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

2. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Older Parent Carers 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

3. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Issues for Older Carer Issues for Older Carer  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

4. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Older Carer Workshop – Aims 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

5. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Content 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”

6. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services The Series 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

7. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Workshop Format 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

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

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

10. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services 2. Older Parent Respite Plan 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

11. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services 3. Social Groups 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

12. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Colac Carer Social Group Colac Carer Social Group  Colac Care Plan Presentation - Morning Tea

13. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services 4. Musical Mornings Project 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

14. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Musical Mornings Project Musical Mornings Project  GPAC Musical Mornings

15. Barwon SW - Carer Respite & Carelink Services Musical Mornings Project Musical Mornings Project  COPACC

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