Young Carer Bursary 2020

Carers Australia is launching the 2020 Young Carer Bursary next month. Funded by the Department of Social Services, the Program supports young carers aged 12-25 to engage in education by awarding $3,000 scholarships for a year.

This year there are more bursaries on offer with 1,000 places available to eligible young carers. Applications open on 23 July and close 3 September 2019, find out more on the Young Carers Network.

Supply shortages of some PBS subsidised medicines

You may have noticed while having your scripts filled at the pharmacy there is a shortage of some common Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)* medicines. These include anti-depressants, angina, blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and Parkinson’s Disease medications.

This can result in your local pharmacy being out-of-stock of your regular brand and your pharmacist may offer a substitute medication or send you to another pharmacy. If no other substitutions can be found, you may need to consult your doctor to discuss alternatives. Otherwise, your pharmacy may ask you to return at a later date once they are able to restock your medication.

Under these circumstances, it is a good idea to allow time to renew scripts before they run out and allow extra time to fill them.

These medicine shortages are an ongoing problem across Australia and are being addressed by doctors and pharmacists to the best of their ability. If you have any concerns about the regular supply of PBS medications, please contact your local pharmacy or the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which is the government body responsible for the supply of medicines in Australia at [email protected] or on (02) 6232 8850.

*Medicines on the PBS are subsidised by the government which reduces the over-the-counter cost to you, the consumer.

Every Age Counts

Earlier this month Every Age Counts launched a campaign that seeks to achieve a society where “every person is valued, connected and respected regardless of age and functional health”.

Older Australians are often discriminated against in the workplace, home and wider community which dramatically impacts their rights, health, finances and prevents them from fully participating in society.

Every Age Counts encourages individuals, community sector groups and businesses to commit to speaking out and taking action to ensure older people can participate on equal terms with others in all aspects of life. Carers Australia believes discrimination has no place in Australia and older Australians should be given the same dignity and rights as younger Australians.

Generation Next conferences

Carers Australia’s Young Carers team will be attending Generation Next Conferences around Australia to showcase the Carers Australia’s programs on offer to young carers.

The programs include the Young Carers Network, Shout Out To Young Carers, and the Young Carer Bursary. So far, the Young Carers team have been in Brisbane, Perth and Canberra where they have spoken to hundreds of youth service providers.

The Young Carers teams, along with representatives from the local Carers Association, will be at the following conferences:

Adelaide       Friday 26 July
Sydney         Friday 2 August
Melbourne    Friday 30 August

Shout Out To Young Carers

Carers Australia is pleased to announce that Shout Out To Young Carers is back for 2019! These events are a chance to celebrate the outstanding contribution young carers make to our nation.

Shout Out To Young Carers will run during National Carers Week from 13-19 October, and we encourage you to join us by hosting an event. Visit the Young Carers Network for more information.

More support for government health efforts

A majority of Australians now believe governments have a bigger role to play in preventing people from developing chronic illnesses, new research from the University of Sydney has found.

The research surveyed 2,600 Australians and found more than 60 per cent believed governments should have a major hand in maintaining people’s health. This compares with 46 per cent supporting such action when the same survey was conducted in 2016.

“A majority of Australians have given governments a licence to be bolder in taking action to prevent people from developing chronic diseases,” said lead researcher Dr Anne Grunseit.

More than half of all Australians have a chronic disease such as arthritis, cancer, respiratory disease, heart disease or diabetes.

The Parenting Spectrum

The ABC has released a new podcast about autism and family life. Hosts Fiona Churchman and Travis Saunders have first-hand experience as their son Patch was diagnosed with autism when he was 21-months-old. 

The podcast explores issues such as safety, lack of sleep, finding the right school and how to help your child embrace their identity and prepare for adulthood. There is also an episode about self-care for carers, which includes advice from dietitians, personal trainers, psychologists, GPs and the Flinders University Exercise Psychology team.  

You can listen to The Parenting Spectrum on the ABC Listen app, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.

Hidden disabilities catered for in airports

Brisbane Airport has launched an Australian-first program to help those who are managing anxiety, depression, autism or hearing loss.

Modelled on a successful program in the United Kingdom, 1,200 staff have now been trained and visitors to the airport can order lanyards to wear for their trip to discreetly alert staff they may need support.

“It’s about helping them through the process, slowing down the process, [reassuring] them that everything is okay,” said Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Leonie Vandeven.

Melbourne and Sydney International Airports are working on a similar program which they hope to launch this year. You can read more about Brisbane Airport’s program here.