FREE sailing for carer support groups
In recognition of carers' needs for breaks, not for profit organisation
Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) is kindly offering groups of up
to 14 carers the chance to join their ocean racing yacht and sail
for FREE on selected Fridays from January 2008. The sail usually
starts around 6pm. Telephone first to reserve your group's place
- participants need warm, waterproof clothing, food and drink (BYO
alcohol permitted). To book call Marc Van Dinther on 0406 942 960
or for more details visit www.sailorswithdisabilities.com.
SWD is a not for profit organisation that offers people with a disability
and carers the opportunity to go sailing. SWD activities are aimed
at helping people demonstrate their skills, dedication and commitment
to achieving their goals.
National
New Utilities Allowance increase
for carers
Mr Howard has announced the Utilities Allowance of $107.20 will
increase to $500 a year beginning in March next year, which will
apply to carers receiving carer payment and people receiving the
disability support pension. Read more.
Carers' election campaign
In the lead up to the 2007 federal election, Carers Australia
is running a provocative campaign, "If you don't care, why
should we?", which asks the federal government to take into
account five key areas where support for carers needs to be improved.
At the official launch of the campaign at Parliament House in September
2007, the President of Carers Australia, Ben Chodziesner, hand delivered
copies of the election campaign material to leaders and representatives
from each of the main political parties contesting this year's election.
These parties have now given position statements on the campaign,
which can be viewed at the campaign website www.ifyoudontcare.com.au .
International
UK Prime
Minister announces the Standing Commission on Carers
Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister, after being approached by carers
and their advocates, has announced the setting up of a permanent
committee to advise the House on matters concerning carers. One
of the key areas that the commission will look at is the financial
support available to carers. The Prime Minister believes, "The
benefit system currently does not support carers to work and condemns
many to poverty. We need a radical overhaul of the benefits system
and the ways in which we support carers to remain in work."
For more information go to the Carers
UK website.
Canada home care funds
A re-elected Liberal government would boost home care funding for
seniors by 33 per cent over three years the Canadian Health Minister
said recently. The election is still some way off. Read more here.
International
Diversity
in Health
This conference aims to promote health and wellbeing for diverse
population groups. It incorporates the Multicultural Mental Health
Australia national conference and the NSW Transcultural Mental
Health Centre conference.
When: 10-12
March 2008
Where:
Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Details: www.dhi.gov.au/conference/index.htm
Working with carers training materials
Carers NSW recently compiled training materials to help support
carers, non-government
service providers and the
NSW Department of Ageing, Disability
and Home Care (DADHC). The training can be used as orientation
material for new staff or as part of a development program for
all staff. The DVD features the stories of four carers, followed by information about carers in society and how they can
be supported. To register your interest in this DVD please call
Helen McFarlane on (02) 8270 2221.
A fair go for all Australians:
International Comparisons
Recent research published by Australia Fair gives international
poverty and income comparisons between Australia and other OECD
nations. Read the report on the Australia Fair website.
How
to view journal
articles
To obtain journal articles cited in this e-bulletin,
phone your local library or nearest professional library. For
a list of health libraries in NSW, visit www.ciap.health.nsw.gov.au and enter "libraries" in the search box.
Carers,
employment and services
Carers UK has released a series of four reports
examining the transitions experienced by carers in their caring
journey. Report No. 2 is about how community services are used
by carers while managing paid employment. View the report by visiting
the Carers
UK website.
Carers'
leave
Carers' leave enables paid employees to take time off to care
for a family member. Immediate family members are defined as a
spouse or former spouse (including de facto), child, parent, grandparent,
grandchild, brother or sister. To learn more about this entitlement,
visit the Working
Carers Support Gateway.
Aged care initiative
Residents of aged care facilities have received improved quality
of care as a result of the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative which
has operated since 2004. In the 2007-2008 Federal Budget the initiative
was expanded to include allied health service providers. Visit
the Department of Health and Ageing website for details.
Aged care complaints
The Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme is available
to those who wish to provide information or make a complaint about
an Australian Government subsidised aged care service that may
need to be investigated. It replaces the former Aged Care Complaints
Resolution Scheme. Visit the Department of Health and Ageing website for details.
Journal article
Involving consumers
in accreditation: the Irish experience
Elaine O'Connor, Triona Fortune, Jennifer Doran and Roisin
Boland
International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2007;
19(5):296-300
In Ireland, consumers and carers are now members of review
teams assessing healthcare organisations.
Abstract
Australian
Unity Carers' Health and Wellbeing Survey
This report, launched during Carers Week 2007, concerns
the subjective wellbeing of carers in Australia. It is the result
of collaboration between Carers Australia, Australian Unity and
Deakin University and found that carers have the lowest wellbeing
index of any surveyed group, with more than one third of the 3750
carers surveyed categorised as extremely depressed. For the full
report go to the The Australian Unity website.
FamilyCare
workshops
The FamilyCare program is an initiative of The Spastic Centre,
The Sunnyfield Association, Wesley Mission and Terry Ryan, parent
and author of What about me ... A guide for caring. The
program runs a series of workshops to encourage parents and siblings
to objectively assess their circumstances to identify short and
long-term caring strategies. The workshops remind carers that
they are more effective if they understand the overall needs of
a family providing lifelong care. The sessions include: who really
cares, making changes, getting through the day, supported living,
planning for tomorrow, taking care, brothers and sisters, inclusion,
vulnerability, learning to cope and peace of mind. For more information
please visit: www.familycare.org.au/self-help/self-help_workshops.htm or email admin@familycare.org.au
Journal article
"Please,
I want to go home": ethical issues raised when considering choice
of place of care in palliative care
Victoria J Wheatley and J Idris
Baker
Postgraduate Medical Journal,
October 2007; 83: 643-648
When medical personnel offer
palliative care patients a choice of place to die, many factors
must be considered, including the exhaustion of informal carers
and their level of expertise.
Abstract
Disability
advocacy
The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous
Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion, has announced that funding of
$1 million has been allocated from the 2007-2008 Budget for the
National Disability Advocacy Program from which existing disability
advocacy agencies can apply to expand into the new regions. To
view details and the new regions expected to benefit from additional
advocacy services, see the Minister's media
release.
Carers
and dementia decision-making
A recent report examines the decisions confronting carers
of people living with dementia. Twenty carers are interviewed
to discover the transition points in the decision-making process
during their relatives journey with dementia. The full
text of the study, entitled Holding
it together- carers' perspectives on decision-making: from home
to residential care for people with dementia is available on the Catholic
Healthcare website.
Learning difficulties/ADHD
helpline
(02) 9806 9960
Run by the Learning Difficulties Coalition of NSW Inc, the
helpline provides support and advocacy to parents whose children
have learning difficulties. Operates from 10am-3pm on school days.
You can also visit their website www.ldc.org.au for more information.
Support for carers
of children with a disability - Punchbowl
Carers of children with a disability in Punchbowl can now
meet others in similar circumstances while their children play
together under supervision. The 'MyTime' initiative, run by the
Tresillian Family Care Centre and coordinated by the Parenting
Research Centre, is open to carers receiving Carers' Allowance
with a child under school age. MyTime meets at Punchbowl Public
School during school terms. Contact Ann De-Belin on 9787 0864
or 9787 0869 or visit www.mytime.net.au.
New book by TBI carers
The Courage to Care, by Cheryl Koenig, includes stories
and experiences of carers of people with a traumatic brain injury
(TBI). The book highlights the challenge of caring as a result
of its enduring and persistent nature of caring, and provides
glimpses into the rewards caring can bring to the person and carer.
Copies can be ordered at a cost of $17.50 including postage and
handling by telephoning Helen Badge at the Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Directorate on 9828 6235.
Journal articles
Patients
with dementia and their carers
Charles Bridges-Webb, Belinda Giles, Catherine Speechly, Yvonne
Zurynski, Navaz Hiramanek
The Annals of the New York Academy of Science published
online 12 October 2007
A survey of 107 carers of patients with dementia living in the
community gave expected results with the exception of a few noteable
issues. Home safety had not been assessed and driving and guardianship
had not been considered. Download the full
text.
Job satisfaction
and career commitment among nursing assistants providing Alzheimer's
care
Constance L Coogle, Iris A Parham, Katherine A Young
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias,
2007; 22(4): 251-260
Abstract
Caregiver burden
in multiple sclerosis: the impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms
Nanna Figved, Kjell-Morten Myhr, Jan-Petter Larsen and Dag Aarsland
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 2007;
78:1097-1102
Psychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairment in patients with
multiple sclerosis were associated with carers' distress.
Abstract
Parents of Deaf Children Seeking
Hearing Loss-Related Information on the Internet: the Australian
Experience
Ann Porter and Sisira Edirippulige
The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 2007; 12(4):
518-529
This article examines the question of whether information is available
on the internet to mothers of deaf children in the period after
early intervention.
Abstract
Special disability trusts,
testamentary trusts & living wills
In the most recent edition of Carers News, Ruth Pollard,
the principal legal officer with the Public Trustee NSW, outlined
a new type of trust introduced by the Federal Government. The
trust is designed to assist people with a severe disability by
providing a social security concession to help them and their
families. It differs from mainstream trusts in a number of ways.
For more details go to page 12 in Carers
News. See pages 13-14 for further information on testamentary
trusts (by Michelle Meyer, Clarendene Pty Ltd) and living wills
(by Richard Ottley, Swaab Attorneys) . To subscribe to Carers
News go to our website and click "News and Newsroom".
Journal
article
What is elder abuse
- who decides?
A Selwood, C Cooper, and G Livingston
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 1 October
2007; 22(10): 1009-12
Professionals and carers report significantly different views
from each other about what constitutes elder abuse. Guidelines
on elder abuse must be generally agreed upon by all concerned
to be sucessfully implemented.
Abstract
Journal
articles
Review
article: Financial stress and strain associated with terminal
cancer. A review of the evidence
Barbara Hanratty, Paula Holland, Ann Jacoby, Margaret Whitehead
Palliative Medicine, 2007; 21(7): 595-607
This study aims to review the evidence of financial stress
at the end of life for people dying with cancer.
Abstract
Do Welfare Benefits Affect Women's
Choices of Adult Care Giving?
Sebastian Sarasa
European Sociological Review, Published online 3 October
2007
This study finds, amongst other things, that providing services
is more effective than income support in allowing women to allocate
time to adult care.
Abstract
ABC TV's Compass program
On Sunday 7 October, ABC TV screened a special Carers Week edition
of its program Compass to highlight the issue of young
carers. It profiled the lives of three young carers: 17
year old Hayley Wilson who is in her final year at school and
is the primary carer for both her parents; 23 year old Ken Blood
who combines full time work with caring for his father who has
multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease; and Lorna Downes who
is an education and training officer with Carers NSW and as a
child helped to care for her mother. Read the transcript on the
ABC TV website.
New young carer
high school resource for teachers
On 27th September Carers Australia launched a new high
school resource. It provides information for teachers on how
to identify and provide support for young carers. High schools
around NSW should have received a copy by October.
Siblings' website
The Association for Children with a Disability (Melbourne) has
designed a website that provides information and support for primary-aged
siblings of children with disability. The information is easy
to read and navigation is simple using big, bold pictures. Visit
the site for more information.
Journal articles
Taking Women's Work
Like a Man: Husbands' Experiences of Care Work
Toni Calasanti and Neal King
The Gerontologist, August 2007, 47(4): 516-527
Husbands' approaches to caregiving are rooted in their sense of
selves as men.
Abstract
Transgendering care: Practices
of care within transgender communities
Sally Hines
Critical Social Policy, 2007; 27(4): 462-486
Understanding transgender caring is important for reasons of social
inclusion and the acceptance of the shifting practices of care
in contemporary society.
Abstract
New multicultural
mental health factsheets
Facts sheets on mental health in many community languages
are now available from Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA).
Information on eating disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders
and much more can be printed in a dozen different languages. Go
to the MMHA website.
Australians Talk Mental
Illness 2007
A national survey conducted by the Mental Illness Fellowship
of Australia (MIFA) gives a snapshot of the experiences and feelings
of 2,268 people surveyed ahead of the Federal Election 2007. Results show that a majority of repondents believe that governmental
handling of mental health issues will afffect their vote. Go
to the MIFA website for
details.
Insurance discrimination
The Mental Health Council of Australia and beyondblue want
to find out about the experiences of mental health consumers
in trying to obtain all types of insurance. Attempts will be made
to engage with the insurance industry to increase understanding
of mental illness and reduce the level of discrimination that
people with a mental illness face when applying for insurance.
To participate in the survey click here.
New federal government mental
health website
The Department of Health and Ageing has launched a new website
that gives comprehensive information about mental health, wellbeing,
mental health programs and information on the Australian Government's
role and contributions to mental health reform activities in Australia.
View the site here.
New carers' research by SANE
New research by SANE Australia, a national charity working for
a better life for people affected by mental illness, has indicated
56% of carers caring for someone with a mental illness find their
physical and mental health suffer as a result of their caring
role. Respondents said they were frustrated and angry with some
mental health professionals who did not consult them about taking
on the caring role, did not give carers any training or support
and disregarded and excluded them from treatment planning. The
majority expressed deep frustration at the lack of support and
information from some mental health professionals, especially
where confidentiality was cited as a reason for excluding them.
70% of carers reported having received no relevant training or
education, and due to lack of availability more than half have
not accessed support services of any kind. Read more.
New comorbidity planning package
The Australian Government has developed a new resource to
ensure people with both a mental health problem and a drug and
alcohol problem, and their carers, are involved in the treatment
process. The Consumer and Carer Involvement in Comorbidity Treatment
Planning Package comes in CD-ROM format, and includes separate
`Planning Together Information Kits' for consumers and carers.
For more details visit this website.
Journal article
Spirituality and mental health:
a very preliminary overview
P D Gilbert
Current Opinion Psychiatry, 1 November 2007; 20(6): 594-8
Recent research indicates that there is a correlation between
affiliation to a religious group and better outcomes in terms
of mental and physical health, and even longevity. This article
examines the connection further.
Abstract
Families Supporting
Families website
Families Supporting Families (FSF) has launched a new website http://www.e-bility.com/fsf/.
FSF is a local network of families with a child or children with
a disability living in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the lower
Hunter Region. They provide practical assistance to parents and
siblings, including a Hospital Support Program, regular workshops
and newsletters.
New website for parent carers
The Australian parenting website, Raising Children Network, now
contains a section for carers of children with a disability. Visit www.raisingchildren.net.au/disabilities for help and advice on:
Parent reactions to a disability diagnosis
Helping siblings of a child with a disability
Disability rights and the law
Working with professionals and accessing services and supports
Choosing childcare and a school
Routines, plans and fitness for children with a disability
