how you can get involved, raise awareness and show your support for the carers in our community, visit: National Carers Week | 10 - 16 October 2021.
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MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
October is Mental Health Month, an annual event celebrated in Australia and in over 100 countries to raise awareness of mental illness, reduce the stigma and discrimination against people living with mental illness, and promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the community. Carers face unique challenges in their caring journeys which may sometimes impact their mental health and wellbeing.
This year’s Mental Health Month ACT theme “Navigate Your Mental Health” is aimed at guiding our journey using tools and resources such as self-care for wellbeing, communication about support needs and connection to support persons and service providers. This is a prime opportunity to revisit the 5 Ways to Wellbeing tools, visit the Carer Navigator and connect through community events. To learn more about Mental Health Month, visit www.mentalhealthmonthact.org.
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LACK OF FUNDING FOR THE ACT CARERS STRATEGY IN THE 2021-22 ACT BUDGET
The announcement of the ACT’s 2021-22 Budget came as a huge disappointment due to the lack of funding for the ACT Carers Strategy, which puts its continued implementation at risk. The ACT Carers Strategy provides the framework to recognise carers and the role they play in the community and sets out the actions to achieving a Canberra that Cares for Carers. Unpaid carers save the government an estimated $77.9 billion annually across Australia in replacement care. Whilst caring provides many rewards, it comes at a cost to the health and wellbeing of the carer.
Carers ACT is currently advocating and strongly urging the ACT government to fulfil their commitment to supporting the 50,000 carers in the ACT community by announcing funding to support the implementation of the ACT Carers Strategy in its entirety during National Carers Week.
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UPDATE ON OUR SERVICE DELIVERY IN LINE WITH ACT'S PATHWAY FORWARD
Carers ACT is committed to ensuring the health and protection of carers, the people you care for and our staff, and as such, we will be adopting a cautious approach to re-opening in line with the health advice from the ACT Government. We are always mindful of the fact that many of our carers support people who are vulnerable, and we have a duty to ensure that we always minimise the risk to this group. The ACT’s COVID-19 Pathway Forward, outlines the progressive lifting of restrictions from now until the end of the year.
To align with this, Carers ACT will slowly re-introduce in-person services to ensure access, while balancing the protection and wellbeing of carers and staff members. We will initially introduce in-person services for our respite facilities, disability program and counselling, and from here we will continue to assess the health advice and keep you informed of the gradual re-opening of the rest of our in-person programs. We are sure you will respect our decisions to balance the wellbeing of our community. We will work to have you all connected in person as soon as it is safe to do so.
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THE HUB DISABILITY DAY PROGRAM
Carers ACT’s Hub Disability Day Program has completed its transition to its new operating hours! The program, outside of COVID restrictions will now run Monday to Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm, with additional support options for working carers outside of these hours. The Disability Day Program is participant led. Along with a suite of fun and interactive activities, the program supports each participant to work towards their nominated NDIS goals through independent living, community access, social participation and health and wellbeing skill building activities.
Want to Enrol? Contact us on 0413 997 466 or email The.Hub@carersact.org.au
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CARER COACHING
Carers ACT in partnership with the Carer Gateway has recently launched our Carer Coaching program. Carer Coaching offers you the opportunity to work one on one with a trained coach to reflect on your experiences and needs, identify personal goals, and take the necessary steps to move towards those goals. In conversation with your coach, you can reflect on how things are going for you and whether there are areas in your life where you might like to make some changes. Together, you can explore possible steps that move you in the direction of your goal. It is a great way to help you find the balance between your needs as a carer and your responsibilities.
If you would like to work with a Carer Coach, please contact us on 1800 422 737, email carer.support@carersact.org.au or speak directly with your Carers ACT care planner.
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SUPPORTING CARERS WITH OUR REMOTE LEARNING SEMINAR
Carers ACT recently hosted a Remote Learning Seminar in partnership with the ACT Education Directorate & Inclusion Team. The sessions covered topics and helpful strategies on managing online learning at home such as navigating online learning platforms, how families can access guardian summaries and track your child's work progress, what families and carers can expect from schools during remote learning, the accessibility tools available to support students and families, and tips and tricks on how to keep students engaged.
You can view the recorded video of this session at: Carers ACT Remote Learning Seminar
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ONLINE SAFETY KIT FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
As we continue to navigate virtual learning and social connections for the next remaining weeks of lockdown, it is important to be mindful of online safety.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner offers some great tips for staying safe online during the COVID-19 health emergency, including an online safety kit for parents and carers which provides tools and resources covering common online safety issues like managing screen time, cyberbullying, inappropriate content and having safer online experiences. Resources are also available specifically for people with disability including a range of Easy Read Guides.
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COVID-19 PATHWAY FORWARD FOR THE ACT
The ACT Government recently released information on our COVID-19 Pathway Forward which outlined gradual and safe steps out of lockdown. During October, the ACT will hit 80% of our population over the age of 12 for full vaccination. The ACT government will continue supporting the local vaccination rollout until everyone who wants to be vaccinated has the opportunity to do so.
This strong level of vaccination coverage will allow us to start taking gradual steps forward once the 80% milestone has been reached. Subject to the public health risk remaining relatively stable in the next two weeks, the ACT’s full lockdown will end at 11:59pm on Thursday 14 October, triggering some further easing of restrictions. For more information, visit: ACT COVID-19 website.
ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS AT WESTON CREEK ACCESS AND SENSORY VACCINATION CLINIC
The ACT Government increased the number of appointments available at the Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic at the Weston Creek Community Centre from Monday 4 October. The clinic will now operate 5 days per week from 8.00am to 3.30pm, and people are able to get a spot earlier if they would prefer to. ACT Health will be contacting everyone with existing bookings to provide them with the option to move their appointment forward. Those with an existing booking who haven’t heard from ACT Health yet can call 5124 7700 (press option 3) between 7am and 7pm to reschedule. New appointments are also available for those who haven’t yet made a booking to be vaccinated.
COVID-19 ACCESS AND SENSORY TESTING SITES
ACT Health is ensuring safe, efficient and equitable access to COVID-19 testing for all Canberrans and has established a new dedicated Access and Sensory Testing Site at the Garran Surge Centre for people with disability, children and young people with sensory or additional needs, and those who need additional support to undertake a COVID-19 test. Daily hours are 7:30am - 9:00pm.
The Garran Surge Centre also provides a walk-in testing service for the general public, as the Weston Creek Community Centre has now ceased to be a COVID-19 walk-in testing site. If you have difficulty accessing a testing site, please call the COVID-19 Helpline. The Helpline operates on 02 6207 7244 between 8am and 8pm daily.
NDIS PARTICIPANTS VACCINATION UPDATE
The NDIA and Pharmacy Guild Australia are making it easier for NDIS participants to book and access COVID-19 vaccinations through local pharmacies, to support participants and disability workers to get their vaccinations. This will enable NDIS participants to have their vaccination at their local pharmacy if this will suit their individual circumstances better. To date, more than 3,500 community pharmacies begin to receive stocks of the Moderna vaccine, with one million doses expected to be available from community pharmacies next month – on top of existing Astra Zeneca supplies. For more information, read the NDIS media release.
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INVITATION FOR PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS ON THE ACT GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
In response to the August 2021 outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT, a Select Committee has been formed to ensure that the ACT Government decisions made in response to the pandemic are transparent and open to appropriate public scrutiny. The committee is now accepting submissions from the public in response to this inquiry, until 19 November 2021. Further information on lodging a submission is available at: Inquiry into the COVID-19 2021 pandemic response - ACT Legislative Assembly
AUSTRALIA’S COUNCIL OF ELDERS ON AGED CARE
Nominations are now open for members of Australia’s first-ever Council of Elders – a panel of representatives charged with providing advice and feedback on aged care issues around the country. The Council of Elders will ensure older Australians and the issues they face, are at the heart of Australia’s generational reforms. The Council of Elders will provide advice to the Minister for Health and Aged Care and the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, and also to the National Aged Care Advisory Council (NACAC) which is also being established under the aged care reforms. The Council of Elders chair will also have a seat on the NACAC to directly share the perspective of senior Australians with this group.
The nomination process will close 15 October 2021, with the membership of the Council of Elders to be announced later this year. For more information, visit: Aged Care Council of Elders | Australian Government Department of Health
2021 ACT GENERAL HEALTH SURVEY
Every year since 2007, the ACT Government runs the ACT General Health Survey. This year the survey runs from 5 October through to December. People who live within the ACT may be contacted by the Social Research Centre from the ANU to take part in the survey over the coming weeks. Contact will be made by text message in the first instance, so it is important that people know that this is a real survey. Once you agree to take part, trained interviewers will call you at a time that is good for you and is conducted by phone.
The survey is an important way for the government to collect information about the health status and behaviours of Canberrans. The information is used to plan and develop health programs and policies. The survey selects participants and the target this year is 1200 adults (over 16 years) and 1000 children (aged 5-15). You can find out more information by visiting the ACT Health website at https://www.health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/population-health/epidemiology
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DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA – LIVING WITH DEMENTIA PROGRAMS
Dementia Australia recently introduced its Living with Dementia Program, a series of online sessions from 6 Oct – 17 Nov, which provides an overview of dementia and how to proceed after a diagnosis. The program covers topics such as coping with change, relationships and communication, planning for the future, and staying healthy. The program is delivered by facilitators with specialist dementia knowledge, skills, and experience. For more information, call Kate Molony on 02 6255 0722 or email ACT.booking@dementia.org.au.
DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA – FRONTAL TEMPORAL DEMENTIA CARER SUPPORT GROUP
Dementia Australia has also launched its Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) Carer Support Group in the ACT. The FTD Carer Support Group has been developed to provide a safe supportive space for carers of people living with FTD to share emotional and practical experiences of caring along with participation in an education program developed by a Neuro Psychologist. The format of the FTD Carer Support Group contains three aspects: peer support, education and self-care. The FTD Carer Support Group plans to meet twice a month until December of this year. The sessions will be 2 hours and scheduled between 10am-12noon. Participation in the FTD Carer Support Group is flexible and you choose the dates and sessions you wish to join. For more information, pls email Jade.Carey@dementia.org.au.
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