Day 1 Program - Thursday October 10 2013 0915 Welcome & Introduction

0930 Tablets - they’re not all hard to swallow!

The Murray Mallee Aged Care Group recently completed a very successful and innovative research project funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing titled ‘Linking Rural Older People to Community through Technology’. This presentation will explore the outcomes and the subsequent projects developed using technology, (in rural and remote settings) particularly “tablets” and the internet which have enhanced clients and their family’s connectivity & lives. Bernadette Boag, Project Development Manager, Murray Mallee Aged Care Group Inc. (SA)

1015 Engaging families in the care of residents with dementia

Residents’ family members and friends can play an important role in the dementia care team. Using family carers as a resource can improve the lifestyle and wellbeing of residents with dementia, and reduce the likelihood of behavioural issues. But family members also need support and information about dementia to help them to cope with changes in their family member. In this session you will learn how to: • Assess the needs of family carers on admission • Enlist families as sources of information in care planning • Ease the transition into aged care for both resident & family • Include families in daily activities within the facility. • Educate and support families about dementia Denise Whimpey, Carer & Community Education Officer, Carers Victoria. (M.in Professional Education and Training, B. App. Sci. OT, Grad. Dip. Health Promotion, Dip. App. Sci. Nursing)

1045 Morning tea, networking & trade expo

1115 Managing Your Career in the Aged Care Industry

This session will provide insights into the current and contemporary ways in which employees can manage their own personal “employment brand”, align their career goals to their current workplace, and build skills to actively manage their career progression. Recruitment and career development requires a commitment from the individual and clarity of intent. When these can be harnessed and shared, there are a number of strategies and opportunities to build career landmarks, demonstrate competence and plan for appropriate progression through the industry. Tim Biddle, Human Resources Manager, SELMAR Institute of Education; Bachelor of Social Science (Honours), Grad Dip HRM, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

1200 Heart Foundation Walking - Active Body Active Brain - walk your way to an active body and active brain

Regular physical activity has many positive benefits for health and impact on quality of life. Walking is the most preferred physical activity option in Australia and is a highly appropriate activity for people with dementia. Heart Foundation Walking (HFW) is Australia largest free group walking program. HFW Active Body Active Brain, funded by Alzheimer’s Australia aims to increase the number of people with dementia participating in this practical program. Processes and outcomes will be shared. Helen Morley, National Project Officer, Heart Foundation Walking; RSCN, RGN (UK), Dip in Health Services Mgt (UK)

1245 Lunch, networking & trade expo

1345 Clinical update - ‘Funny little turn’ or epilepsy?

This session will provide a general introduction to epilepsy including an overview of the importance of Epilepsy Management Plans and professional development opportunities for workers in aged care. Alison Hitchcock, Education and Training Manager, The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria. RN, BHSc, Critical Care Certificate and Cert IV in Workplace Training

1430 The ‘Wellness Centre’

This presentation will outline the background, implementation, benefits & lessons learnt from the establishment of the Sumner House ‘Wellness Centre’. Georgia Holton, Leisure & Lifestyle Co-ordinator, Sumner House, Vic.

1445 Dementia Resources Library

This session will discuss the philosophy & workings of the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Dementia Resources Library. Hazel Jarvis, Dementia Care Coordinator, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Vic.

1500 Afternoon tea, networking & trade expo

1530 Award for Excellence winner announced

Stories from the Field (1)

These unique & diverse ‘stories from the field’ are designed to engage, enlighten & motivate!

1615 Close Day One

Conference Program

Dementia + Recreation National Conference 2013

Day 2 Program - Friday October 11 2013 0915 Welcome & Introduction

0930 Keeping the community spirit alive - community integration program

Being a vital and strongly integrated part of a wider community is important for most of us. Maintaining community links in the rural setting is often critically important for the health and wellbeing of residents in care. These links help maintain a residents’ sense of self and go a long way to ensure that they remain connected to the community outside the facility. This has often been an important part of their whole life and in many instances a community that they have in their own way supported through many challenging times. Listen & learn how this program has been built over time with its focus entirely built around the needs of & benefits to the residents.

Donela Perry, DON, Baptcare Northaven Community, Vic.

1015 The Power of Play & Humour

We all need playfulness/humour in our lives – this self-evidently includes the clients of our services. This presentation will provide you with the background to The Smile Study which contributed to the formation of the Arts Health Institutes’ ‘Play Up’ Program - unique humour therapy with passion, professionalism and an ongoing focus on empathy. The session will also discuss Scalabrini Village case studies (in a CALD setting) which will bring insight into the versatility of this program & ultimately aims to provide the knowledge, skills and strategies to connect with a state of spontaneous and therapeutic play.

Susan Macfarlane, Senior Lifestyle Coordinator, Scalabrini Village Ltd; Diploma of Management (Aged Care), Certificate IV Community Services Lifestyle and Leisure, Tai Chi for Arthritis Leader and Member of Eden Alternative and Melanie Claydon, Recreational Activities Officer, Scalabrini Village Ltd; Certificate IV Community Services, Diploma Community Services, Lifestyle and Leisure.

1045 Morning tea, networking & trade expo

1115 Out here on our own? The Cohuna Allied Health Assistants in Aged Care Project 2013

This presentation is a story about the impact of people-power, persistence and partnerships driving workforce change and aged care service development in a small rural community. Our presenter, an experienced Occupational Therapist and workplace trainer, will share the journey so far of the first intake of students in the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance in Cohuna, Victoria. You will hear how a small group of allied health professionals and aged care service providers in a tiny town in the ‘middle of nowhere’ established a much-valued partnership with a training provider to develop & deliver the project. This is a good news story from the bush about facing challenges and, with no government funding, working collaboratively to find practical solutions.

Kate Roberts, B. Hlth Sc. (Occupational Therapy), Cert. IV Training & Assessment

1200 “In sickness & in health”

Spouses, partners, de factos … navigating the landscape can be ‘interesting’ & at times ‘demanding’. This session aims to discuss & detail reactions & responses to the challenges, changed dynamics, emotional landscape & practical issues associated with clients and their partners. What are the implications for our policies, processes & practices?

Associate Professor Rosalie Hudson, RN, Dip Arts, B App Sci, B Theol, M Theol, Grad Dip Geront., PhD. Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Nursing and Social Work, The University of Melbourne; Academic Associate, School of Theology, Charles Sturt University, Barton, ACT

1245 Lunch, networking & trade expo

1345 A peek over the fence

As professionals, it is essential that we continue to be engaged & inquisitive practitioners. This session will invite you to consider the bigger picture by presenting a range of ideas, insights, programs or projects which have relevance to the way we think & behave professionally, now & into the future.

Dr. Ralph Hampson, Ralph Hampson Consulting

1415 Brain Gym for Aged Care

Learn how Brain Gym can easily improve seniors memory, concentration, cognitive functioning and communication skills and reduce mental confusion, anxiety and stress levels. The Brain Gym movements are easily and readily adapted to individual needs and situations.

Claire Hocking, Educational Kinesiologist and Brain Gym Instructor, AKA

1500 Stories from the field

… to close our conference, more ‘stories from the field’ to inform & inspire.

1530 Close of conference

Conference Program

Dementia + Recreation National Conference 2013