!! IMPORTANT !!

When visiting the Carers SA Western Metro Office please

check signs for parking and/or time restrictions

as fines may apply

What's on...

April 2018

Public Holiday Easter Monday - 2nd

Walk & Talk Session - 5th

Morning Tea for carers of a child 16yo & under with a disability - 11th

Carers Day Out Bus Trip to Hahndorf - 18th

Public Holiday Anzac Day - 25th

May 2018

Carers Day Out Regional Cel-ebration - 2nd

Walk & Talk Session - 10th

Morning Tea for carers of a child 16yo & under with a disability - 16th

Working Carer Evening - 16th

Office Closed: Staff Training - 28th, 29th & 30th

Inside this issue

Welcome ....... . ... Pg 1 News ............. . ... Pg 1 Feb/March events.. Pg 2 Regular Groups…. Pg 3 Contact numbers .. Pg 4 Useful Numbers .. Pg 4

Issue 1 — April/ May 2018

Dear carers, Welcome to our April/May newsletter edition! Please note that any bookings for events in this newsletter will commence on Wednesday 4th April. Please be aware that transport for all events is limited and priority will be given to those carers who do not have access to a vehicle or public transport. Now that the state elections are over, we will continue to keep carers in the new Government’s focus and watch with anticipation to see if those elected members will do all that they promised leading up to the elections. In April we have planned a bus trip to Hahndorf which will include time for lunch and to explore — a great time to see the autumn leaves changing in the Adelaide Hills. In May we will be celebrating 19 years of Carers SA Western Metro Region with a special two course lunch at TIROS restaurant and will be recognising our valuable Volunteers to celebrate Volunteers Week in May. A reminder that Daylight Saving ends at 4am on Sunday 1st April, so remember to turn your clocks back an hour before you go to bed on the Saturday night. When booking in for events please remember to advise us as soon as possible if you are no longer able attend so we can offer your place to another carer. Please let us know if you would like to receive your newsletter by email – or if you wish to be taken off the mailing list. Best wishes, Marta Hughes and Anne Stratton Regional Team Leaders, Carers SA Western Metro Region

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to those who have lost a loved one in recent months. Also, best wishes to the many carers who are themselves unwell at present.

!!! NEWS !!!

Federal Government announces new services for carers On the 5th of March, The Hon Dan Tehan, Minister of Social Services, announced the Federal Government has commitment to implementing an Integrated Carers Support Service (ICSS) which is the framework for all ser-vice delivery by Carer agencies in Australia. The scheme will have a Carer Gateway to enter the system from October 2018, similar to MyAgedCare and the NDIS. There has been work within Carers SA to align our organisation with this design of service delivery, that will be rolled out across the state over the next three months. The good news is that we are able to continue to support you in your caring roles. We will keep you updated as the services rollout and the ’New Services for Carers’ factsheet is available from our staff or on the Dept of Social Services website: www.dss.gov.au - Integrated Carers Support Service

Carers SA would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians and carers of the country of Australia.

We acknowledge and respect the Aboriginal people of Australia's relationship with country and their cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Events and Activities For all bookings phone the Western Metro Region office on 8240 2900. **BOOKINGS OPEN ON WEDNESDAY 4th April AT 9.00am** Book early as numbers may be limited for some events

Event Date/Time Venue Cost RSVP

April 2018

Morning Tea for carers of a child 16yo & under with a disability

Wed 11 April 10am

To be advised

Western Metro to contribute $8 towards m/tea

Book by 4 April

Carer Day Out — Bus Trip to Hahndorf and lunch

Wed 18 April 9.30am-3.30pm

Bus from Royal Park office

Carer contribution $10

Book by 9 April 17 spaces available Book early to avoid disappointment

Aboriginal Carer Support Group Activity — Trip to Barossa Valley

Mon 30th April 9.30am-3.30pm

Barossa More information to be mailed out

More information to be mailed out

May 2018

Carer Day Out – Regional Celebration

Wed 2 May 11.30am-2.30pm

TIROS Carer contribution $10

Book by 18 April

Morning Tea for carers of a child 16yo & under with a disability

Wed 16 May 10am

To be advised

Western Metro to contribute $8 towards m/tea

Book by 8 May

Working Carers Evening — “Rest 4 the West”

Wed 16 May 6pm

To be advised

Carer contribution $5

Book by 8 May

Western Metro Aboriginal carers enjoying a joint 3-day group retreat with fellow carers (& staff) from Northern Country and Southern Fleurieu regions which was held at Brownhill Creek on 13-15 March

Western Metro carers enjoyed dinner at Sportivo, West Lakes following the earlier fun quiz held at the

West Lakes Library on 21 March

Volunteers Week 2018

Save the date — Wednesday 2nd May

A huge “thank you” to all our valuable volunteers (CAG members, Volunteer Mentors, Peer Group Volunteers and mail-out volunteers) who have taken time to support the Western Metro team in particularly, and Carers SA, over the past 12 months.

Regular Carer Groups Please ring Western Metro Region on 8240 2900 prior to your group to confirm you will be attending. New carers welcome for all groups! Please call to discuss suitable group for you. Bookings open Wednesday 4th April

Findon Carer Group First Wednesday of the month Date: 4 April, May meeting TBC Time: 10am—12 noon Venue: Findon Community Centre

West Lakes Carer Group Second Wednesday of the month Date: 11 April, 9th May Time: 1pm— 3pm Venue: West Lakes Community Centre

Henley Beach/Seasiders Carer Group First Tuesday of the month Date: 3 April, 1 May Time: 10am—12 noon Venue: Henley Beach ** Morning tea provided ** Call to discuss the option of bringing the person you care for along

Vietnamese Carer Group Date: Tuesday 17 April, 15 May

Aboriginal Carer Group First and third Monday of the month Date: 16 April* & 7, 21 May Time: 10am—1.30pm Venue: Bower Cottages ** Morning tea provided ** see Events & Activities list on page 2 for April Aboriginal Carers’ Day Out details Important upcoming community events in 2018: 26th May National Sorry Day 27th May-3rd June Reconciliation Week See Aboriginal Carer Support Update on page 4 & the Aboriginal Carer Support newsletter for information

Local Carer Lunches

For newly registered carers and those carers who find it difficult to attend other carer events and activities.

West Torrens: Thursday 19th April

Enfield: Monday 23 April Charles Sturt Inner West: Monday 14 May Charles Sturt Coastal: Tuesday 22 May Port: Wednesday 23 May

Bookings Essential - commence Wednesday 4 April

Carers of People with Mental Illness Support Groups

Easter Joint Group Lunch—Friday 6 April (see Mental Health newsletter for full details)

Mile End/Torrensville Second Friday of the month Date: 11 May

Semaphore Park— Bower Cottages Third Friday of the month Date: 18 May

Lunch for carers supporting someone living with Psychosocial Disability - see Mental Health newsletter for further details

Held bi-monthly Dates: Friday 25 May

Movie Club Second Tuesday of the month

Date: 10 April, 8 May

**Please note change to booking process below**

Step 1: Book in as usual Step: 2 The week prior to the movie club we will send you the details including selected movie, cinema and time

** $5 Carer Contribution **

Monthly Relaxation and Meditation Group Date: Thursday 26 April, 24 May Time: 10am—12 noon Venue: Torrensville Cost: Free

Sessions facilitated by our carer Volunteer Mentor/Peer Group Facilitator, Victoria Soldanova, who has training and experience in energy healing therapy.

** 15 spaces available in each session ** To book phone Western Metro 82402900

Young Carer school holiday and evening events - see the Young Carer newsletter for more details

Walk and Talk Wellbeing Group

Enjoy a leisurely walk in a peaceful setting with other carers followed by morning tea (Western Metro to cover cost up to $5)

Date: Thursday 5 April - Linear Park, Flinders Park Time: starts at 9.30am

Date: Thursday 10 May - to be confirmed Time: starts at 9.30am

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our newsletter and communication with you. We would love to hear from you with any feedback or suggestions. Call us on (08) 8240 2900 or email us at westerncarers@carers-sa.asn.au

www.facebook.com/CarersSA

www.twitter.com/CarersSA

Stay in touch.. Follow us on..

Western Metro — Royal Park Office Staff Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm

Marta Regional Team Leader (Mon-Tue)

Anne Regional Team Leader (Wed-Fri)

Kayeleen Carer Support Worker (Mon-Thu)

Sue Carer Support Worker (Aboriginal Liaison) (Mon-Thu)

Camilo Mental Health Worker (Tues-Fri)

Sharon Young Carer Worker (Mon & Wed-Fri)

Maurice Admin Support Officer (Mon-Thu)

Useful Numbers

Carers SA Advisory & Counselling Service

1800 242 636

Respite and Carelink Centre 1800 052 222

My Aged Care phone line 1800 200 422

Mental Health Triage Service 13 14 65

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500

National Carer Gateway 1800 422 737

Disability SA 1300 786 117

NDIS - 8am-11pm Mon-Fri 1800 800 110

LIFELINE 13 11 14

Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 Catalyst Foundation 8168 8776

Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20

After Hours GP helpline (24 hours) 1800 022 222

Police Assistance 131 444

Fire, Police, Ambulance 000

Former Carers & Relinquished Carers Group

Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month 10 April; 8 May

10am –12pm, Bower Cottages ** Morning Tea Provided **

Please feel welcome to join former & relinquished carers for lunch immediately following the group

------------------------------------ Former Carers & Relinquished Carers Lunch

A time for former & relinquished carers to meet and support each other socially

Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month 10 April; 8 May

At the Carlisle Hotel - 12 noon 39 Carlisle Street, Ethelton

** Please note change of venue **

Call Western Metro - 8240 2900 to book

The lunch is an initiative of, and is organised by, former & relinquished carers. It is each former & relinquished carer’s responsibility to buy their own meal & drinks and to arrange their own transport.

Aboriginal Carer Support Update

Sue Gregory, Carer Support Worker (Aboriginal Liaison) took two Western Metro carers away on a joint Aboriginal Carers 3-day retreat on 13-15 March. Two carers from the Northern Country and a carer from the Southern Fleurieu regions met up in Adelaide, together with Workers Di, Sue and Sophie, and everyone enjoyed a relaxing break at the Brownhill Creek caravan park at the foot of the Adelaide Hills. It was an enjoyable retreat and was great for carers from across the regions to meet up.

Sue also attended the Closing the Gap Expo on Thursday 21st March which was held at the Wayville Showgrounds. Carers SA had a stall and Sue was supported by colleagues from the Western Metro team, Maurice and Camilo, and also Katrina and Filomena, who work in our Carer Advisory & Counselling Service at head office. It was a very busy day and a valuable event to be a part of.

DIARY DATES: APRIL 2018 MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

2 April Public Holiday-Easter Monday Office closed

3 Henley Beach/ Seasider’s Group

4 Bookings open Findon Group Wizard of OZ

Evening retreat

5 Walk & Talk Group

6 Mental Health Groups’ Joint Easter lunch

7 8

9

10 Movie Club

11 Morning Tea -

carers caring for child 16 & under with disability

West Lakes Group

12

13

14 15

16 Aboriginal Carer Group

17 Vietnamese Group

18 CDO – Bus trip to Hahndorf

19 West Torrens Lunch

20

21 22

23 Enfield Lunch

24 25 Public Holiday-Anzac Day Office closed

26 Relaxation & Meditation Group

27 28 29

30 Aboriginal Carer Day Outing

DIARY DATES: MAY 2018 MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

1 May Henley Beach/ Seasiders Group

2 Annual Regional Carers Celebration

3

4 5 6

7 Aboriginal Carer Group

8 Movie Club

9 West Lakes Group

10 Walk &Talk Group

11 Mile End Group

12 13 Mother’s Day

14 C/S Inner West Lunch

15 Vietnamese Group

16 Morning Tea -

carers caring for child 16 & under with disability

Working Carer Evening

17

18 Bower Cottages Group

19 20 Volunteers Week 21-27 May

21 Aboriginal Carer Group

22 C/S Coastal

Lunch Newsletter

Mail Out

23 Port Lunch

24 Relaxation & Meditation Group

25 Lunch for carers of someone with a Psychosocial Disability

26 National Sorry Day

27 National Recon- ciliation Week (NRW) 27/5- 3/6

28 Office Closed- Staff Training

29 Office Closed- Staff Training

30 Office Closed- Staff Training

31 Tauondi College NRW open day

** BOOKINGS OPEN ON Wednesday 4th April AT 9.00am ** Book early as numbers may be limited for some events

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEEL FITTER, HEALTHIER

AND HAPPIER?

We are currently seeking Expressions of Interest from carers – 50 years and over - who would be interested

in participating in a free 12-week Health and Wellbeing Program

Please see a brief overview of the program below. Further information will be available soon.

The program is a joint project of Carers SA and Southern Cross Care. The sessions are to be held at Southern Cross Care’s Health and Wellness Centre (Phillip Kennedy Centre – PKC) at Largs Bay, with a starting date in April or early May, which is yet to be confirmed. The participants will be able to attend twice weekly sessions at PKC – days and times yet to be confirmed – and need to have enough mobility to be able to move independently. Carers who require respite can be referred to the North West Metro Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre (United Care Wesley Bowden). Following the sessions, participants are invited to stay on for a coffee and a chat.

If you would like to be considered for this program, please contact:

Carers SA Western Metro office – 8240 2900

Carers SA is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services Community Mental Health Program

Dear Carers,

Next Friday 6th April we will have our traditional Joint Easter Lunch where mental health carers who attend the support groups will have the opportunity to have a break from their caring role. The regular meetings of the groups will reassume on Friday 11th May for Mile End and Friday 18th May for Bower Cottages.

On Friday 25th May, we will have the lunch for carers of people living with a psychosocial disability, which is a space for exchanging information and experiences to support the transition process to NDIS. If you are interested in finding out more about the regular groups and the carer support activities for mental health carers, please contact Camilo at Carers SA Western Metro Office on 8240 2900 for further information

MILE END CARERS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS SUPPORT

GROUP

When: *6th April 2017 (12pm - 2pm) 11th May 2017 (1pm - 3pm)

*Joint Group Easter Lunch

BOWER COTTAGES CARERS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL

ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP

When: *6th April 2017 (12pm - 2pm) 18th May 2017 (1pm - 3pm)

*Joint Group Easter Lunch

LUNCH FOR CARERS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY When: Friday 25 May 2017

Time: 12pm - 1.30pm Venue: TBA

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS IN THE NDIS: WHAT IS CHANGING?1

The Mental Health system in Australia has often been labelled as complex and difficult to navigate by consumers and health professionals alike. The NDIS and current mental health reforms have only exacerbated this complexity, leaving many asking about what NDIS will and won't fund and what will happen to the programs it won't. To help cut through some of this confusion, below is a breakdown of existing mental health supports, with our current understanding of how they will look in an NDIS world. 1. CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Clinical Mental Health Services (also known as Area Mental Health Services) are provided by general health facilities which operate within geographical catchment areas. These services are designed to provide both community and inpatient care to adults and children whose mental health is severe, or having a significant impact on their lives. Generally speaking, these services will focus on short-term assessment and treatment of a mental illness. Transition arrangements: These services will remain the responsibility of the Health Department and will not be transitioned to the NDIS. 1 Article published on the DSC blog. Carers SA is not accountable for the accuracy of this information. Accessed 23 March 2018 http://www.disabilityservicesconsulting.com.au/resources/mental-health-programs-transition

April – May 2018 NEWS FOR CARERS OF PEOPLE WITH

MENTAL ILLNESS Western Metro Region

Carers SA is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services Community Mental Health Program

2. NON-CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Non-Clinical Mental Health Services operate in geographic areas and are typically run by non-government organisations. They provide programs which are focused on a person’s recovery and their participation with the community. The programs have had different names throughout the years and in different states but generally provide one-one and/or group support. Transition arrangements: Arrangements are in place for the majority of non-clinical community managed mental health services to transition to the NDIS. The future of the numerous smaller state based mental health programs offered throughout Australia will be explored in a further article. 3. PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORKS Primary Mental Health is commissioned via the Primary Health Networks (PHNs) which operate in set geographic areas. The range of services offered are currently under reform based on the government’s response to the Mental Health Commissions review of programs and services throughout Australia. Programs delivered by the PHNs include Partners in Recovery (PIR), low intensity mental health services (previously ATAPS), complex mental health services (previously MHNIP), suicide prevention, and youth mental health services. Each Primary Health Network has some discretion in how these services are delivered within their catchment area so it is not feasible to provide a full list of services within this snapshot of the mental health system. Transition arrangements: The only program currently delivered by the PHNs to transition to NDIS will be Partners in Recovery (PIR). PIR funded organisations will continue to be block funded by the department through the transition. PIR funded organisations are funded to support current programme clients to make NDIS Access Requests though not all PIR participants become NDIS participants. 4. GP MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN Finally, a General Practitioner (GP) may refer a person to psychological services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative. Through this program a person can receive up to 10 individual and 10 group psychological sessions per year. It is at the discretion of the service provider as to whether these sessions are bulk-billed or will incur an out of pocket fee. Transition arrangements: This initiative will remain the responsibility of the Health Department and will not be transitioned to the NDIS. So, if you can managed to absorb all the different services and programs available, you will understand the complexities faced in choosing the right path for a person to receive assistance with their mental health. Once NDIS is fully rolled out the following options will be available:

Clinical Mental Health Services (acute assessment and treatment) NDIS (functional impairment) Primary Health Network (low intensity and complex management) GP (Psychological services)

With each program/service using differing language and inclusion criteria it is virtually impossible to create a map to assist a person to navigate through the system. Ultimately, the onus is on each individual and/or their families to navigate the system and work out which supports they may be eligible for. Considering how hard it is for professionals to grasp the system, it is more than understandable that it may be just too hard for people experiencing poor mental health. Providers of psychosocial support face all the challenges other providers in the NDIS face but with added confusion and complexity. They must maintain a suite of different support programs with complex compliance requirements. They need to transition into a scheme that was not designed for a group that has episodic and changing needs. Funding levels for people with psychosocial support needs in the NDIS create very significant problems for existing providers. It is an understatement to say that mental health and psychosocial support is proving to be one of the most difficult areas of NDIS transition.