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Carer Engagement

October - December 2019Wellbeing, social and educational events for carers in Melbourne’s East

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About the Program

How to register your interest

VMCH’s Carer Support Program is designed to support you with practical information and can offer a range of flexible respite and support options to suit your individual needs and the person you are caring for. This includes the Educational Workshops and Social/Wellbeing Events listed in this booklet.

Eligibility: Carers living in the Eastern region and who care for a person with care needs, including:

• People with a mental illness• People with a disability • People with a chronic condition or illness• Older people with care needs• People in palliative care

To register your interest please email carereventseast@vmch.com.au or call the Carer Support team on 1300 971 720.

Allocation of places

Please note registering your interest for an event does not guarantee your attendance. Places are allocated based on the Carer’s needs and not on a first-come, first-served basis. Newly registered Carers and Carers who have not attended events previously are usually given first consideration. Your understanding with this is greatly appreciated.

If there is a place available for you at an event, a member of the Carer Support Team will be in contact at least three weeks prior to it. If you are not allocated a place you will remain on the wait list and will be contacted if a place becomes available.

Respite support while attending events

If you require respite support for the person you care for in order to attend events, please let us know at the time of registering your interest.

We value your feedbackAt Carer Support, we want to ensure that we are providing you with the experiences that are worthwhile to you

Is there anything that you want to see more of? Is there anything that you’d like to see less of?

Your Feedback can help us improve your experiences with VMCH Carer Support, so please feel free to email: carereventseast@vmch.com.au, or write to us at: Carer Support Services Building C Level 3 355 Stud Road Wantirna VIC 3152

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Debbie Chen, our VMCH Dietician and Diabetes Educator, will discuss living well with Diabetes and how to manage the highs and lows of living with Diabetes. Debbie will also prepare a healthy quick salad to taste.

Workshop Details:

Date: Thursday 21 November 2019

Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where: Bldg C Lvl3 / 355 Stud Road, Wantirna 3152

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the Workshop

Are you worried about finding the right Aged Care Home? Are you worried about the costs? Danielle Utting, Director of Care3, has many years of experience as a social worker in Aged Care, and helps to find suitable homes that are affordable for people when they need to move into more supported care.

Danielle will help answer your questions about Aged Care and provide you with some tips for making the search for Aged Care less stressful.

Morning Tea will be provided.

Workshop Details:

Date: Thursday 24 October 2019

Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where: Bldg C Lvl3 / 355 Stud Road, Wantirna 3152

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the Workshop

Residential Aged Care - where to start

Looking after yourself and/or a loved one with Diabetes

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In recognition of World Mental Health Day, and in conjunction with Wellways and EACH, we would like to invite you for lunch at Hunter and Barrel Restaurant in Ringwood.

The Hunter & Barrel Venue Room is located on the 2nd floor. Carers need to be able to climb two (2) flights of stairs unassisted.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday 10 October 2019

Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Where: Hunter & Barrel Restaurant Eastland Shop R04 / 171-175 Maroondah Highway Ringwood VIC 3134

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the restaurant

It’s Carer’s Week, which means it’s time for us to say ‘Thank You for Caring’.

Take a well-deserved break from your role and be treated to lunch at Rochford Winery in the Yarra Valley, where you will also have the opportunity to browse through their Gift Shop, Wine/Gin Tasting and take in the breathtaking views.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 16 October 2019

Time: 10:45am - 3:00pm

Where: Rochford Winery 878-880 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream 3770

Cost: Free

Transport: Transport will be provided from Knox City Shopping Centre

Mental Health Carer's Lunch

Rochford Winery -Carer's Week

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Carers of someone with Dementia, together with their Care Recipients, are invited to join us for a relaxed lunch at Bucatini Restaurant in Mitcham.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 30 October 2019

Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Where: Bucatini Restaurant 454 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the restaurant

Rediscover your “green thumb” in this workshop, which will cover the messy (but fun!) design process of making Kokedama.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 8 November 2019

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Where: BldgC Lvl3 355 Stud Road, Wantirna South 3152

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the event

KokedamaDementia Carers and Care Recipients Lunch

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Come along and have an entertaining time, learning different techniques to make beautiful Christmas Cards to give your friends and loved ones.

Refreshments will be provided.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 29 November 2019

Time: 10:45am - 1:45pm

Where: BldgC Lvl3 355 Stud Road, Wantirna South 3152

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the event

Spoil yourself at The Advocate Restaurant in Balwyn where you’ll enjoy dinner in the company of other carers.

Preference will be given to Carers who have not yet attended a Carer Event through VMCH.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday 12 November 2019

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: The Advocate Bespoke Restaurant & Cocktail Bar 431B Whitehorse Road, Balwyn 3103

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the restaurant

Carer's Dinner Christmas Card Making

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Please join the VMCH Carer Support Team as we celebrate the year and enjoy a special 3-course Christmas Lunch in the Panorama Room at the Mulgrave Country Club.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 6 December 2019

Where: Mulgrave Country Club, Wellington Rd cnr Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill 3150

Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Mulgrave Country Club

Christmas Lunch

Carers are invited to participate in a fully - supervised Gym program at our Wantirna site.

People of all abilities and fitness levels are welcome to participate.

Session Days/Times

Tuesdays: 9:30am - 11:00am Thursdays: 2:00pm - 3:30pm

An information session will be held for new Attendees, who will need to complete an assessment prior to commencing the program

Current Participants will need to advise whether or not they wish to continue with their program.

Carer's Gym

Session Details:

Date: Tuesday 8 October 2019 to Thursday 19 December 2019

Where: Building A (Gym) 355 Stud Road, Wantirna South 3152

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the gym

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Carer Support Groups

Many carers find it beneficial to meet with others in a similar situation to themselves. Sometimes it helps to talk about your experiences, while other times it is comfort enough just to enjoy the company of others over a cuppa. Either way, we hope that one of our groups will meet your needs. New carers are always welcome.

Dementia Carer Support Group This group supports carers of people living with dementia. No matter what point in your journey you are at, this group is here to assist you in your caring role and is facilitated by one of our friendly staff members. For more information please contact Elizabeth on 1300 971 720.

Mental Health Carer Support Group This group aims to support carers of someone living with a mental health illness including depression, anxiety and autism spectrum disorder. For more information please contact Carer Support on 1300 971 720.

Wantirna Carer Support Group This group is made up of current and former carers who enjoy regular activities, including dinners, lunches and outings along with monthly meetings.

For more information please contact Sandie on 9764 9070. Chinese Carer Support Group This group meets regularly to socialise, share stories and offer support to carers from a Chinese background. The group is specifically for people caring for loved ones who are aged and need support. For more information please contact Rani on 03 9800 7255.

When: Last Tuesday of every month (excluding public holidays)

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Where: Ashburton Community Centre – 160 High St Ashburton 3147

When: Last Thursday of every month (excluding December and public holidays)

Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm

Where: The Keystone Restaurant – 5 Harcrest Blvd, Wantirna South 3152

When: First Friday of every month (excluding public holidays)

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Where: VMCH Meeting Room, Building A – 355 Stud Road, Wantirna South 3152

1300 971 720 carereventseast@vmch.com.au vmch.com.au

For further information Building C, Level 3 355 Stud Road Wantirna South, 3152

Join the conversation

The Support for Carers program is supported by the Victorian Government.

The information in this brochure has been prepared by VMCH (Villa Maria Catholic Homes) as a general guide to our services and operations. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, VMCH accepts no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience caused by reliance on the information set out in this brochure. Please contact us if you require detailed information about any of our services. June 2019.

As a Catholic organisation, VMCH is committed to providing compassionate care in a nurturing environment to all residents and clients. VMCH does not support and will not facilitate Voluntary Assisted Dying. VMCAHBCH0119