This Month:

Question and Answer - Our busy online community
2 new articles on the website this month - Costumes and Effective Listening
Meet a DCA Team Member - This month meet Jennifer, our Sales and Marketing Manager.
The Spark of Life Club Program - A researched and proven activity program
Christmas sale - DCA says Merry Christmas with a special sale

Welcome and Merry Christmas



Welcome to our last Spark of Life newsletter for 2008. The festive season is such a busy time and many of us are now running around buying gifts and preparing for special Christmas celebrations with our family and friends. Take this opportunity to spend a few moments appreciating those special people around you and acknowledging the challenges you have faced and successes you have achieved as a carer in 2008.

We are sure you will enjoy this month's newsletter, which is full of news, articles and some fun and colourful Christmas gift ideas.

Our busy Online Forum


Our Member's Forum has been very busy lately with our members asking questions on many different topics. Log on today and take advantage of having your every question answered by a DCA Consultant or other members of the online community.

Discussions have included the many challenges faced by carers ranging from dealing with difficult behaviour to finding appropriate activities for the person with dementia.

Question:
'I'm a carer and spend a few hours on 2 afternoons with a person with dementia. I don't know at what stage of dementia she is in. She can communicate a bit with words but often can't find the word she wants.'
Click here to read the rest of this question and discover some innovative ideas for activities.

Community Story:
'We had a wonderful club experience today with some of our 'special care' residents. As well as the 'regular' SOL clubs, a 'walking club' has developed in our facility.'
Click here to read about this fun activity enjoyed by these residents.

Residential Care:
'My mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 3 1/2 years ago, is now in a Dementia Specific Unit at a High Care Aged Care facility. I was recently approached by the nursing staff to see if I could visit Mum earlier in the day...'
Click here to read the rest of this question and some practical ideas.

New Informative Articles on our website



Engaging People with Dementia using Costumes - Members Article

The Spark of Life Approach encourages facilitators to step into the shoes of people with dementia to discover what is needed to awaken their dormant abilities. Visit our website and log in with your membership details to read this article that explains how costumes can rekindle the spark in a person with dementia.

How to be an Effective Listener

When engaging with the person who has dementia, you need to be sensitive to that person's unique communication style including their non-verbal messages. Visit our website to read this article that will change the way you listen.

Meet a DCA Team Member



Meet Jennifer, the Sales and Marketing manager here at DCA. Jen has worked as a marketing manager and consultant for large and small companies both in Australia and overseas. Visit our online forums to read more about Jen and meet the entire DCA team.

We would love for you to introduce yourself too, so please go in and tell us all about yourself.


The Dementia Care Australia Christmas Sale


To celebrate christmas, DCA is offering you very special prices on our Christmas products. With big savings on offer, there is sure to be something for everyone.

To see our full Christmas sale range, simply visit our online shop.

Spark of Life Christmas Cards
Specially designed by Dementia Care Australia and painted by a local artist, these Christmas cards are sure to bring joy and happiness to the special people in your life.

The Christmas Pudding Game
This fun and highly successful Christmas Pudding game has been specially designed to be used in all levels of Spark of Life Club Programs and by anyone who wishes to boost the self-esteem of their residents.

Facility Christmas Pack
Make this Christmas a Spark of Life experience for your residents with our specially designed Facility Christmas pack. The pack Contains games, balloons, a singing 'Sunshine Sally', spinning basket, rainbow wig, Christmas cards and many other Christmas treats.


A special Christmas pack; Just for Her
This special pack for the lady with dementia includes a hand-made rainbow coloured Swarovski crystal bead bracelet and a cheeky singing 'Sunshine Sally' that will bring colour and fun to the special woman in your life. 

A special Christmas pack, Just for Him
This special pack for the man with dementia contains four carefully designed wooden spinning tops that are guaranteed to bring hours of simple spinning fun and 'Sunshine Sally's' chirpy rendition of 'You are my Sunshine' brightens everyone's day.

Both his and hers packs come with a gift for you, the carer. The 'Build a Supportive Parnership' CD will transform the way you care.

Singing 'Sunshine Sally'
Let the sun shine in with one of these happy dancing flowerpots. Sound activated by clapping, these soft fabric flowers captivate the person with dementia with their song and dance to 'You are my sunshine.'

To see our entire special Christmas sale range, simply visit our online shop.




The team at Dementia Care Australia would like to wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. We look forward to a whole new year of innovative dementia care in 2009. Remember, if you have an idea for an article, or have an inspiring story to tell, 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

See you in the New Year,
Hellen Fisher (Editor) and the entire DCA Team.

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