Government packages - what you need to know if you don’t already.

Let’s talk about getting old, or even if you’re young and unable to manage while experiencing debilitating health issues. It’s often a stealth thing which creeps up on the unsuspected or it could be something sudden; we’re all affected differently. I say to  younger people than myself, look after your body as best you can because once you hit 70, that seems to be the time things begin to wear out or some-such and each year it gets worse albeit subtly. Often it’s various things that happen through life that play catch-up; all the little accidents over time, or sicknesses, plus other anomalies that come together to form difficulties one never dreamt of. But you know, people are resilient, stoic, and marvelous through whatever comes. The human spirit is amazing.

I don’t know about other countries, but here in Australia, if one is still able to stay in one’s own house but aren’t able to cope with housework, yard work etc., we have available to us different agencies who help us obtain a package for levels 1 to 4. The more debilitated you are, the higher the Level.  The package is a certain amount of money from the government to be managed by an agency for us to live as comfortable as we can in our own homes.  It’s cheaper for the government to do that than to put someone into hostel care.

Not knowing anything about these packages, I suffered considerably for nearly 2 years when I desperately, DESperately needed help, then a friend told me about the package. Although there is a waiting time (I waited around 8 months) I have just been granted  Level 3 which began last week and is such a blessing. Level 3 is worth over $37,000 each year.  It’s not put in my bank, but is managed by my agency and any job I need doing, the person working for me is paid by the agency I chose.

If John wasn’t able to take me to appointments or shopping, I could have someone do that. Someone can come into our home for 2 hours at a stretch to do anything that needs to be done which I cannot cope with. I can have a gardener to keep things tidy but not to plant flowers and the like; someone to wash windows; someone to do light maintenance. The only way I can move well is on my trike or in a wheelchair. I’m very good at waddling like a duck often holding a walking stick around the house or when walking into church when I can go – hooray for zoom!  I’m not complaining … no, no; I just want you to know what is available if you need help.

While waiting for the Level 3, Community Health sent a lovely woman to my house once a fortnight to vacuum and wash the floors and clean the downstairs bathroom which I use, for free. I remember the first time she came; it was a burden lifted.

Early this year I was granted an interim $12,000 8-week Therapy package which, after administrative costs, left about $8,500 to use for a physiotherapist, dietician, podiatrist, Occupational Therapist, and a whiz-bang motorized chair worth up to $4,000. The Occupational Therapist helped with the purchase of a chair and mine will arrive after Easter.  He also suggested there be grip handles inside and out at our three exterior doorways as well as the shower.  I balked at the idea of the door grips but had them installed and now I don’t think I’d be without them.

I was finding it hard to give up my independence but when it settles in the mind it’s not so bad. Last week I had a lovely young woman come do housework for me and as the idea settles I’ll hand over more chores that I’m finding difficult to do. Although John is my Carer, there are things he just can’t do.

As you’ve probably read in previous posts, I was beginning to get out and about on my tricycle and that is gold to me. I love cycling; it’s freedom to go just about anywhere I desire around Caloundra on my weight-bearing machine. I’ve even half-jokingly asked our son if he’d join with me in next year’s bicycle run through Brisbane city. When I bought my trike he invited me to do a part of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.  I’d still like to do that – we’ll see how things go.

I can’t express enough how thankful I am for the packages. Not only does it help physically, it also helps mentally, so if you’re having difficulties and need help, Freecall: 1800 200 422 at myagedcare or email: myagedcare.gov.au and register with them. They’ll start the ball rolling. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another Gorgeous Morning.                                                         Monday 3^rd April, 2023

Don’t you just love Autumn?  Time to add a light blanket to the bed and feel cosy on cooler mornings.

We left the trike sitting on the rack on the car last night ready for an early start this morning. After a long bout of insomnia, I managed to grab another hour leaving a note for John to wake me.  Record of records … his wife was ready in quarter of an hour. John couldn’t contain his surprise about me being ready in such a short time. These days if I have to go out it can take far, far longer; anywhere from 3/4 to 1 hour. Am nearly as slow as a sloth. I love those creatures.  All I had to do was dress for riding and away we went. 

Being dropped at the entrance to the Bushland Park like yesterday, I went in a different direction of discovery looking for a short-cut to the chiropractor. Although it was a gentle downhill ride nearly all the way, the knee problem which I’ve had for a while was hurting just a little bit but by the time I reached a stone’s throw from the chiropractic rooms, it was a bit worse.  Thom’s practice (Tom) is on the opposite corner across the road from Stockland and also across from Stockland is a lovely park which I’d never been in even though I’ve lived here for close to 16 years … shame on me!  There are some awesome trees in the park and the one in the photo is huge. I should have parked the trike underneath for comparison but it was too far away to walk to. At a guess, from one side of the branches to the other would have to be at least 25 metres (about 80ft), maybe more, and around 14 metres high (about 45 ft), maybe more.  I thought WOW, this would be great in the back yard – we could fill the branches with swings; you know, have a swing-fest!  

I wanted to go to another park closer to town so went “up and around” to get to the park next to the Council chambers where there are a few of the same kind of tree as that beauty, only not quite as big.  It was here that I decided enough was enough so waited for John’s call  – didn’t have to wait long. Arrived home and used soft ice packs which certainly helped … couldn’t feel a thing afterwards; it was so cold … lovely!  I won’t be riding tomorrow and maybe the next day or the day after that. Moi thinks it would be a good idea to get the knee problem out of the way.  Looking forward to a visit to Thom tomorrow. 

 At Last!                                                               Sunday, 2^nd April, 2023.

It has been a long time coming – almost two years in fact; such was the result of the fall that broke the camel’s back. This morning I went out on my solo journey.  Because there’s a short, very steep street which I have to learn to conquer between our place and Sugarbag Road one day, John loaded the trike and dropped me off at the entrance to Ben Bennett Bushland Park aka Ben Bennett Botanical Park; a 21 hectare piece of bushland sitting next to Caloundra State High School in Sugarbag Road not far  from our place. This ride was done with a little bit of trepidation because of lost confidence from the accident, so was really a confidence-building ride. No doubt the more riding done, the more it’ll grow.

The morning weather was truly beautiful … sunshine, a little cool ... perfect for riding. Entering the Park was a hands-on-the-brakes affair because it’s all downhill. The track is a wide, compacted solid gravel one. Riding very carefully downhill I came to a fork … which way – left or right?  I turned left and found it was even  more downhill – mind you, those hands were on the brakes until it flattened out a bit. 

To say I was enthralled in that bush is an understatement.  The beauty of it with sun shining through trees, sweet-smelling air and birds singing, all made for a magical time. I couldn’t stop smiling. Next visit, I’ll take time to sit and sketch trees and nature in my nature journal. 

The trail led to a concrete path which took me out of the Park and as I explored the surrounding streets including a slow ride through the Farmers’ Markets, ended up on Queen Street which is the extension of Sugarbag Road. I’d done a big circle. Queen Street is on the east side of the Nicklin Way Overpass while Sugarbag Road is on the west side and continues all the way to Caloundra Road. 

It was only a 3.1km ride but because I was somewhere between the pace of a snail and a tortoise, it took about an hour.  After his swim which he does 6 days a week at the beach pool, John and I arranged to pick me up in Queen Street. I would have ridden home except for a knee problem which arose. Talk about falling apart. I’m feeling like John’s car waiting for work to be done on it while in the meantime Gorilla Tape keeps the parts together. When we were passing the park on the way home, a cycle club had arrived to do an orienteering ride.  What fun!  

This afternoon as I write, I feel exhilarated by the ride and am looking forward to tomorrow’s outing if I wake up in time.  This has been my only true exercise in two years and has left me feeling uplifted and quietly excited about future rides.  

On the west side of the Park is the Town Reserve of 49hectares of bush turned into Mountain Bike trails. Last year the council sealed the car park and built a kiosk and toilets. It’s hugely popular with adults and children.  Don’t think I’ll bother though.