Edition 2

Stay Smart Online Week 2014 (Monday 2 to Friday 6 June) is fast approaching.

Stay Smart Online Week, formerly National Cyber Security Awareness Week, aims to help Australians using the internet – whether at home, the workplace or school – understand the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online.

The 2014 Stay Smart Online Week is the seventh consecutive annual event conducted by the Australian Government in partnership with industry, the community sector and all levels of government.

This year's theme - 'On The Go' - reflects the importance of staying safe and secure online while using mobile devices when social networking, banking, shopping, or navigating the internet.
A range of activities are taking place around Australia, including seminars, industry events and community activities which you can attend or participate online.

Find an event near you in the 2014 Events Calendar.

Responding to Elder Abuse 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is an opportunity for individuals, families, groups and organisations to speak out against elder abuse. By wearing or making something purple around the 15th June and telling people ‘Why’, links into the world-wide elder abuse campaign for WEAAD. Whether it is making a purple cake for morning tea at work, giving purple flowers to an older person, organising a purple flash mob pop from a retirement village, TAFE students undertaking a WEAAD project for their studies, or holding elder abuse forums in Blackall or Brisbane – big or small it all helps.

For more information and to find out ways on how you can get involved visit www.weaadqld.com.

For events near you visit www.communities.qld.gov.au

Introducing the MyPost Concession Account and concession stamp

Australia Post has increased its postage rates from 60 cents to 70 cents.

However, stamps will remain at 60 cents for federal government concession card holders for the next three years. To gain access to the concession stamps, you will need to complete a MyPost Concession Account application form and present a valid federal government concession card.

Read more 

Commonwealth Home Support Programme

From 1 July 2015, the Australian Government will launch the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, which is central to the aged care reforms, and will support the development of an end-to-end aged care system.

The existing Commonwealth HACC Program, the National Respite for Carers Program, the Day Therapy Centres Program and potentially the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged Program, will be combined under a single streamlined Commonwealth Home Support Programme to provide basic maintenance, care, support and respite services for older people living in the community, and their carers.

Read more 

Controlling My Own Life: Making the Most of CDC

There are significant changes ahead in Community Aged Care services as the Aged Care Reform Package is implemented. One of these services is Home Care Packages – a coordinated package of services tailored to meet the consumers’ specific needs. A Home Care Package can help people to stay at home as long as possible and give choice and flexibility in the way care and support is determined. Since August 2013, all new Aged Care Packages, known as Home Care Packages have been delivered as Consumer Directed Care (CDC) packages.  On July 1st 2015 all new and existing packages need to be delivered as consumer directed care.

COTA Queensland will be delivering a peer education program on Consumer Directed Care in home care, which will be available across Queensland from August 2014.

Read more 

Access to medical aids and equipment made easier

To make it easier to apply for medical aids and equipment, the Queensland Government has combined and streamlined the three subsidy schemes, currently available through the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and the Department of Health.

The Queensland Department of Health has taken over responsibility for the aids and equipment subsidy schemes and Queenslanders with disability can now apply for all their needs through one place, using one form.

For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/health

Smoke Alarms for Hard of Hearing and Deaf People

Do you have a hearing loss, live in Queensland and have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card?

You may be eligible to receive a specialised smoke alarm for only $50 contribution. All the information and how to apply is on the Deaf Services Queensland website at www.deafservicesqld.org.au/sass. If you have any questions, please contact Deaf Services Queensland at:

Phone: (07) 3892 8500
Fax: (07) 3392 8511
TTY: (07) 3892 8501
Email: smokealarms@deafsq.org.au

Emergency Call Systems – Safety and Independence

As people chose to live at home for longer, the incidence of accidents encountered by people living on their own is on the increase.  In an effort to remain independent at home, it is also important that personal safety is considered. An Emergency Call System can be one device that can increase independence and safety.

Emergency call systems operate in a variety of environments such as private homes, hospitals, nursing homes and retirement villages. They are designed to enable a person to summon assistance when needed. This is achieved by activating a personal alarm which is often carried or worn on the person. Emergency call systems can give individuals and their family peace of mind that help is on its way, particularly if the person lives alone.

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Medical Alarm register 

The NBN is currently being rolled out across Australia. Eighteen months after an area has been declared NBN-ready, existing landline phones, ADSL internet, and Telstra cable internet services, will be switched off. This has  begin to occur – initially only in a small number of areas – from 23 May 2014.

Not all existing medical alarms are compatible with the NBN, and some alarm providers have not yet adopted products more suitable for a fully digital environment. As such, there is a risk that medical alarm users will be left with alarms that will not work.

Read More 

Inquiry into telehealth services in Queensland

The Queensland Parliament Health and Community Services Committee is holding consumer forums to hear from people who have used telehealth, or who may be interested in using telehealth, as an alternative to travelling to appointments at a public hospital or health service.

If you’d like to attend:

• Roma: Thursday 29 May 2014 from 2.30-4pm at the Bungil Cultural Community Centre
• Cairns: Tuesday 17 June 2014 from 2.30-4pm Cairns Civic Reception Rooms

Please register your interest via the committee secretariat on 1800 504 022 or hcsc@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Positive Impact Program

Greater Metro South Brisbane Medicare Local continues to promote healthy lifestyle choices and chronic disease prevention through the Positive Impact Program.  Their catchment area includes almost 1 million residents and covers Brisbane’s Southern suburbs, Bayside, Redlands, Logan, Beenleigh and Beaudesert.

The Program provides eligible participants with individual advice and extended support, over a 6 or 12-month period. 

Read more 

Nominations are open for the 2014 Youth Ambassador Program 

The Queensland Government is seeking six enthusiastic young people, aged 12 to 21 years, to become ambassadors for the six areas of connection in the Queensland Youth Strategy:

• family, friends and social networks
• education, training and employment
• health and wellbeing
• volunteering and participation
• supports and services
• arts and culture.

Each Ambassador will receive a $1000 bursary for personal or professional development, and will be supported to attend a personal development workshop in Brisbane.

Read More 

Nominate for Premier’s Cultural Diversity Award

Queenslanders are being encouraged to nominate a deserving individual, business or organisation for the Premier’s Cultural Diversity Awards (formerly the Queensland Multicultural Awards).

The awards recognise and celebrate achievements that promote the development of strong culturally diverse communities in Queensland.

Nominations can be made in a wide range of categories, including business, media and community news, and education with applications closing 5pm, Monday 16 June 2014. Winners will be presented during Queensland Cultural Diversity Week, held from Saturday 30 August to Sunday 7 September 2014.