The festive season can be an incredibly difficult time for many of us and it is important to know that help and understanding is available for anyone in need of an understanding ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on or a heart to care.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and in need of support, please reach out to family, friends or a support organisation.
Keep in touch with your loved ones and be aware of those around you.
Take care of yourself and others.
You are not alone!
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
headspace on 1800 650 890
The Social Deck recently hosted a introductory webinar around Foundational Supports and the upcoming Consultations on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS).
A recording of this webinar is now available at:
www.engage.dss.gov.au/foundational-supports/
This linked webpage will also provide you with more information about Foundational Supports and how you can have your say.
With so much seemingly negative news hitting us in the disability space at the moment, and usual concerns around health, finances, housing, employment, education, it’s not surprising that many of us are feeling overwhelmed and finding times tough.
News around the NDIS Amendment Bill, the Disability Royal Commission has certainly added to stress levels. However, positives are shining through by way of Australia’s disability community coming together, people speaking up and unity between organisations and disabled people growing in ways never seen before.
We are showing that we will be heard, that we won’t be forgotten and that the conversation will not end behind government’s closed doors.
Know that you’re not alone and that there are people who care and are available to give support with understanding and no judgment.
Reach out.
Whether this means speaking with a friend, family member, your GP or colleague or getting in contact with a counselling service, it is important that you do this as soon as possible.
Call:
Do it TODAY not tomorrow!
Because you’re worth it.
Last year the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care established MyMedicare – a voluntary patient registration model which aims to formalise and strengthen the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner (GP) and primary care teams.
This initiative works to deliver greater continuity of healthcare, with evidence showing that seeing the same GP and healthcare team regularly leads to better health outcomes.
When a patient registers in MyMedicare, the Australian Government will provide additional funding to assist the general practice provide targeted care based on patient needs – such as longer funded telehealth consultations.
MyMedicare is open for voluntary registration to Australians with a valid Medicare card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran card.
For more information on MyMedicare, visit www.health.gov.au/mymedicare
With Australia being struck by Mother Nature from all sides in terms of severe weather conditions, flooding and fires, do you know what to do in the case of an emergency?
University of Sydney, in conjunction with Queenslanders with Disability Network, has prepared a Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Toolkit – an all-hazards approach to enabling emergency preparedness.
Co-designed and tested with people with disability, P-CEP provides a template that allows people to self-assess their preparedness, capabilities and support needs. Through this, personal emergency arrangements can be developed and guidelines put in place to allow for emergency support need management plans and support network action plans to be clearly defined and instigated in the lead up to, during and after a disaster.
No matter where you live, having a plan in place could be a lifesaver and ensure that you are kept safe, comfortable and as unaffected as possible during times of upheaval and challenges.
For more information and to take the first step towards being prepared, go to:
With much of Australia gripped by hot temperatures at the moment and with summer looking as though it’s not leaving without a high, keeping cool, hydrated, safe and healthy is incredibly important – especially so for those of us vulnerable to such extreme weather.
The Disability Support Guide has a very helpful article on keeping your cool:
https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/information/article/some-like-it-hot-but-what-if-you-dont
For those of you who are in at-risk bushfire zones, please have your emergency plans in place and keep in contact with your loved ones, neighbours, your local authorities and on top of updates in your region.
You can keep up to date with emergency warnings and advice in your state/territory by going to:
VIC – https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
TAS – https://www.alert.tas.gov.au
NSW – https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au
QLD – https://www.qld.gov.au/alerts
SA – https://www.ses.sa.gov.au/incidents-and-warnings/current-warning-list/
WA – https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au
ACT – https://esa.act.gov.au/bushfire-warnings
NT – https://securent.nt.gov.au
For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s website http://www.bom.gov.au
Listen to ABC Radio National for regular updates or:
ABC Sydney on 702am or https://www.abc.net.au/sydney/live
ABC Melbourne on 774am or https://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/live
ABC Hobart on 936am or https://www.abc.net.au/hobart/live
ABC Canberra on 666am or https://www.abc.net.au/canberra/live
ABC Adelaide on 891am or https://www.abc.net.au/adelaide/live
ABC Brisbane on 612am or https://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/live
ABC Perth on 720am or https://www.abc.net.au/perth/live
ABC Darwin on 105.7fm or https://www.abc.net.au/darwin/live
To search for a different frequency go to https://reception.abc.net.au.
Whilst you’re sitting in the shade, in air conditioning or in front of a fan with an icy cold drink, why not check in on those around you or people you know who may find the hot weather a challenge and see if they need help.
Stay cool Australia.
So you’ve managed to get hold of rapid antigen test and you’ve tested positive for COVID.
So what do you do now?
Most people with COVID experience no symptoms (asymptomatic) or mild symptoms which can be managed with over-the-counter medication. Rest, drink lots of water and eat well.
However, please call 000 immediately if you develop severe symptoms such as:
For help on a State/territory basis (including information, resources and links for more support for people with COVID-19, including when you can leave isolation), go to:
Information in Auslan around COVID-19 plans, managing symptoms, and getting medical help can be accessed at:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/videos/top-3-covid-19-vaccine-questions-inclusions-in-a-covid-19-plan-managing-symptoms-and-getting-medical-help
You can also find translated information about testing positive for COVID-19 in over 60 languages by going to https://www.health.gov.au/resources/translated/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-people-who-test-positive-for-covid-19-or-are-close-contacts-other-languages
If you think that you may have COVID symptoms or suspect that you may have been exposed to COVID, please do not enter pharmacies, supermarkets or other retail outlets.
Instead please go to a testing clinic or have a family member/friend get you a test and deliver it safely to you.
With rapid antigen tests stocks becoming more readily available at supermarkets and pharmacies in the coming days and weeks, access to home testing will improve.
In the meantime, take care and stay safe.
1800 732 674
