Caring through Crisis: Disaster Planning
Disaster planning providers carers with an opportunity to plan ahead for future emergencies, especially when caring for someone with complex needs.
This session will focus on:
- Understanding your risks
- Knowing what to do before, during and after disaster
- Knowing who can assist you, and
- Having tools and knowledge to plan ahead
At the end of the session participants will receive a copy of the 'Caring through Crisis: Disaster Planning Handbook', including a template to create your own emergency care plan, evacuation plan and evacuation checklist.
The duration of this workshop is 1.5 hours.
Date: Thursday, 29th May 2025
Time: 10.30am to 12pm
To find out more, email: education@carersnsw.org.au
Book your spot for the Carers NSW website.
Webinar: Tips about Retirement Village Living
Buying into a retirement village is not only a personal decision, but also a financial one. Understanding your options is important.
Join us for an informative conversation as we discuss the important factors to think about when considering retirement village living. From contracts and fees (such as entry, exit and maintenance) to everyday lifestyle details, understanding what’s involved will help to make the decision easier. Â
Date: 22 May 2025
Time: 12:30pm
To register for the webinar, visit the Retirement Village Living registration page.
Community Service Stalls Day
Connect with services in the Coffs Coast region on 11th June 2025 at the Maam Gaduying Park in Bellingen for the local Community Service Stalls Day.
The Service NSW bus will be on Ford St outside the Waterfall Way Visitor Information Centre between 9am and 3.30pm.
For more information call (02) 6655 7300.
Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Workshop – Ballina
Wesley LifeForce has developed a quality suite of suicide prevention training. Our suicide prevention training equips participants with the knowledge and skills to increase awareness of suicide in Australia, identify the signs that someone may be at risk of suicide and the appropriate action to take. Effective interventions can make a real difference and save lives. Wesley’s programs aim at training individuals from all walks of life, as well as organisational groups. All Wesley LifeForce Facilitators are accredited trainers and have completed suicide intervention training.
Date: Thursday, 19 June 2025
Time: 9am to 4pm
Location: Ballina RSL
Reserve your spot via the Suicide Prevention Workshop Eventbrite site.
Port Macquarie Seniors Expo
The Port Macquarie Retirement Living and Seniors Lifestyle Expo offers a unique and valuable opportunity exclusively tailored to over 55s and Seniors.
With free admission, visitors can explore a wide range of businesses and service providers all under one roof.
Whether you are interested in retirement living, travel packages, social outings, financials, health and specialised services, this expo provides a platform to ask questions, and make informed decisions about your future.
Date: Thursday, 21 August 2025
Time: 10am to 1pm
Where: The Westport Club, 25 Buller Street Port Macquarie.
Talking Tech for Seniors
Join the team at the Port Macquarie Library on Friday, 27th June at 10am for the program 'Talking Tech for Seniors'.
Don't let technology intimidate you; let it empower you.
The library is running free classes providing tutorials on technology essentials. Bring along your own device.
A short session from the 'Be Connected' program will be followed by a Q&A session over morning tea.
Secure your spot here via the Port Library website.
Plan your Care, Protect your Legacy
A practical discussion on aged care reforms, retirement living, and estate planning.
Understanding the New Aged Care Reforms (effective 1 July 2025):
The sector has always been complex, but on 1st July 2025 the new aged care act will take effect, bringing critical funding and regulatory reform to support a high quality and sustainable aged care sector.
In this session:
- The key changes in aged care legislation and what they mean for you and your loved ones
- Updated funding models across home care and residential care
Estate Planning
Estate Planning is more than just writing a will - it is about making informed decisions to protect your wishes, support your loved ones, and reduce the risk of disputes later on.
Retirement Living
Key insights from the RVRA’s Have Your Say survey of 4,000+ retirement village residents across Australia
Hosted by Farrar Gesini Dunn and Phillips Wealth Partners, this session will provide practical advice and strategies to help you stay financially and legally prepared as you age.
Register your spot for the Plan Your Care, Protect Your Legacy Eventbrite Tickets site.
Department of Health and Aged Care Updates
Support at Home Letters to Home Care Recipients
The Department of Health and Aged Care is sending a letter to home care recipients to help them prepare for the new Support at Home program. Â
These letters will include:
- an overview of the Support at Home ProgramÂ
- information on preparing with your provider to transition to Support at HomeÂ
- a checklist detailing activities to help you prepare for the transition.
Those on a home care package will start to receive these letters from early to mid-May. Â
You are able to view the letters on the Department's Support at Home Program Resources webpage and the checklists on the Publications webpage, with the resources available in 22 languages.
Aged Care Answers – Port Macquarie Library
Former Aged Care Advocate Jill McDonnell believes in making aged care as easy as possible, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
When: Wednesday, 21st May 2025
Some questions you may have:
- What are my rights when receiving care?
- How do I access aged care services I've heard about? Can you tell me more about 'My Aged Care?
- What fees do I have to pay for my aged care services?
Confused by aged care options? This session simplifies the process, covering services, funding, and how to advocate for the best care. Get the guidance you need to make informed decisions.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Book your spot via the Port-Hastings Library website.
Staying Safe Online – A Practical Guide for Carers
Join Carers NSW for a free 45-minute webinar on helpful advice and practical tips for staying safe online. This webinar will be delivered in partnership with YourLink.
YourLink helps people and organisations build their digital confidence with practical tips that help daily lives.
This session will cover the following:
- Easy ways to manage passwords
- How to recognise scams
- Small changes that make a big difference
- Basic tech settings to improve safety
- A quick word on the role of Artificial Intelligence and what to look out for.
Date: Thursday, 22nd May 2025
Time: 10.30am to 11.15am
Join the session by registering at the Staying Safe Online link.
Living Well with Dementia Program
This program provides an overview of how to live well when you have been diagnosed with dementia. You will learn how to maintain your wellness overall, with information about caring for your health, body and mind, and accessing support.
This program runs online over 4 sessions:
- Tuesday, 3 June 2025 from 9.30am to 12pmÂ
- Tuesday, 10 June 2025 from 9.30am to 12pm
- Tuesday, 17 June 2025 from 9.30am to 12pmÂ
- Tuesday, 24 June 2025, from 9.30am to 12pm
For more information and bookings please visit the Living Well With Dementia Program website.
Advance Care Planning Workshop
This workshop will provide information on why future planning is important and how to get started.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding capacity and decision making
- Advance Care Directive and Advance Care Plan – what are they are which one do I use?
- Advancing Dementia – 4 main areas of changes
- Sharing and storing a plan
This workshop is suitable for people living with dementia, their family member and care partners. It not suitable for professionals employed in the health or aged care sector.
When: Thursday, 29th May, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Where: Dementia Australia, 21 Bridge Street, Port Macquarie
For more information and bookings please email nightingalensw@dementia.org.au or call 0490 849 439.
Service NSW Mobile Service Centre in Bellingen
Service NSW is coming to Bellingen on 10 and 11 June 2025. Visit the bus between 1pm to 3.30pm on 10 June 2025 or 9am to 3.30pm on 11 June 2025 at Ford Street outside Waterfall Way Visitor Information Centre.
You will have access to services like:
- Driver Knowledge Tests
- Driver licence, mobility parking and photo card applications
- Working with Children Checks
- Birth, death and marriage certificates
- Cost of living support, and more...
Call 13 77 88 or visit service.nsw.gov.au to check out the latest timetables.
Severe weather may mean our timetable has to change at short notice, we strongly recommend you check on the day.
Supporting Carers in the Palliative Care Setting
Supporting someone at the end of their life can be a challenging and stressful time for carers.
Supporting Carers in the Palliative Care Setting is designed to build the confidence of residential aged care staff, palliative care teams and other palliative care professionals in supporting family and friend carers of patients or clients or residents who are approaching their end of life.
The training will explore:
- who carers are and what they do
- the NSW Carers (Recognition) Act 2010 and its purpose
- the support needs of carers in palliative care settingsÂ
- services and resources to support carers.
Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Time: 10.30am to 12pm
To find out more email: education@carersnsw.org.au
If you would like to register for the session you can do so here - Supporting Carers in the Palliative Care Setting
Service NSW Mobile Service Centre in Dorrigo
Services NSW is coming to Dorrigo on 12 June 2025. Visit the bus between 10am and 3pm at 51 Hickory Street, Dorrigo.
You will have access to services like:
- Driver Knowledge Tests
- Driver licenCe, mobility parking and photo card applicationsÂ
- Working with Children ChecksÂ
- NDIS Worker Checks
- Birth, death and marriage certificates
- Cost of living support, and more....
Call 13 77 88 or visit service.nsw.gov.au to check our latest timetable. Â
Severe weather may mean our timetable has to change at short notice, we strongly recommend you check on the day.
Dementia Australia Cafe Connect – Urunga
Cafe Connect is an opportunity for people living with dementia and their family members and carers to enjoy time together with some refreshments, in company of people in a similar situation to themselves.
A dementia support specialist will be present to provide information and support.
Cafe Connect meets once a month at the Anchor’s Wharf Cafe, 6 Bellingen Street Urunga.
For more information or to register to meet please contact Martine Diss on 0419 805 200 or email martine.diss@dementia.org.au
Driving and Dementia
Dementia Australia is hosting a Driving and Dementia online course about the impact of dementia on driving. It offers tips for recognising when it is impacting on someone’s ability to drive safely, the importance of planning ahead, and acknowledging the significance of retiring from driving. Â
Wednesday, 25th June 2025 from 2pm to 4pm.Â
For more information visit the Driving and Dementia page.
Aged Care Answers – Wauchope Library
Do you have any questions regarding the rights of seniors? Struggling to navigate aged care? Join us for a cuppa and concise session on understanding services, negotiating care plans, and making confident decisions.
When: Thursday, 19th June at 11am
Former Aged Care Advocate Jill McDonnell believes in making aged care as easy as possible, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
Some questions you may have:
- What are my rights when receiving services?
- How do I access aged care services I’ve heard about, and can you tell me more about 'My Aged Care'?
- What fees do I have to pay for my aged care services?
Morning tea will be provided.
Book your spot via the Wauchope Library website.
Your Community Hub
Run by local services to provide support for those doing it tough in our community.
The hub runs every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, at the Manning Uniting Church, 29-35 Albert Street, Taree NSW.
There is a free breakfast on offer from 8:30am, along with emergency food, toiletries and clothing at 9.30am.
Orange Sky laundry will be available from 10am to 12pm.
The next community Hub will be on Friday, 13th June 2025.
For more information, contact the Wesley Hub in Taree on (02) 6552 0244
Financial Assistance is Available
Depending on your location and the extent of the impact, you may be eligible for payments by the National Emergency Management Agency:
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment: $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child adversely affected.
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance: Up to 13 weeks income support for those who can demonstrate their income has been impacted.
- Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants: $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more to cover essentials like food, clothing, and medicine.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance: $150 per person, up to $750 for families of five or more, to assist with immediate need following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.
- Essential Household Contents Grants: Up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents.
- And more...
Please contact 1800 173 349 if you are in Queensland or 13 77 88 if you are in New South Wales to find out what you may be eligible for.
