Current Newsletter - 1 February 2012

Are you aged between 8 – 12 years?
Do you help look after your brother or sister, parent, grandparent, other relative or friend who has a disability, mental illness, chronic medical condition, drug and/or alcohol related condition or who is frail aged?

Yes!

Then...Come along to EDuCARE’s
i-care 6 Week Young Carer
Peer Support Group!!
What will I be doing in the Group?
Meet New Friends
Share Your Experiences with Others
Talk about your Feelings
Learning to Deal with Problems
Talk about your Worries
Explore your Strengths
Most of all have Fun!!!
Limited Places, so Don’t Miss Out on this Opportunity!
To Register Contact EDuCARE on: 4921 4895
When: Each Wednesday from 29th February til Wednesday 4th April, 2012
Time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Where: “The Place”, Charlestown Community Centre,
Cnr Frederick & Pearson Streets, Charlestown
(Entrance via Frederick Street – Map Attached)
Cost: FREE! - Includes all Activities and Afternoon Tea

Then…Come along to EDuCARE’s i-care Young Carer Camp @
One Mile Beach Holiday Park!!
What will I be doing at Camp?
Swim with the Sharks @ Australian Shark & Ray Centre!
Ten Pin Bowling
Afro Moses Music Workshop
Swimming, free time, having a break
Making New Friends & having an Awesome Time!!
Proudly sponsored by Soldiers Point Bowling Club
Limited Places, so Don’t Miss Out on this Opportunity!
For Application Forms Contact EDuCARE on: 4921 4895
Adult supervision throughout camp is provided by EDuCARE Support Service, a unit of Hunter New England Health.
When: Friday 4th May until Sunday 6th May, 2012
Time: 3.30pm for a 4.00pm departure
From: Ausgrid Stadium, Turton Road, Lambton
Where: One Mile Beach Holiday Park, Gan Gan Rd, Anna Bay
Cost: FREE! - Includes accommodation, all meals & activities
Respite: Respite Care available if required

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DO YOU PROVIDE CARE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND?
Like to know more about LEGAL ISSUES for CARERS? Come along to this Free Presentation.
Presenter: Turnbull Hill Law Firm
Topics: Wills, Power of Attorney, Family and Disability Trusts, Guardianship, Care Planning, Legal Advice.

When: Wednesday 7 March 2012
Time: 6pm – 8pm (including light supper)
Venue: Cardiff RSL, 45 Macquarie Road, Cardiff
Carer Connections is a FREE event, but please RSVP for catering purposes. Limited places are available.
All new Carers welcome!!

For more information or to register contact the EDuCARE Support Service on:
4921 4895 or 1300 887 776 or email
Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au by Thursday 1 March 2012

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UPCOMING Carer & Family Information Sessions
Carers/Families are invited to attend our Free EDuCARE Information Sessions that run one day for 3 weeks.
Our next sessions Commence:
HAMILTON: Hunter Resource Centre, 2 Percy Street, Hamilton
TIME: 9.30am – 2.00pm
WHEN: Tuesdays
7th, 14th & 21st February
MAITLAND: East Maitland Bowling Club, Bank Street, East Maitland
TIME: 9.30am – 2.00pm
WHEN: Tuesdays
20th, 27th March & 3rd April
The information sessions are FREE with morning tea & light lunch supplied.
Topics covered include: Practical Skills for Carers Accessing Community Services Stress Management Financial Information - Centrelink Legal Issues Resource kit & more A Great opportunity to meet other people in similar caring situations

Do you know a Young Carer?
EDuCARE provides practical support for Young Carers aged 8-18 years in the form of:
Young Carer Camps, Workshops, Family Days & more
Resource material & information to access relevant community services
Contact us to Register in our Young Carer Program!

Carer Connections
Take the opportunity to re-connect with other Carers, enjoy friendship & support, take time out just for you.
WHEN: Wednesday 7th March
WHERE: Cardiff RSL 45 Macquarie Road, Cardiff
TIME: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
The topic will be: "Legal Issues for Carers”
This is a FREE information session

Are you concerned about falling?
Stepping On – Falls Prevention Program is a Free 7 week program at a location near you. It is aimed at building knowledge, strength & confidence & reducing the risk of falls.
Commencing:
Newcastle CHC: 1.00pm - 3.00pm from 30/1/2012 - 12/3/2011.
Nelson Bay CHC: 1.00pm - 3.00pm from 1/2/2012 - 14/3/2012.
Raymond Terrace: 12.30pm - 2.30pm from 3/2/2102 - 16/3/2012.
To Register PHONE: 4016 4685 or 4925 7990

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Do you provide care and support to another person?
You are invited to attend our FREE Carer Information Workshops that run each Tuesday over 3 weeks.
Carers are usually family members or friends who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged.

Where: East Maitland Bowling Club Bank Street, East Maitland
Time: 9.30am — 2.00pm
Cost: Free — Morning Tea & Light Lunch Provided
When: Tuesday 20th & 27th March, 3rd April 2012
Program:
Session 1 – Meet with Representatives from Centrelink and a panel of Community Service Organisations & understand how they can assist you in your caring role.
Session 2 – Caring for the Carer/Yourself: Stress Management, Effective and Practical Caring Skills
Session 3 – Legal Issues, Advance Care Planning and Advocacy

Where: The Hunter Resource Centre 2 Percy Street, Hamilton
Time: 9.30am — 2.00pm
Cost: Free — Morning Tea & Light Lunch Provided
When: Tuesday 7th, 14th & 21st February 2012
Program:
Session 1 – Meet with Representatives from Centrelink and a panel of Community Service Organisations & understand how they can assist you in your caring role.
Session 2 – Caring for the Carer/Yourself: Stress Management, Effective and Practical Caring Skills
Session 3 – Legal Issues, Advance Care Planning and Advocacy

For more information or to register contact EDuCARE on: 4921 4895 or 1300 887 776
or Email: Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au (We ask that you RSVP for catering purposes)

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MEMORY CHANGES WORKSHOP
Would you like to have a better Understanding about the changes that may occur in memory?

Come and join us for a FREE workshop
Date: Thursday 1st March
Venue: Calvary Retirement Community Cessnock 19 Wine Country Drive Cessnock
Time: 10.00 am to 1.30 pm
Open for all members of the community Including Community Care Workers, AINs and Volunteers
Interested and would like to attend?
Bookings are limited so please register by phoning (02)49 214895
A big thank you to Calvary Retirement Community Cessnock Who have kindly offered to sponsor Morning Tea.

Program:
10.00 – 10.10am
Welcome and Overview of Workshop June Morris, Service Manager, Dementia Advisory Service
10.10 – 11.00am
Changes in memory, when is it dementia and how do we assess Dr Andrew Scane, Geriatrician
11.00 – 11.30am
Problems associated with a changing memory for the person and the support person Mary Myers, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Newcastle Lake Macquarie Dementia Advisory Service
11.30 – 12.00MD
Morning Tea funded and supplied by
Calvary Retirement Community Cessnock
12.00 – 12.30pm
Future life planning and legal issues June Morris.
12.30 – 1.00pm
Services available in local area Julie Broadbent, Coordinator Rural Aged Care Assessment Team- Hunter.
1.00 – 1.30pm
Representatives and information available on community services: Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), Alzheimer’s Australia, Calvary Silver Circle, Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, Community Aged Care Package Providers, Dementia Advisory Service, DVA Services, EDuCARE Support Service, Integrated Living

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What is Mental Health First Aid?
First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. Mental Health First
Aid (MHFA) is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
What is the Standard Mental Health First Aid course?
The second edition Standard MHFA course is based on the international MHFA Guidelines. These guidelines were developed using the consensus of mental health consumers, carers and professionals from English-speaking developed countries. Further information here: www.mhfa.com.au/Guidelines.shtml.
Course Content
The MHFA course teaches members of the public how to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
Developing mental health problems covered:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Substance misuse
Mental health crises covered:
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Non-suicidal self-injury
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe psychotic states
• Severe effects from alcohol or other drug misuse
• Aggressive behaviours
Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.
Course Format
This is a 12-hour course (4 modules, each 3 hours). The delivery format is flexible.
Course participants receive a copy of the MHFA Manual to keep and a Certificate of Completion.
About the MHFA Program
The Mental Health First Aid Program was developed in 2001 by Betty Kitchener and Prof. Tony Jorm.
The Program has been well evaluated and found to be effective in improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and increasing helping behaviours. These evaluations have been carried out in workplace and community settings. Further information and links to evaluations of the MHFA course here: www.mhfa.com.au/evaluation.shtml
The Program has spread to every state and territory of Australia and internationally. More information here:www.mhfa.com.au/international.shtml
Other Available MHFA Courses
• 14-hour Youth MHFA course covering how to assist adolescents
• 14-hour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander course covering how to assist Indigenous Australians
• Instructor Training courses accrediting suitable candidates to become Instructors of the
12 or 14-hour courses. More information here:www.mhfa.com.au/training.shtml
There are separate brochures available for these courses. More information here:www.mhfa.com.au/courses.shtml

Where can the courses be held?
MHFA courses can be conducted wherever a Mental Health First Aid Instructor can travel. If extended travel is required, the instructor’s cost may need to be met (to be negotiated with the instructor).
Upcoming MHFA courses
MHFA courses for members of the public are advertised through the MHFA website at: www.mhfa.com.au/current_courses.php
Finding a MHFA Instructor
You can find MHFA Instructors in your area on the MHFA website:
www.mhfa.com.au/instructor_list.php
Select state or postcode.
Select instructors’ names to review their details.
You can then contact instructors directly about conducting a course for your organisation or workplace.
Who can attend a MHFA course?
Any interested adult can attend. Please note that this course is not a therapy or support group. It is an education course to learn how to give first aid to others.
Cost
Contact your local instructor to ask about their fees.
All instructors of this course are trained by the Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program, auspiced by Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, The University of Melbourne.

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First Aid for Carers

The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre is offering an Emergency First Aid for Carers Course.

The Course is presented by St John Ambulance and is designed to meet the needs of those caring for someone who is frail aged and/or disabled.

The course is free of cost to carers registered with CRCC and alternate carers are also eligible to attend.

Please see the attached brochure for further details of course content.

NOTE: we cannot offer the option of pre-learning – this course will be two full days, both of which must be completed to attain your Certificate.

The course will be offered at two venues:

Venue 1: St John Ambulance Training Rooms, 1b Court Street, Adamstown

23 rd & 24 th February, 2012 – 8.30am to 4.30pm

Venue 2: Maitland - Venue to be advised

7 th and 8 th March, 2012 – 8.30am to 4.30pm

Respite can be arranged via CRCC – please phone approximately one week before the course to arrange.

If you would like to enrol for either of the courses, please complete the slip below and return it by 10 th February, 2012 to:

First Aid for Carers, CRCC

P.O. Box 385 ,

WALLSEND NSW 2287

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Hi There,
My name is Colette, I am a grief counsellor and work on the Gold Coast. I do email and phone counselling as well as face to face.
I  work with carers, family and friends that are caring for, or living with someone with a mental illness, or personality disorder.
I will leave here my website for you to view and anyone who would like to contact me.
www.griefpetals.vpweb.com

Thankyou kindly

- PETALS-
Enjoy your day.

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Are You a Carer?

Do you look after someone who is frail aged, has a disability, drug or alcohol issue or chronic illness?

Are you a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who offers this care?

Do you help with personal care, mobility, transport, communication or housework?

If you answered YES to any of these questions – have you thought about enrolling in our FREE Carer Information Sessions?

Learn more about accessing carer services, caring for yourself, practical skills, legal issues & meet other people in similar caring situations

Phone: 1300 887 776 or 4921 4895 for more information

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CarersHaven members are being reminded about a free service available to help people caring for someone with dementia whose behaviour is having an impact on their care.

The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS), works with family carers, clinicians, community care organisation and those working in aged care facilities to help them better understand and care for people with dementia

Carers can contact the sevice on 1800 699 799 at any time of the day or night. Qualifying situations will be assessed free of charge and appropriate referrals to other support services can also be made.

For more information email info@alzqld.asn.au or visit www.alzheimers.org.au