Our workshop year got off with an amazing start with our Access to Leisure workshop at Royal Rehab on Friday 5th of February- see the review below.
On the 18th of March our very popular Brisbane workshop is being held- if you live in Queensland (or would just like to visit the Sunshine state) book in now as numbers are filling up fast for what is always an educational and great networking experience. Facilitated by Queensland board member Glenda Kubler the Australian Quality Aged Care agency will be there to ask questions on your accreditation experience and expectations, Australian Hearing will bring along the newest innovations in assisted hearing. Alzheimer’s Australia presenter will look at those behaviours related to sundowning as well as plenty of networking and innovative activity planning information and opportunities. Don’t miss out!! See you there!!!
Keep your eyes out also for our newly added Dementia specific workshop on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy. With Dr Kathy Peri, University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences we will have a day learning about this Evidence-based, drug-free treatment for people with mild to moderate dementia addressing Standard 3 Training and giving you the edge in dementia care particularly in private practice.
CST has been shown to be as effective as cholinesterase inhibitors and is the ONLY non-pharmacological treatment accepted by NICE, (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, UK)
Leisure and Health, Lifestyle and DT staff have the BEST skill set to deliver this research-proven program to care recipients in community and residential settings.
Learn the RIGHT WAY to deliver CST to assist in re-enablement of care recipients with mild to moderate dementia and add this structured program of set activities to your professional development.
Limited spaces are available for this practical, interactive workshop to be held in Sydney, to give you the opportunity to learn and put the structure into practice before taking it back to your workplace or private consultation. Look out for the flyer coming to you or check out the website and book early.
By the release of this Newsletter our Melbourne Workshop on the 26th of February will have been completed- look out next month for that review.
If there is an area of interest that you would like to learn about or experience first-hand please email me at stephania@diversionaltherapy.org.au
Same goes if you have an area of interest you’d like to present!! Get all your PD points in one go by attending a workshop and preparing either a presentation or Takeaway café handout!!
I’ll leave you with these pearls of wisdom till next time
“Be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, tolerant of the weak, because someday in your life you will be all of these. ~George Washington Carver~
Steph Bejma
DTA National Education Coordinator
Access to Leisure workshop at Royal Rehab on Friday 5th of February
Our annual workshop focused on information specifically in the field of disabilities was a great success with over 35 attendees. The state of the art and world class venue provided inspiration and a real insight into how the environment can influence the leisure and health recovery of people.
International presenter Vineta Lagzdina’s presentation on the power of Music was marred by some technical issues and staunch DTA supporter the Veggie Lady and popular presenter Toni Salter was unable to attend however the rest of the day went off without a hitch.
Claire Boyle from Royal Rehab filled in for Toni and took us through the extensive outdoor environment giving insights into the why’s of Rehabilitation gardening and the Rehab’s garden beds, outside recreation circle and tool shed gave us all some great adaptive ideas to inspire and heal.
Our NSW Board member for DTA, Diversional Therapist Kylie Rice, shared some behavioural management tools she finds can assist in engaging clients and those she works within the Mental health field.
Sebastian van Veenendaal, Professional Leader of Recreation Therapy discussed the Return2Sport program that has gained international recognition, he is heading off to support Australia’s bid to maintain our wheelchair rugby status as world number one at the Rio Paralympics. Attendees got to trial the adapted sport equipment with a tour of the world class facilities also on the day.
Informative and always entertaining, Ernest Buckley supported by Eire Steane presented on Swimming as an activity or therapy program encouraging others to think about how they could bring this program to their facilities. Ernest and Eire also let people know about the dementia Modules available on line to complete for DTA PD points and education.
Our first time Takeaway café presenter Thomas Van Den Berg was fantastic as he explained the different exercises he uses to “mix it up and keep it dynamic”- see his Takeaway Café handout in the member’s section on the website.Jim Towers, Media and Communications Manager at Royal Rehabilitation Centre was very supportive of the Diversional Therapists and recreational Staff at the workshop taking us on a special insider tour of the facility. It was a great venue with easy access and a nutritious lunch and the workshop had people from all around the country- look out for next year’s Access to Leisure workshop if this is the area you work in.