What is Happening at Umbrella?
The Christmas and New Year celebrations
continued at Umbrella Inc. into 2017
“Umbrella Inc. is
ready for the new
CDC Home Care
Package
environment” –
Christmas Celebrations
In December, Umbrella Inc. staff
were working very hard on 21
different programs with 20
Christmas and End of Year
Celebrations, delivering
over
3000 hours, at 17 locations and
delivering 550 gifts to 550 clients.
Thank you to all the volunteers
and staff for their amazing work
and
their
commitment
to
delivering
exceptional
and
innovative aged care services.
Anna Harrison, CEO
Have you or your loved one been assessed and approved
for a Home Care Package?
The changes which will take effect from 27th February 2017 will affect seniors
approved for a home care package differently depending on their individual
circumstances. Seniors who were approved for home care packages through an
ACAT (aged care assessment team) assessment will receive a letter from the
department of health which contains very important information.
Umbrella Inc. is looking forward
to the changes in the aged care
system which will take an effect
on the 27th February 2017.
Seniors with an approved home
care package, from any area or
Perth and on any level of care
are able to access Umbrella
Inc.’s award winning services.
Umbrella’s Home Care Package
program assists people to
remain living independently in
their homes by giving them the
flexibility and choice of how the
care and support will be
provided. We identify and
acknowledge
each
client's
specific needs and recognize
gender, age, interests and
cultural background. We match
suitable support staff with each
client so the client can receive
high quality care from the same
person every time. This new
program
builds
on
the
experience and skills of the last
17 years in providing innovative
Home and Community Care
(HACC) services in the Perth
and Peel regions
IF you are currently receiving home
care at your approved level
 If you are currently receiving care at
your approved level, and you are
happy with the services, you don’t
need to do anything. Your services
will continue at that level with your
provider, unless you want to
change provider.
IF you are currently receiving home
care but not at your approved level
(interim package)
 After the 27th February 2017, if you
are receiving a lower level home
care package than your approved
level, your services will continue on
that level. However, you will
automatically be placed in the
NATIONAL QUEUE for your
approved level of home care.
IF you have an approval for home
care but you are not currently
receiving any subsidised home care
package services (e.g.: couldn’t find
suitable package):
 Your referral code (which was given
to you by ACAT) will expire on the
27th February 2017
 (Your ACAT assessment will be
still valid). In order to receive a
home care package you MUST
contact My Aged Care on 1800 200
422 so you can be placed in the
NATIONAL QUEUE. This won’t
happen automatically, so you must
contact My Aged Care!
 When you reach the top of the
queue and a package becomes
available, you will receive a letter
from My Aged Care advising you of
your assigned package level.
Please note: after the 27th February
2017, your approval level will be
changed to a specific package level i.e.
level 1 or 2 or 3 or 4. After the changes
you will automatically get approved for
the higher level: for example, if you
were originally approved for level 3-4,
you will be approved for level 4.
If you still have questions, please
contact our Home Care Package
Coordinator on 9275 4411 from
Umbrella Inc.
What is home care
package?
Funded by the federal government,
a Home Care Package is a
coordinated package of services
which provides assistance for people
who need support to stay safe and
well at home. Services linked to the
packages are tailored to the person’s
individual care needs. People have a
variety of services to choose from
such
as
home
care
and
housekeeping,
personal
care
(including
bathing,
medication
prompt
and
cultural
meal
preparation),
transport
to
appointments,
social
activities,
banking
and
shopping,
social
support and companionship, respite
and much more.
Umbrella Inc. will hold FREE
Information sessions to assist
community members and their
families with the changes in the
aged care system.
If you would like to know more,
please do not hesitate to contact our
friendly staff on 9275 4411.
New Year's Celebrations
Celebrations
continued
across
the
programs in January with “New Year's Eve”
parties. On Monday, the CBDC group had
lots dancing and laughter. People were
encouraged to wear funky hats and
beautiful eye masks. The group greeted the
New Year with lots of fun and happy
moments. On Tuesday., the Multicultural
Challenge Daybreak Group celebrated the
new year in style: with 'champagne' (nonalcoholic), good food and singing. The
Internet Cafe group on Thursday had a very
special day with lots of good food and an
introductory dance class from another
program, called Zumba Dance Class which
also runs on Thursdays.
WHAT IS MEN’S SHED
SHALOM ADVENTURE
The Multicultural Men’s Shed is a
remarkable example of another very
successful program that confirms the
importance of sustaining the mental
health and well-being of the male
clients who participate in the activities.
The Men’s Shed program runs weekly
and clients who attend are from
various ethnic backgrounds. These
men have the opportunity to interact
socially, establish new mateships,
create woodwork projects and share
their experiences and knowledge from
the past. Some woodwork items are
on high demand and are sold to other
seniors as fundraising money for new
materials.
The Shalom Adventure - Centre
Based Day Care program is
specifically tailored for the Jewish
Community, respecting their spiritual,
cultural and dietary customs. Shalom
Adventure operates every Friday
strictly adhering to the Jewish
calendar and all activities are based
around this. This group of seniors
have an opportunity to socialize and
engage in various activities and
outings. All meals and transport will
be provided. For more information,
please contact Umbrella Inc.
friendly staff on 9275 4411
LATEST IN STUDY FINDINGS
5 Health Tips People Over 50 Need to Know
“Being part of Umbrella means to belong to a fun and
caring multicultural family”
Aging is a fact of life. People don't grow younger; they grow older. By the time you reach your 50s, you may
notice physical changes such as a steady weight gain, a slowing metabolism, hair loss, and changes in sexual
performance. Don't let growing older become an albatross around your neck. Learn what to expect as you age,
and the best steps you can take to limit the effect on you.
JANU AR Y | 2017
It's Easy to Lose Muscle Tone
As people age, they tend to slow down. Statistics suggest
that people lose about 10 percent of their muscle mass
for every decade after the age of 45. Unfortunately, too
many people use growing older as an excuse to become
sedentary. Specifically, experts suggest that people ages
65 and older are the least likely to engage in physical
activity. This decline in physical activity not only results in
a loss of muscle tone, it means you're burning fewer
calories. While it may be normal to gain some weight as
you age, there are ways to maintain a healthy weight and
retain muscle tone as you grow older.
Begin by considering your eating habits. As your
metabolism slows, consider reducing your caloric intake
by 300 to 500 calories a day. In addition, increase your
physical activity. Aerobic and muscle-strengthening
exercises are the best for improving and retaining muscle
tone and maintaining a healthy weight.
Seniors Face Dental Hygiene Issues
Dental hygiene is an area of concern regardless of your
age. Statistics suggest that less than two-thirds
(approximately 62 percent) of adults from 18 to 64 years
of age visit their dentist annually. After the age of 65, this
number only drops to around 60 percent. The difficulty
here is that if you have bad oral hygiene when you're
younger, chances are it won't improve with age. The
longer you let it slide, the more you increase your
chances of having dental problems in your twilight years.
One of the biggest dental issues, especially for seniors, is
tooth loss. Without a full-set of healthy teeth, you risk gum
deterioration, jawbone resorption, and facial collapse.
Prevent dental problems as you age. Brush at least twice
daily with a soft head toothbrush, floss every day before
sleep,
and
visit
your
dentist
regularly.
Aging Skin Requires More Care
Skin care is essential as people age. While problems
such as wrinkles, dry skin, and age spots are inevitable,
you can avoid other issues such as acne and sun
damage through proper skin care. As people age,
hormones change, cell renewal declines, and the human
body produces fewer natural oils. Rays from the sun
advance the aging process and lead to spider veins, dark
spots, and wrinkles. Additionally, years in the sun may
lead to basal cell carcinoma or melanoma (skin cancer).
Although the sun is a good source of vitamin D, too much
can age skin faster. An average of 10 to 15 minutes of
daily sun can give you the health benefits and reduce your
chances of skin damage. Be sure to moisturize daily (that
means men too), especially after you shower. Speaking of
showers, blot your skin dry instead of rubbing harshly.
This will reduce the chance of rubbing away important
natural oils.
Make Sure to Get the Right Medical Checkups
Just like when you were a youngster and your parents
took you to the doctor for age-appropriate checkups, there
are age-related medical screenings for older adults. Along
with annual health reviews of your weight, cholesterol, and
blood pressure, there are other periodic health checks that
your doctor should be recommending for you, depending
on your gender.
For men and women, your doctor may screen annually for
diabetes, hepatitis C, or lung cancer (if you smoke). For
women, an annual mammogram and Pap smear continue
to be vital. Additionally, your physician may recommend a
bone density screening. Finally, most doctors suggest a
colonoscopy every 10 years for all adults beginning at the
age of 50. The best way to know which medical
screenings are right for you is to speak with your primary
care physician.
Keep an Eye on Your Eyes
The eyes are the windows to our souls. They can tell a lot
about someone's health. If they're red, blurry, or dry, you
may be sitting in front of your computer too much or just
be overly sleepy. However, if you're over the age of 50,
there may be something else wrong. Tired eyes
accompanied by headaches may be a sign of presbyopia,
a loss in your ability to see close objects or small print.
Blurred or hazy vision may be a sign of cataracts. Floaters
- small cobweb-like objects that float into view - are
usually a normal part of aging. However, they also can be
the sign of retinal detachment. Ensure eye health as you
age by having annual checkups with an eye doctor.
Growing older is a normal part of the life cycle. Taking
good care of your health should be too. That means
getting regular health checkups, and that's the best health
tip for people over the age of 50.
Umbrella Inc.
Quarterly News
Umbrella's Greatest
Achievements of 2016
Umbrella is on
Facebook and on
YouTube!
‘LIKE’ Umbrella Inc.’s Facebook
page and stay up to date with all
the
latest
and
greatest
happenings at Umbrella Inc.
including
special
events,
announcements, photos and get
the
up-to-date
news
and
information
on
aged
care
services.
It has been a big year for Umbrella Inc. We would like to thank all of our
members, clients, board members, volunteers, staff and supporters of
Umbrella Inc. For their ongoing commitment to umbrella’s mission. Together,
we've accomplished a lot during 2016 and we are looking forward to working
with all of you again in 2017!
In 2016, Umbrella Inc.
•
•
•
•
•
To Like our page, search for:
Umbrella Inc. or type
https://www.facebook.com/umbre
llamulticultural/ into your browser
Umbrella
Inc.’s
YouTube
Channel – subscribe today to
receive updates about our new
videos.
•
•
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Worked with over 500 seniors from culturally or gender diverse
backgrounds
Received Commonwealth Home Care Packages
Won the ACSWA Excellence in Care Awards (Small provider category)
Was a finalist for the COTAWA Seniors Awards.
Received HACC Growth Funding for new and innovative programs, such
as:
 Advanced Internet Classes
 Golden Dance Classes
 Special Events (Cracovia Parties)
 Wellness on the Road and many more.
Received extended funding for the Community Visitor Scheme
Attended the Pride Parade 2016
Launched Golden Bus Tours which takes seniors on exciting bus trips
around WA and beyond.
Search for: Umbrella Multicultural
Community Care Services Inc
NEXT ISSUE: APRIL 2017
AWARD WINNING AGED CARE PROVIDER –
LEADER IN DIVERSE AGED CARE
P2
UMBRELLA INC.
IS READY FOR
THE NEW HOME
CARE PACKAGE
ENVIRONMENT
P3
WHAT IS
HAPPENNING AT
UMBRELLA?
P4
5 HEALTH TIPS
PEOPLE OVER 50
NEED TO KNOW