Australian Carers Guide QLD

The Australian Carers Guide is our countries first and only publication focusing on you, the informal family carer. The overarching theme of our content and the resources and services we provide is all tempered with your physical, financial, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing. The Australian Carers Guide is a new and independent quarterly publication created specifically for today’s family carers especially those caring for their aging parent, spouse or an elderly loved one. The ACG is jam packed full of practical and helpful content that is simple to read and designed to help you navigate through the caregiving journey. We achieve this by confronting the most common challenges and offer a new and fresh approach that will help ease the burdens. We deliver unique insights, creative solutions and helpful perspectives that will make a real difference in your daily life. Paul Koury - Publisher

publisher’s message

This Issue’s Contributors

Australian Carers Guide QLD

THE Scoop • TIPS, WISE ADVICE AND HELPFUL UPDATES

We’ve got mail

5 important reasons to connect with our Seniors

We need to talk about mum & dad • THE REMARKABLE JEAN KITTSON

National Carers Week 16–22 October

Move More, Stress Less • In a world of where busy the new back and hustle culture is celebrated – stress is inevitable.

Protecting your soul Gossiping is a choice • Over the years, I have often witnessed gossip being used as a conversational pastime in a way that is usually harmful, hurtful and destructive.

Overcoming Resistance to Assistance • Note: if your older loved one has Dementia, seek professional assistance from a doctor or aged care professional. Reasoned discussion may not work and other strategies will need to be used.

Simplify complex medication routines with a DIY pill board • When medication routines become complex or “non-standard,” it’s easy for mistakes or missed doses to happen. While caring for a family member, Paul Rothstein created a pill board system to make it easier to manage their medications. It worked so well that he wanted to share his solution with other carers. Here, Paul explains how to create your own DIY pill board system to help avoid mistakes in your older adult’s medication routine.

6 ways to improve your balance

Methods of prevention of falls:

10 Shopping Tips • Here are couple of ways to be a considerate shopper, banker or customer, wherever you are:

SENIOR HOARDING • Understand the emotions to find solutions

3 tips to help seniors who are hoarders

Managing Family Dynamics • As a carer you provide reassurance and physical support for the person in your care. You know their wishes and concerns, and can assist the health professionals to make life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Aged Care Reform Quarterly Updates • As the new Minister for Aged Care and Sport, my vision is to create an aged care system that is better for all. One where carers and workers are supported and recognised for the invaluable work they do every day, and providers and Government deliver better care and services to older Australians.

Dementia Support for families and carers

7 Planning steps for better retirement planning

Fix the Aged Care crisis • During the election campaign the Albanese government promised to “fix the aged care crisis”

Have we lost the art of caring for the dying? • Most Australians consider talking about death and dying as important however many don’t actively think, talk, or prepare for death. Ironically, we plan for other life events: births, weddings, buying a house, a car, taking a holiday – yet many don’t plan for dying and death.

Tips for sleep-deprived carers • Sleeping through the night is a luxury for many carers,...