KINSHIP CARE WEEK | Meet carer, Gwen
- 06 Sep 2023
![](https://d2uyohgbau728j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/27165102/BC-KinshipCare-486x328-WEB.jpg)
Kinship Care week celebrates carers like Gwen.*
Kinship carer to two granddaughters under 10 years old, Gwen has been a carer with Baptcare for two years. She sat down with us to discuss her journey as a kinship carer.
Can you describe the role of a kinship carer?
I struggled with becoming a parent again at the age of 50, having planned to do things that I wanted to do after raising my own children who are now in their 20s. But my life was turned upside down when I became a carer for my granddaughters.
The main challenge was having kids in your care who you haven’t raised.
You need to construct a plan to renavigate parenting boundaries and try and figure out quickly whether what you’re doing is right.
Some days are hard and you question why you’re doing it but then you look at them and you know that you wouldn’t have it any other way.
But it can definitely be isolating and daunting at times.
You can’t go to a play group and meet parents the same age, as you’re a lot older.
Another hurdle was coming to terms with the fact that I don’t have the support network that I had as a young parent of my own children.
Are you in any Kinship groups?
Kay (Kay Lewis, Family Services Practitioner at Baptcare) started coffee catch up time once a week with three other kinship carers and this is really great.
How did Baptcare help?
Kay and I wrote up a plan re the steps I needed to take.
Kay referred me to the Government Grandparents hotline for advice re Centrelink. This hotline was not advertised and not easily accessible, but it has been such a support. I wouldn’t have known about it without Kay.
How has Kay helped you?
Kay has helped me so much but mostly just by being there and being very supportive.
Kay is a family support worker and that’s exactly what she does – she supports me and my family. I’ve really appreciated her non-judgmental support.
For example, if I am unsure how to approach my grandchildren’s behaviour, it has been great to be able to discuss things with Kay.
When you only have you the cat and yourself around, sometimes you need this extra sounding board because the cat doesn’t have the answers!
I had a low point lately with illness, and Kay checked in regularly. This meant a lot. Makes such a difference having somebody care about what’s happening in your life at that moment.
How would you summarise your experience working with Baptcare?
My experience with Baptcare has been nothing but positive.
I’ve particularly appreciated their non-judgmental, emotional support but also the practical supports.
For example, Kay found a donation service called Tassie Mums who make up ‘bundles’ of clothing, shoes and toys that are age/gender specific. My granddaughters arrived at my home without anything – no clothes or toys – so Tassie Mums really helped us out.
A lot of the clothing in the box was new – there was even brand names! There were good clothes that we could use to take the girls out for special occasions. There was enough clothing in there for 12 months including winter and summer gear.
Receiving the Tassie Mums box made me cry. It’s such a beautiful thing Tassie Mums do for people in the community.
What would you say to people questioning whether to be kinship carers?
Remember to get as much support as possible and to take time for yourself too.
The decision whether to become a kinship carer is a very emotional time, so do your research and, if possible, get organised before you start caring.
Any last words on Baptcare?
Baptcare is a great organisation.
I’m not a person who asks for help very often but Baptcare is really amazing with what they’re able to offer.
*Names changed for privacy reasons.
Learn more about Baptcare’s kinship care programs on our website.
https://www.baptcare.org.au/services/foster-care/kinship-care-programs
If you’re interested in talking about your kinship care journey, call 0363236700 (Tasmania) or 03 9379 3800 (Victoria).
Community news
-
Personal Alert Victoria | Enhancing safety and independence
Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.
- 29 Jul 2024
-
Faces of Baptcare | Meet Durham Smith
Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.
- 27 Jul 2024
-
Enjoying the comforts of home: Lynette and George
Lynette is 75 and her husband, George, is 70. With a little help from home care, they're able to live healthily and happily together at home.
- 21 Jun 2024