August Newsletter

CEO Message

Hello Good People,

Welcome to another Newsletter.

IMPROVED PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS UPDATE

I would like to update you all in relation to the implementation of improved payment arrangements (IPA), and our presentations at the last round of information sessions in Ayr, Ingham and Townsville, attended by 120 people.

Everglow has been advised that official communications about IPA implementation revisions have been held up due to delays in finalising legal advice on change impacts for income tested fee (ITF) charging. Noting these delays, Everglow unofficially advises our Home Care Package (HCP) clients that IPA implementation revisions will likely include:

From 1 October 2021

• Everglow will claim monthly for the care and services delivered to HCP recipients in the previous month (i.e. will claim in October 2021 for September 2021 expenses). This claim will be for the total dollar amount for services delivered to individual care recipients (does not need to be detailed by service type).

• Everglow must maintain oversight of HCP recipients’ home care account balance, and will be able tell HCP care recipients the balance. Services Australia will update the payment statement they issue to Everglow to include the home care account balance for each care recipient.

From 1 January 2021

• Everglow will have until December 2021, to begin reporting to Services Australia the Commonwealth portion of unspent funds we hold for each of our HCP care recipients. Everglow can begin reporting in any month between the September 2021 to November 2021 claim periods (i.e. September 2021 claimed in October 2021, and November 2021 claimed in December 2021). Excluding the unspent funds amount from the monthly claim will not affect the payment of subsidies.

Changes to unspent funds management

• As per original IPA implementation advice, Everglow will have until 28 February 2022 to choose whether to opt-in to draw down on the Commonwealth portion of unspent funds we currently hold for our HCP care recipients to deliver care until this is used up. Services Australia will credit the care recipient’s home care account with their available monthly subsidy (newly accrued unspent amount) for future use, while funds are being drawn down; Once the Commonwealth portion of the unspent funds held by Everglow for the care recipient are used up, Services Australia will pay Everglow monthly in arrears, based on the value of care and services delivered.

• Everglow has elected to not opt-in, which means we will claim the value of care and services delivered to a HCP care recipient in the previous month. Services Australia will pay Everglow monthly in arrears, based on the value of services delivered. Everglow will continue to hold the Commonwealth portion of unspent funds that were accrued for a HCP care recipient before 1 September 2021 and can use this to deliver care; Everglow will return any Commonwealth portion of the unspent funds to the Government at the time a HCP care recipient exits that service.

Everglow will be conducting another round of face to face information sessions on the 10th of August in Ingham, 11th of August in Townsville and 12th of August in Ayr. Please call (4725 1822 Townsville), (4728 2540 Ayr) and on (4776 2296 Ingham) to book a place.

I hope this information assists you in understanding the complex nature of the Aged Care system in Australia and what we in the industry are doing to ensure the Government follows through on the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

As always, I welcome any feedback from you in relation to your services or any opportunities for improvement.

Until next month, stay safe.

Wayne

Important Announcement

AGM - Annual General Meeting - Ordinary Membership

Everglow Community Care Links Incorporated is an incorporation association under Queensland Law. This allows Everglow, (a legal entity) to carry out the purposes set out in our constitution.

The association consist of:

• Members, and
• The Management Committee

The membership elects' members to the Management Committee. The Management Committee are responsible for the strategic management and overall control of the organisation. They appoint a Chief Executive Officer to conduct the day to day operation of the association and to report to the committee.

You, along with other members - are Everglow. As associated incorporation, we only exist if there is a membership base committed to our goals. This makes us different to larger organisations as we are owned and managed by people in the community, many of whom receive our service.

As a member of  the association you can influence:

• The strategic operation and direction of the organisation by voting at the Annual General Meeting and electing committee members with skills and expertise.
• Programs and services by participating in decisions at meetings and providing comments and suggestions at any time to Committee Members.

All new applications for ordinary membership will be considered by the Management Committee at the next scheduled Management Committee meeting, following submission of the application. The Committee meets on a bi-monthly basis.

The current cost of Ordinary Membership is $7.00 per year, per person, and decided by the members at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. An Invoice will be sent for payment.

Everglow has Public Liability Insurance to $20,000,000 and Products Liability to $20,000,000, which means membership does not carry legal financial liability for loss, injury, or damage because of activities carried out by the association.

Summary: Members Benefits

• Affordable cost of Ordinary Membership - $7.00 per year, per person 
• Ability to pay on invoice 
• A member's right to vote and be involved in the organisation's direction in the provision of Consumer Directed Care.
• Invitation to participate in Annual General Meeting
• Receipt of Everglow Annual Report
• Access to Monthly Social Functions/ Events.

DID YOU KNOW?

Gentle Exercise improved muscle strength and bone density reducing the risk factors of falls through improved balance. Activities that raise the heart rate increase blood flow to the heart and boost your overall health which can be beneficial for many chronic conditions. Maintaining a healthy weight and moving your body guided by qualified instructors promotes and improves one's confidence, socialization, and overall well-being.  

Colouring and craft activities relax the brain and can reduce anxiety and stress. Focus and direct attention increase creativity and enhance motor skills. Relax in a peaceful environment offering interaction, socialization, and inclusion. Come along and learn a new craft, create memories for yourself, and keepsakes for family and friends.

Dementia Advisory and Support Activities Eileen Parisi is a dementia advisor assisting with activities and support for clients and loves ones to develop strategies and skills to manage the daily challenges that living with dementia can present. Activities for clients stimulate the brain and memory but reduces anxiety and stress for enjoyment and achievement of goals. Eileen also offers home visits which are fully funded through your Home Care Package. This service is available to Everglow clients in Townsville, Ingham, and Ayr.

Music and song lift your spirits and releases happy emotion while improving speech and cognitive skills. As well as improving memory, music allows us to remember wonderful times of the past. Music and song improve respiration, lowers blood pressure, improves cardiac output, and relax muscle tension. Improve your immunity and give your brain and lungs a fun fulfilling workout. Our music classes offer clients the choice to play musical instruments, sing or just relax and enjoy the environment. 

See Below for the Time and Date of our activities

Monthly Functions And Weekly Activities.

Ayr

Bingo - Thursday 5th August at 9:30 am - 11:30 am 

Craft Group - Friday 27th August at 9:00 am - 11:00 am 

Morning tea is provided following all classes. Please call our friendly team  on 4728 2540 for more information on the venues of the above activities.     

Free Information Session

Date: Thursday 12th August 2021

Venue: Ayr RSL, 101 Burke Street, QLD 4807

Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Please call the office on 4728 2540 to RSVP by Monday 9th August 2021

Morning Melodies ( The Skylark Tour)

Date: Friday 20th August 2021

Venue: Burdekin Theatre, 161 Queens Street, Ayr QLD 4807

Time: 11:00 am

Cost $15.00

Please call the office on 4728 2540 to RSVP by Monday 16th August 2021 

Lunch ( 3 Course Meal )

Date: Thursday 26th August 2021

Venue: Bridge Restaurant, 8th Avenue, Home Hill QLD 4806

Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Cost: $20.00

Please call the office on 4728 2540 to RSVP by Monday 23rd August 2021

Townsville                                              

Gentle Exercise - Every Monday (First Session) 9:30 am - 11:00 am  (Second Session) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm , Every Wednesday ( One Session) 9:30 am - 11:00 am and Every Friday (First Session) 9:30 am -11:00 am (Second Session) 11:00 am -12:30 pm

Colouring & Craft - Every Tuesday 9:30 am - 11:30 am

Music Memories - Every Thursday 9:30 am - 11:30 am 

Mind Matters (Dementia Support Activities)- Every Wednesday 11:00 am - 12:30 pm 

First Session is Free 

Morning Tea is provided following all classes. Please call our friendly team on 4725 1822 for more information on the venues of the above activities.  

Free Information Session

Date: Wednesday 11th August 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Venue: Everglow Office, 2/155 Hugh Street Currajong QLD 4812

Please call the office on 4725 1822 to RSVP by Friday 6th August 2021

Morning Tea with Everglow Nurses

Date: Thursday 11th August 2021     

Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm 

Venue: Everglow Office, 2/155 Hugh Street Currajong QLD 4812

Cost: 10.00  

Please call the office on 4725 1822 to RSVP by Friday 6th August 2021   

Fish Inn Lunch

Date: Tuesday 17th August 2021

Venue: Fish Inn Rock Pool, The Strand

Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Cost: $20.00

Please call the office on 4725 1822 to RSVP by Thursday 12th August 2021

Ingham

Gentle Exercise - Every Tuesday 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

Craft - 11th August and 25th August 9:00 am - 11:30 am 

Bingo - 13th August 9:30 am - 11:30 am 

Hoy /Cent Sale - 27th August 9:30 am - 11:30 am 

Dance Well -  Every Thursday 10:00 am - 11:30 am

First Session is Free 

Morning Tea is provided following all classes. Please call our friendly team  on 4776 2296 for more information on the venues of the above activities   

Free Information Session

Date: Tuesday 10th August 2021

Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Venue: Ingham Everglow Centre, 11 Lannercost Street, Ingham QLD 4850

Please call the office on 4776 2296 to RSVP by Friday 5th August 2021

High Tea at JK's

Date: Wednesday 18th August 2021     

Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

Venue: JK's Delicatessen, 78 Lannercost Street, Ingham QLD 4850

Cost: 20.00  

Please call the office on 4776 2296 to RSVP by Wednesday 11th August 2021

Twenty Perks of Reaching Old Age:

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
2. Ina hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
3. No one expects you to run into a burning building.
4. People call at 9pm and ask , "Did I wake you?"
5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
7. Things you buy now you won't wear out.
8. You can eat dinner at 4pm.
9. You can live without sex but not without glasses.
10. You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
11. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
12. You have a part and the neighbours don't even realise it.
13. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
14. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks in the room.
15. You sing along with elevator music.
16. Your eyes won't get much worse.
17. Your investment in health insurance is finally started to pay off.
18. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
19. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
20. You can't remember who sent you this list.                                                                   

Give us a call for more information about our services and products.