Newsletter December 2008 - Alzheimer's Australia

Community Services Report
As another year comes to a close, the
Community Services Team can look back on
a busy year which not only offered many new
programs and activities to keep it busy but
programs which offered diversifying options
for clients. Whilst trialling these new programs
we continued to provide clients with
core services which are so
integral in providing support,
information and education.
AASA expanded the Dementia
Link Worker program to
include two new areas and we
welcome Coral Sharp, who
will look after the Southern
metropolitan region, and Jackie
Phillips, who will work in the
Western metropolitan region.
These roles are an entry point for clients to
access AASA services for the organisation to
provide a high level of support and referral.
Dementia Link Workers assist clients to
navigate the often confusing and complex
navigational pathways to services; not only
those provided by Alzheimer’s Australia SA but
to external service providers. Feedback from
clients, who have used this service, indicates that
what is most useful is having a worker who is
able to guide them in the direction they need
to go, and to assist them in linking to services
which can support them during their journey with
dementia. We hope to secure funding to expand
this model into the Eastern region which will see
all of Adelaide Metropolitan area serviced and to
also expand it into the regional and remote areas
with the assistance of partnerships with existing
local community services. You can contact the Link
Workers on 8372 2100.
Currently AASA is fortunate to have workers in
two regional areas. Kay works in the Eyre Peninsula
Region and this has been made possible through
a partnership with local service provider West
Coast Home Care in Port Lincoln. Vicki is based
in Mt Gambier and oversees the Lower South-
East. These workers provide a diverse range of
services including information, education and
support and are currently in the process of
finalising details for Memory Van Road Shows
across these regions in 2009. The Road
Shows will be an opportunity to have staff
from the metropolitan office support the regional workers
and provide additional much-needed services in regional
areas. Further Road Shows are planned for the Mid North,
Kangaroo Island, Murray Mallee, Yorke Peninsula and the
Riverland during 2009 with support from the Access and
Equity team.
Participants at the ‘Give it a Go’ program
enjoying some ‘animal company’.
The Connexus program,
funded through a Dementia
Community Grant, finished
its pilot project stage in
October 2008, thanks
to Diane Hewatt who
ran this program from
January through to its
The Dementia and Memo
completion. Diane’s Dementia Semin
innovative June, programming August, Septem
saw a range of new
activities provided to people living with younger
onset dementia and their carers, including drumming and
puppetry – all of which were received. Whilst the funding for
“Music Therapy”
this project has now concluded we anticipate re-launching
the Connexus program in 2009 with new funding.
The Community Services team has produced
“
a
Creating
Calendar
Art”
of
Events, Programs and Activities which AASA will be providing
Cost: $60.00 (incl GST)
up to and including June 2009. This will be an excellent
reference point for existing and new clients wishing to access
“Creating Art”
AASA’s services. If you would like to receive a copy of this
Cost: $60.00 (incl GST)
resource for yourself, family member or friend, or for your
organisation please contact Lisa or Margaret in the Resource
Centre on 8372 2100 or phone the National Dementia
Cost: $30.00 (incl GST)
Helpline on 1800 100 500. The Helpline welcomes a new
counsellor, Leah Klimionok.
If you are looking for an extra gift to pop in someone’s
Christmas stocking or to post overseas or interstate
please remember the AASA 2009 Calendar featuring
photographs by the award winning Photography Group.
The money raised from the Calendars and Christmas Cards
goes towards programs for people living with younger onset
dementia. An order form is enclosed in this issue.
In closing, the Community Services Team wishes you all
a Happy Festive Season and New Year. Please
remember that we are open during business hours
throughout the holiday season to support you if required.
Best wishes
MARIE ALFORD
General Manager Operations
I would like to attend the following semina
Due to popular demand we are repeating this s
Date: Wednesday 7 th June 2006 – Time: 10
Cost: $75.00 (incl GST) (includes lunch)
Date: Thursday 17 th August 2006 - Time: 9
OR
Date: Thursday 17 th August 2006 - Time: 1
More details to come on the following
“In the garden: Dementia Care Mapping in
Date: Monday 4 th September 2006 - Time: 1
“Enduring powers and guardianship –
responsibility of those who work with peo
Date: Wednesday 1 st November 2006 - Time
Cost: $30.00 (incl GST)
Please note: All seminars will be held at Alzheimer’s A
To ensure your registration pl
One form
TAX INV
this becomes a tax
Name ______________________________
Organisation _________________________
Address ____________________________
__________________________________
❑ Attached is a cheque or money order for payment
❑ charge my credit card ❑ Bankcard ❑ Mastercard
Card No _________________________
Signature ________________________
Please return to
Registrat
This series is popular – book in early! Regist
An Australian Government Initiative
Alzheimer’s Australia SA Inc
Registration forms with credit
The priv
will be m
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