Planning for the Future: Workshops for Older Parent Carers in Barwon South West

1. Barwon South West“Planning For The Future”Workshop Series: Community Development among Older Parent Carers Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

2. Older Parent Carers • Parents over 60years caring for a son, daughter or grandchild • Physical, intellectual, mental health or multiple disabilities • Sons or daughters are usually eligible for Disability Services and /or Mental Health Services in Victoria Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

3. What does it mean to plan for the future? Will we wait for a crisis? Will family members take on the care? Who will assist older carers plan? Fears Issues for Older Carer Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

4. Older Carer Workshop – Aims • To gather and nurture • To inform • To encourage • To link • To construct a Care Plan for their sons or daughters • To provide new possibilities Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

5. Content • Legal and Financial issues • Social Worker – “Communicating with health professionals” • Physiotherapist • Occupational Therapist • Accommodation – permanent and respite • Respite services in Geelong & Colac • “Caring for Yourself” and “Laughter Session“ and “Internet” Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

6. The Series • Plan seven weeks of gatherings – Geelong v.Colac • At an attractive venue where coffee and morning tea is prepared and presented well • Set up early - name tags each week - some carers arrive very early - some rushed and late • Cuppa on arrival – invite carer to get there and sit by the pool for a chat • Provide table for quality resources - include a named wallet, writing pad and pen with CRCC info enclosed • Taxi or petrol vouchers offered - and respite for those at home unable to care for themselves Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

7. Workshop Format • Regional • Seven weeks in Geelong • Three hours each session • Presentation Morning Tea later • Rural • Introductory Morning Tea • Five weeks in Colac • Four hours each session • Presentation Morning Tea later Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

8. Community Development • 1. Care Plan for Son or Daughter • 2. Respite Plan for Older Parent Carer • 3. Social Groups • 4. Musical Mornings Project - Geelong Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

9. 1. Care Plan for Son - Daughter Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

10. 2. Older Parent Respite Plan • Carer respite tailored to discussions of family • “Things I have always wanted to do” • “Protecting my health” • “The right to my own life” • “I want to see my son settled before I lose my wits” • Broadening respite horizons while planning for the future Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

11. 3. Social Groups • Workshop Series - Social Groups • Morning Teas and lunches • Making new and valuable connections • How the series assists • Social Groups may not happen –what then? • Value of social groups Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

12. 4. Musical Mornings Project • 40 x Geelong Performing Arts Centre GPAC - Musical Mornings 2009 Subscriptions for older parent carers • Workshop Series carers invited first • Carers sit together 2 Rows for five concerts in six months • Evaluations positive • Encouragement to try new lifestyle possibilities • Good value for respite dollars Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

13. Musical Mornings Project • GPAC Musical Mornings Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

14. Musical Mornings Project • COPACC Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services

15. Workshops as Template • Workshops as template for parent carers generally • “I needed this program thirty years ago” Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services