THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
The BrollyUMBRELLA DEMENTIA CAFÉS NEWSLETTER Umbrella Dementia Cafés Ltd, PO Box 1236, Blackburn North 3130. www.umbrelladementiacafes.com.au. Umbrella Dementia Cafés accepts tax deductible gift donations. WINTER EDITION
Twenty-four Volunteers from our Whitehorse cafés and nine volunteers from our Peninsula cafés met for a beautiful luncheon in May & June. We celebrated their wonderful achievements, played games and presented fun certificates. The power of our volunteering community is alive and well at Umbrella Dementia Cafes and continues to grow! We couldn’t be prouder of our connected teams as we continue to build a greater dementia café community and create better social experiences for everyone who attends each café, especially for those who can’t easily visit in a regular café. There is always something to do in our budding charity beyond helping out in the cafes, especially in the areas of fundraising and raising awareness in our local communities! If you know someone who believes what we believe, and would like to volunteer, then please invite them to get in touch, we’d love to meet them. xx Kirsty Porter, CEO In this issue...
By Kirsty Porter – CEO Our volunteers are the heartbeat of Umbrella Dementia Cafés. We are certainly Better Together and we wouldn’t be without them!
Faye and Jo our longestPeninsula Team
Every fortnight a team of 34 volunteers across our five cafes set up beautiful dementia friendly environments. They welcome everyone with open hearts, serve, support and connect with their fellow community members who are living with the challenges of Ondementia.behalf of everyone who attend the cafes and those who quietly support us,
serving volunteersThe Mornington
Volunteer
Better Together
Welcome to country Umbrella Dementia Cafés meets on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and the Boon Wurrung (Bunurong) people of the Kulin Nation, Traditional Custodians of the land on which our cafés meet, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Better Together 1 Appeal for your help. 2 Welcome To Our Team 3 The Cafes 4 Umbrella Café Blackburn 4 The Koonung Café 4 Cafe of Connections 5 Navigator Café – Sorrento 5 Community Centre Friendship Café 6 Celebrating Volunteers 7 Vale 8 Supporting care givers 10 What’s Been Happening 12 Notices 14 Support & Awareness 14 Searching for an appropriate 15 Respite or Permanent Care Home Quick National Help Numbers 16
Introducing our <<< Available now at www.umbrelladementiashop.com.au
Brain Training Gift Box You can change the life of someone with dementia with this $139 gift!
‘Windmill’ Photo Unsplash Each board is A3 size, with 13 easy to read equations using imperial maths terms. Designed for people who have always loved maths or mind challenging games. Three levels to choose from.
Create joy for a person like Roy What’s included in our Brain Training Gift Box? These beautiful real-life images have been carefully selected to inspire storytelling while enjoying the old-style ‘turn over’ memory game or snap! 12 matching pairs, perfect for the World Traveller or homebodies during the 50’s 60’s & 70’s.
These five beautiful A3 size, 48 piece and 2mm thick puzzles can be wiped clean and all have contrasting under-side for a clearer ‘right side up’. The familiar imagery is perfect for storytelling and connection for the whole family.
We will choose one from each of the Match’em, Solve’em and Connect’em range. We can share these beautiful products with you and the world because of our generous supporters.
Roy isn’t easily interested in anything and struggles to communicate. But give him one of our puzzles, he comes alive! He feels a huge sense of achievement and connection with the world around him. With the bright instruction page, clear imagery & large pieces, Roy is set up for success. You too can create joy for a person like Roy, by buying a Brain Training Gift Box. We’ll immediately gift a Match’em, a Connect’em & a Solve’em pack to a person experiencing dementia and we’ll personally gift wrap it and present it to a vulnerable personal living with dementia. We’ll also send you a photo showing how your $139 improved someone’s life. Donate a Brain Training Gift today.
>>> Buy a Brain Training Gift www.umbrelladementiashop.com.autoday.
goodwellsingingInhealthcarewhichscaleIndementiacommunitiesinstrumentalThiswithdevelopingplayedtoBeforemanagement,expertise,improvementprojectandevaluation.JenwasrecruitedbeontheBoard,shealargerolein2021the‘CaféToolKit’ourCEO,KirstyPorter.toolkitexpectstobeinhelpingothersetuptheirowncafé.herdayjob,JenleadslargeimprovementprojectsaimtoimproveforVictorians.hersparetimeJenlovesandplayingguitarasassittingdownwithaknittingproject. Amelia Condi AmeliaDirectoris an experienced leader in social policy, strategy, andopportunitiesissuesisdisabilityagovernmentheadsInFebruary.hermomentsbroughtbusinesssensesector.purpose’workingSheBoard.perfecttransformation,outcomesimplementation,measurementandmakingheranewadditiontothehasspenthercareeracrossthe‘forandthepublicAmeliahasanextrawhenitcomestostrategyandalotof‘ahha’toourteamatfirstBoardmeetinginherdayjob,Ameliaupthepolicyandrelationsforkeyorganisationinthesector.Ameliapassionateaboutsocialandcreatingbetterforindividualscommunitiesalike. Both Jen and Amelia join Kirsty Porter, Chris Porter (Treasurer) and Jan Loughman (Chairman) on the Board of Directors.
Leanne Wallace Café Coordinator Friendship Café & Navigator Café. Leanne an experienced educator and professional carer and has a long history of managing teams, implementing new ideas and running projects, making Leanne perfect for the ‘front-line’ Café Coordinators role. Leanne has a keen interest in community services and has completed several courses relating to grief, loss and bereavement. She has certainly impressed us already with her with her high level of organisation, ability to work independently and on-board with the continuous improvement culture we are all very proud of.
Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter The Brolly | 3 WINTER EDITIONVOL 12 On behalf of our Umbrella Dementia Cafés community, we like to warmly welcome Leanne, Jen and Amelia. Congratulations and welcome Welcomeaboard.
To Our Team Farewell Rob Rees MBE DL Thank you so much Rob! We say goodbye to Rob after nearly 4 years being on the Board. Rob was one of the four founding members of Umbrella Dementia Cafés and consulted on our constitution. Rob’s world renowned for his social enterprise expertise, immersive and transformative leadership skills, with a passion to develop future leaders in the social and community sectors. Please google Rob, he has quite the resume!
Leanne hit the ground running since starting with us in March 2022, and our cafés couldn’t be more delighted with such a strong leader. Jen Thompson Director & Board Secretary Jen has worked extensively across the private and public sector and brings with her a broad range of skills including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, quality
What a wonderful couple of months we have had at the Umbrella Café Blackburn. The weather has turned colder but there is no lack of warmth at the cafés. We have all enjoyed some special times with familiar friends and also getting to know some newer faces. Highlights would have to have been our sing- a- longs, now happening at every café with an often spontaneous need to get up and dance or tap a toe to keep time under the table. We now have our own café song, “You are my Sunshine”, sung at the start each time prompting some of our gentlemen to form a band. Easter was celebrated in style with a parade of beautifully selfdecorated hats and Anzac Day had the two- up coins flying to voices calling loudly ‘Come in TheSpinner’.dayof ‘Special Women in our lives’ was particularly Gladys,memorable.asalways brings us to tears with her beautiful singing. The story telling and in every café is a particular favourite for everyone.
VolunteerParade
The Cafes
The Koonung Café Umbrella Café Blackburn
By Cathy Day – Café Coordinator
Hat making at Blackburn Cafe Easter Hat
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By Cathy Day – Café Coordinator Our little café at the Koonung Community Cottage is not so little anymore, with the addition of new members and volunteers we are loving getting to know new people and continuing to build the strong relationships that have formed here over the years. There have been many cafes’ that stood out these last months. Anzac Day day was full of merriment with two- up and chocolate bars for prizes followed later with a more serious salute to the fallen with red poppies and a poem read beautifully by Emily Thorburn. Devonshire tea stared at the ‘special women in our lives’ café. Dan read us a beautiful tribute about his mother and Bruce showed us an amazing photo book that had been put together to honour his mother. Of course the 60’s was a real laugh! Care and Share gives way for a quiet game of chess with Dan, a friendly game of poker or a quick game of quoits. Time always flies at the Koonung Café with people always enjoying marvellous chats ‘after hours’.
Team 60’s Cafe Volunteer Isabel at the 60’s Cafe
Café – Sorrento Community Centre
By Bec Thorburn & Kirsty Porter – Co-Café Coordinators
Cafe of Connections
Navigator12
Our café made a real splash this season by opening our doors welcoming members and volunteers from the other cafes, including the Singing Café with Leon and his amazing L.A.A.R.F.S group (Lovely All Abilities Really Friendly Singers) and the very special volunteer’s celebration day during National Volunteer Week. Our café is always full of jokes and love as together we enjoy unique, joyful and even spontaneous café activities that make us all laugh, not least the thong throwing competition at our Christmas in July Luncheon! With Bec and Kirsty sharing the coordinators’ role, 5 couples and 10 volunteers at hand ready to help, we leave our morning teas with hope in our hearts. This winter season we have enjoyed café celebrating the special women in our lives, an Italian Café painting canvas’, a 60’s Dance Café learning all the 60’s dance moves and a special singing café that got us all out of our seats!
By Leanne Wallace –Café Coordinator As a new member of the beautiful Sorrento Navigator community, I’ve been lucky to receive both support and direction to navigate my own way around the Umbrella Dementia Program. Sincere appreciation goes to all Thisinvolved.truly is a wonderful little group of people. It is a bright and bubbly get together for all. Our café program themes have been so varied, from looking at Scrimshaw (yes, I had to look that one up!) to spoiling ourselves with a delicious High Tea. Two cafés were particularly Ournoteworthy.
Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter The Brolly | 5 WINTER EDITIONVOL
Italian Day was full of all the things we love about Italy. We prepared played bocce and listened to some fantastic Italian songs from Claudio and Lyn. To wrap up our morning, we serenaded our loved ones with a beautiful rendition of That’s Amore! It was Magnifico! Our Fishing Day was also a hoot! We were reeled in by Conway and his son, Richard, who taught us some rather tricky knots to rig up our lines. We then played a fun fishing game; initially planned to test out our knowledge but ended up as more of a test of our coordination and patience with magnets. Lots of laughs erupted over some of the “catches”! We really appreciate that our time together is face-to-face this year. Nothing beats the personal social connection we reap from the Navigator cafes.
Richard and Conway Fishing Marlaine & Bob @ Italian Day Marg, Judy and Telmay @ the Singing Café Jan, Sandra, Colleen & Helen The Very French Day.
Friendship Café - 10am to 12noon, every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month
Café of Connections - 10am to 12noon, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
GetCovid/UmbrellaDementiaCafesUpdatesocialwithusUmbrellaDementia
6 | The Brolly Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter WINTER EDITION VOL 12 instagram /umbrelladementiacafes/ Linkedin /company/umbrella-dementia-café-ltd/FACEBOOK
Friendship Café
The Victorian Department of Health have issued strong recommendations to wear a mask while we see out this winter. Both instances of COVID and Influenza A have dramatically increased over the past 4 weeks. We will follow the DoH directive and therefore strongly encourage everyone wear to a mask when attending the cafes unless you are eating, drinking or have an exemption (i.e live with dementia). It continues to be our policy that all Café Coordinator and managers show a negative COVID-19 RAT before attending each café. Volunteers are expected to regularly self-test. Please use sanitiser and try to remain socially distances where possible. Thank you everyone for working together to keep everyone safe.
By Leanne Wallace – Café Coordinator A huge thank you to all who have made me so very welcome within the arms of the Friendship Café. I am humbled by the wonderful people who manage, attend, and assist this marvellous community. Through our 2022 cafés, several celebrations have been held to honour special events in our calendar. Women (Mother’s Day), Easter and ANZAC Day being three examples. Our Rock ‘n Roll morning in May concentrated on our love for the R ‘n R music of the 50’s and 60’s era. To the tunes of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Little Richard etc., we were mesmerised by the brilliant dancing of Grant, Maryanne and several dancers from Rosebud Rockers. Several members were up “performing” The Twist and rocking other great dance moves following this motivating exhibition! We have many other fantastic fun mornings planned to take us through the chilly winter months. It really is great to get together surrounded by the warmth and support of our friends. Shirley proud to complete it!
Koonung Cafe - 1.30pm to 3.30pm, 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
Umbrella Café, Blackburn - 10am to 12noon, 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
Navigator Cafe - 10am - 12 noon, every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month
Cafés Monthly Schedules
Volunteer Celebration Day Cake Lyn & Marg @ Volunteer Celebrations Team @ Volunteers Celebration Day Bec, Graham &
Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter The Brolly | 7 WINTER EDITIONVOL
Volunteers Volunteers are the heart and soul of Umbrella Dementia Cafés.
The second part of this grant allows us to adapt this program so it can be used to help other dementia cafes around Australia. With some luck and some extra funding, we hope to help many more amazing volunteers who run their own dementia cafes in other areas of Australia. If you know an organisation who could help us deliver this program Australian wide, please get in touch. Vicki
Celebrating12
Umbrella Dementia Cafés were thrilled to be awarded a special grant from Rotary Club of Box Hill Central and Blackburn South Community Bank (Bendigo Bank). This grant will used to develop a Volunteers Training and Support Program, specific for volunteers who support dementia cafes. Kirsty, along with other experts in this field, will be working together to create a fun, dynamic and for-purpose program used specifically for our Umbrella Dementia Cafes volunteer team.
Bob and Rosemary The Mornington Peninsula Volunteer Teams
Without the high participation of our volunteers across the five Umbrella Dementia Cafés in Whitehorse and on the Mornington Peninsula, we simply wouldn’t be able to run the café programs which support over 65 vulnerable members experiencing dementia. Our volunteers are the true heroes of Umbrella Dementia Cafes. This year we anticipate over 3000 hours will be donated across all five cafes by 34 people. We are proud of the diverse village culture we demonstrate in all of our cafés, with an emphasis on feeling like you’re family and you belong. Thank you to all our volunteers who give so much of themselves every month.
Volunteer Training and Support Program
Conway Knight Conway Knight passed away peacefully on the 27th May surrounded by his four children and wife, Sandra. Sandra has shared a tribute about Conway for us below. Conway was a dear, and much-loved founding member of our Navigator Café in Sorrento, and never failed to bring laughter to the group. He has been sourly missed.
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Sadly, we farewell 5 dear members of our community who fought hard against the daily challenges living with dementia. On behalf of everyone who welcomed, loved and supported these five wonderful people into our cafes, we send our deepest condolences to their families. Our thoughts and prays are with you all as you navigate this difficult time. We are all privileged to have known them all and their spirit lives on in each of our cafés. For the partners and families left behind, you will always be a part of our Umbrella family.
Sybil Duffy Sybil, a founding member at the Friendship cafe, passed away on 2nd June surrounded by her family. Her husband Calvert was by her side throughout her long struggle with dementia and together became fierce advocates for change, greater understanding and more support in the Mornington Peninsula Area. Sybil was a gentle, warm loving woman who dedicated her life to her family and who enjoyed a successful career as a Global Credit Manager. She was a great lover of Jazz music and thoroughly enjoyed painting, a talent which continues in her loving daughter, Pauline. Sybil loved her seaside walks with the love of her life Calvert. While we didn’t have Sybil long at the Friendship Café, we will always remember her strength of character and tenacity to have fun! Very few people will forget the enormous joy Sybil generated when she up and danced at our 60’s live music café. Our thoughts are with the Duffy family as they journey this difficult time together.
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“Conway was one of six children. His grandfather archie Knight, one of the original fishermen ‘netting at the cutting’, Portsea. Always active and the most mischievous one in the family with a wicked sense of humour, I was told. He played football, excelled at Ballroom dancing with his eldest Sister. We met at Portsea, married in 1964, had three children and now have 4 grandchildren. We shared a simple life rich with the back-to-basics experiences; camping, hiking, four-wheel driving with the Cross-Country Jeep Club and his passion being fishing. His fishing was nothing short of legendary. He always cooked and shared the catches with family and friends. He was a Carpenter, then Foreman and finally a Windscreen Repairer. He was always a gentleman, still into mischief and cracking jokes. We both looked forward to Navigator Café. Navigator Café, a gathering of folk, from all walks of life, sharing their skills with each other, in a wonderful welcoming surrounding. While Conway was a founding member, we wish Navigator Café, Sorrento, had been in our lives so much earlier. We miss him very much.”
Our friends John passed away on the 3rd April with his loving wife June by his side right until the end. John and June were a much-loved gentle couple and was a part of the founding members of the Friendship Café. Together they travelled the world and loved experiencing new cultures. But no matter where they were in the world, John would be immovable to listen to the sound of a beautifully sung aria. John was very proud of his career which saw him in a CEO position supporting manufacturing companies at the start-up phase. Both John and June will be missed at our lovely café. Our thoughts and prayers are with June and her supportive family as they begin to heal after the loss of John.
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye
Joyce Adams Joyce passed away on the 23rd May peacefully on a beautiful autumn morning surrounded by her loving family. Her daughter, Susan, was with her every day before her passing, and together with her siblings, provided all the comfort and support Joyce deserved for a peaceful and dignified passing. Susan included these beautiful words her funeral and wanted to share them with us all “Four years ago, our friends introduced Mum and I to the Umbrella Dementia Café in Blackburn at the One Community Church. From her first attendance, Mum fell in love with the founder Kirsty, the volunteers, carers and those needing care. Every café had a theme and began with food, often distributed by some Year 5 children from the local primary school. The amount of acceptance and love shared around is phenomenal. In the depths of COVID they moved from fortnightly meetings to weekly Cafes on Zoom. Fortunately, Mum was able to interact so well with Zoom technology using the iPad that she would thank me for taking her out for the morning! We appreciated Hedley Sutton’s ability to allow me to visit Mum on Tuesdays for Umbrella Café time when many Aged Care facilities didn’t allow visitors at all. On the 23rd of May 2021 Mum featured in the Herald Sun in a piece ‘Children see the person behind the disease’ when the Blue Earth group visited the Cafe. Mum thought she had become a celebrity and enjoyed the attention it brought. The article appeared in the Herald Sun exactly one year to the day of Mum’s death”.
Andrew Smith Andrew sadly passed away on the 8th June after a difficult battle with Alzheimer Disease. His wife Christine walked the fight with him enduring the long separation from the COVID lockdowns. Andrew was a gentle, patient, deep thinking man who listened intently. He had a brain for maths and technology, especially new technologies and was fortunate to be part of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and who travelled the world with his family teaching aviation companies in developing counties about a new invention called, Satellite Navigation. Later Andrew and Christine settled in Canberra devoting their lives to their faith and went on to establish a school for disadvantaged children, which still exists today. Along with Christine, Andrew’s children Tim, Miriam and Rosie, will forever miss his listening ear, endless love and warm Andrewembrace.wasafounding member of the Umbrella Café, Blackburn, attending the second every cafe on the 6th December 2016 and was instrumental in the values of the charity we revere to this day. We will be forever grateful for the love, personal insight and open heartedness he brought to every café in those early years. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush. I am the swift uplifting rush. Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter The Brolly | 9 WINTER EDITIONVOL 12
Our wonderful community house partners offer us a free adjoining room at each of our cafés for the Care & Share meetings, allowing for those in the caring role to discreetly meet, share knowledge, share aged care experiences and ultimately support each other in times of grief, confusion and validate each other’s care journey. Our Care & Share meetings are offered to everyone who attends our cafés and goes for 45 minutes. During this time, café volunteers will enjoy meaningful social activities with your partner or parent. It’s an optional program and usually facilitated by a volunteer who has a lived experiences caring for someone with dementia. It allows you to meet and talk about life’s challenges in a private, safe, respectful, and non-judgmental space. Before anyone joins the Care & Share meeting, be sure to communicate with volunteers and coordinators, that your partner or parent is comfortable with you leaving them for a short time. For many people living with dementia, this separation can lead to anxiety and cause worry. Our volunteers will do their best to engage your loved one, however are encouraged to gently interrupt the meeting if your partner or parent is anxious and needs more support. If you have any thoughts, feedback or idea about this program please contact Rebecca Thorburn who is working to create a Care & Share program that supports everyone across all cafés.
A big thank you to volunteers; Bronwyn (Blackburn), Vicki (Box Hill South), Yupin (Box Hill South), Clair (Blackburn), Christine (Blackburn), Bec T (UDC), Deb (Koonung) and Leanne (Peninsula) for giving so much of your time to develop this very important program. Carers Vic - Helen Carr.
Carer Victoria
On the 28th March, Helen Carr from Carers Victoria delivered a wonderful 5 hour workshop in Blackburn for the 8 amazing women who are involved in the Care & Share program across all five cafes. The workshop allowed us to all collaborate about why this emerging program is so important, how to best facilitate each session and how we can best support the people who attend them at every café.
Supporting Care Givers
Care & Share Program
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The café coordinator will call ‘000’ to request an ambulance. Café Coordinators or volunteers are not expected to administer first-aid unless they are trained to do so. It’s important to note, all our cafés are fully insured and the Café Coordinators are directed to contact your next of kin if the emergency is for a carers or a volunteer. Just a reminder that carepartner must take full responsibility for the medical, physical and social needs of the person living with dementia while attending their Umbrella Dementia Café.
auUmbrellaDementiaCafes.com.Rebecca@orcall0401364696.Incaseofemergency
Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter The Brolly | 11 WINTER EDITIONVOLThank12 you to all the amazing organisations who support us! We simply couldn’t do it without you. THANK YOU!! In June we sent a call-out for donation to help us double our café efforts, and we’re delighted to let you know we raised over $8,000! Our great work is only made possible by kind-hearted donors who share our vision. Thank you to everyone who donated and being a part of this unique and truly rewarding journey! Help us Create More Wonderful Moments Like These Smiles, laughter and social interaction - it’s what makes us really live! With the support of our donors, pledges, bequeaths and sponsors we can create more moments like these by creating more Umbrella Dementia Cafés. By simply donating, you’re creating more choices, greater connection and more awareness for vulnerable families experiencing dementia. To make a donation that will not only make a difference to those at new cafes, but the community around it, go to: https://tinyurl.com/23nrjv4w or donate via our bank details: Account Name: Umbrella Dementia Cafés Ltd BSB: 633 000 Account No.: 165 263 856 Mail cheque to: PO Box Blackburn1236North, VIC 3130 From the bottom of our hearts here at Umbrella Dementia Cafés, thank you for donation! Umbrella Dementia Cafés is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit and Commission, with Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) status. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Keith & Josh Kirsty & Susan John, Lucy, Graeme, Judy & Bob
A Regional VictorianTHANKTour!YOU!!
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What’s Been Happening
Thank you so much to the Yulgilbar Foundation for helping us establish these two regional Victorian dementia cafés! Beechworth town centre Mick’s ARRIVED!
By Kirsty Porter On the 26th and 27th May I visited Kyabram and Beechworth to meet people interested in establishing their own dementia café. Kyabram Wow! What a highlight to visit this connected and strong Oncommunity.the26th May I travelled to Kyabram to meet with Nerada Dye, the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Campaspe Shire, who’d sent a community invite to come and listen to me talk about our Umbrella Dementia Cafés. We expected 9 people but close to 30 turned up! After my presentation about what we do, the ‘let’s get on with it’ country attitude was inspiring! With the support of the Kyabram Community and Learning Centre and the strong advocacy of Mick Simpson, the Kyabram group are now meeting every 3rd Thursday of the month! We could not be prouder of this community and look forward to the awareness this group will bring to their town. We want to send a big shout out to Mick and the extraordinary work he is doing to raise awareness about dementia. Mick, who lives with dementia himself, walked from Kyabram to Parliament House last month bringing more awareness to the disease while raising the precious funds to support more people with dementia. Beechworth The next day I drove to Beechworth. Yes, of course lunch did include a pie at the infamous Beechworth Bakery! That afternoon I was invited to the Beechworth Health Service offices to meet with Gabriella Tange, the Health Promotion & Community Engagement Officer, Anne & Jess from Quercus Beechworth Inc and Di & Penny who have both cared for their husbands living with dementia. It didn’t take long for them to see the potential of a community dementia café! With the promise of coming back, Gabriella & her colleague Kate O’Toole (Ageing Well Officer & Municipal Recovery Manager), introduced me to Maree & Zoe who manage the Chilton Neighbourhood House. I’m absolutely delighted to say, we have since organised a ‘Demo Dementia Café’ on Tuesday 16th August and have invited the local community to join us.
With Monash Central Combined Probus Club already booked for the 19th August, we encourage other groups to contact either Kirsty or Lyn to meet your community group and hear their story. Kirsty@umbrelladementiacafes.com.au.
Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter The Brolly | 13 WINTER EDITIONVOL Anyone12 who knows this dynamic duo, they are passionate about bringing change and more awareness about dementia to the general community! We all know our CEO Kirsty, but few will know Lyn Young outside of the Umbrella Café, Blackburn. Lyn has attended the Blackburn café with her husband (who lives with Alzheimer’s) since March 2018, and is now a passionate advocate for more peer support and social opportunities for couples as soon as they receive that dreaded Unafraid,diagnosis.Lynlaunching into a terrific conversation with Belinda & Josh Van Suylen from the Ray White branch in Glen Waverly, about what is dementia and extended an invitation to visit the Blackburn Café. Belinda and Josh are on board to help us with our social media dementia awareness Thiscampaigns.year,Kirsty and Lyn have committing to speaking to no less then FIVE community groups! Well done ladies! We are cheering you on! Agnes Firth, president of Golden Wattle Club (a dementia cafe in Tasmania), the was our very special guest who attended our Koonung Café on the 7th July. Agnes Firth was our very special guest who attended our Koonung Café on the 7th July, and was welcomed by our Café Coordinator Cathy and our lovely members and volunteers. Together we shared many stories about our respective dementia café models, and of course felt a mutual kinship towards each other. Upon hearing, Agnes’ stories and better understanding her goals to better support her community, Umbrella Dementia Cafés secured funding to cover their room hire costs. Now, Agnes and her team can re-direct the door fees towards purchasing more dementiafriendly products for their members to enjoy at every café.
com/umbrella-dementia-cafesmelbmara2022.grassrootz.https://Gabi&HerDad
Golden
Lyn & Kirsty Awareness Tour
Agnes, Kirsty & Cathy at the Koonung Café
Lyn & Kirsty
FESTIVALMELBOURNErunningMarriotOurGabrielle!SupportnewfriendGabrielleWilkinsonwhoisinthe2022NIKEMARATHONinOctober!
Congratulations on all that you’ve achieved so far Agnes! Check out their websitewww.goldenwattlecafe.com Wattle Club
We are so humbled Gabrielle chose us as her charity. Gabi is running in the name of her Dad who lives with dementia in the UK. Congratulations Gabrielle –we’re behind you the whole way! Don’t miss the chance to support Gabrielle and visit her fundraising page.
2. Pay your attendance fee at a café and submit the receipt to your Home Care Provider who will reimburse you. Please don’t hesitate to touch base with me in relation to any of this information.
SupportNotices & Awareness
1. Café members to contact their own Package Provider to ask if UDC qualifies as an auspice social activity provider. Then, email and provide me with the contact details of who to invoice. com.auumbrelladementiacafes.accounts@
Bec FinanceThorburn&Operations Manager 0401 364 696 A small something, something to get the laughter flowing. If you have a joke for our Spring Edition, please send it in! We have decided to post-pone the commence of this committee until the end of the year. Please accept our sincerest apologies and we look forward in starting up this idea again. If you have any feedback, concerns or ideas about the development of this committee, please get in touch with your Café Coordinator. Online Courses Meme of the week. Participation Committee Carers Victoria Multiple online courses for carers. Highly recommend going to their website to find one that suits you.
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Bi-Annual Fee Payment and Home Care Package Now that we are halfway through the year (how did that happen!?!) we wanted to remind those who have paid bi-annually for your café attendance that the next fee payments will be due in August. If this applies to you we will be in touch either via e-mail or in person at a café over the next couple of weeks. We wanted to ensure that you are aware that your Home Care Package can pay for your attendance at our Umbrella Dementia Cafes. Home Care Packages all include a social aspect and our cafés fall under this category. Our café attendance fees are generally claimable through your Home Care Package however all service providers will have different terms and conditions, so check with your provider first. Therefore, to use your Home Care Package there are two ways to go about this:
Olderwww.carersvictoria.org.au/calendar-for-carersPersonsAdvocacyNetwork
OPAN offer free education, information sessions and online learning for older people, communities and professionals. Please visit their website to see their long list of free online information sessionswww.mooc.utas.edu.au/coursesUniversityhttps://opan.org.au/about-us/news-and-events/events/ofTasmania
1. Preventing Dementia – Starts 11th October a. Online, Free, 4 weeks, 2 hours per week. www.mooc.utas.edu.au/course/30
for an Appropriate Respite or
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Permanent Care Home
This list was created by a Kirsty Porter and Lyn Young who has cared for her husband for 10 years and is a regular at the Umbrella Café, Blackburn. We recognise this list is not exhaustive and based on personal experiences.
43215 867 10911
Dementia Australia and Dementia Training Australia provides a great deal of education to the Aged Care sector, but it’s not often free, so some organisations will adapt the course and deliver it internally. You can ask for a copy of the type of training the organisation offers. Is there a Registered Nurse in the Unit for 24hours, every day of the week? Currently there is some Commonwealth bridging funding to support an RN onsite for a minimum of 16 hours per day until it becomes mandatory for all aged care facilities in October 2023. Ask for references from family’s who have used the service or currently have loved ones living there in the unit. Some permanent aged care facilities might have a carers or family support group. It is mandatory for all aged care facilities to contact the family every three months to see if they have any concerns. In any case, find out how the organisation is proactive in listening to the families of the people they support. Do they have in-house Palliative Care Team or which organisation do they use when this difficult time comes? This is a rather large conversation area as it can cause a great deal of grief and conflict if not supported well. Ask what training the staff have on understanding end-of-life care and how do they ensure everyone has an Advance Care Directive. We recommend researching this topic if you haven’t already. Talk with a financial advisor who specialises in aged care for advice on how a permanent care option might affect you. Not all financial advisors are the same so consider a friendly recommendation and ask for references before calling someone from your google search. Aged Care organisations will recommend a couple for you too. However, we advise that they be independent of the Aged Care Organisation. Finally, go with your gut feeling. It’s always right.
Umbrella Dementia Cafés Newsletter The Brolly | 15 WINTER EDITIONVOL
Take time (accompanied by a family member or friend) to look at different residences of your choice in preparation for the event: This enables you to decide which one of these homes you think is best suited for the care of your loved one before the time of your need comes. If you leave your decision to the last minute, or when in an emergency, your choices will be significantly reduced. Does the home have a specific Dementia Care Unit? This could be important for you in your decision making. Ask for a tour of the Dementia Unit. Observe as much of everything as you can on this tour. Staff ratios, the daily program, if the people appear engaged or appropriately supported. Speak with the person who is in charge of the Dementia unit. Gauge their knowledge of Dementia, their healthcare background, their caring ability, how they run their unit and how they support the staff. The attitude of the staff will be an important indicator. Do they use Permanent Staff? Do the staff move around other sites? Confirm they do not use contract staff on the weekends or when they are short of regular staff. Are they Dementia trained? If so, how are they trained? Is it done by an internal team, or do they use an external organisation? How often do the staff engage in Dementia training?
Lifeline State & Federally funded 13 11 14 Available www.lifeline.org.au24/7
Get social with us instagram FACEBOOKLinkedin /umbrelladementiacafes/ /company/umbrella-dementia-café-ltd//UmbrellaDementiaCafesenquiries@umbrelladementiacafes.com.auumbrelladementiacafes.com.au•0401364 696 Empowering People with Dementia Quick National Help Numbers Service Contact Description National Dementia Help Line Federally funded and operated by Dementia Australia 1800 100 500 LeaveMonwww.dementia.org.au–Fri8am–8pmamessage,they’ll call you back The National Dementia Helpline is a free confidential phone and email information and support service which provides:•Information about dementia and memory loss. • Information on how you may be able to reduce the risk of getting dementia. • Information about government support services &services local to you. • Emotional support to help you manage the impactof dementia. Dementia ServiceManagementBehaviourAdvisory Federally funded and operated by Hammond Care 1800 699 799 Available www.dementia.com.au24/7 Clinical support for people caring for someone with dementia who is demonstrating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which are impacting on their care. Their role includes education, assessment and short-term case management, clinical supervision and monitoring, and modelling of behavioural management techniques. Carers Support Victoria State funded 1800 242 636 Available www.carersvictoria.org.au24/7
Carers Victoria is the state-wide voice for family carers, representing and providing support to carers in Victoria. Carers Victoria staff will listen and advise you on services available to assist you in your caring role. They can give you information about practical supports, offer advice about navigating systems and refer you to education and counselling sessions.
My Aged Care Federally funded 1800 200 422 Mon-Fri: 8am - 8pm Sat: 10amwww.myagedcare.gov.au2pm
My Aged Care is the government agency to receive federally funded aged care packages. You must register with My Aged Care before you are eligible to receive aged care benefits.
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis and suicide prevention services. (The statistics for suicidal & homicidal thoughts are very high for people in a caring role).
Provides phone counselling, an online peer support community forum, online skills courses and free publications, carer support planning, carer directed packages, emergency respite care, in person peer support, counselling and carer coaching.
Carers Gateway Federally funded 1800 422 737 Mon- Fri: 8amwww.carergateway.gov.au5pm
