| August 2009 |
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Online Newsletter August 2009   This Month:
We are excited to bring you news on the latest events at DCA, including the Spark of Life's recent acceptance of the international award for
Excellence in Ageing Services. DCA was also invited to discuss the Spark of Life Approach on the Australia-wide radio program, ABC Radio National 621.
This month's newsletter also features two new articles that explore the essence of what makes any activity meaningful and asks the question on the lips of many family carers, 'Is Dementia Heriditary?' You'll enjoy these informative articles that are sure to spark discussion. IAHSA Award Presentation 
(L-R
Hilary Lee, Baroness Sally Greengross and
Jane Verity with the award in London.) Jane Verity and Hilary Lee have just returned from the International IAHSA Conference in London. They accepted the 2009 IAHSA Excellence in Ageing Services Award for the Spark of Life Culture Enrichment Program on behalf of Dementia Care Australia and the entire Spark of Life Community. Visit our website to read all about the award and their trip to London. Article - Is Dementia Hereditary? People who have a close relative with dementia may ask themselves, 'Is this hereditary? Will I get it too?' This question is understandably connected with great fear and uncertainty. Visit our website to view this article. Members, login to our website to read the full version of this article Interested in becoming a member? Visit our website to find out how. Members Article - What Makes an Activity Meaningful? A meaningful activity enables the person with dementia to feel needed and useful by having a positive impact on other people's lives. The difference between a meaningful and meaningless activity can be very subtle and lies not in what we say or do but in how we engage the person. Members, login to our website to read this article. Interested in becoming a member? Visit our website to find out how. Spark of Life on ABC Radio National  Jane Verity and Hilary Lee spoke on ABC Radio National 621 in August,
discussing the Spark of Life on the 'Life Matters' program with
recognised interviewer Richard Aedy. The 'Life Matters' program is broadcast
throughout Australia and deals with current issues of
social change and day-to-day life. To listen to the interview, simply visit our website. Question & Answer's from our online forums Visit our online Member's Forums to discover a wide range of questions and answers from members facing the daily challenges of dementia care. Our forums allow our members to ask advice from one another, or have any question answered by a DCA consultant. Community: 'My husband's dementia has become worse recently and [is] now in hospital as we had problems I could not handle. He is happy now but very restless. When he knows I am visiting he packs his bags to go home with me.' Visit our forums to read a supportive approach to this situation. Residential Care: 'I wonder if anyone out there has any good ideas around ways of addressing over-eating behaviours? Has anyone had success with reducing this behaviour - particularly in residential settings?' Visit our forums to discover a practical solution to this challenging behaviour. Product of The Month Each month we would like to offer you a very special price on our chosen 'Product of the Month'.  For the month of August, we are putting the spotlight on our Giant Balloon Pack and offering the discounted price of $60. A saving of $30. Spark of Life Resources Rainbow Ribbons  Spinning Tops  The Flower Game  We like to include our members on the DCA website, so if you have a special event or Spark of Life story you would like to share, please feel free to contact us via email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Warmest Regards, Hellen Fisher (Editor) and the entire DCA Team. Know someone who might enjoy our newsletter? Simply forward this email on and share the Spark of Life. |
