dementia Archives - Lifebridge Australia

Information Session – Share your Dementia Journey

Ariel Hameiri — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:10:57 +0000

In conjunction with Dementia Action Week, which runs from Monday 18th September to Sunday 24th September, Lifebridge Australia invite you to attend our Information Session which will be held in “The Glass” function room at Club Tweed, cnr Wharf and Florence Street, Tweed Heads from midday onwards.

Relax and enjoy a delicious lunch beforehand in Bistro 16. The menu is very extensive and includes salads, burgers, seafood, paddock, pizza, pasta or stir fry. Something for everyone.

Guest speakers will be sharing their own personal dementia journey.

Dementia affects close to half a million Australians. That number is set double in the next 25 years. Many Australians will start experiencing the impact of dementia amongst their own family and friends in the coming years.

This year’s theme is Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future. Since 2019, the focus of the Dementia Action Week campaign has been to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with dementia and their carers.

Communities that take action to become dementia-friendly have:

• less fear and a greater understanding of dementia.
• less stigma and discrimination.
• more support and better systems for people living with dementia to live well in their community for longer.

During Dementia Action Week, we encourage you to reach out to your community and learn more about the needs of people living with dementia, their families and carers who are living in your area.

If you would like to find out more about how Lifebridge can help you or someone you know who is experiencing the effects of dementia, please contact us on 1800 043 186.

If you would like to attend our Information Session, please contact Janelle or Colleen on 1800 043 186 or email admin@lifebridge.org.au

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Living with Dementia Program Oct – Nov 2019

Ariel Hameiri — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 05:49:07 +0000

The Living with Dementia Program is a national initiative of Dementia Australia and is funded by the Australian Government. This education and support program aims to maximise the health and well-being of people living with early stage dementia and their carers. It also allows participants to get a better understanding of what is happening to them and allows them to talk to others who may be going through a similar experience.

In a group format, participants have the opportunity to tell their story of memory loss, reflect on the impact of their diagnosis, develop an understanding of the importance of self-care, enhance their skills for communication with others and for problem-solving and extend their knowledge about legal and financial issues.

The program runs for 7 weeks on the same day each week and each session 2 hours. Light refreshments are included at no charge.

PROGRAM DETAILS

WHEN: Wednesday 2nd October – 13th November 2019

TIME: 10am – 12pm

WHERE: Seventh Day Adventist Hall, 85 Phillip Street, Chinderah NSW 2487

COST: This program is free of charge

Bookings are essential and all enquiries can be directed to Janelle Egas, Lifebridge Australia by phoning 1800 043 186.

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Living with Dementia Program

Ariel Hameiri — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 01:53:43 +0000

The Program is free of charge and runs for 7 weeks on the same day of each week. Each session runs for 2 hours and light refreshments are included.

The Program commences on Wednesday April 3, 2019 and finishes on Wednesday May 15, 2019. Times are 10am to 12pm at the Seven Day Adventist Church, 83-93 Phillip Street, Chinderah.

Bookings are essential and all enquiries can be directed to Janelle Egas, Lifebridge Australia by phoning 1800 043 186.

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Move to the Groove Dance Program

Ariel Hameiri — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 05:06:28 +0000

Move to the Groove was launched in February 2018, to a budding group of Aged Care customers. The program explores a range of different dance styles and songs led by group participants, professionally choreographed, to create free-flowing purposeful dance in which everyone can engage. A hands-on and light-hearted approach to teaching, facilitates the needs of the group in a way that encourages all participants to give it a go. Participants also enjoy a light morning tea and lunch to keep their energy levels up as they groove the day away.

In short period the program has been running, participants are already experiencing positive changes in their overall well-being. The benefits of which affect the individual, but also the support network that surrounds that person.

Participants in the program are over 65 years of age, and experience a range of conditions including dementia, isolation, mobility restrictions, depression and more. While Move to the Groove is a group program, the nature of the activity is fundamentally supported at an individual level. Each person’s approach and learning capacity is different and our delivery supports each individual to ensure they are following along.

One customer in our program has Early Onset Dementia and, in the beginning, struggled to adopt any of the movements of the program. We provided him with visual props, got him counting the beat of the song, gave names to each of the steps and guided him with each of the movements. Within just 3 weeks, he was doing the steps all on his own.

Eye-to-eye contact is important, and if participants are not getting the movements, we do the movement with them, so they can learn the action. We also like to keep the program fun and engaging and we’re often quite silly with the participants and make sure they are all having a laugh.

It’s important our customers are happy in what they’re doing. This improves their overall well-being.

Customers who have previously been isolated, suffering from depression, who have dementia are happier, more engaged and are starting to take care of their well-being again.

Move to the Groove Program Overview

Waking up the body

Before we begin dancing, we wake up the body with Tai Chi influenced movements with a ballet twist. Slowly the participants stretch their muscles as they move from one exercise to another. As the participants warm up, we encourage the group to concentrate on their breathing for improved oxygen flow throughout the body.

Morning Tea

After the warm up, we take a light breather and enjoy morning tea. It is important participants are hydrated and well nourished to maintain energy throughout the program.

Seated Choreography

Here the group comes together to develop the movements and choose the songs for this weeks dancing. The choreography is developed from the groups suggestions and timed with their music choices. This part of the program is done seated. It allows participants to be engaged, learn the movements and move freely without hesitation.

Lunch

Once the choreography is developed and everyone is practiced, we pause for lunch. The group enjoy a meal together and prepare for the floor work.

Floor Work

It’s time to dance. Dance taught on the chair is transferred to standing. Participants move as a group, grooving to their songs.

Move to the Groove is a highly engaging, social and collaborative dance program for the Aged. The program exercises the body and the brain delivering therapeutic benefits to our participants.

By getting up and moving about, the body releases Endorphins which triggers a sense of euphoria, providing a fresh, happy and positive outlook on life.

Additionally, the program is very social. Participants are engaged with one another and enjoy sharing the experience with each other. They are supportive and celebrate each other’s successes. It’s something they really look forward to each week.

To find out more about our Move to the Groove program contact Lifebridge on 1800 043 186.

Move to the Groove

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Living With Dementia Program

Ariel Hameiri — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 07:36:01 +0000

Description:

If you are living with early stage dementia or are a family carer for someone with dementia, you are welcome to join our early intervention program.

The purpose of this program is to reduce the sense of isolation, distress and depression and to increase the self esteem of people with, or caring for someone with dementia. The program also aims to increase participants knowledge of local services and gain positive perceptions of dementia.

The program is delivered over a seven week period, two hours a day on a weekly basis.

During the program, participants have an opportunity to:

Tell their story of dementia
Reflect on the impact of diagnosis
Develop an understanding of the importance of self-care.
Enhance skills for communicating with others.
Learn techniques for problem solving.
Extend their knowledge about legal and financial issues.

Participants must have a diagnosis of dementia or be accompanying a person with a diagnosis of dementia.

When: Wednesdays – April 3rd – 15th May 2019
Time: 10am to 12pm (light refreshments included)
Venue: Seventh Day Adventist Church, 83-93 Phillip Street, Chinderah
Fee: No charge

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