Our thoughts – or the way that we interpret events in our life (past, present or future) – are integral to whether we emotionally feel stressed. Most of our thoughts are unconscious (i.e., below our level of awareness); however, with practice and over time you can train yourself to be more aware of your thoughts. When you are having a stress-related thought, ask yourself: “is this thought serving a useful function?” Ask yourself how accurate & valid your appraisal is of a str

The recent release of the Federal Government’s National Workforce Strategy is disappointing, with much of the strategy a rehash of old news, the peak body for disability service providers said today. National Disability Services (NDS) Acting CEO, David Moody, said NDS has been calling for a National Workforce Strategy to support the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since 2013, when the scheme was introduced with bipartisan support. “The Government appears to have p

Assistive Technology (AT) will be easy to replace under a simpler process set to benefit National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants. From April 2019, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will begin a pilot introducing a new process which will mean replacements for standard AT items will be quickly assessed without needing a full re-assessment, only requiring one quote for items valued between $1,500 and $15,000. Minister for Families and Social Servic

It can be difficult to stay positive when challenging situations present themselves, but a positive outlook is often key to overcoming adversity. It’s not uncommon to feel frustrated or helpless while caring for a loved one who is suffering, however positive energy is often a much more effective strategy when it comes to playing a supportive role. Positive thinking can also greatly benefit your emotional health, it has a way of energising you and helping you through the day.

Working in a caring field – as a support worker, counsellor, nurse, psychologist etc. is highly rewarding. As carers we make a significant positive impact on the lives of others. Yet it is also emotionally demanding and challenging. If we don’t attend proactively and effectively to our own care, we risk ‘burn-out’. Imagine a balloon-Now imagine this balloon as if it were you (your mind and your body). The balloon represents your capacity to cope with everything life throws at

Challenging and complex behaviours are common if there is damage to parts of the brain that control our impulses and regulate our emotions. Behaviour that is considered acceptable is set by thousands of unwritten rules. Some examples include: how close to stand to other people when it is okay to interrupt another person when and how to show emotions how to interpret and respond to nonverbal communication when and what parts of a person's body may be seen naked. Behaviour that

Falls can happen to anyone, but, unfortunately, as you grow older falls can become more common and you are more likely to injure yourself. Most elderly people fall in and around the home. Falls are also common in aged care homes. If you have a serious injury it can lead to a change in where you live. The good news is that there are several things you can do to help prevent falls and minimise your injuries if you do fall. Knowing your risk factors and taking a few precautions

In December the NDIA released a test version of a new NDIS website to help people access information about the world leading Scheme and they need your feedback to help improve the site. The new website can be viewed by clicking the link below; NEW SITE The new site aims to improve the NDIS user experience and will be trialled for a six week period to allow time for feedback on the design, structure, accessibility and layout of the new site. Minister for Social Services, Paul