Lifestyle Connections Association Inc. in Cairns, Queensland, Australia | Disability service

Lifestyle Connections Association Inc.

Locality: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 7 4035 6771

Address: 113-115 Aumuller Street 4870 Cairns, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.lifestyleconnections.com.au

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• Medical and health
• Community group
• Disability service

24.01.2022 This is really important.

22.01.2022 NDIS REVIEWS: Participant/Carer Statement Lots of people write and submit a Participant and/or Carer impact Statement when theyre up for their scheduled (often... annual) or the requested review. These statements are not required, but can help give the planner an idea of your situation and needs, and according to the NDIS, must be respected in the planning process. What to include? Here are some ideas. - family situation and dynamics that affect you or your ability to care (eg extra responsibilities caring for other or extended family members (young, aged, disabled etc). - your own personal health and how that is affected by your disability or the person you care for (eg: youve slipped two discs in your back and can no longer help lift the person you love) or your own mental health diagnoses. - how the disability impacts relationships and maybe makes it harder to have good relations with others in your family - your ongoing ability to manage your disability or the person you love - be honest. - if you are a Carer, what supports you need to be able to continue caring, and what will happen if the person you care for does not get those supports.- keep your statement to less than a page - half a page is probably best, though I know thats hard, we know that planners just have huge workloads and wont take in much more than that, even if we think they should. Cut them a little break and make their jobs easier. These are just some ideas. Also, some people say you should write about your worst day. I dont advocate for that, UNLESS you explain very clearly how often worst day actually happens - be it weekly, monthly or once a year. Dont be a Carer who cries wolf. Youll get caught and not be trusted further. Its not worth it and also doesnt respect the person you care for. Good luck. This post is copyright of The Growing Space 2020. We encourage you to share it here on Facebook, with credit and no edits, but if you want to use it elsewhere, please contact us for permission first. Thanks. Pic Desc: a cartoon image of a young woman with long dark hair wearing a purple jumper and hold a green pen writing on papers.

20.01.2022 BREAKING NEWS FROM PM Outdoor gatherings limited to TWO people (fine for people who live in same household to go outside together, and for medical or care suppo...rt needs, as always) Only leave for essential shopping - food etc Only leave home for essential needs - medical/compassionate and exercise Only leave home for work or education that cannot be done from home 70+ yos should just stay home except for exercise (strong advice) Renters and landlords should work out an arrangement so people arent evicted Banks should also renegotiate loans etc (commercial property focus but suspect it will apply to homes too - wait for a few days to find out more) These are paraphrased and may not be exactly correct - Ill make it clearer as I get more info...

19.01.2022 Try to limit your contact with other customers at the supermarket. Make sure you keep a 1.5m gap between yourself and other shoppers. For more tips, visit www.a...ustralia.gov.au #StopTheSpread #coronavirusaustralia #COVID19 #coronavirusau

19.01.2022 I would like to introduce you to our new Rostering Facilitator, Kelly! If you happen to stop by the office please say hello and make Kelly feel welcome.

19.01.2022 NDIS NEWS: Plan gaps/extensions Sam Translates: 1.Plans should, from today, rollover automatically for a 28 day plan if theres not a new plan in place yet, an...d that should now include SIL and SDA (and service bookings should be automatically extended too). 2. Plans should no longer cut off remaining funding from the old plan, and you should be able to make claims from the old plan for 90 days after the end of the plan (home mods and AT not included) 3. This is good news The official version in many more words: "The NDIA has made further improvements to the NDIS myplace portal. The changes ensure continuation of service for our participants during a plan review period and reduce claiming errors and manual rework for providers. From August 2019, we began automatically extending the end date of participant plans to remove any gap between new and old participant plans. From today, new improvements include: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports will have service bookings increased automatically where a 28 day extension has been applied to a plan. Unclaimed funds within a participants previous plan and service bookings will now be available for 90 days after a new plan has been approved. This gives participants and providers more time to make payment requests for services delivered during the previous plan period. These changes will apply to plans approved after Monday 10 February 2020. The automatic extensions will mean additional funding will be available in your NDIS plan, however home modifications and assistive technology funding will not be extended. Service bookings managed by providers will not end where there is a 28 day extension. Participants and providers will see a message in service booking details in the NDIS myplace portal letting them know that unspent funds will remain available for 90 days after the plan review is completed. If your plan is approaching review and you do not have an appointment booked, please contact the NDIA. If you have any questions about your plan being extended, please call the National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110. https://www.ndis.gov.au//4354-system-improvement-removing- This post is copyright of The Growing Space 2020 - youre more than welcome to share it, with credit and no edits, here on Facebook, but if you want to share it elsewhere, please ask first. Thanks. Pic desc: a photo showing from the neck to the thighs of a person wearing a blue top and black pants, holding their empty pants pockets inside out.

18.01.2022 We will keep you informed as updates become available: https://www.health.gov.au//immediate-response-plan-to-focu

16.01.2022 Hello to everyone from the crew at Lifestyle Connections! Pleased to share with you our spring Newsletter. Have a read to keep up to date with what we have all been up to! https://www.lifestyleconnections.com.au//Issue-26_reduced.

16.01.2022 [NEWS] Ensuring continued access to medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic The Australian Government has approved a number of temporary changes to medicines reg...ulation to ensure Australians can continue to access the PBS medicines they need. Read more: www.health.gov.au//ensuring-continued-access-to-medicines- See more

16.01.2022 Lifestyle Connections office staff shared an online Happy Birthday for Support Coordinator, Jo! Pity she had to take a call and missed us all singing happy birthday. We recorded it though.... wow we are all amazing singers

16.01.2022 OFFERING FREE HOME DELIVERIES!!! Wow what a crazy week it has been. I guess l was very lax about this whole thing until 3 days ago when the atmosphere suddenly... changed in our home. My sister in law who is living in Norway has been communicating with us and hearing their experiences first hand been locked up in their homes has made me take notice. What does that mean for us. Business as usual unless we are told otherwise. We have made a few changes to make sure that we are also compliant and that my no 1 priority is our staff and our client. These are the small changes but also necessary one. -We are now encouraging everyone to tap their card for payment and do less cash handling. -We are Disinfecting our hands frequently between each transaction/interaction with customer. - No staff is allowed in the kitchen if they are not 100%. You may see that my compulsion to clean is on overdrive atm (for those who knows that l get abit obsessive with cleaning just ask my staff)and dont get offended if lm spraying and wiping in front of you. I promise its not you!! We are also now offering free home delivery for orders over $70 and we will be capping orders at 500. All our meals are Gluten Free (celiac friendly) / freezable / Paleo / Keto and budget conscience and full of flavour. We have been providing this service for well over 6yrs now and we are now offering FREE delivery for your meals at your front door especially those that are in quarantine. Check out our menu.. eatreal.net.au Lets also look out for our seniors, those in needs and small business this will be a testing time for everyone. Elsa Comino Founder of Eat Real

15.01.2022 SAM TRANSLATES: Everybodys got all the four support categories in core now (go look at your portal!) - mix em up however you want between the four... UNLESS...... you get your transport money in your bank account each fortnight, then you cant use the rest of your core for extra transport stuff, which sucks. But overall, this is a great step in the right direction! Now you can look at your Core budgets as one big lump of funding and spend it on core stuff without worrying about how much is in each bucket - consumables (including low cost AT, Daily Living Assistance, Social & Community Participation, and Travel and Transport. Yesterdays NDIS Core Categories update in the NDIS words: "15 June: How will I know my plan is now flexible across all four support categories? From 13 June, all participants with Core supports can use all four core funding categories under their Core supports budget, without the need for a plan review. Participants who already receive periodic transport payments will continue to have these paid into their bank account, to cover transport costs connected to activities included in their plan. These funds cannot be used towards other Core supports. If you receive periodic transport payments, you will be able to use your funding across the three Core support budget categories, not including the transport category. Participants who do not receive periodic transport payments can use their overall funding flexibly to pay for transport-related costs to access NDIS supports and services. You do not need to do anything. This system change will be applied to all new and existing participant plans with Core support funding. This means flexibility in accessing the disability related supports you need to achieve your goals." https://www.ndis.gov.au//participants-co/using-your-budget Pic desc: a table listing the 15 support categories and their flexibility, in purple and orange with black writing and a Growing Space logo in the bottom right. Here is the text of the table: SUPPORT CATEGORY CORE 1. Assistance with Daily Living 2. Travel and Transport Mobility Allowance 3. Consumables 4. Assistance with Social and Community Participation Can be spent across support categories CAPITAL 5. Assistive Technology 6. Home Modifications Restricted to specific line items CAPACITY BUILDING 7. Coordination of Supports 8. Improved Living Arrangements 9. Increased Social and Community Participation 10. Finding and Keeping a Job 11. Improved Relationships 12. Improved Health and Wellbeing 13. Improved Learning 14. Improved Life Choices 15. Improved Daily Living Allocated at support category level and not flexible across categories

14.01.2022 You'll get by with a little help from your friends.

14.01.2022 Know anyone who doesn’t have someone to spend Christmas Day with?

13.01.2022 What a day in the office it was today!! Lots of great positive energy. Such a great bunch of people I work with. Thanks for all the birthday well wishes Leo

13.01.2022 CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 7 Following the Prime Ministers announcement last night to extend restrictions to help stop the spread of coronavirus, Council has taken... the following actions. CLOSURES ------------- Cairns Esplanade remains open with following facilities closed. --- All formal gathering areas including: Lagoon Muddys Playground (wet and dry playground) Fun Ship Bouldering Park Volleyball courts/multi use sports facilities/basketball courts People using the boardwalk and promenade must adhere to social distancing measures. Cafes remain open for takeaway only. Facilities --- Centenary Lakes Nature Play All Green Gyms (exercise equipment in parks) All public barbecues Barlow Park, Parramatta Park Swimming pools Sugarworld Adventure Park, Edmonton Botanic Gardens Conservatory (Botanic Gardens remains open, but users must adhere to social distances measurers. The cafes remains open for takeaway only). Skate Parks --- Coastwatcher Park Esplanade Tenni Skate Park, Redlynch Jeff Pezzutti Park, Woree Todd Park, Edmonton Kenrick Park, Gordonvale Bill Wakeham Park, Babinda BMX tracks --- Allyson Street Park, Smithfield Barrine Court Park, Caravonica Barron Waters Park/Burrawungal Park, Caravonica Evergreen Street, Clifton Beach Rainy Mountain Park, Smithfield Evergreen Park, Clifton Beach Old School Park, Yorkeys Knob Syd Granville Memorial Park, Holloways Beach Engineers Park, Whitfield Gamburra Drive Park, Redlynch Equestrian Park, Redlynch Loridan Drive Park, Brinsmead Jeff Pezzutti Park, Woree Todd Park Youth Activity Space, Edmonton Fuller Park, Edmonton Bill Wakeham Park, Babinda Moody Creek Detention Basin, Kanimbla Touch Park, Aeroglen RESTRICTIONS --- Playgrounds at the following parks will be closed: Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove Vasey Esplanade, Trinity Beach Sims Esplanade, Yorkeys Knob Holloways Beach foreshore Goomboora Park, Brinsmead Sugarworld Gardens Norman Park, Gordonvale Coastwatcher Park, Trinity Beach The parks remain open, but users must adhere to social distancing measures. Natural areas restrictions in place --- These natural recreational areas remain open, but barbecue facilities will be closed. Users must adhere to social distancing measures. Beaches Whitfield Trails (Arrow Tracks) Cattana Wetlands Crystal Cascades The Boulders, Babinda Behana Creek Picnic Park, Aloomba Behana Gorge, Aloomba Goomboora Park, Brinsmead Glenoma Park, Brinsmead Stoney Creek, Kamerunga Gamburra Park Drive, Redlynch Xavier Herbert Drive Park, Redlynch The Rocks Reserve, Redlynch Western Arterial Conservation Park, Redlynch Ryan Weare Park, Freshwater Ross and Locke Reserve, Goldsborough Petes Bridge, Goldsborough Petes Falls, Goldsborough Valley Goldsborough Road parks, Goldsborough Little Mulgrave Smithy Holmes Park, Aloomba Harvey Creek, Bellenden Ker Josephine Falls, Bartle Frere Golden Hole Reserve, Bartle Frere Note: Toilet facilities will remain open. For the latest information on Council services, closures and cancellations in regards to the coronavirus pandemic visit: http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/covid19

12.01.2022 Important NDIS update re Transport

11.01.2022 As part of the Queensland Government's Worker Assistance Package, TAFE Queensland is providing free online courses in key skill areas emerging as a result of th...e coronavirus pandemic. Access online skill sets and micro-credentials in food service, community care, health support, customer engagement, digital literacy and cyber security. Use your downtime to upskill with short-term, fee-free courses for eligible Queenslanders. Why just ISOLATE when you can ISOLEARN? Find out more at https://buff.ly/34JEiHt.

11.01.2022 Cairns Tropical Transfers

11.01.2022 Hey! Worth downloading! Australian Government Coronavirus app. Plenty of info and contacts etc! Please share!! Links on this page for Apple store and Google Pla...y Pic desc: screenshots of the app from within the Apple App Store

11.01.2022 A big happy birthday to Amanda!! Lifestyle Connections one and only Practice Mentor!! Love your work MAFS!!

11.01.2022 NDIS Annual/regular Review Rollover If you have a decent NDIS plan that meets your needs, and you dont expect much to change or need greater support over the ...coming year, ask the NDIS to rollover your plan for a year. You then wont have the stress or cost of gathering reports, attending a review meeting and not knowing whether youll get the support you need. Not everyone will be accepted for a 12 month rollover plan (especially if your child is turning 7, or you have a big transition coming) but its definitely worth asking if you have a plan that works for you now. This post is copyright of The Growing Space 2020. You are welcome to share, with credit and no edits here on Facebook. If you want to share it elsewhere, please ask. This post is not advice, but is an idea or suggestion for approaching review time. It wont work for everyone, so get professional help if you need to figure out whats best for your situation. Pic desc: a yellow sticky note tacked with a red pin with says TIP! in big black letters

09.01.2022 Happy Halloween from us freaky lot in the office!!

08.01.2022 As part of the Queensland Governments Worker Assistance Package, TAFE Queensland is providing free online courses in key skill areas emerging as a result of th...e coronavirus pandemic. Access online skill sets and micro-credentials in food service, community care, health support, customer engagement, digital literacy and cyber security. Use your downtime to upskill with short-term, fee-free courses for eligible Queenslanders. Why just ISOLATE when you can ISOLEARN? Find out more at https://buff.ly/34JEiHt.

08.01.2022 At this difficult time, I would like to introduce you to the Carer Gateway Community Forum, an Australian Government initiative, where carers can connect with each other in a safe, online space and reduce isolation. https://www.facebook.com/carergateway

08.01.2022 Theyve announced changes to their opening hours to help out the most vulnerable in our community. See the details here: https://bit.ly/2TTBEuQ

06.01.2022 Some breaking news tonight regarding government plans to deal with the Coronavirus ... Disability Ministers from around the country met today to work on a plan ...to make sure people with disability get what they need as the impact of the Coronavirus grows. The Disability Reform Council talked about the plans the National Disability Insurance Agency, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Health are all making to ensure people get what they need. At the meeting the Ministers agreed these things were the priority: Making sure people with disability have access to critical health services such as Telehealth and personal protective equipment Making sure NDIS participants get the services they need by increasing flexibility in the ways NDIS funds can be used Putting plans in place to make sure there are enough workers to support people Putting plans in place to make sure there are enough services for people There is not more detail than that at the moment but we expect more in the coming days. We will get it to you as soon as it becomes available. You can read the full communique here - https://www.dss.gov.au//drc_communique_for_18_march_covid_ (But it does come with a content warning because it is still full of bureaucratic goobledegook) (Image description: A red rectangle with the words "Breaking News" in white capital letters. Underneath the words you can see the Every Australian Counts logo and the words "NDIS: Make It Work)

06.01.2022 Last Friday at Coles Andrew was given a surprise morning tea acknowledging his years of work with Coles supermarkets. He began with 1 shift a week in Bathurst NSW except during V8 week when he was needed more often to pack sausages for the Mountain! He is now at DFO Cairns very ably supported by his Support Person for 3 shifts a week. He was incredibly thrilled with this recognition and rushed to tell all family when he got home from work. He was given a certificate signed by Coles Manager, and other staff, a gift voucher to spend and two new name badges which pleased him no end as they were in an impressive black velvet box! To these photos, taken by Marc, I add my sincere THANKS to everyone at Lifestyle Connections for the consistent hard work and attention that contributes so much to make these good times happen.

06.01.2022 Coronavirus - Prepare now - for people with disability and families Easy English - For people with literacy support needs, CALD etc Please share! You can downlo...ad a full 4 page Easy English version with images at https://www.thegrowingspace.com.au//Easy-English-Coronavir The Coronavirus is like a flu or bad cold. It can make you sick with: * Fever * Cough * Sore Throat * Trouble Breathing Some people will only get a little bit sick, but some will get very sick and need to go to hospital There is not much Coronavirus in Australia now. There might be a lot of people sick with Coronavirus in Australia in the coming months. Here are some things you can buy to prepare: * Make sure you have a month or more of your medicine and prescriptions * Make sure you have a month or more of important medical supplies - oxygen probes, catheters and feeding tube supplies, for example (many of these are made overseas and are running out) * Make sure you have a good supply of any special foods you need * Make sure you have a month or more of continence aids and hand sanitizer, gloves and wipes Here are some things you can do to keep safer: * Wash your hands back and front with soap many times every day * Count to 20 every time you wash your hands, or sing the happy birthday song twice * Wash your hands before and after you eat * Wash your hands after going to the toilet * If you cough or sneeze, try to catch it in your elbow * Use hand sanitizer gel after you touch things in public, like: * shopping trolleys * door handles * light switches * computers, mice and shared phones * You might want to wear a P2/N95 mask when you are in a crowded space if you have a cough or a runny nose * Make sure you have an emergency contact list somewhere obvious * Stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing - the virus can come through the air into your body * Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands - if the virus is on your hands, it might go into your body * Ask your support workers to wash their hands and stay away if they are sick If you get sick a lot or are immune-compromised, have diabetes, poor lungs or are a smoker, it might be a good idea to avoid events with lots of people. * Try online shopping for your food and supermarket needs * Use online video to catch up with a friend * Put a sign on your door to ask sick people to stay away If you get sick * You can call HealthDirect for FREE anytime, day or night, on 1800 022 222 and talk to a nurse for advice * If you get a fever, and a cough and are worried, stay home and make an appointment with your doctor. * If you have a cold and are very sick or breathing is hard for you, call an ambulance on 000 If you want to find out more detail about the new coronavirus, here are two good links: https://www.health.gov.au//novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-hea https://www.who.int/emergen/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 This handout is copyright of The Growing Space 2020. You are welcome to share, copy and distribute this handout whole, with credit and no edits. If you would like to publish this handout, please contact us at [email protected] for approval. The information in this handout is not medical advice. Please seek medical advice from a Doctor if you are concerned. We are not medical professionals. The information in this post has been reviewed by a senior professional Australian health expert currently working in this field with international expertise in pandemics and disaster support. pic descriptions: The image is the first page of a four page pdf document, the text of which is the start of this post. Each line of text is illustrated to the left with a relevant icon in an Easy English format, suitable for those with literacy support needs, CALD, or who wish to cut to the chase and not read a heap of irrelevant stuff before getting to the point. The link to the full .pdf document is at the top of this post.

05.01.2022 SAM TRANSLATES: Everybody's got all the four support categories in core now (go look at your portal!) - mix 'em up however you want between the four... UNLESS...... you get your transport money in your bank account each fortnight, then you can't use the rest of your core for extra transport stuff, which sucks. But overall, this is a great step in the right direction! Now you can look at your Core budgets as one big lump of funding and spend it on core stuff without worrying about how much is in each bucket - consumables (including low cost AT, Daily Living Assistance, Social & Community Participation, and Travel and Transport. Yesterday's NDIS Core Categories update in the NDIS' words: "15 June: How will I know my plan is now flexible across all four support categories? From 13 June, all participants with Core supports can use all four core funding categories under their Core supports budget, without the need for a plan review. Participants who already receive periodic transport payments will continue to have these paid into their bank account, to cover transport costs connected to activities included in their plan. These funds cannot be used towards other Core supports. If you receive periodic transport payments, you will be able to use your funding across the three Core support budget categories, not including the transport category. Participants who do not receive periodic transport payments can use their overall funding flexibly to pay for transport-related costs to access NDIS supports and services. You do not need to do anything. This system change will be applied to all new and existing participant plans with Core support funding. This means flexibility in accessing the disability related supports you need to achieve your goals." https://www.ndis.gov.au//participants-co/using-your-budget Pic desc: a table listing the 15 support categories and their flexibility, in purple and orange with black writing and a Growing Space logo in the bottom right. Here is the text of the table: SUPPORT CATEGORY CORE 1. Assistance with Daily Living 2. Travel and Transport Mobility Allowance 3. Consumables 4. Assistance with Social and Community Participation Can be spent across support categories CAPITAL 5. Assistive Technology 6. Home Modifications Restricted to specific line items CAPACITY BUILDING 7. Coordination of Supports 8. Improved Living Arrangements 9. Increased Social and Community Participation 10. Finding and Keeping a Job 11. Improved Relationships 12. Improved Health and Wellbeing 13. Improved Learning 14. Improved Life Choices 15. Improved Daily Living Allocated at support category level and not flexible across categories

05.01.2022 FYI The new Cairns Local Coronavirus Hotline provides information, advice and support for residents. The hotline is based in Cairns so you will speak to a person in Cairns with local knowledge. Open 8am to 5pm, every day. 1300 396 102 Its a free call. https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au//medi/releases/covid-hotline... the hotline is a contact for vulnerable people who require care packages or other assistance. There is also facebook page that is helping with care packages, and providing other assistance as needed. Cairns Community helping those in quarantine https://www.facebook.com/cairnshelpers/

05.01.2022 Centrelink extra cash stimulus payment If you get the DSP, or Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, Age Pension or Family Tax Benefit (or one of a bunch of other Cent...relink payments and benefits listed at the link below), you should expect to receive a $750 bonus in your bank account sometime between March 31st and the end of June. Each person will only receive ONE $750 payment, even if you receive several of the payments or benefits listed. The $750 will not be used to pay down a Centrelink debt, and it wont be counted on income that reduces your pension or payment. Heres the full list and more info. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au//one-750-economic-sup

04.01.2022 Hiya Lifestyle Peeps! Want to know what we've been up to? Have a read of our latest Newsletter https://www.lifestyleconnections.com.au//2/07/Issue-25.pdf

04.01.2022 Just wanted to thank all the support staff, the face of the service, for all your hard work this year. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas all the best in 2020!

04.01.2022 Hiya Lifestyle Peeps! Want to know what weve been up to? Have a read of our latest Newsletter https://www.lifestyleconnections.com.au//2/07/Issue-25.pdf

02.01.2022 We are feeling the love here at Lifestyle Connections office Want an update on Lifestyle Connections!? Read our latest Newsletter here: https://www.lifestyleconnections.com.au//2/02/Issue-24.pdf

01.01.2022 Everyone at Lifestyle Connections wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and we looking forward to working with you all in the New Year!!!

01.01.2022 People who get #COVID19 will experience the virus differently, with varying levels of severity and symptoms. Learn more about the common symptoms at www.health.gov.au//novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

01.01.2022 Youll get by with a little help from your friends.