Inform issue 25 – Winter 2018

Coping with a crisis NDIS Feature Managing your money
Finding
home
again
Issue #25

Inform is
Independence
Australia’s crossdisability
magazine.
We encourage readers to
submit suitable content
for consideration by
Independence Australia. All
correspondence of this nature
should be directed to:
inform@iagroup.org.au
While every effort has been
made to ensure the accuracy
of the information in this
publication, Independence
Australia assumes no
responsibility for errors
or omissions of any
consequences of reliance in
this publication. The opinions
expressed in this publication
do not necessarily represent
the views of Independence
Australia. Medical information
included is not intended to be
a substitute for professional
advice.
Your NDIS journey
of care starts here
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
is a new way to provide support for Australians
with a disability, their families and carers.
CORE
SUPPORTS
Daily activities: In-home
& in the community.
Consumables &
continence products.
CAPACITY
BUILDING
Therapy, skills
development &
co-ordination
of support.
CAPITAL &
ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Household aids &
mobility equipment.
As a leading service provider, our dedicated team of co-ordinators are here to
support your journey to the NDIS. We’ve got you covered with a wide range of
products, equipment, services and supports for your NDIS package, all from our
one organisation.
ABN 80 973 805 243
Building 1, 9 Ashley Street
West Footscray VIC 3012
inform@iagroup.org.au
www.independenceaustralia.com
2
independenceaus
independenceaus
STEP 1.
Preparing
your plan.
STEP 2.
Developing
your plan.
STEP 3.
Getting your
plan approved
by the NDIA.
STEP 4.
Choosing your
providers and
implementing
your plan.
Visit independenceaustralia.com/ndis
to learn more about the NDIS
and how it affects you.
STEP 5.
Reviewing
your plan.

Welcome
Issue #25
contents
new
beginnings
This issue of Inform is all about celebrating new
beginnings and changes, as we in the Inform team
have our own new beginning to celebrate. In May 2018
we were given the fantastic news that our magazine
was selected as part of the NDIS’s Information,
Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) framework. This
is a great recognition of the work we are doing in the
space, and we’re very excited to share this with you.
Over the coming months you will see many changes
to Inform, so keep your eyes peeled and watch this
space.
In this issue we follow the story of Joel who, following a
traumatic accident, had to start from scratch with his career. His
story of determination shows us that you are never too old to
find your passion again, and that the sky is the limit when you
put your mind to it. In this issue you will also find the first in our
series of NDIS features and, as many regions take their first
steps into the scheme, we are asking you the question: are you
NDIS ready?
7
8
12
14
23
Staying free from Urinary Tract
Infections
Feature article: Finding Home
Again
NDIS feature: How to pick a
provider
NDIS feature: Are you NDIS
ready?
Healthy eating on a budget
8
Over the coming issues we will be working to de-mystify the
scheme, and provide you with the information you need to
navigate it effectively. We look forward to sharing this with you,
and please get in touch with us if you have an NDIS myth you
would like busted in future issues.
The Inform team is committed to bringing you quality,
informative content wherever you are in Australia, so we
encourage you to get in touch with us if you have a story of
independence to share. You can reach the team at
inform@iagroup.org.au.
Alison Crowe
Managing Editor: Alison Crowe
Deputy Editor: Rachel Tyler Jones
Design: Mark Lovatt
Cover Story Photography:
Meredith O’Shea
Special Thanks: NDIA, TAC, Dietitians
Association of Australia
3

Nov- Dec 2018
What’s
On
November
Movember
14 World Diabetes Day
12-18 National Psychology
Week
December
3 International Day of Persons
with Disabilities
10 Human Rights Day
12 International Universal Health
Coverage Day
26 National Leftovers Day
4

Out and about
Accessibility
Weekend
The 14th Accessibility
Weekend is over and what
a resounding success the
2018 event was!
Independence Australia was
lucky enough to have Australian
wheelchair rugby legends
Nazim Erdem and Josh Hose
champion the annual event,
which saw Victoria’s favourite
tourist attractions open their
doors for free to wheelchair
users and their carers on 8 and
9 September.
ArtVo, Sovereign Hill, Eureka
Skydeck, LEGOLAND and the
Arthurs Seat Eagle were just
some of the 40 accessible
regional and metro venues that
participated this year.
The event, which signifies
the importance of access and
inclusion for people living with
a physical disability, took place
as part of Spinal Cord Injury
Awareness Week.
This was especially significant
for the two Paralympians in
attendance, who coach and
mentor people with spinal
cord injuries on their journey
to return to their communities
independently. They noted
the personal importance of
accessibility in living a fulfilling,
inclusive life.
Erdem became a quadriplegic
after diving off a pier into
shallow water at the age of
20. He went on to win two
gold and two silver medals at
five Paralympics from 2000
to 2016. Hose, an incomplete
quadriplegic, won gold medals
at the 2012 London and 2016
Rio Paralympics. He was a
passenger in a car that rolled
down a 20-foot embankment,
during which he sustained a
spinal cord injury.
Independence Australia Chief
Executive Officer Peter Turner
said Accessibility Weekend links
with the organisation’s objective
to support people living with
a disability or personal need
to regain and retain their
independence.
“Accessibility Weekend is an
invaluable opportunity for
Victorians living with a disability,
their families and carers to
enjoy the inclusive access each
participating venue has to offer,”
Mr Turner said.
Independence Australia
also teamed up with Global
Ballooning Australia to offer one
lucky Accessibility Weekend
guest and their carer the
chance to win an accessible
ride in Global Ballooning
Australia’s Easy Access Basket
across the Yarra Valley.
This year, Roy Davie impressed
us with his innovation to
improve accessibility for
wheelchair users and nabbed
the prize with his entry: “I’d like
to see fully automated ramps on
public transport at every door
that are deployed when doors
open and retract when doors
close.”
5

Featured Product
TENA
FOR MEN
to help with prostate
enlargement
Enlargement of the prostate is
a normal part of ageing for men.
The prostate gland surrounds
the top part of the urethra and
enlargement narrows the urethra
and puts pressure on the base of
the bladder. This can affect the
passing of urine and can cause
a variety of symptoms, including
urinary incontinence for some men.
Some will have enlargement with no
symptoms and others will have symptoms
requiring intervention. One in seven men
will be diagnosed with prostate cancer
by the age of 85. It is more common in
older men, with 63% of cases diagnosed
in men over 65 years of age (1) .
Surgery is usually only considered
for incontinence after non-invasive
treatments have failed and the condition
is interfering with the individual’s quality
of life. It is a big decision for anyone
as there can be complications, such
as infection, bleeding and damage to
surrounding tissue and nerves, so it is
usually considered as a last resort option.
The following are non- invasive strategies
to help address enlarged prostate
symptoms:
• loss of weight can reduce pressure on
the pelvic floor and bladder
• avoidance of caffeinated drinks
(alcohol, fizzy drinks, coffee, tea) that
can irritate the bladder and increase
urinary frequency
• reduction or cessation of smoking as it
can also irritate the bladder (2)
• pelvic floor muscle exercises can
support the bladder and urethra to
improve urinary control (referral to a
specialist men’s health physiotherapist
if needed) (3)
• bladder retraining can improve
bladder capacity (4)
• Use of a discreet pad for dribbles or
incontinence so that one can feel dry,
maintain dignity and feel confident in
social situations
If all these measures have not improved
symptoms, surgical options may need
to be explored. Of course if the prostate
is cancerous, an individual may require
surgery or radiation therapy as immediate
treatment, but this will be determined by
the Urologist.
TENA has an excellent range of products
specially designed for men. They come
in a range of sizes, levels of absorbency
and with a discreet design.
Free samples can be ordered via TENA
website: www.tena.com.au
1.https://www.cancer.org.au
2.https://www.tena.com.au/men/causes-of-urinary-incontinence/being-a-smoker/
3.https://www.tena.com.au/men/incontinence-treatments/pelvic-floor-exercises-for-men
4.https://www.tena.com.au/women/incontinence-treatments/bladder-retraining/
6

Your Health
Your health
Staying free
from Urinary
Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a relatively common
but unpleasant problem that affects the bladder and/
or kidneys. Symptoms may include; changes in bladder
habits, burning pain with urination, back or tummy
pain, urinary urgency, incontinence, a high fever and
even delirium if left untreated.
Not all infections are easy to detect, and some people may
feel only mildly unwell or have unexplained changes to their
bladder habits. Carers of people who cannot communicate
clearly often report that the only outward indication of a UTI is
strong smelling urine or a change in mood or behaviour.
Fact: women and the elderly have a slightly higher risk of UTI
Most urinary infections are caused by a bacteria that has made
its way into the bladder via the urethra or via continence aids
such as a catheter. This requires direct contact between the
entrance to the bladder and the bacteria. Bad smells and
public toilet seats are not to blame for UTIs, because they do
not make contact with the entrance to the bladder.
UTIs are more
likely caused by:
1.
Poor wiping techniques after
toileting. It is important to wipe from
front to back, particularly after a
bowel action. Bacteria that belong
in the bowel can cause problems
if they get into the urethra and
bladder.
2.
Bacteria on your hands or other
surfaces making contact with the
urethra or continence aids. Make
sure you know the correct clean
techniques for using catheters and
use single-use catheters where
possible. Care workers should wash
their hands well and wear gloves for
intimate care.
3.
Broken, wet and fragile skin, which
is more susceptible to infection.
Good skin care and appropriate
use of continence aids can ensure
skin is healthy and more resistant to
infection. Powders and harsh soaps
should not be used on intimate
areas.
4.
Poor fluid intake. A good flow
of urine can wash away any stray
bacteria that may be in or near the
urethra, therefore preventing an
infection. Drinking about 1500ml of
fluid a day ensures a good amount
of urine.
5.
Not emptying your bladder fully.
If you hover instead of sitting
properly on the toilet, some urine
stays inside the bladder which
encourages stray bacteria to
multiply rather than being flushed
out. Other causes of incomplete
emptying include constipation and
prostate enlargement.
7

8

Feature
Finding
home again
Photography: Meredith O’Shea
Home for Joel has always been a place where he could hear
the birds singing and see the trees growing outside his window.
Growing up an active man, Joel was not known for sitting still or
for keeping quiet for long – he much preferred being on the go,
and making connections with people as he went. In his youth he
travelled all over Victoria; working in kitchens, building sites and
in supported living residences – anything that allowed him the
opportunity to travel, make friends and keep busy. With the birth
of his two young daughters Joel’s life seemed complete, as if the
world was at his feet.
9

Feature
Physically he was at home, but
mentally Joel was far away
Then a fateful mistake 12 years ago turned his life
on its head. While visiting the northern suburbs of
Melbourne to see a friend, Joel made the splitsecond
decision to step out onto the road from
behind a tram, without realising that there was
oncoming traffic on the other side. A fast-moving
car collided with Joel, sending him flying onto the
road and severing his spinal cord in the process.
Following the accident Joel was left a paraplegic
and unable to walk. After a relatively quick rehab
journey where he was taught how to take care
of himself again, he returned home to myriad of
house modifications and changes to ensure that
he could simply get in the front door. On the face
of it, with these changes made and the duties
of caring for his young daughters returning, it
seemed life had resumed its fast pace in Joel’s
household, and that ‘normality’ would soon set in
again.
For Joel, however, it felt as if time was standing
still. So used to being on the go all the time, his
life felt disrupted and directionless. Physically
he was at home, but mentally Joel was far away.
Joel recalls that early on he would spend his
days sitting in his wheelchair staring out the front
window, wondering what on earth was going to
happen with his life now.
Joel felt lost. He could no longer work in his
much-loved active roles, and he was struggling
to deal with the impact of what had happened
to him. Just as Joel was beginning to lose
all motivation, a close friend made a simple
suggestion to him: “Well you talk all the time, why
don’t you do that for a job? I know a place.”
Thanks to this friend, Joel was linked up with
a high school educational program aimed at
educating young people about risk-taking and
Above: Joel sharing his experience with a group of students.
consequences. The role saw Joel visiting high
schools and speaking to the students about his
experience with his injury, and what he would
do differently if he could turn back time. It only
took a few presentations for Joel to feel as if he
had found his place in the world again. He loved
the way he felt after visiting a school – he felt he
could change lives and make a difference, simply
by sharing his story.
Fast forward a few years and Joel is a completely
different man – he is motivated, active and
settled. No longer spending his days staring out a
window, he has found a new lease on life and he
attributes that to finding his passion in educating
young people. Looking forward, Joel hopes that
by sharing his story he can motivate others to
tackle their own personal challenges, and not let
one thing define who they are.
By finding his new passion, Joel has found his
way home again. And he couldn’t be happier.
10

Featured Product
Spring
into better
skin care
Skin becomes thinner and
more fragile as we age and is
less capable of withstanding
mechanical pressure, which
leads to an increased risk of skin
injury. 1
Of particular concern with ageing skin are
skin tears. Chronic wounds such as leg
and pressure ulcers that are associated
with elderly patients present a major
burden, both in terms of cost and in terms
of the time taken to treat them.
Apart from the pain and distress, skin
tears are also costly to treat – the
estimated mean cost is $488.95 per
wound 3 . But moisturising with QV Skin
Lotion, twice-daily is proven to prevent
skin tears, reducing their incidence by
up to 51% 4 . Free of any irritants, QV Skin
Lotion has been designed to alleviate
skin dryness.
Using a pH skin balanced, non–soap
gentle cleanser such as QV Gentle
Wash, also offers additional moisturising
benefits, especially when used in
combination with QV Skin Lotion.
Australian made and owned by Ego
Pharmaceuticals, QV is a leading skin
care brand trusted by generations to
cleanse, moisturise and soothe dry,
sensitive skin.
For more information visit: www.egopharm.com
References: 1. Dyer JM, Miller RA. Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of
dermatoporosis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018 Jan;11(1):13-18. Epub 2018 Jan 1. 2.(PDF) Principles of Skin Care in the Elderly. Surber, Christian
& Brandt, S & Cozzio, A & Kottner, Jan. (2015). Principles of Skin Care in the Elderly. Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo
ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia. 150. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281637016_Principles_of_Skin_Care_
in_the_Elderly 3. Vu T, Harris A, Duncan G, Sussman G. Cost effectiveness of multidisciplinary wound care in nursing homes: a pseudorandomized
pragmatic cluster trial. Fam Pract 2007; 2 4: 372–379.4. Finch K. Skin tear prevention in patients over 65 years of age in a
hospital setting. PodiumPresentation. 10th Australian Wound Management Association Conference, May 7–10 2014, Brisbane, Australia.
11

How to pick an
NDIS provider
12

NDIS Feature
For new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
participants, the task of picking a supports provider can often be daunting.
There are so many providers across the country, and they all seem to offer
you the world. So how can you feel sure that your decision is the right one
for you?
Firstly, make sure that you are familiar with your
NDIS plan. Your plan will ultimately determine
what supports you can access, so it is important
for you to understand what you are funded to
receive. Take the time to go over your plan with
someone you trust, and make a note of any
questions you might have as you go. Once you
have done this you can get in touch with your
Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordination
(LAC) service with these questions. These
services exist to help you navigate the NDIS, and
they will provide you with support as you need it.
Once you are familiar with your plan, you can
then start focusing on your goals and how you
would like a provider to help you to achieve them.
For example, you may have the goal of living
independently, and would like a lot of assistance
in achieving this. Or you may have the goal of
getting back to work, and want little assistance in
achieving this – it is entirely up to you.
Research potential providers – there are a lot
out there! Whether you want one provider to do
everything, or several different providers to do a
number of different things, research is important
when choosing the right fit for you. There are
many ways you can research providers; you
can do this with assistance from your Support
Coordinator or LAC, by using the Provider Finder
on your NDIS portal, by using a comparison
website or doing an online search yourself, or by
consulting with your peers on their experiences.
All forms of research are valid and can help you to
make the best choice for you.
do you feel supported?
do you feel like you can
trust them? do you feel
confident ?
While researching, we recommend that you
develop a ‘shortlist’ of providers that you can
contact before making a final decision. Get in
touch with your shortlist and question further
their capacity to help you reach your goals. Ask
them anything you want to know. When you are
talking to them pay attention to how you’re feeling
during the conversation: do you feel supported?
Do you feel like you can trust them? Do you feel
confident? You want to find a provider that makes
you feel and say yes to all three!
It is important to remember in this process that
you are a customer, and it is up to you make the
best choice for yourself. While there are supports
like LAC’s and Support Coordinators along the
way, they can only provide options for you to
choose from, they cannot make the best decision
for you – only you can do that. If you treat the
process like shopping for any other important
purchase, and take the time to consider what you
need, you will be well-equipped to make the best
decision for yourself.
13

NDIS Feature
Are you
NDIS
ready?
With the NDIS rollout continuing across
the country there is no shortage of
questions and queries about the scheme.
There are also many people who are
accessing supports and funding for
the very first time who may not be
feeling entirely confident in their ability
to effectively navigate the scheme.
Additionally, myths and misconceptions
about how the scheme works are
everywhere; and can at times leave you
wondering what is true or false!
Over the next few issues of Inform we will be
focussing on the NDIS in a series of articles,
from myth-busting features to helpful how to’s.
To start, we share our top tips for NDIS planning
success.
1. Be prepared
The old saying goes that failing to plan is
planning to fail, and this holds true when it
comes to your NDIS planning. Remember that
the NDIS doesn’t know you and your needs, so
the more information you can provide them with
the better. No detail is too small or insignificant,
and everything will help the planner to develop
a plan that best supports you as an individual.
If you are able to, spend some time before your
planning meeting gathering letters from your
doctors, occupational therapists, psychologists
or other specialists that talk about your disability,
your support needs and your goals. These
letters will be particularly important if you want
certain services covered in your plan, as they
will show the NDIS your need for them.
In addition, bring with you any photos you think
might help the planner to better understand you.
Do you need house modifications done? If so,
take photos of what needs changing and bring
them along – this can help the planner visually
see what you need.
2. Be ready to share
Often when we meet with new people for the
first time, we like to look on the positive side of
things and present a nice picture of our lives
to them. While this works with ordinary social
interactions, your NDIS planning meeting is not
the time to put on a brave face. The NDIS is here
to help you with everything in your life; including
the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of it,
so make sure you are honest with yourself and
honest with your planner.
Before your planning meeting take the time to
think about your good days and your bad days,
and think hard about what you need on those
bad days. Don’t be afraid to talk about things
that aren’t comfortable or pleasant – the planner
is there to help you, not judge you or the things
you say. Pretending that things are better than
they are, or that problems “aren’t so bad” could
mean your plan misses key areas where you
need assistance.
3. Think big – the sky is the limit
The NDIS is all about helping you to achieve
your goals. At its heart, the NDIS is designed
to help you as an individual live your best life
with the supports you need. And in order to live
your best life, you need to think and plan for big
things.
Take some time before your first planning
meeting to think about your life. What makes
you happy? What frustrates you? What makes
life difficult? What would you like to continue?
What would you like to stop? What would you
like to change? It is these thoughts that will help
you plan your goals for your NDIS plan and
your plan should be full of all the things that are
important to you.
14

Featured Product
Finding
the right
continence
product
for you
Choosing the correct continence
product (aid) can be confusing.
Let’s look at the three most
important things to consider when
deciding.
Style
Various styles suit different levels of
mobility. Using the incorrect style may
hinder your daily activity and worst of all
cause leakage. There are many styles of
continence products ranging from pullups
to pad and pants and some with tabs
(known as slips). If you are less mobile or
care for a person who has limited mobility
a slip like MoliCare Premium Slip may be
the most suitable style to use.
If you are more active and are more
mobile you’ll probably want to wear a
pull-up pant that looks and feels like
normal underwear, like the MoliCare
Premium Mobile range.
Size
When wearing a product that sits around
the waist, it is important to have the
correct waist measurement to ensure you
do not get leakage and that the pad is
comfortable. Measure your waist at the
widest part between the actual waist and
the hip. Use the guide on product packs
to match your requirements. If you fall
between sizes go for the smaller fit to
ensure that you have a contoured fit and
to reduce the chance of leakage.
Absorbency
Incontinence can range from a few drops
to a complete emptying of the bladder.
Match your pad absorbency to give you
the level of protection you need. A larger
or thicker pad does not always mean
extra absorbency. Do not fall into the trap
of increasing size to hold more urine.
Instead go up an absorbency or drop
level – this is indicated on the packaging.
The MoliCare Premium range has a
variety of styles and absorbencies to
protect you in your various activities,
whether its day-to-day wear, exercising,
added overnight protection or travelling
on a long journey.
MoliCare Premium are all skin friendly,
discreet and give you continence with
confidence. Get MoliCare on the NDIS:
contact Independence Australia on 1300
032 774 or ndis@independenceaustralia.
com to find out how.
15

Your Health
What can psychology offer in
Chronic Pain
Management?
Anyone who suffers from persistent
pain knows how much it can severely
impact health and well-being.
Although it may seem strange to
think so, psychology has come a
long way in helping people manage
persistent pain. Psychological
factors such as mood, beliefs about
pain and coping style have been
found to play an important role in an
individual’s adjustment to persistent
pain. In many cases, people respond
well to psychological interventions,
particularly those that target
pain self-efficacy (PSE) and pain
catastrophising (PC).
PSE reflects the confidence people have
in performing activities while experiencing
prolonged pain. It relates to feelings of control
a person has over their pain symptoms and
self-management. Interventions that increase
understanding and a sense of control over pain
have been shown to improve PSE. PC relates
to a person’s unhelpful thinking styles and
exaggerated negative concepts around the
experience of pain. In addition to causing distress,
high levels of PC have been linked to disability
and depression in chronic pain sufferers. Here
at Independence Australia our psychologists
are trained in a number of techniques that can
help increase pain self-efficacy and reduce pain
catastrophising.
16

Your Health
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for
Chronic Pain
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for chronic
pain utilises similar techniques that are used
in any CBT intervention, however, the focus
is on the psychosocial factors that influence a
person’s pain. Therefore, the first goal is to help
people alter their perceptions of their pain. The
task of the therapist in this instance is to help
people see their pain as something that they can
learn to manage, rather than something that is
overwhelming to them.
The second goal of CBT is to provide selfregulatory
and stress management skills. Selfregulatory
skills include relaxation training, guided
imagery and distraction techniques which are all
designed to help reduce the client’s autonomic
negative response to the pain. This helps the
person reduce anxiety around their pain by
physically altering their unhelpful physiological
responses. In addition, stress-management skills
involve teaching the client how to communicate,
problem solve, time-manage and plan to ensure
they can adequately manage their work and
everyday activities, despite their debilitating pain.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for
Chronic Pain
In contrast to CBT, which involves cognitive
restructuring and challenging thoughts,
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
emphasises observing thoughts and feelings
as they are, without trying to change them. ACT
stresses that even when a person is experiencing
chronic pain, it is the struggle with pain (e.g. the
client’s pain catastrophising) that causes suffering.
For this reason it is fundamentally important that
the person continues to behave in ways that
are consistent with their valued goals and life
directions despite their experience of pain. Within
the ACT framework, pain is seen as an inevitable,
and in some cases necessary part of living
that can be accepted. The extent of a person’s
suffering is directly related to the extent to which
the person believes and acts on their pain-related
thoughts. The aim of ACT therapy is to help the
client develop greater flexibility in the presence
of thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated
with pain. Mindfulness is a key element in ACT
therapy for chronic pain. By practicing mindfulness
strategies, the client can learn to be the observer
Chronic pain can become
debilitating, demotivating
and tiresome for those
affected.
of the pain, rather than an active participator. This
observer perspective is also helpful in maintaining
neutral thoughts when unhelpful thoughts and
feelings arise.
Chronic pain can become debilitating,
demotivating and tiresome for those affected.
It can wear people down. In the ACT model,
value illness is a condition where a person puts
valued activities on hold in order to reduce
pain symptoms. Over time, this can affect the
person’s relationships, social activities, work
satisfaction, and general meaning of life. This
severely compromises a person’s self-efficacy.
ACT incorporates exercises that help a person
identify their values, and identify how near or far
they are living in accordance with those values.
The therapy helps the client specifically identify
which values are compromised by their activities
to avoid or manage pain. It helps them devise
strategies for managing pain, whilst maintaining
their values, and thus increasing PSE.
In recognition of the prevalence of chronic pain in
the disability community and the significant impact
on people’s lives, Independence Australia offers
both individual and group options for Chronic Pain
Management. If you would like to learn more, or
would like to speak with one of our psychologists
please contact IA Psychology and Counseling on
9418 0474.
Arthur Stabolidis
Provisional psychologist
Glossary:
PSE = Pain Self-Efficacy
PC = Pain Catastrophising
CBT = Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
ACT = Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
17

Your Health
Coping
with a
crisis
Home should be a safe space,
so when a crisis situation arises
in the home, it can be especially
distressing. Knowing where you can
get help during a crisis can make
the difference between keeping your
head above water and drowning in
the problem.
Family violence
Family violence can happen to anybody,
regardless of age or gender. If you are
experiencing a family violence crisis, there are
ways to cope with the difficulties that arise.
Family violence comes in the form of threatening
and violent behaviour that controls or coerces
someone else within the family. Violence can
be physical or verbal or a combination of
both. Children can be victims of abuse just by
witnessing violence between adults, so it can
happen at any age. If you or someone you know
has suffered or is suffering from a suspected
family violence crisis, there are a number of
supports that are available to turn to for advice.
A few are listed below:
• whiteribbon.org.au/find-help/domesticviolence-hotlines
• dvcs.org.au
• safesteps.org.au
A crisis is a time of intense difficulty of danger, or
a time when an important decision needs to be
made. A crisis can take many forms, but in the
home specifically, issues such as family violence,
a health crisis or a housing problem are among
the most common. There are a wide range of
services and organisations across Australia that
are there for when you are in a crisis situation.
18

Your Health
Health crisis
Whether you live alone or with others, a health
crisis can be very overwhelming. Often, decisions
need to be made quickly and support needs to
be put in place immediately. Finding the right
support can be challenging but there are many
options available. If you are in immediate danger,
always call 000 or go to your local hospital. This
option applies for both a physical and mental
health crisis.
There are mental health triage lines you can
call in a mental health crisis and you can always
present at your local emergency department if
you require help. There are also helplines such
as Lifeline that you can ring for advice or just
someone to talk to. If you are experiencing a
health crisis, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask
for help. Here are some of the helplines you can
call in a health-related crisis:
• Lifeline (24-hour crisis counselling): 13 11 14
• Nurse on Call: 1300 606 024
• Suicide Line: 1300 651 251
• Victorian Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26
Housing crisis
Facing homelessness or having issues with your
housing situation can be hugely stressful, but
there are supports in place if you are having a
housing crisis. You may have lost your job or have
become too sick to work and therefore cannot
pay the mortgage or rent, which could result in
the prospect of becoming homeless. Your rental
property may not be in a livable state and causing
you health problems, both of which can result in
a housing crisis. There are crisis centres across
Australia that can assist you in preventing or
solving your housing crisis. The national number
to call if you need help is 1800 825 955.
Having a crisis in your home environment can be
extremely stressful but there are supports in place
that can help you. The key message is to always
reach out for help when you need it, because
there are people who can and will help you to
manage your crisis and, importantly, minimise
stress.
The key message is to always
reach out for help when you
need it, because there
are people who can
and will help you to
manage your crisis
19

Your Health
Fabulous
foods to
fight cold
and flu
Brazil Nuts
Selenium
These days cold and flu season kicks
off at the start of winter and hangs
around like an unwanted guest well
into spring. But getting sick is not a
given. Boosting your diet with nutritious
comfort foods can do wonders for your
immune system. This is particularly
important for the elderly and anyone
with a compromised immune system,
because colds and flu can lead to other
health complications.
20
Flax Seeds
Healthy oils
Broccolini
Vitamin E
Foods to focus on
Eating a balanced diet will provide your body with
the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to
function at its best, including helping the immune
system to fight germs that cause colds and flu.
Focusing on foods of all colours (green, yellow,
orange, red and purple) is the best way to
ensure your body gets all the micronutrients your
immune system needs. In particular, you should
ensure your diet includes plenty of the following
nutrients, to improve your immunity:
• Vitamin C — capsicum (all colours), broccoli,
sprouts, tomatoes, blackcurrants, kiwi fruit,
berries and citrus fruit (oranges, lemons,
grapefruit and limes)
• Vitamin E — broccoli, Brussels sprouts and
almonds
• Selenium — brazil nuts, meat and poultry
• Zinc — fish, oysters, seafood, beef, lamb, rolled
oats, baked beans and pumpkin seeds
• Protein — red meat, poultry, fish and eggs
• Healthy oils — salmon, tuna, flaxseeds and
walnuts
Capsicum
Vitamin C

Your Health
Eggs
Protein
Fish
Zinc
Boost your breakfast
When it comes to your daily nutrition, breakfast is
a great opportunity to start the day on a positive
note. A bowl of warm porridge, made with whole
rolled oats, and topped with berries and walnuts
can give you comfort as well as a boost to the
immune system.
Lavish lunches
For a healthy winter lunch that will raise your
immunity and keep colds and flu at bay, why not
indulge in some grainy toast or a muffin, topped
with baked beans and an egg? If you’re looking
for something more substantial, a slow-cooked
meal made with beef and winter vegetables will
definitely hit the spot.
Super soups
One of the best ways to super-charge your
nutritional intake is by eating warming, nourishing
soups that make the most of seasonable
vegetables. The best options are those that use
stock as the base, contain lots of vegetables and
include some protein. Don’t forget that adding
legumes and beans is a tasty and affordable way
to bulk up the nutrition.
You know the old adage that chicken soup is
great for treating colds? Research suggests that
may be true. A study found that chicken soup
may contain a number of substances, including an
anti-inflammatory mechanism, that could ease the
symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
What else can you do?
While eating well over the colder months is no
guarantee that you’ll dodge all the germs, making
nutritious food a priority over winter can reduce
the likelihood and severity of colds. If you’re stuck
for ideas, there are hundreds of healthy winter
recipes available for free online.
Other tips to avoid colds and flu this season
include:
• Washing your hands thoroughly — before and
after eating, and especially after coughing and
sneezing
• Avoiding large crowds and other sick people
• Disinfecting surfaces frequently as these can
harbour viruses
• Exercising regularly, where appropriate
• Getting plenty of rest as this improves your
immune system
• Avoiding stress, as this weakens your immune
system
• Taking a good-quality vitamin and mineral
supplement to fill any nutritional gaps.
Please note: The information supplied is general in
nature. Please consult your medical practitioner for
individual advice.
21

Money Matters
Budgeting:
Managing Your Money
It can be hard knowing
where to start when it
comes to creating your own
budget. We have so many
outgoings that it can be
difficult to track exactly
where all of our money
goes. Setting up a budget
for the first time can often
be quite overwhelming, and
can be stressful to stick
to in the initial months of
using it, but the benefits
are well worth it.
You may ask, why have a
budget? Put simply, a budget
is an effective way to monitor
your incomings and outgoings.
You can set up a weekly or even
monthly budget depending
on your needs. There are lots
of online tools you can use to
help you create a budget and, if
you have a smart phone, there
are even apps that allow you
to track your spending as you
shop. If you don’t have access
to a computer or a smart phone,
you can simply visit your local
bank and they can sit down
with you and help you plan your
finances – it’s not as scary as it
sounds!
Having a plan for your money
can help you visualise your
goals and ambitions in life and
22
plan how to go about achieving
them. There is a wealth of
motivation that can be found in
reaching your target goal when
saving (no pun intended). So,
to answer the question of why
have a budget: budgets can put
your mind at ease, and when
you can start to use your money
in a smart way, you can start
saving. You might even surprise
yourself at how much you spend
without realising it!
Once you have your budget
in progress, you can then start
looking at other beneficial
financial options such as the
type of bank account you have.
It’s always a good idea to go
to your bank and discuss the
type of account that is best for
you. There are specific savings
accounts with higher interest
rates if saving is something you
are wanting to do, and there are
also accounts with no overdraft
fees or bank charges if you are
on a lower income. There is an
account to suit everyone; you
just need to find your fit and
this can be done by making an
appointment with your bank of
choice.
Everybody has outgoings that
they need to budget for, and a
big chunk of outgoings is made
up of bills. Having a budget
shows you what funding you
have to allocate to each of your
bills. Bill management can be
hard at first, especially if you
have a lot of them, but once
you’re able to visualise the
funds you have to put towards
each bill, it becomes a lot more
manageable.
When designing your budget,
it’s important to set realistic
goals. There can be a huge
risk of disappointment if you
overestimate how much you
are going to save over a period
of time, or if you cannot afford
something you really want.
This is why it’s important to set
a realistic budget. If you make
small achievable financial goals
and stick to your budget, you
can experience success.
We all know money is stressful,
especially when we feel it’s not
under control. Creating a budget
for yourself will give you back
your control and will empower
you to achieve your goals.
The Australian Government’s
MoneySmart website has a range of
accessible budgeting tools to help
you get started. You can find these at
www.moneysmart.gov.au/managingyour-money/budgeting

Your Health
Healthy
eating
on a budget
With the price of food rising,
eating healthily while trying
to stick to a budget can be
challenging. But with a little
planning and some useful
tips, buying and preparing
delicious healthy food on a
budget is not as hard as it
may seem!
Before you hit the supermarket sit down and write a shopping
list. This will help you to avoid buying items you don’t need.
Check out the recipes from Smart Eating – many are both
delicious and cheap. Remember you can always cook more
than you need and freeze the rest for another meal.
Is healthy food more expensive?
If you’ve ever thought that eating healthy is more expensive,
then you’re not alone! Take a closer look at the foods you buy
– sometimes processed foods are actually more expensive.
Shop for fresh foods where possible, or in the case of fruit and
vegetables, see if frozen and canned varieties are cheaper.
This will help lower your grocery bill and help to keep your
trolley full of healthy foods.
Check out the price differences below:
Potatoes
A serve of potato is one
medium potato – or 150g:
Potatoes per 150g
= 50c
Frozen chips per 150g
= 70c
Potato chips per 150g
= $3.75
Breakfast products
A serve of cereal is 1/4
cup of muesli, 2/3 cup
of breakfast flakes or 1/2
cup cooked porridge – or
roughly 30g:
Rolled oats per 30g
= 15c
Corn flakes per 30g
= 60c
muesli/cereal bar per 30g
= $1.50
Chicken
A serve of chicken is 100g
(raw):
Frozen whole chicken per
100g = 60c
Raw whole chicken per
100g = 66c
BBQ chicken per 100g
= 80c
Pre-made chicken kebabs
per 100g = $1.70
Snacks
Apple per 100g
= 0.60c
Packet of sultanas per 40g
= 0.50c
Fruit bar/strap 50g
= $0.95
Chocolate bar per 50g
= $2.15
You can buy twice the
amount of apples for the
same or less money as
other snacks!
This article is republished with permission from the Dietitians Association of Australia
If you’re after more nutrition information, the Dietitians Association of Australia website provides a range of Smart
Eating Fast Facts on all things nutrition. For personalised nutrition advice, find an Accredited Practising Dietitian, who
can assist you in reaching your health and nutrition goals.
23

Your Health
Let 's talk about
Cyberbullying
Bullying is not acceptable
in the real world, but these
days bullies have a new
forum: the internet. Bullying
that takes place over
the internet is known as
cyberbullying, and it can
lead to depression and
anxiety in the real world.
Cyberbullying can take many
forms. It can include:
• Sending or sharing hurtful
messages or emails
• Humiliating someone
by posting or sharing
embarrassing videos or
images
• Spreading rumours or lies
online
• Setting up fake online profiles
to hurt someone
• Excluding others online
• Repeated harassment and
threatening messages,
which is also known as
cyberstalking
Cyberbullying can be as hurtful
as physical or verbal bullying
because it is public, it can
spread quickly, removing it can
be difficult and the bully can be
anonymous.
Anyone can be the victim
of cyberbullying. It’s not just
for children and teenagers,
although young people are at
higher risk, both because they
tend to spend more time online,
and because they are less likely
to speak up and tell someone
about the bullying. One in four
students in Australia reports that
they have been bullied, so if you
are experiencing cyberbullying
you are not alone.
If you suspect that you, or
someone you care about, are
the victim of online bullying,
what should you do?
First, take a deep breath and
remember: it is not your fault.
You are not alone in this, and
there is help available. There are
some practical steps you can
take to access help. You can:
• Tell the bully that what they’re
doing is not okay
• Take screenshots of the
bullying as evidence
• Block the bully on social
media
• Report abusive posts to the
social media platform
If the posts are not taken down,
or the bullying continues,
you can report cyberbullying
to the Office of the eSafety
Commissioner. This is where
having screenshots for evidence
will come in handy. Children
and adults will need to report
through different forms,
because the legalities around
cyberbullying are different for
minors and adults, but anyone
who has experienced ongoing
cyberbullying can make a report.
The final practical step you can
take is to look after yourself.
Tell people around you what is
going on, so they can support
you. Commiserating with a friend
can lighten the load, even if
they can’t do anything to fix your
situation. Switch off from social
media for a while, and take
time to do the things you enjoy.
Don’t let cyberbullying isolate
you – that’s how the bullies
win. Instead, gather your team
around you and remember that
“haters gonna hate”.
To find out more or to report a case
of cyberbullying, visit
www.eSafety.gov.au
24

Featured Product
Ugo Fix
Gentle
(catheter clip)
Pioneering gentle
catheter fixation
As specialists in urology, we’ve
spent a lot of time listening to
clinicians and individuals living with
a catheter, allowing us to develop
a range of products that offer
performance, precision and comfort
whilst instilling that all-important
confidence.
At Optimum Medical we understand
that purpose-designed fixation devices
are key in the fight against trauma and
infection caused by natural tension to the
catheter. We also know how delicate skin
can be, this is why we have created a
truly gentle catheter clip.
Introducing the Ugo Fix Gentle
The Ugo Fix Gentle (catheter clip)
provides safe and effective positioning
of two-way indwelling urinary catheters
at the bifurcation of the catheter. Fixing in
place comfortably, it allows you to move
around freely and safely, with reduced
pulling and rubbing on the bladder neck
and urethra.
Why choose the Ugo Fix Gentle over
other catheter clips?
The Gel Pad - The Ugo Fix Gentle
(catheter clip) was created to provide
a gentle yet secure fixation for all
catheter materials, without the need
for preparation. To achieve this it
features a re-adhesive soft silicone gel
pad, ensuring painless removal and
repositioning - leaving no sticky residue
behind! It’s also breathable, showerproof,
and transparent, allowing easy inspection
of the skin underneath. The gel pad can
be worn for up to 7 days of comfortable
fixation.
The Clip - The Ugo Fix Gentle (catheter
clip) also features a silicone bonded
revolving clip to hold the catheter in
place, away from your skin, preventing
trauma and improving comfort. This
allows the catheter to move naturally
with your body to reducing tension. With
it’s easy to open catch and raised arrow
to indicate the direction of catheter
insertion, the Ugo Fix Gentle is easy to
negotiate for users of most abilities.
Key Strengths
• Gentle re-adhesive pad with soft
silicone technology
• No skin preparation required before
application
• No sticky residue upon removal
• Easy to apply, remove and reposition,
even over the same skin area
• Holds tubing away from skin to
prevent discomfort
• Revolving clip allows natural
movement of the catheter and leg
• Easy-open catch with positive sensory
click
• Internal silicone bonding to effectively
grip the catheter
We have created detailed patient
user guides, which are all available
on www.optimummedical.co.uk to
ensure correct fitting and removal. For
additional support or to order, visit store.
independenceaustralia.com
25

Innovations
Trial giving independence to
Victorians injured in crashes
A trial of new technology
to help Victorians who
have been seriously injured
in road accidents to live
independently is underway
as part of a partnership
between the Transport
Accident Commission (TAC)
and Deakin University.
TAC’s Head of Independence,
Liz Cairns, recently visited
the home of trial participant
Josh Taylor to see how the
technology, developed by the
university’s Applied Artificial
Intelligence Institute, is
being trialled to improve the
independence and quality of life
of TAC clients. Mr Taylor, who
sustained a severe traumatic
brain injury in a two-car collision
in 2005 when he was 19, is one
of four TAC clients taking part in
the trial.
Using small sensors installed
throughout a home, the
technology, known as Sofihub,
monitors a person’s presence
to develop an understanding
of their daily routine. The
technology can detect
anomalies that negatively impact
the resident’s health and then
prompt them if they forget
normal daily activities, such as
taking their medication.
The technology can identify if
something goes wrong in the
home and help detect falls. In
these cases, if a resident fails
to respond to Sofihub prompts,
carers or medical professionals
will be automatically alerted.
The trial is being supported
by Monash University through
the input of an occupational
therapist who works with TAC
clients to ensure the technology
is customised to their needs.
Ms Cairns said about 5000
Victorians are seriously injured
on Victorian roads each year
and about 90 of those are
affected by quadriplegia or
severe acquired brain injury.
“The trial of the Sofihub sensor
and audio technology is a part
of the TAC’s commitment to
continually look at innovative
ways to increase the
independence of Victorians
who are seriously injured on our
roads.
“This trial has the potential to
significantly increase the ability
of TAC clients to have a greater
level of autonomy in their dayto-day
living, and provide them
with a better quality of life.
“If successful, this technology
has the ability to be rolled out
across the state to benefit
thousands of Victorians,” she
said.
Sofihub is also being trialled
in the aged care sector in
Geelong, to help people remain
in their homes as they age.
However, this is the first time it
has been trialled by people who
have a disability.
Depending on the outcome
of the $60,000 six-month trial,
Sofihub may be adopted by
other TAC clients.
26

your
NDIS Support
We’ve got you covered with a wide
range of services and supports for
your NDIS package, all from our one
organisation.
Daily activities in-home
& in the community
We provide assistance with:
• Self care / personal support
• High intensity self care assistance
• Domestic assistance
• Household activities & meal
preparation
• One on one support for children
• Community access, social inclusion
• Transport
• Specialise in complex programs
Therapy & skills
development
We provide:
Services to assist with enhancing
capacity building and achievement of
goals through:
• Psychology and counselling
• Therapy assistance (exercise)
• Support connection
• Co-ordination of supports
• Specialist support co-ordination
• Individual skills development and
training
independenceaustralia.com/ndis
service.enquiry@iagroup.org.au
1300 032 774

Independence Australia is a:
NDIS approved provider
TAC service provider
DHHS service provider
Our services include:
In-home care
Accommodation
Psychology and counselling
Case management
Support Coordination
Information
Post polio support
Health care products and equipment
1300 704 456
service.enquiry@iagroup.org.au
www.independenceaustralia.com.au
independenceaust
@independenceaus