This Month:

Question and Answer - Our busy online community discusses pressing issues
New articles  - To say Darling or not to Say Darling - That is the Question
Meet a DCA Team Member - This month meet Hilary Lee.
Products: Some new awesome thing you can't live without.


Welcome and a very Happy New Year for 2009



Welcome to a brand new year and our first newsletter of 2009.

With the busy Christmas celebrations now over, it is now time to renew your outlook and discover more about how the Spark of Life can transform your every relationship.

This month's newsletter has something for everyone to see in the New Year including facinating forum threads, a new article, and products specially designed for the person with dementia.


Our busy Online Forum



Our Member's Forum continues to cover a wide range of topics with carers sharing their challenges and stories. We encourage members to log on today and take advantage of having your every question answered by a DCA Consultant or other members of the online community.

Community:
'I have been looking after a lady recently where I work occassionally and am finding it increasingly upsetting regarding their management of her behaviour.'
Click here to discover a positive approach to difficult behaviour

Residential Care:
'One of my greatest challenges is not communicating with those I am working directly with, but rather those who are in the corridors of the facilities. An example is the woman who stands by the door and says as you walk past "please let me out so i can go home".'
Click here to read the rest of this facinating thread.

New  Articles For 2009



To say 'Darling' or not to say 'Darling - That is the question

The three words 'darling, dearie or sweetie' are often perceived as inappropriate ways to address elderly residents, clients or patients. While this belief may be based on a genuine desire to do the 'right thing' by our elders, condemning the use of these familiar words can have a devastating negative effect on the person with dementia, which is often not acknowledged.
 
Visit our website to read this new article that discusses how our communication is so much more than just the words we use.

Meet a DCA Team Member



This month we are proud to introduce Hilary Lee. Her role at DCA includes research and development, co-developing visionary concepts, international liaison, presenting, and providing support for facility leaders.

Come to the online forums to read the rest of Hilary's profile and meet the entire  DCA team. We would also love for you to introduce yourself so we can get to know our community members.

Specially designed products for people with dementia



Rainbow Uniforms -  start the New Year with a splash of colour


Green, Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange, Turquoise, Purple and Pink...our Spark of Life Uniforms come in all the colours of the rainbow. These vibrant shirts are proudly Australian-made and feature custom woven collars and cuffs and colourfast and breathable fabrics.

People with dementia experience an improvement in communication and contentment when they encounter bright colours, so why not brighten the day of a person with dementia in 2009.

Sunshine Sally



New to Dementia Care Australia, Sunshine Sally is a fun and happy all-singing, all-dancing flowerpot.

Sound activated by clapping, Sally's soft fabric flower captivates the person who has dementia with her song 'You are my sunshine'.




How to Dissolve Difficult Behaviour - Educational Program


How to Dissolve Difficult Behaviour introduces the Spark of Life Approach, which dissolves challenging situations and creates a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive. Featuring renowned dementia expert Jane Verity, this 6-DVD program and accompanying handbook introduces a new approach to;

• Beliefs
• Changing Beliefs
• Understanding behaviour
• Attitude
• Communication
• Compassion

To see our entire range of products, simply visit our online shop.




We love to feature our members on our website, so if you have had 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.

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