SHADES OF GREY

Two-For-One Card for Queenslanders with a Disability

A new two-for-one Companion Card for Queenslanders with a disability will come into being in the State in early 2009.

The Companion Card which can be used across all States except Northern Territory, has been designed for people with a disability who need the aid of a carer to take part in activities most take for granted.

The Companion Card program acknowledges the human and legal rights of people with a disability to participate equally in the community.

"Cardholders who require lifelong attendant care will be able to access affiliated community venues and activities with their carer for the price of a single ticket".

Study Reveals Factors of Burden on Dementia Carers

A recent study revealed the factors determining carer burden lay not in the severity of dementia among sufferers, but instead on caregivers' feelings about themselves.

Scientists from QIMR and the University of Birmingham in the UK interviewed 74 primary carers of dementia sufferers, and discovered a caregiver's sense of role captivity – that is, a sense of feeling trapped in the role and being unable to pursue personal interests – as the greatest factor on carer burden.

Adverse life events such as death of friends or relatives and work or money problems, increased carer burden as did a poor relationship between the caregiver and the dementia sufferer.

Finally, they found those who had a lower sense of confidence in their ability to provide care also contributed to burden.

Dr. Corrine Lendon, Head of QIMR's Molecular Psychiatry Group said the team hopes to highlight areas for improving the well being of both dementia sufferers and their carers.

"We wanted to find out the relative contribution of major factors that make caring for someone with dementia so hard on the well being of carers," Dr. Lendon said.

"We hope that this study will lead to early intervention to help carers' challenges in order to reduce the burden of caring and where possible delay dementia sufferers' institutionalisation."

Dr. Lendon and her colleagues suggested help could be in the form of a systematic approach that includes assessing carer needs early on at the time of diagnosis of dementia in the person they care for, providing training to boost confidence and competence, as well as enabling carers time to pursue activities outside the caring role.

"There is currently no cure for dementia and any treatments to lessen the symptoms are limited and short lives," added Dr. Lendon.

"If we can equip caregivers with the skills, confidence and support they need to fulfil their roles, then we can not only improve the well being of both parties, but also help reduce the burden on the health system."

LifeLab Spring 2008

OUNT OUR ARDENS

Count your gardens by the flowers,
Never by the leaves that fall;
Count your days by golden hours,
Don't remember clouds at all,
Count your nights by stars, not shadows.
Count your life with smiles, not tears,
And with joy, through all your lifetime,
Count your age by friends, not years.

Ruby Weir

And all the loveliest things there be
Come simply, so it seems to me.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.

Rita Mae Brown

My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue,
An everlasting vision of the everchanging view.

Carole King

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE

QCWA Burnett Division Tiaro Units

A two bedroom Unit in Mayne Street, Tiaro is now available for rent Close to Shops and all amenities

Available to person/person's eligible for Low Income Rent Assistance

If interested, please contact the Chairman of the QCWA Tiaro Units Committee:- (Mrs) Lyn Kelman on (07) 4129 3212 for further information.

APPLE, PLUM AND ONION RELISH

Ingredients

• 5 Plum garlic cloves
• 10cm (4 in) piece fresh root ginger
• 2 green chillies, de-seeded, if liked, and chopped
• 1 kg (2lb 4 oz) cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped
• 675 g (1lb 8 oz) sweet onions, peeled and chopped
• 500 g (1lb 2oz) red plums, stoned and chopped
• 360 ml (12 fl oz) cider vinegar
• 300 g (10 ½ oz) white granulated sugar
• 1 tbs salt
• 2 tbs chopped fresh sage

Method

1. Using the small bowl of a food processor or a mortar and pestle, work the garlic, ginger and chillies into a paste.
2. Put all ingredients, except the sage, into a preserving pan and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Over a fairly low heat, simmer the relish for 40 minutes or until it is reduced and thickened. Stir in the sage and continue to simmer for a further 2 to 3 minutes, until it has reached the desired consistency.
4. Pot the relish into hot, sterilised jars, cover with vinegar-proof seals and label. Store in a cool, dark place.

Makes 1.6 kg. (3lb 8 oz). Keeps for up to 1 year.

RENTING OUT A ROOM

For some people, renting out a room or flat in their house seems ideal. For people renting only a room in their home, the person living with them will normally be a lodger and so have limited rights, but if the person is a tenant then that person will have significant legal protections. A tenant usually has exclusive use of either a separate flat or part of a house and is not part of the household of the home owner.

The Residential Tenancies Authority will be able to give you all the information you need about lodgers and tenants.
Phone 1300 366 311 or see www.rta.qld.gov.au

New Financial First Aid Telephone Counselling Line - # 13 11 51

Lifeline commenced this service 26th November 2008, and operates it from 4-8pm Monday – Thursday. Information, resources and referrals available to members of the public between those hours. Service is CONFIDENTIAL, FREE. The phone number for the Financial Aid line is 13 11 51.

For further information about the line please contact Jillian Fletcher on 0409 223 237.

The Maryborough & District Committee on the Ageing Inc.