The News in Queensland CARE REVENUE (CAREV) SYMPOSIUM – EARLY BIRD RATES The Care Revenue Symposium (CareRev) is a finance conference which gives attendees the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, workshop challenges and network with peers. The CareRev Symposium is specifically targeted to CFO’s, accounts and finance or operations related personnel. CareRev is part of the ACSA National Roadshow: a series of conferences which will travel to each state. All programmes have been designed to ensure that national and state issues are brought to the table and will allow attendees to network with other aged care providers within their respective states. Dates: QLD CaRev (Brisbane) - 20 April 2018 TAS CaRev (Hobart) - 30 April 2018 WA CaRev (Perth) - 3 May 2018 NSW/ACT CaRev (Sydney) - 7 May 2018 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT RATES - UNTIL FRIDAY, 30 MARCH 2018 CareRev Symposium - Member $300.00 & Non Member $400.00 CareRev Symposium & Cocktail Function - Member $340.00 & Non Member $440.00 Register today as there are limited places, click here! Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 14 March 2018 | Page 1 of 7 GRANTS AND QLD GOVT SUPPORT NOW AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IMPACTED BY NQ FLOODING Financial assistance and support services are now available to residents directly affected by flooding in parts of North Queensland over recent days. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the North Queensland flooding event had caused inundation to properties and businesses, particularly across the Hinchinbrook region. “Queensland Government Ready Reserve staff have been deployed to Townsville to lead community recovery efforts, with more expected to be deployed over the coming days,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “Once the floodwaters recede in the worst-hit areas and it is safe to do so, we will send in our dedicated recovery workers to help affected individuals and families access financial assistance and support services that they will need to assist with their recovery. Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke said people can download the Self Recovery app for information or to apply for grants, including Emergency Hardship Grants. “Queenslanders affected by the flooding can easily apply for grants through the Self Recovery app or make an application through the Community Recovery online portal at www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au,” Mrs O’Rourke said. “Residents without internet access can ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to get information or apply for grants and access to support services over the phone. “The Self Recovery app, online portal and the hotline are vital in times of disasters to provide access to the latest information, grant applications and referrals for community organisations and other government agencies.” The suburbs and towns activated are: Ingham Taylors Beach Upper Stone Lucinda Forrest Beach Mount Fox Halifax Blackrock Wallaman Bemerside Orient Lannercost Macknade Coolbie Hawkins Creek Gairloch Bambaroo Long Pocket Cordelia Yuruga Dalrymple Creek Foresthome Helens Hill Abergowrie Trebonne Toobanna Garrawalt Victoria Plantation Peacock Siding Braemeadows Wharps Mrs O’Rourke said face-to-face support would be available in the affected areas as soon as possible once roads opened and floodwaters subsided. Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 14 March 2018 | Page 2 of 7 “We know that many people affected by this flooding event will need Emergency Hardship Grants to help meet their immediate needs,” she said. “Eligible applicants can receive $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more, to replace essential items like food, clothing and medications or to help cover the costs of alternative accommodation if they can’t live at home.” Other grants such the Essential Household Contents Grant, Structural Assistance Grant and Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant are also available to eligible residents who are uninsured and have experienced certain loss or damage following this disaster. Financial assistance is available through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). People who are experiencing hardship due to this flooding should contact the Community Recovery Hotline of 1800 173 349 or go to www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies for further information. ARE YOU READY FOR THE ATO’S SWITCH TO SINGLE TOUCH PAYROLL (STP)? A change in the payroll reporting standards for the Australian Taxation Office means that employers need to switch to a single-touch payroll (STP) enabled system that automatically sends payroll information to the ATO. This switch needs to be made by 1 July 2018 for substantial (20 or more employees at 1 April 2018) and by 1 July 2019 for smaller employers. Getting your business ready for the STP switch and checking whether your payroll system is STP compliant is easy. Hasi Samaratunga, Bentleys Queensland Join the ACSA QLD Team for a "STP Hot Topic Session" presentation by Hasi Samaratunga, Bentleys Queensland on Friday, 23 March in Brisbane Register Today! SHARE OF $100K UP FOR GRABS TO CELEBRATE QUEENSLAND SENIORS WEEK Applications are open now for eligible not-for-profit, charitable and community organisations, schools, local government and libraries to apply for up to $1,000 to run activities and events during Seniors Week 18-26 August 2018. Queensland Seniors Week provides opportunities to promote positive community attitudes towards older people and ageing, facilitate community participation, and enhance community connections. This year we are continuing to celebrate ‘A Queensland for All Ages' and encourage people to get involved by hosting or attending events. For more information, click here. Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 14 March 2018 | Page 3 of 7 MEMBER NEWS: KNOWLEDGE RISES ON FALLS PREVENTION A promising trial of a strength and balance exercise program in aged care has resulted in a 55 per cent reduction in the rate of falls among residents. The SUNBEAM trial (Strength and Balance Exercise in Aged Care) consisted of individually prescribed progressive resistance training plus balance exercises performed in a group setting for 50 hours over a 25- week period, followed by a six-month maintenance program. It involved 221 aged care residents from 16 facilities in New South Wales and Queensland, half of whom participated in SUNBEAM, with the other half following their normal care regime. The results, which were published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, show a significant drop in the rate of falls among participants, said lead investigator Jennie Hewitt. Ms Hewitt, positive living co-ordinator at Feros Care, a physiotherapist and PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, has spent the past six years developing an evidence base for the prevention and management of physical injuries among aged care residents. The 55 per cent reduction in falls rate among the SUNBEAM participants was “bigger than in any other study to date,” Ms Hewitt told Australian Ageing Agenda. For the full article, click here. JAZZING UP THE BRAIN This amazing event showcases world-class musician Jason Robello on keys while Professor Geoff Goodhill discusses the neuroscience behind musical improvisation. Come and join us to discover the language of jazz and neurons. Jazzing up the Brain – Free Event on Tuesday, 10 April 2018 from 6:00pm–7:00pm Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 14 March 2018 | Page 4 of 7 Venue: Queensland Brain Institute, Building 79, St Lucia, QLD (Room: Level 7 Auditorium) Have you ever wondered what's going on in the brain of a great jazz musician as they create new music? Musical improvisation is a skill that draws on many parts of the brain, and is also related to creativity in other domains. In a unique event, QBI brings together legendary jazz pianist Jason Rebello with neuroscientist Professor Geoff Goodhill to explore what we know about musical creativity from both neuroscientific and personal perspectives. Be ready to be stimulated both musically and intellectually. For more information or to RSVP, click here. GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: HOW YOU COULD BE AFFECTED? During the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games we will experience increased pressure on transport and road networks, with over 6 million additional journeys expected over the Games period (and starting as early as mid-March). To manage this increase in demand, temporary changes will be implemented around the event cities leading up to the Games, including localised road closures, diversions and removal of on- street parking in some areas. Each day of GC2018 will bring different transport conditions and hotspots, please see how travel will be affected in these areas: Gold Coast Brisbane Cairns Townsville To keep you moving during the Games please consider using top tips and advice when planning ahead. There is also a range of support available for both community members and businesses in affected areas to help prepare you for the Games. For more information, visit www.getsetforthegames.com. PLANNING AHEAD “LET’S TALK ENDURING POWERS OF ATTORNEY” COTA Queensland is offering free information sessions for seniors focused on Enduring Powers of Attorney. The sessions discuss the importance of planning ahead and ways to identify key people in your life who know, respect and will act on your wishes, should you be unable to act yourself. Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 14 March 2018 | Page 5 of