Demystifying Dementia

Jun 3, 2024

Report: Over 40 people came along from the wider community to learn more about dementia and how to support people living with it. Over a yummy morning tea, they discussed how much they appreciated Donna’s warm and engaging presentation, from which they learned so much.

People talked about how much they had learned.
Willing workers made the delicious morning tea happen
Friends from long ago caught up with each other
At left: Donna Ward, from Group Homes Australia

This is how we advertised the event:

10am-11.30am, Wed 10 July 2024. Venue: Engadine Uniting Church, 2 Chipilly Ave, Engadine.

RSVP to sarina@engadineuniting.church

Join us over morning tea to hear from Donna Ward, educator with Group Homes Australia, as she presents an educational session to support people living with dementia, families and friends. She offers innovative strategies and tools to enhance quality of life beyond a diagnosis of dementia. There will be time for questions.

Topics include:

  • Understanding Dementia – delve into the various types of dementia, their symptoms and risk factors and how a strengths-based approach helps you think about dementia differently.
  • Communicating and Connecting – understanding the complexities of communication challenges, including language and memory loss, plus exploring methods to foster meaningful connections.
  • Human Needs – understanding each other’s basic human needs and how they can be impacted by dementia.
  • Unmet Needs – recognise and tackle challenges related to unmet needs for people living with dementia and offer practical ways to fulfil these unmet needs.
  • Ambiguous Loss – understanding and managing the ongoing brain changes and transitions that people living with dementia will experience.
  • Rementia – a strengths-based approach using cognitive ramps to support someone to live their best life.

Scroll down for accessibility information.

Accessibility: There are two accessible parking spots outside the church reserved for those with permits. Stair-free access to the church hall may be found through the gate into the church yard at the western end of the church property.

Group Homes Australia (GHA) is a for-profit service provider who have recently opened a new home in Miranda for people affected by dementia who can no longer remain in their own homes. GHA offer these seminars twice a month in their head office in Chatswood, but also take them on the road to speak to community groups.