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Award Winning Carer's RetreatsBass Coast Shire Council’s Carer’s Retreats won an Award for innovation and providing creative solutions to respite. By Bass Coast - 24th November 2011 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Strengthening Manager, Antoinette Mitchell said the Carer’s Retreats won the Local Government Professionals (LGPro) statewide Outstanding Program Award for a grant based program.
"The Retreats offer an opportunity for carers and people with dementia or chronic health conditions, to enjoy a short break away together. "The retreats are supported by qualified and experienced staff and volunteers from Council’s Planned Activity Group and are offered to 20 couples each year.
"The staff were very excited to win such a prestigious award. "All their hard work has been acknowledged and they should feel proud with this achievement, "continued Mrs Mitchell.
Lesley Hammond, Bass Coast Council’s Aged and Disability Team Leader said that, the Award recognised the positive impact of the Retreats, which included learning so much from each other and the ongoing benefits this brings. "At the Retreats, carers are introduced to stress reduction and relaxation techniques which they can continue at home.
"Carers also found and developed supportive friendships. They wa
Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Strengthening Manager, Antoinette Mitchell said the Carer’s Retreats won the Local Government Professionals (LGPro) statewide Outstanding Program Award for a grant based program.
"The Retreats offer an opportunity for carers and people with dementia or chronic health conditions, to enjoy a short break away together. "The retreats are supported by qualified and experienced staff and volunteers from Council’s Planned Activity Group and are offered to 20 couples each year.
"The staff were very excited to win such a prestigious award. "All their hard work has been acknowledged and they should feel proud with this achievement, "continued Mrs Mitchell.
Lesley Hammond, Bass Coast Council’s Aged and Disability Team Leader said that, the Award recognised the positive impact of the Retreats, which included learning so much from each other and the ongoing benefits this brings. "At the Retreats, carers are introduced to stress reduction and relaxation techniques which they can continue at home.
"Carers also found and developed supportive friendships. They wanted to continue meeting after the Retreats, and informal support groups have been established, with guidance from council staff, said Ms Hammond.
The following retreat program outcomes from the first year were acknowledged as part of the Award:
• 20 carers and 20 care recipients had a three day break at a resort in Mornington.
• Carers are now managing their stress better at home by practising stress management techniques and supporting each other between meetings.
• 4 informal Carer support groups have been established.
• Council advocated for a Memory Lane Café in Bass Coast as a direct result of increased awareness of carer needs, as identified in the Carer Retreats.
• Some clients have obtained an Aged Care Package and others are accessing other respite opportunities as a result of being assessed for carer retreats.
• The evaluation provided to the Department of Health detailing the success of our program has resulted in recurrent funding.
For more information about Bass Coast Shire Council Aged and Disabiltiy Services contact Council on 1300 BCOAST (226 278).
nted to continue meeting after the Retreats, and informal support groups have been established, with guidance from council staff, said Ms Hammond.
The following retreat program outcomes from the first year were acknowledged as part of the Award:
• 20 carers and 20 care recipients had a three day break at a resort in Mornington.
• Carers are now managing their stress better at home by practising stress management techniques and supporting each other between meetings.
• 4 informal Carer support groups have been established.
• Council advocated for a Memory Lane Café in Bass Coast as a direct result of increased awareness of carer needs, as identified in the Carer Retreats.
• Some clients have obtained an Aged Care Package and others are accessing other respite opportunities as a result of being assessed for carer retreats.
• The evaluation provided to the Department of Health detailing the success of our program has resulted in recurrent funding.
For more information about Bass Coast Shire Council Aged and Disabiltiy Services contact Council on 1300 BCOAST (226 278).
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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