THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING CARERS WEEK WITH US 

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us for our Carers Week Virtual event. It was great to see everyone getting into the music and enjoying themselves! Those who attended the event did an amazing job of composing a song to give recognition for the wonderful work that carers do each day. We’d like to share this with our entire community of carers, and hope you enjoy this video which features the song and the highlights of the virtual event.  

                              You can view the video here: 

                     Carers Week Virtual Happy Hour Video 

MENTAL HEALTH CARERS VOICE ANNUAL SURVEY 

Our team behind Mental Health Carers Voice are consistently building their understanding of the needs of mental health carers in the ACT. Each year, we put out a survey to carers of people with mental ill-health, so that we can see how your caring experience changes over time. We hope that this will help us improve our own programs and guide our policies and feedback to government. Each carer that fills out the survey can enter the draw for a chance to win a $50 gift card to spend anywhere they wish, to be drawn in January. The survey closes on 16 December 2021. 

                          Please take the time to fill out the survey here:

                             2021 Mental Health Carers Voice Survey.

NO COMPULSORY CASHLESS DEBIT CARD FOR AGE PENSIONERS 

Minister for Social Services, Senator Anne Ruston dispelled rumours that the Federal Government will be extending the Cashless Debit Card to all Age Pensioners. Senator Rushton declared in Parliament last week: “I can categorically say there never has, there isn't and there never will be under this government any intention to require age pensioners to go on to the cashless debit card.” 

Age Pensioners may request to have a percentage of their pension transferred to the Debit Card, which cannot be used to withdraw cash, purchase cash-like gift cards, buy alcohol or fund gambling - but this their personal choice. 

ACT CHIEF MINISTER’S INCLUSION AWARDS 

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, The ACT Office for Disability has announced that the Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards will not be held this year. Instead of having an in-person event, the department will be doing something different to celebrate the inclusion, support, and engagement of people with disability over the last year.

In the lead up to the announcement of the re-shaped Inclusion Awards we encourage you to visit INVOLVED | Facebook to see the outstanding individuals and organisations who were nominated this year. 

For more information, visit: Chief Minister's Inclusion Awards - Involved CBR | Involved Canberra: Making Inclusion Happen 

TENANT PARTICIPATION GRANT PROGRAM 

Applications for the ACT Government’s Tenant Participation Grants is now open. The program encourages and supports social housing tenants and their families to build social networks by participating in the community through a range of activities for physical, social and personal development. Up to $400 could be allocated to each tenant, resident and child to undertake activities and/or purchase the gear they need to participate in an activity. 

Applications for the Tenant Participation Grants Program opened on Monday 15 November 2021 and close on Friday 21 January 2022 at 5:00pm. For more information, visit: Tenant Participation Grants - Community Services (act.gov.au) 

AGED RESPITE CARE SERVICES & COTTAGE PROGRAMS 

Note: We currently have respite care vacancies at our Aged Care day and overnight cottages. If you would like to book respite, now is the time with no waitlists and plenty of availability.

We are pleased to announce that our Cottage Day Programs have now re-opened, and we look forward to welcoming our cottage clients back. We have introduced a variety of Montessori-based activities into our day program, including daily exercises, cottage choir, arts, crafts and woodworking projects. We are also offering overnight respite, seven nights a week, with places still available at both Naragana-Wali and Deakin Cottages. 

The clients and staff of Deakin Cottage recently celebrated a milestone in recognition of Pam and Jean’s  15th year anniversaries with Carers ACT. Both team members have been valuable and dedicated members of our respite care team and have been such a wonderful source of support for our cottage program clients through the years.

For more information on our Ageing & Dementia Short-stay Cottages and Day Programs, visit our website at Ageing & Dementia Short-Stay Cottages - Carers ACT  

MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUPS   

We are equally pleased to welcome back the members of our Social Support groups in person, including our Sri Lankan, Indian and Muslim groups. We are currently putting together a Multicultural & Filipino group and would like to invite those who are interested to join. If you are interested to join any of our programs, please contact our Aged Services team on 6296 9900 or email us at carers@carersact.org.au.  

WALKING THE JOURNEY TOGETHER RESPITE RETREATS 

Walking the Journey Together Respite Retreats are held several times a year and are specifically for carers over 65 (over 50 if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) to have a break with the ageing person they care for. It gives carers the opportunity to have a few nights away from the daily tasks of cooking, cleaning and have some time to nurture yourself while the person you care for attends a day program, where they are looked after by our qualified and experienced staff. Our respite retreats are held at a hotel in the Canberra region and includes meals and three nights’ accommodation. The itinerary is flexible with activities such as self-care and education workshops. You can join in or just take time out for yourself.  

If you or the person you care for has a My Aged Care referral for respite, register your interest today and one of our staff members with call you to discuss further. Upcoming retreats will be held on 13 – 16 Dec 2021 at Rex Hotel Canberra and 7 - 10 Feb 2022 at Hotel Realm. 

To register, please follow this link: Carers ACT Respite Retreats EOI  

For more information, please call (02) 6296 9982 or email group.programs@carersact.org.au. Download our Walking the Journey Retreat Brochure. 

YOUNG CARER PICNIC 

Calling on all our Young Carers! Our team at Young Carers ACT are so excited now that in-person events are returning. To celebrate the end of lockdown, we are hosting a picnic for all our young carers on 27 November, 12:00 – 2:00 pm at Kambah Adventure Playground. There will be food, games, and great company! RSVP is essential – Please get in touch with Imogen & Moss at young.carers@carersact.org.au or text 0427 263 991.  

CARER COACHING 

 
We have recently launched our facilitated Carer Coaching program in partnership with the Carer Gateway. Carer Coaching offers you the opportunity to work one on one with a trained coach to reflect on your journey and experience as a carer, and explore areas in your life where you might like to make some changes. In conversation with your coach, you can identify your individual needs, set personal goals, and 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 personal needs, and your responsibilities and needs as a carer.  

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 care planner who can refer you to one of our carer coaches. 

For more information, visit: Carer Gateway - Carers ACT 

COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER 

Fully vaccinated Canberrans aged 18 years and over can now book to receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine at an ACT Government clinic six months after they had their second dose. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advises that those most likely to benefit from a booster dose are people with risk factors for severe COVID-19 such as those aged 50 years and older, those with underlying medical conditions, residents of aged care and disability facilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. People who had their second dose at an ACT Government COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be contacted by ACT Health when they become eligible for a booster dose. 

For more information, visit: COVID-19 vaccine boosters now available to Canberrans - COVID-19 (act.gov.au) 

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR DISABILITY & AGED CARE WORKERS 

A new Public Health Direction was announced on 1 November requiring all disability support workers and in-home and community aged care workers in the ACT to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The new direction will require impacted workers and volunteers to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by 15 November and a second dose by 13 December. 

For more information, visit: New Public Health Direction for disability and aged care workers - COVID-19 (act.gov.au)

COVID-19 DIGITAL CERTIFICATE ON THE CHECK-IN CBR APP 

You can now add your COVID-19 digital certificate to the Check-In CBR app for easy access and storage. Before you can use this new feature, you need to update your Check-In CBR app to the latest version. Once your app is up to date, you can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to your Check-In CBR app using your Medicare online account through myGov, or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app. 

For more information, and step by step instructions on how to do this, visit: Vaccine certificate - COVID-19 (act.gov.au)

VISITOR RESTRICTIONS AT HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE ACT 

Visitor restrictions are currently in place at all hospitals, community health centres and walk-in centres in the ACT. As of 8.00am, Monday 22 Nov 2021, the visitor policy at health facilities in the ACT will allow for two visitors per patient, per day. The changes are in line with the current easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the increasing COVID-19 vaccination rate across the ACT and region. It is strongly recommended that visitors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

For more information, visit: Visitor Restrictions | Health (act.gov.au) 

ASSISTING SENIOR AUSTRALIANS TO NAVIGATE AND ACCESS AGED CARE 

The Federal Government has created a one-stop-shop for seniors, their carers and families to connect to Aged Care Services. From 1 November, Services Australia will offer face to face support from specially trained My Aged Care Specialist Officers, so people can access information about aged care, health and social services in one location. Aged Care Specialist Officers will provide in-depth information about aged care services, offering financial information, registration and referral for aged care assessments and with connecting senior Australians to local support services, social workers, interpreters and advocates. 

Call Services Australia to make an appointment on 1800 227 475. 

HEAD TO HEALTH POP UP SERVICES 

The Capital Health Network recently launched the ACT Head to Health Pop Up, a free service to guide Canberrans experiencing mental health issues through the process of finding the right local support with no need for a referral or prior appointment. The service is staffed by a multidisciplinary team and support is available for people of all ages who are experiencing mental health issues. Telehealth support is currently available via 1800 595 212 and COVID-safe face-to-face support will become available via walk-in or appointment in November. Carers, family members, friends and health providers can also call this number to receive support or refer someone to the service.

For more information about this service, visit: Capital Health Network | Mental Health Programs - Head to Health (chnact.org.au). 

EATING DISORDERS FAMILIES AUSTRALIA (EDFA) FREE MEMBERSHIP 

Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) is pleased to announce that they are providing free membership for ACT families and carers of people with eating disorders. The free EDFA membership is available for the first 200 new or renewing membership applications by ACT families and carers between now and 1 October 2022. EDFA membership usually costs $25 a year.

Families and carers can join EDFA by going to their website: EDFA Website

SUPPORTING A PERSON WHO NEEDS PALLIATIVE CARE  

Palliative Care Victoria recently published a guidebook which provides comprehensive and practical information for carers of people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness who require palliative care. Providing the best support to a person who needs palliative care can be made easier by learning the appropriate strategies and finding the relevant resources. This means knowing what questions to ask, when and who to ask, and importantly how to look after oneself.  

You can download a copy of the Guidebook.

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

Advance Care Planning Australia Learning is designed for health and care workers, substitute decision-makers, individuals and their families and carers to learn more about advance care planning. Free online modules cover the basics through to advanced topics. 

Carers can sign up to increase your knowledge here. 

SUPPORT AT HOME ASSESSMENT TRIAL ADVISORY GROUP 

A new aged care assessment model incorporating a new assessment tool and assessment process is being developed as part of the new Support at Home Program. In line with this, the Department of Health are seeking expressions of interest for an Advisory Group to provide ongoing advice to support the process of testing and improving the assessment model, which will occur in the first half of 2022. The Advisory Group will include senior Australians and their family and carers who have experience with home care services. 

To be considered for the Advisory Group please email a completed Expression of Interest Form and brief CV to SAH.implementation@Health.gov.au by Friday 26 November 2021. For more information, visit: Ageing and Aged Care Engagement Hub. 

YOUNG CARER BURSARY SURVEY 

The Carers Australia team is working with the UNSW Centre for Social Impact to speak to anyone who has applied for the Young Carers Bursary Program from 2015 until now, or who considered applying but did not do so. Your feedback is important and will shape the future of the program! Young carers of any identity and gender can participate and will be remunerated. They would also like to hear from supporters of young carers of any background.  

For more information, visit: Young Carers Bursary Program Review  

NATIONAL AGEING RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOCUS GROUP 

Researchers at the National Ageing Research Institute are working with the National Mental Health Commission to understand the key issues for older adults with mental illness and their carers. They are keen to hear insights about how older people and their carers can be better supported. 

They are running focus groups of 1.5 hours length, which will be conducted at a location convenient to participants (or online subject to COVID-19 restrictions). Participants will receive a gift voucher for their contribution. For further information and to register your interest please contact p.feldman@nari.edu.au or j.antoniades@nari.edu.au. 

To find out more about NARI see: National Ageing Research Institute

PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON NEW AGED CARE VISITOR ACCESS CODE 

Australians are invited to consult on the revised Industry Code for Visiting Aged Care Homes led by Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia, to balance reasonable safety measures in aged care while respecting the rights of older Australians and their emotional wellbeing  

The code proposes that during a local outbreak, aged care homes will be classified into one of three categories, each with its own infection prevention and control measures: Code Green (minimal COVID-19 in the local government area), Code Orange (heightened risk due to COVID-19 in the local government area) or Code Red (an exposure or outbreak has occurred inside the Aged Care Home). 

It also includes an ‘Essential Visitor’ policy which allows residents to designate one person who will always be permitted to visit them in person to provide essential physical and emotional care, regardless of outbreak status. 

Australians can submit their feedback on the draft code by filling in the online form at www.cota.org.au/agedcarevisitors.

SURVEY ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS STRAWS BAN 

From July 2022, the ACT Government is looking to ban single-use plastic straws, which in some instances, may affect carers and those they look after. There are exemptions planned for those who need to use plastic straws for essential reasons. The ACT Government is looking for feedback on the opportunities and challenges presented by the ban of these single-use plastic items. This will inform how the new restrictions are implemented and identify any exemptions that may be necessary. Carers ACT has met with the ACT Government to discuss this ban and we encourage carers to have Your Say via this quick survey about the proposed ban of plastic straws by 12 January 2022.  

For more information, please visit: Single-use plastics | YourSay ACT