Anam Cara House, Colac in Barongarook West | Community organisation

Anam Cara House, Colac

Locality: Barongarook West

Phone: +61 3 5233 8203

Address: 50 Forans Road 3250 Barongarook West, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.anamcarahousecolac.org.au

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• Medical and health
• Non-profit organisation
• Community organisation

25.01.2022 Happy Spring everyone. We hope you are enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful signs of spring around us. Please see the link to online meditation sessions that might be of interest to you. Carers, someone who wants some time out from their illness, nurses or patient care attendants, volunteers or indeed anyone who has an interest meditation might enjoy this opportunity. Meditation is a set of techniques used to develop mindfulness, promote calm and increase relaxation. Studies show that meditation may reduce blood pressure, relieve pain, lower risk of depression and enhance overall well-being. Get in touch with Sue Relax Communications

25.01.2022 COVID 19 has presented varying degrees of challenge to us all. As we continue to work through these times of change we thought some of you may wish to join a webinar from Compassionate Ballarat that is on tomorrow. Follow the link if you would like to join in.

24.01.2022 Good morning, take a look at this great opportunity to join a free online conference with world-renowned experts in Parkinsons Disease. Its easy to register and join in from tomorrow the 1st of April till the 3rd of April (inclusive).

24.01.2022 Compassionate Ballarat presented this great Webinar last week which really demonstrates what we have been hearing from carers since the Coronavirus pandemic started. Anam Cara House Colac is here for carers and the loved ones they care for, we are still open for respite using stringent infection control measures and screening of guests, visitors and staff. Please feel free to get in touch if you need some time out, or just a chat. Anam Cara House Colac is here for you as your community hospice.

24.01.2022 If youre looking for great reading material for lockdown you cant go past Cow Lick Books - something for everyone. And as an added bonus In August any of the money raised by purchasing a second hand book from Cow Licks bookshop will go towards fundraising at Anam Cara House Colac. And whilst you are there order your book club book!... This fundraising will contribute to our ongoing service to our community. Many thanks to Cow Lick

24.01.2022 Under normal circumstances our day hospice groups would enjoy regular craft activities with our Volunteers. We hope to be able to recommence Day Hospice soon and look forward to welcome back the guests who use this service, we miss you! Shannons Bridge in Creswick is hosting this online craft group that maybe of interest to our day hospice participants or indeed anyone that wants to reconnect with nature and craft in these times of greater isolation. Thanks for sharing with us Shannons Bridge

23.01.2022 Are you or someone you know struggling with the death of a loved one? The Colac and District Bereavement Support Group is available to provide a free and confidential space for learning, support and discussion. Please see the details of the next meeting below. Sometimes the hardest step to reach out for support is the first step but be reassured that the group is caring, inclusive and respectful of all people experiencing grief and bereavement.

22.01.2022 Our Founder and President Diane Wright OAM, joined @OCR FM on Community Connect to have a chat about Anam Cara Colac and our current community appeal. We invite you to have a listen to the conversation. Thanks to OCR FM and Greg and Edwina McHenry who host the program.

22.01.2022 Together we heal. Were rallying our community for #GivingTuesdayNow -- Join Us to give back: anamcarahousecolac.org.au

21.01.2022 Here's another great opportunity to hear some more about the services that are available in the region to support those who are caring for someone. Thanks again OCR FM ,and Greg and Edwina from Community Connect. Anam Cara Colac assists those with chronic life limiting illnesses and their carers, some of those we support are NDIS guests and did you know that we can help people of all ages? Have a listen to the podcast to hear a bit more from the very informative Jennifer Pol...ley a Co-ordinator at Barwon Health Carers Support. If you need more information please don't hesitate to get in touch.

21.01.2022 Thank you to Give Where You Live Foundation for their generous support of Anam Cara House Colac - to assist those living with life limiting illness at our Community Hospice.

20.01.2022 Yesterday our Community Liaison Nurse was out and about sharing information about Anam Cara Colacs services and Advance Care Directives with the people of Simpson and Districts. Thanks for inviting us along Simpson & District Community Centre Inc. An advance care directive is an important part of your end-of-life care. An advance care directive formalises your advance care plan. The directive can contain all your needs, values and preferences for your future care and details of a substitute decision-maker. If you would like more information about how to complete an Advance Care Directive or would like some help to do so, get in touch with us and we can provide you with the document, support and information to complete the process.

19.01.2022 Our phones arent working today due to a Telstra fault so if you need to ring Anam Cara please call our after hours number : 0456 407 112

19.01.2022 National RU OK day (Thursday the 10th of September) is a National Day of action to remind Australians that everyday is the day to ask, "Are you OK?" In these times, perhaps more than ever there may be someone in your world who is struggling with lifes ups and downs. Heres a link to an event facilitated by Carers Victoria that might just help support the wonderful carers that we meet and support everyday and Anam Cara Colac. Maybe you know of a carer in your world that might need this too, please share if this is the case. https://facebook.com/events/s/carers-victoria-r-u-ok-day-vir/347941416240234/?ti=icl

19.01.2022 Restart A Heart Day reminds us that quick action if somebody has a cardiac arrest is the biggest factor in helping them to survive Access to a defibrillator can make all the difference and a good opportunity to remind people who are in the Barongarook West Area that there is a defibrillator for public use in the carport at Anam Cara, easily accessible if needed https://restartaheart.net/

18.01.2022 Our Easter Raffle has been drawn this morning. Congratulations to Jobe Walsh on winning our fabulous Easter hamper. Second prize of the lovely crocheted blanket goes to Wendy Hay, one of our long term volunteers. Happy Easter to everyone. Please stay home and stay safe this long weekend

18.01.2022 Happy to report that our phones are back in action. Thanks to service man Robert from telstra who provided great service and communication You can now reach us on our normal number 52338203

17.01.2022 Please see the below events facilitated by Carers Victoria. If you are a carer and you think this might be of support to you get in touch. In these times of increased isolation the day to day challenges of caring for someone with a chronic life limiting illness can be heightened. Anam Cara House Colac is here to support you, feel free to call us if we can be of any assistance to you or loved one.

17.01.2022 Dying To Know Day 2020 - Home delivered! Dont forget to tune in to OCR FM tomorrow at 11am.

17.01.2022 Please see the below important information with regards the new COVID 19 testing arrangements for Colac. Anam Cara Colac continue to care for people needing overnight respite and end of life care using stringent pre-screening. We understand that the challenges of being a carer are high in these difficult times. For those of you that can stay home, keep safe. If you have a chronic life-limiting illness and you cant get out but are in need of support please get in touch.

16.01.2022 We hope you are all keeping well and not finding life too stressful in the current challenging times. We would like to reassure you that we continue to provide services at Anam Cara, in line with all Health Department guidelines and some modifications to how we operate. We are committed to doing what our community needs us to do and to do it safely... Please do not hesitate to call if we can help you

16.01.2022 Colac resident Diane Wright is being recognised in a Remarkable Womens exhibition for her role in founding Anam Cara House. The facility is entirely community funded, and provides short term respite and palliative care services.

14.01.2022 What a great initiative Colac Otway Shire Council. If you know someone that might need a hand or you could do with some help to manage in these difficult times this could be a helpful tool.

14.01.2022 Anam Cara House Colac is excited to be through to the 2020 Semi Final of the Prime Super Employer Excellence in Aged Care Award, co-ordinated by the Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards. Anam Cara House Colac is proud to be caring for people in the South West of Victoria who are in need of our services and their carers. We are also proud to be a Community Founded and Funded Hospice. Our holistic and flexible care model is made possible through the support of many, thanks to all of you.

13.01.2022 We are looking forward to this session with Geelong Cemeteries Trust and Greg and Edwina Henry on OCR FM Community Connect, hope you can join us.

12.01.2022 Our Community Appeal continues. Click the link below to make a donation today!

12.01.2022 Donate here - https://www.givenow.com.au/anamcarahousecolac

11.01.2022 In the month of October our friends at OCR FM 98.3 FM are running a program to celebrate Seniors called Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined. For the month of October tune in daily from 10am to enjoy the great program that will be airing. https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au//0da6f10270a64461a83c

11.01.2022 Thank you to The Anthony Costa Foundation for their generous support of Anam Cara House Colac - to provide funding for the additional nursing care and personal protective equipment required during the COVID19 pandemic.

11.01.2022 Our volunteers are a very important and valued part of making our service possible. On National Volunteer Week 2020 we want to say a huge thank you to all of them If you would like to learn more about volunteering at Anam Cara please give us a call

10.01.2022 In these challenging times, if you have a chronic illness or are caring for someone who has one, coming up with a plan to help you manage is a good idea. Many of you might be considering or have decreased your outings and socialising in public. Gather my crew is a great resource to consider. Have a read of the following link to see how it can help you coordinate some assistance when you need it. It might something as simple as getting bread and milk or to collect something... from the post office. Get in touch with Gather My Crew if you need more information. Lots of people can lend a hand when you need it, dont hesitate to reach out for help, thats what a compassionate community and Anam Cara Colac is here for. https://gathermycrew.org.au//coronavirus-coordinating-help/

10.01.2022 MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS - Simone Fitzgerald I love volunteering at Anam Cara, because its a chance to give a little something back to the wonderful community. It brings so much joy to see a smile on a guests face, just from spending some time talking or even doing their hair. Please contact the office on 03 5233 8203 to enquire about becoming a volunteer.... Volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things

10.01.2022 Thank you to Cow Lick Books for your support!

09.01.2022 MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS - Deb Howlett "I love volunteering at Anam Cara and do it to give back to our community. In return I have been rewarded with friendship, laughter and new skills and I would recommend it to any one. Giving a little bit of my time each week means so much to our guests and helps Anam Cara continue to provide much needed care."... Please contact the office on 03 5233 8203 to enquire about becoming a volunteer. "Volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things" Deb is pictured below with one or our guests, Keith.

09.01.2022 Late last year we ran 3 information mornings for people who wanted more information about what is available to support them with regards services in our region. With greatly appreciated support by the FRRR and Gardiner Dairy Foundation the sessions really helped people who are chronically ill or care for someone who is chronically ill. Thanks to OCR FM we were able to have the sessions recorded to reach a wider audience of people who may not be able to come due their illness... of caring commitments. We welcome you to have a listen to this recording of an interview with Sarah Everitt from MediStays, an amazing organisation that helps people co-ordinate accommodation to attend appointments and medical facilities in larger centres. A great service for the rural and remote areas we serve. Please get in touch with us if we can provide any further information or support. https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=540393

09.01.2022 Thanks again to OCR FM and the Geelong Cemeteries Trust for facilitating this Dying to Know Day session with Anam Cara House Colac (D2KD) Dying to Know Day. It was great to learn more about what the Geelong Cemeteries Trust does, thanks CEO Darryl Thomas, OAM for sharing more about the service. Dying to Know Day is an annual event that encourages and supports end of life conversation around death, dying and bereavement in communities. Do have a listen and if you have any questions please get in touch.

08.01.2022 Thanks to Drew and OCR FM for a great session, it was wonderful to have a chat and discuss our service at Anam Cara Colac. Its our privilege to serve and care for people of all walks of life during this difficult time. We are here to support people with chronic life limiting illness, during the time of restrictions, since March, we have not been able to run our usual Parkinsons Support Group. We are keeping in touch by phone and in the mail, but we are also looking at other great ways to keep people in touch with one another and beat the isolation that we are all feeling at times. Keep warm, well and safe and get in touch if we can support you or your loved one with a chronic life limiting illness.

08.01.2022 Anam Cara Colac will be an exhibitor at the Carers Victoria Connecting Carers Virtual Expo coming up next week on the 30th of November and 1st of December. The program for the event looks great and the information will help carers get connected with services they may need to support them and the person they care for. There is also great sessions on caring for yourself while you care for others. Take a look at the program. If you know of someone who maybe interested to attend but is not confident with computers we maybe able to support them to get connected. Anam Cara Colac is committed to supporting regional carers.

08.01.2022 Theo Carroll, Community and Stakeholder Liaison from Acciona.Australia recently came to have a look around Anam Cara House Colac, we enjoyed showing him around and having a chat. Over the years Acciona's Mt Gellibrand Windfarm, have been a great supporter of Anam Cara House Colac. From IT equipment to a portable oxygen concentrator and a massage course for staff and volunteers we appreciate all they have done over the years to help us support those with a chronic life limiting illness have a better quality of life in the south west of Victoria.

08.01.2022 Our 2020 Community Appeal has been extended through December until the end of the year so the great news is that it’s not too late to donate. We’ve raised $39,000 to date - our goal is to get to $50,000!

08.01.2022 Thanks for coordinating this session OCR FM and the opportunity to participate in the conversation. The Colac and District Parkinsons Support group is a great supportive and inclusive group. They are missing each other in this time of restrictions hopefully they will be able to listen to the session too. We keep in touch over the phone but we are looking forward to when the meetings can start again. Anam Cara Colac proudly supports the group, hosting and facilitating the mee...tings and a great afternoon tea and cuppa afterwards. Get in touch if you are interested to join in. Thanks to Parkinsons Victoria for all you do to support groups around Victoria. Emma Collins is inspiring and passionate about ensuring those with Parkinsons have a voice and that they are provided with the best support and advice possible. Well done Parkinsons Victoria See more

07.01.2022 From the 11th to the 17th of October we are celebrating Carers Week at Anam Cara Colac. Normally we would have a morning tea and pamper the Carers we know and respect so highly in the communities we serve. This year we will be on Otway Community Radio OCR FM on Community Connect with Greg and Edwina McHenry and Jennifer Polley from Barwon Health Carers Support. We will be discussing what Barwon Health Carers Support does, how to access their support and how Anam Cara House C...olac can support local carers of those with chronic life limiting illnesses. We would love for you to tune in. Anam Cara Colac sees the wonderful and selfless work of carers everyday and honoured to support. If you are a carer that needs assistance or if you know someone who could do with some support managing a chronic life limiting illness get in touch to find out how we can help.

07.01.2022 This week is National Advance Care Planning Week in Australia. With all that is going on in the world at present this has possibly had less media attention than it deserves, please watch the video link below. Its a powerful message that reminds all of us of the importance of completing an Advance Care Directive. Anam Cara House Colac can assist you to complete one if you need help, get in touch if you need more information.

06.01.2022 To all of our nurses at Anam Cara, we say thank you for everything you do! Happy International Nurses Day 2020.

06.01.2022 National Palliative Care Week 2020 "Its more than you think" Heres some more feedback from our guests that reflect how we support our guests in more ways than you might think. "The staff have been very accommodating for myself and my dog" If it werent for Anam Cara letting me remain independent in my stays I would far worse off. And... "A very peaceful, reassuring, nourishing, healing respite for which I am more than grateful." Staying at Anam Cara Colac provides a sanctuary and a home away from home for those in need of respite from a chronic life limiting illness. With experienced registered nurses, staff, and volunteers on site we deliver specialist palliative care when it is needed and in ways that honour what is important for each person and their families. Anam Cara Colac celebrates National Palliative Care Week 2020

05.01.2022 Only one week to go till Cultural Diversity Week and we are very much looking forward to hosting Dr Hung Nyugen for a presentation on Cultural Congruence in Healthcare. There are still places to attend this session. Suitable for people working or volunteering in health and social care sectors, dont miss out on this opportunity to listen to a very engaging speaker. Get in touch if you would like to attend on 03 52338203 or [email protected] or you can confirm your attendance via facebook.

04.01.2022 We had some very creative guests at Anam Cara today