Resources for
leisure & recreational
professionals

How to fund-raise for Aged Care, Schools, and Respite Centres

Published on Monday 30th of August 2010 by Solange

Fund raising can be fun and profitable with a little enthusiasm and ingenuity. However, running a successful fundraising event requires effort, planning and a lot of hard work. Some activities will be simple such as traditional raffles which can be done several times a year; other events will take more time and effort and can only be done annually or even bi-annually. Despite the hard work, large events can be fun, profitable and very worthwhile!

We've just released a 4 step fund-raising plan to get you started!

Cheers!

Read Comments  |  Add Comment


Great News on Neurodegenerative Disorders

Published on Wednesday 25th of August 2010 by Solange

Last month the media reported exciting news on research into neurodegenerative disorders which includes Alzheimer's Disease. I was rather excited about it and for the sake of those who may have missed it, here is a summary of the latest findings.

At the International Alzheimer's Conference in Hawaii last month British scientists disclosed that they are developing a simple and inexpensive blood test that can identify Alzheimer's Disease up to ten years before symptoms appear. The test, which could be available in three years, would give families more time to prepare for the future.

In the same conference, US scientists proposed that they would like to see: "tests like brain scans to become the default method of testing for the condition, instead of waiting for physical symptoms to appear". They added: "New diagnosis guidelines would take into account the pre-clinical stage, when clumps of the protein amyloid are just beginning to form in the brains of people who are otherwise healthy. This indicator appears around ten years before dementia sets in and is seen as the most effective time to intervene in the disease."

More interesting news on neurodegenerative disease was revealed by biologists Gizem Donmos, Leonard Guarente and colleagues from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). They reported that the first link between amyloid plaques, which form in the brain of Alzheimer's patients, and a gene previously implicated in the ageing process called SIRT had been discovered. Researchers studying the SIRT gene, which produces sirtuin proteins that are thought to extend the life span of laboratory animals, found that by activating the production of sirtuin in mice it suppressed the disease and by destroying it, made it worse. This finding raises new hope of a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease in the future. Diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's will also benefit from drugs that activate sirtuin.

Other predictors of Alzheimer's were also discussed at the Conference in Hawaii such as spinal fluid tests and new imaging agents for PET scans. These tests are not as yet validated and recommendations for its adoption are yet to come. The good news is that a draft proposal that would update the diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease for the first time in 25 years has been presented to Alzheimer's experts for consideration.

Read Comments  |  Add Comment


Postcard Exchange Program

Published on Wednesday 18th of August 2010 by Solange

We've just released an exciting new feature on the Golden Carers website - The Postcard Exchange Program

Suggested by one of our members, the postcard exchange program is a means of connecting with other facilities. Your residents will love receiving postcards from other facilities and the opportunity to make new friends.

How do you join the postcard exchange program?

  1. Visit the Postcard Exchange Program page and login to Golden Carers.
  2. Choose 'yes' to participate and type in a short description to display to other members. Click the update button.
  3. Browse through the list of other participating members and click the 'Make Contact' link to send an email to another member.

Enjoy! A big thanks to Kerry from Western Australia for this fabulous idea.

Read Comments (1)  |  Add Comment


Older Articles

Aug2010Special Days in September
Jul2010Special Days in August
Jun2010An Activity To Warm The Hearts
Jun2010Golden Carers 1st Year Anniversary!
Jun2010Special Days in July
May201010 Tips for One-on-One Visits with Seniors
May2010How to start a Leisure & Lifestyle Program for Aged Care
May2010Special Days in June
Apr2010Special Days in May
Mar2010Special Days in April
Mar2010Mothering Sunday
Feb2010Special days in March
Feb2010Celebrate International Women's Day
Jan2010Special days in February
Jan2010Special Days in January
Jan2010Thumbs Up for the Recreation Therapy Community!
Dec2009The Benefits of Pet Therapy
Dec2009Christmas Tips for Recreation Therapists
Nov2009A short history of Thanksgiving
Nov2009Identifying Needs of clients entering aged care facilities
Nov2009Remembrance Day & Thanksgiving
Nov2009Alzheimers and Dementia Staff Education Week (US)
Oct2009Celebrating Melbourne Cup!
Oct2009Remembrance Day
Sep2009October Events - 2009
Sep2009Unattended Dementia
Sep2009How to write Progress Notes
Aug2009Responding to concerning behaviour
Jul2009Enhancing the lives of people with advanced dementia
Jul2009Sensory Environment for Dementia Clients
Jul2009Job Satisfaction
Jul2009Dementia Seminar
Jul2009New Forms
Jul2009Upcoming Events in Brisbane
Jun2009Website Relaunch
Jun2009End of Line
May2009Dracula Sneeze
Apr2009Culture & Alzheimer
Apr2009Changed Profile of Residential Aged Care
Feb2009Of Droughts & Flooding rains...
Feb2009Dementia Research
Feb2009Strategies to Survive Stress
Dec2008Quizzes
Sep2008My Favourite Things
Jul2008Conflict
Jun2008RCS Assessments
May2008Good documentation
Jan2008 National Dementia & Recreation Conference November 2007
Jan2008Australia Day celebration!
Jan2008Back in business!
Nov2007Merry Christmas!
Nov2007Conference Update
Nov2007More music activities
Oct2007Dementia & Recreation National Conference
Oct2007Care Plan samples available to download.
Oct2007Tips to make your clients feel good
Sep2007Upcoming Events in Brisbane
Sep2007Townsville Workshop
Sep2007Multicultural Facilities
Aug2007Care Plan
Aug2007PDF Printing
Aug2007Community Outings
Aug2007Cat predicts death
Aug2007Welcome to Golden Carers!

Become a member!
12 months membership
$39.95
Register

Members Login

Email:

Password:


Remember Me