A big thankyou to the people who made our recent Community Engagement Forums a success in Port Lincoln, Tumby Bay, Cleve and Cummins. We love hearing your stories and how we can provide and improve services that meet the needs of people living in our local communities. These forums will form the foundation of new governance requirements to develop a new West Coast Homecare Consumer Advisory Body by 1 December 2023. The aged care sector reforms continue with the Australian Government releasing a roadmap of changes designed to improve the quality of life for older people. The roadmap can be found on page 7 or at www.health.gov.au/sites/default/ files/2023-06/aged-care-reform-roadmap-2022to-2025 Consumers will have received communication direct from The Australian government in relation to the Home Care Package subsidy, with funds allocated going up by 11.9% from July 1, 2023. This is intended to cover the cost of delivering aged care services – for example, the wage increase for aged care workers. Our staff will be contacting Home Care Package recipients to answer any questions in relation to your individual services. We encourage you to maximise your Home Care Package services to enable you to continue living the life you choose at home. We are scheduled to have a NDIS re-certification audit in August and October 2023. We will advise of the outcome in the next newsletter. Our new website is now live and we invite you and your family members to have a look at: www. westcoasthomecare.com Feedback and suggestions can be provided on the website and we welcome your comments to continuously improve our services to you. We are also pleased to hear what you like about your workers or services. Workforce attraction and retention is a common challenge in the homecare sector. Our goal is to grow our workforce model to meet the diverse needs of our Consumers across our rural communities. Together – Let’s make it happen! Deanne Hartwig CEO Eyre Peninsula Winter 2023 | Communique Message from the CEO Announcement! New West Coast Homecare Website Our team is delighted to announce that our new West Coast Homecare website has been launched, thanks to the amazing girls from Cohere Creative. You can access newsletters, brochures, annual reports, information about our services and so much more! Please have a look and share with your friends! www.westcoasthomecare.com Also... listen out for our new ad on the radio Magic 899 & 5CC! Home Care Packages Do you know someone who is looking for a Home Care Package Service Provider? We have current vacancies for all levels! Call 08 8682 2177 to make an appointment with one of our Home Care Coordinators to discuss your Home Care Package. Wilma Anderson, Graham Mantle, Nancy Mantle & Elspeth Gill at the Port Lincoln Annual Event 2022
Conversations and Afternoon Tea West Coast Homecare has held four ‘Conversations’ and afternoon tea meetings during the first half of this year. Meetings were held in Port Lincoln, Tumby Bay, Cleve and Cummins. A total of 80 consumers along with staff and board members attended the meetings. Consumer engagement is an important part of our business and helps us to get to know consumers and their needs better. We use these opportunities to share information about the organisation, the services we provide and the Aged Care and Disability Sector. We encourage consumers attending to discuss concerns, issues and provide to feedback to assist us with our service improvement. During this round of Consumer Engagement meetings, we presented information about the new Aged Care Code of Conduct and Dignity of Risk and how we balance these with our Duty of Care. Small group discussions were held to explore these issues and how they support and ensure the provision of quality care services to consumers. Following the more formal part of the meeting, we moved onto the social afternoon tea and a bit of fun. Lucky door prizes are always a popular feature at these events. Prizes include gift vouchers to purchase goods from local businesses or to participate in a local event or activity. Summary of the Consumer feedback and comments following these meetings included: • specific individual homecare service issues were raised and referred to Homecare Coordinators for follow-up. • compliments for Community Care Workers and their quality of work and their caring attitude. • appreciation for locally based offices ++ “Face to face better than phone”. • thanks for ‘Conversations’ events. Consumers appreciate the updates and like to meet staff, the CEO, and Board members. They enjoy the afternoon tea and social interaction. • feedback that those with hearing problems - can’t always hear the presentations properly or engage in the table discussions. • Name tags for consumers would be a good idea. Cummins Conversations Meeting Port Lincoln Conversations Meeting Important diary dates! Get ready for our big annual event coming to a town near you soon! More fun and frivolous behaviour – as well as tiny bit of serious annual reporting! Port Lincoln Wednesday 18th October 2023 Cleve Tuesday 31st October 2023 Tumby Bay Thursday 9th November 2023 Cummins Thursday 30th November 2023 All meetings will be held from 1:30pm to 4:00pm with afternoon tea. Invitations confirming venues will be sent out closer to the dates! As an approved provider of Aged Care Services, West Coast Homecare has an obligation to establish a new Consumer Advisory to support and inform our Board of Management. The Consumer Advisory provides valuable feedback to the governing body and gives consumers a voice. West Coast Homecare must formally approach our consumers at least every 12 months to offer to revise and or improve the current advisory body arrangements. This ensures that any changes in the care and services provided, or the advisory body membership or needs of members, are considered and addressed at least annually. We can have more than one consumer advisory body depending on consumer interest and West Coast Homecare needs. Our “Conversations” Consumer Engagement gatherings are already in place to engage and seek feedback and we will develop the Consumer Advisory body as an extension of these forums with feedback used to inform our Board of Management. We will talk with Consumers about how they can be involved at our next round of “Conversations” Consumer Engagement Forums. We look forward to Consumer involvement to develop the new Consumer Advisory across our region. Consumer Advisory Committee CONVERSATIONS 2
NDIS Participant First Your feedback can help improve the NDIS. NDIS is working to deliver a better experience for our consumers. The best way to do this is to listen to people with lived experience of disability and first-hand experience of the NDIS. That’s what Participant First is all about. Participant First is looking for participants, families, carers, and people within the disability community to share their views about the best ways to improve how they work. Receive a weekly invitation to provide feedback, including completing surveys, joining focus groups, or taking part in interviews. Some feedback opportunities are paid. You don’t have to take up any of these invitations if you don’t want to – you can just keep an eye on how we are working with participants. Your feedback is confidential and not added to your official NDIS participant record. If you change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time. We are looking for a mix of participants, families, and carers who have different levels of experience with the NDIS. For more details, contact participant.engagement@ndis.gov.au or visit the website www.ndis.gov.au/community/have-your-say/participant-first-help-improve-ndis Brett Jones - NDIS client Vaccines Did you know, free influenza vaccines are available for the following people who are at greater risk of disease and developing complications if they get flu: • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over • People aged 65 years and over Contact your doctor, local council, community health centre, Aboriginal health centre or an approved pharmacy. Did you know that you can get your COVID-19 vaccination the same time as the influenza vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (that is, given on the same day). Studies show that co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines is safe and produces a good immune response. The COVID-19 vaccine does not protect against the flu, so you should still have your annual flu shot. Speak with your usual health care provider to see if this is right for you. More information go to health.gov.au. QUOTE OF THE DAY Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you! 3
Fun & Games Take time to say #ThanksforCaring West Coast Homecare encourages Eyre Peninsula to recognise those who care for older Australians and say “thanks for caring” ahead of Aged Care Employee Day on Monday 7 August 2023. “We’re asking our community to take a moment and think about the quiet achievers and the superheroes who provide care with professionalism, compassion and dedication for our loved ones and give them the recognition they deserve,” CEO Deanne Hartwig says. “It’s been a particularly challenging eighteen months for aged care workers both in residential and home care services leaving many families and friends unable to visit loved ones in care for weeks on end. “It often fell to the carers, the nurses and other staff to make up for that loss of family contact and become that crucial connection for frail and vulnerable older Australians. “So in the lead up to 7 August, we ask you to take time to think of the nurses, personal care workers, chefs, cleaners, gardeners, laundry staff, activities coordinators and administration staff when you next visit a loved one in aged care and say “thanks for caring”. ACED is a national day which is registered with awarenessdays.com and acknowledges the more than 360,000 people who care for and support around 1.3 million older Australians who receive aged care services. Aged Care Employee Day BASS BITE BLUEGILL BOAT BOBBER CARP CAST CATFISH CRAPPIE HOOK ICE LAKE LEECH LICENSE LIFE JACKET LINE LURE MAP MINNOW MOTOR PIKE POND RELAX SHORE SINKER STEELHEAD SWIVEL TACKLE TROLL WORM Curly Cue Maze Let’s Go Fishing Word Search Sodoku YMCA Strength For Life COTA SA accredited strength and cardio training program designed for the over 50’s. Run by a qualified fitness instructor, Strength For Life participants undergo an initial health assessment, then follow a tailored program plan during supervised session times. A $45 health assessment is required prior to participation. If you are an Active Adults member the health assessment and all of your classes are included in your membership. Individual sessions may be attended on a casual basis for $10 per class. Strength Training for Older Adults • Participants in the Strength for Life program engage in strength and balance training, progressed regularly under the supervision of fitness professionals. • It’s never too late to start. Muscle strength can be regained and maintained no matter what age of physical condition • Supervised strength training is not a high risk activity • Strength training can alleviate the effects of chronic conditions such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease • Improves balance and reduces the risk of falling • Strength training reduces lower back pain • Enhances your mental well being, raising self-esteem and self-confidence CONVERSATIONS 4
Our Board of Management West Coast Homecare Board Directors are from our communities who give their time and energy to support West Coast Homecare as a not for profit organisation. Catherine Pearson Chairperson Since: 28/04/2021 Gerry Taylor Since: 24/06/2020 Kathy Dry Since: 15/10/2009 Matt Hayman Since: 23/06/2022 Meagan Franklin Since: 14/12/2021 Sandra Andrew Life Member Since: 17/03/1987 Vicky Wilkins Deputy Chairpearson Since: 15/10/2009 Did you know that you may be able to access some social interaction activities as part of your Home Care Package (HCP)? Keeping socially active is an important part of maintaining your general health and wellbeing. Staying connected to our friends, families and communities is a vital part of our lives. Many factors may affect people’s ability to participate in society and social activities, such as their health, living arrangements and access to a licence or a vehicle. Due to changes in life circumstances many ageing adults are socially isolated and experience loneliness. Social activity supports can include regular visits to the shops, attending personal appointments of your choosing or facilitating events like a morning tea with your friends at home or a favourite location. It can be assistance in getting to and from evening events, concerts or spiritual groups, connecting through hobbies and participating in like-minded groups or learning to use technology to develop virtual connections. We can also help organise transport and other support to ensure you get there safely. If your reduced mobility, illness or caring for someone with these needs is preventing you from engaging in life, you may be eligible. Please speak to your Homecare Coordinator for tailored and personalised advice. We want to support you to stay socially connected in the way that matters to you. How to use your Home Care Package Home Care Packages (HCP) are one of the ways that older Australians can access affordable care services to get some help at home. They are designed for those with more complex care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can provide. Home Care Packages can be an option if you need a coordinated approach to the delivery of your help at home - perhaps because you need help with many everyday tasks, or the care you need is more complex or intensive. Home Care Packages are flexible; there may be other care and services that are suited to your needs. Talk to your Home Care Coordinator to make sure your receiving the services you need. This group of individuals together are ultimately responsible for overseeing the operations and making sure West Coast Homecare is working towards achieving its charitable purpose and meet a set of legal duties and act in the best interest of the organisation. If you want to know more about our Board of Management head to our website www.westcoasthomecare.com Bathing, hygiene, and grooming To help you maintain your personal hygiene and grooming standards. Social outings, groups and visitors To help you remain social and interact with your community. Nursing To help you treat and monitor medical conditions at home. Podiatry, physiotherapy, and other therapies To help you maintain movement and mobility. Meals and food preparation To help ensure that you continue to eat well. Help with impairments or continence To help manage particular conditions and maximise your independence at home. Cleaning, laundry, and other chores To help you keep your home clean and liveable. Home or garden maintenance To help you keep your home and garden in a safe condition. Changes to my home To help increase or maintain your ability to move around your home safely and independently. Aids to stay independent To help you with mobility, communication, reading, and personal care limitations. Transport To get you out and about to appointments and community activities. Social Connections and Home Care Packages What services can you get? Depending on the level of Home Care Package you have, you can get assistance with a range of different services. 5
CONVERSATIONS 6 The Adult Safeguarding Unit is a dedicated South Australia-wide service that can respond to concerns about adults who may be vulnerable and experiencing abuse or mistreatment. The Unit has a strong focus on safeguarding the rights of adults vulnerable to abuse. An adult may be vulnerable due to age, disability, ill health, social isolation, dependence on others, or other disadvantage. Safeguarding is the action that a person, organisation or community takes to promote and protect the health, wellbeing and human rights of a person to live free from abuse or mistreatment. The Unit provides free confidential advice, information and support. They also take reports of actual or suspected abuse of an adult who may be vulnerable. Once a report has been received, the Unit must assess the report and take action, as outlined in the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995. Anyone can call the Adult Safeguarding Unit and you can remain anonymous if you wish. The Unit is located in Office for Ageing Well, in the Department for Health and Wellbeing. It was established on 1 October 2019 to respond to concerns of abuse in relation to adults vulnerable to abuse aged 65 years and over, and 50 years and over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. On 1 October 2020, we expanded our remit to include adults living with a disability. On 1 October 2022, the Unit’s service expanded further to respond to reports of abuse or mistreatment of any adult who may be vulnerable. Anyone with questions or concerns about actual or suspected abuse of an adult who may be vulnerable, can contact the Adult Safeguarding Unit for free confidential advice, information and support. For further information about Elder Abuse call the Adult Safeguarding Unit on 1800 372 310. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated nationally each year on 15th June to highlight the issue of elder abuse. It reminds the community that older people have rights -the right to make their own decisions, to work, be safe and be treated with dignity and respect. The silos in Port Lincoln were bathed in purple light for the week commencing 15th June 2023 to acknowledge the importance of issue. What is elder abuse? Elder abuse is any deliberate or unintentional action, or lack of action, carried out by a person in a trusted relationship, which causes distress, harm, or serious risk of harm to an older person, or loss or damage to property or assets. Elder abuse is more likely to be carried out by a relative such as a son or daughter, spouse or domestic partner, grandchildren, friend or neighbour, or paid or unpaid carer. It is common for elder abuse to be experienced at home, in places visited regularly, or where services or care are accessed. However, it is not uncommon for elder abuse to remain hidden and continue unsuspected. Everyone has a right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. Learning about the different types and signs of elder abuse and known risk factors, will help you to recognise concerns and may help you take action. Feeling pressured to do things you don’t want to do, forced or tricked into signing papers, feeling restricted or unsafe, being called names, threatened or pushed are some signs. Even if you don’t know where to start, talking to someone trusted is the most important step toward gaining control of your circumstances. If you think that you or someone you know may be experiencing elder abuse, don’t wait call the Adult Safeguarding Unit on 1800 372 310. What is Dignity of Risk? Dignity of risk in aged care means acknowledging that an older person remains autonomous, even if they require care. It emphasises a consumer’s right to accept risks they choose, as they have always done, to support their values and promote quality of life. Most of all, dignity of risk means the person is always at the centre of any decision – and is therefore all about consumer-centre care. If something you want to do involves some risk to you, your aged care provider should support you and your representative to understand the risks and manage them. they should respect your wishes and preferences. Your Aged care provider should: • Make sure you understand the risks to you and others • Work with you to manage those risks • Respect your decisions. What is Safeguarding? Safeguarding ensures providers are better placed to deliver safe and quality outcomes and reduces the likelihood of interventions; that is actions required to improve outcomes by understanding where risks might lie and what safeguards will prevent these risks from occurring. Clinical governance frameworks for aged care must address the competing tensions – between supporting dignity of risk and mitigating the risk of harm - balancing autonomy and legal duty of care to prevent harm and factor in accountability. Assessment and ongoing review are important as choices and decision-making capacity can change. Silos Turn Purple World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Dignity of Risk and Safeguarding The Adult Safeguarding Unit
7 Older Persons Advocacy Network Supporting you to understand and exercise your aged care rights OPAN is made up of nine state and territory network member organisations. They can help you, your family and carers to exercise your rights and work through issues you may be experiencing with your aged care. ARAS – aged rights advocacy services inc is the state-based organisation in South Australia. Support – Free, independent and confidential advocacy support to help you raise issues with aged care. Information – Information about aged care services provision, referrals and rights. Education – Free education sessions online or in person. Phone: 1800 700 600 Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday and 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday. Or visit opan.pub/01 for further information and for links to short educational videos. Aged Rights Advocacy Services Inc. is a free, confidential and state-wide service which has been supporting older people since 1990. ARAS assists older people or their representatives who are: • Living in a residential aged care facility • Receiving community-based services • At risk of, or experiencing abuse from family or friends • Living in a retirement village. ARAS provides: • information about aged care, rights, entitlements and responsibilities • support to resolve your concerns or speak on your behalf • strategies to help you protect yourself • promotion of the rights of older people • Aboriginal advocacy and support • Information and education sessions. Phone: 1800 700 600 Web: www.sa.agedrights.asn.au Code of Conduct for Aged Care On 1 December 2022, a Code of Conduct for Aged Care (Aged Care Code) was introduced. The Code gives the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) the power to deal with behaviour that does not meet the Aged Care Code. The Aged Care Code has been developed based on the existing NDIS Code of Conduct.
CONVERSATIONS 8 OFFICE LOCATIONS West Coast Homecare is committed to supporting small rural communities on Eyre Peninsula, our office locations and opening hours are: Head Office Port Lincoln 56 St Andrews Tce Phone: 8682 2177 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Tumby Bay 3 Spencer Street Phone: 8688 2464 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm Cummins 58 Bruce Terrace Phone: 0438 163 641 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4.30pm Cleve 27A Main Street Phone: 8628 2870 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm SQUARE-FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM-SQUARE Join us on Facebook and Instagram RECIPE : SATAY CHICKEN STIR-FRY Method • Combine soy sauce, chilli jam, peanut butter, lime juice, sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a small jug. Mix well. Set aside. • Place chicken in a bowl. Add oil and toss to coat. Heat a non-stick wok over a high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until just cooked. Remove and set aside. • Add onion, carrot and 2 teaspoons water to hot wok. Stir-fry for 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Add capsicum and beans. Stir-fry for a further 2 minutes. • Return chicken to wok with sauce mixture. Stir-fry until combined and hot. • Meanwhile, cook noodles following packet instructions. Drain. Serve stir-fry and noodles with lime wedges. Tips • Choose peanut butter made from 100% peanuts with no added sugar and no added salt. • For a shortcut, replace chicken breast fillets with 250g chicken breast stir-fry strips. • You can use soba noodles instead of brown rice vermicelli or replace noodles with ½ cup cooked brown rice per serving, if preferred. Tell us how West Coast Homecare helps you to be independent and stay in your own home and community? Let us know to go into the draw to WIN a 1 of 2 $25 EFTPOS cards from each region! 2 in Port Lincoln, 2 in Cummins, 2 in Tumby Bay and 2 in the Cleve area. You can post the response back to PO Box 881, Port Lincoln SA 5606 or visit the local office and put into the red house letterbox in reception. Feedback, Complaints and Suggestions West Coast Homecare is committed to providing high quality care and services that meet your needs and personal preferences. Your feedback helps us know what we are doing well and what we can improve on. There are different ways you can give us feedback. 1. Phone or meet with your Homecare Coordinator. • Port Lincoln: 8682 2177 • Tumby Bay: 8688 2464 • Cummins: 0438 163 641 • Cleve: 8628 2870 3. Email feedback@westcoasthomcare.com 4. Visit the local office and post your feedback into the red house letterbox in reception. 5. Post your feedback to Feedback at West Coast Homecare, PO Box 881, Port Lincoln SA 5606 6. Submit an online form via our website www.westcoasthomecare.com For more information about feedback, complaints and suggestions, visit our website or visit our office. Cooking TIme 10-15 mins Serves 2 Ingredients • teaspoons reduced salt soy sauce • 2 teaspoons Thai chilli jam • 1 tablespoon crunchy or smooth peanut butter (see tip) • 2 teaspoons lime juice • ½ teaspoon brown sugar • 250g chicken breast fillet, cut into thin strips • 3 teaspoons sunflower oil • ½ onion, sliced • 1 small carrot, halved lengthways, thinly sliced • ½ large red capsicum, chopped • 100g green beans, trimmed, halved • 100g brown rice vermicelli • Lime wedges, to serve Recipe sourced from www.heartfoundation.org.au Solutions
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