Mary O'Mara - Carers Victoria - Carers in Transition: An Overview of a Suite of Three Therapeutic...

© Carers Victoria 2014

Carers In TransitionAn overview of three therapeutic programs


Carers Victoria – what we offer


Carers Victoria

Carers Victoria provides advice, information and support for carers to improve their health, wellbeing, capacity, financial security and resilience.

1800 242 6336

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Programs

(1) Considering Residential care(2) Sharing the care(3) New Horizons


Beginnings

• Major stages identified

• Lack of support for carers at this

crucial time

• Need for specialist support

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Scope of program

• 3 – 5 days / 10.00 am–3.00 pm

• Follow-up at 4–6 weeks

• 8–12 participants

• Closed group

• Co-facilitated

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What they are not

• Carer support groups

• Social groups

• Information sessions

• ‘Dip in...dip out’

• ‘Fix it’

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What they are

• Therapeutic

• Interactive

• Focussed & loose

• Sequential

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Preparation is paramount

• Readiness

• Respite provision

• Ongoing practical and emotional

support

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(1) Considering residential careTopics may include:

Making decisionsChange & lossVisiting an aged care facilityPractical information


The starting point

“Just tell me which is the best

facility.”

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Quote

“I promised I would never put her in one of those places”


The reality – promises we

can’t keep

• The most difficult decision

• “I’ve failed”/ guilt

• Emotionally draining

• Isolating

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Key Concepts

• Informed versus crisis driven

decisions

• How we view aged care facilities

• Knowing when the time is right

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What we hope for…

• Smoother transition

• Improved health and wellbeing

• Balance

• Realistic expectations

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What we find


• Better understanding of facilities


• Empowered to make the difficult

decision

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(2) Sharing the Care

For carers who have recently placed someone in residential care


I should be feeling better but…

• Unwanted change

• Guilt

• Loss of role

• Loss of purpose

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What we hope for…

• Smoother transition into new

role


• Balance

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(3) New Horizons

For carers who are recently bereaved


‘I should be over it’…

• Acknowledging the carer role

• Models of grieving

• Symptoms of grief

• New horizons

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What we hope for…

• Compassion of time

• Understanding of grief

• Balance


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EvaluationCarers Victoria evaluationReflective writing Health & Wellbeing study Deakin university – Prof R. Cummins


What we find


• Better understanding of facilities


• Accessing support services

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What carers say...

• Peer support and understanding

• Practical information and emotional exploration

• Time and safety

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Quotes“This has given me a whole new perspective on the problem.”“I never realised there was so much loss involved.”“You have given me permission.”


Summary

Time consumingRequires planning & co-operationPreventative


Interested?

Host a programRefer a carer

Promote the program


For information contact

Mary O’Mara

Carers Victoria

(03) 9396 9508

[email protected]

Mary O'Mara - Carers Victoria - Carers in Transition: An Overview of a Suite of Three Therapeutic...

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Transcript of Mary O'Mara - Carers Victoria - Carers in Transition: An Overview of a Suite of Three Therapeutic...