Introducing our incredible Memory Innovations Centre team

February 12, 2020

Our Memory Innovations Centre opened on 28 January in Waitara! Designed to improve quality of life, wellbeing and help support cognitive decline for older Australians, our professionally run programs focus on having fun, connecting with others and using emerging technologies.

Programs combine science and social activity and sessions are run by highly educated and trained professionals to ensure you get the best outcomes for your health and wellness. Programs include:

  • Art
  • Brain function
  • Cooking
  • Dance
  • Exercise
  • For the full program including term dates and session times, click here.

Our wonderful team is made up of:

Michelle Tarring | Physiotherapist
Memory Innovations Centre Program: Let’s Get Moving
Michelle has 13 years’ experience offering client centred care and exercise therapy, working with varied conditions and age. She has a special interest in neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke. Michelle likes to create a fun and relaxed environment during her exercise classes and adapts for each individual to make sure they are safe and comfortable.

Romny Vandoros | Creative Arts Therapist
Memory Innovations Centre Program: Arts Smarts
Romny is an internationally trained Art Therapist focusing on compromised physical and cognitive health, ASD, additional needs, relationships and health and wellbeing. This form of therapy requires working closely with clients to determine range of movement, capabilities and interests, then together finding solutions which allow clients to best express themselves creatively.

Robyn Price | Dance/Movement Therapist
Memory Innovations Centre Program: Dance With Me
Robyn is a Dance/Movement Therapist and Gestalt Psychotherapist with more than 15 years’ experience offering therapy that is gentle, supportive, person-centred and fun. She finds that nonverbal approaches such as dance movement therapy (DMT) can be particularly helpful when working with trauma, memory loss and brain injury, where words are sometimes unavailable.

Wai Ching | Speech Pathologist
Wai Ching has experience working with people after stroke, neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury and intellectual disabilities. She has extensive experience working in many different settings. She has a special interest in using technology for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to supplement communication as well as providing training to carers and families for both communication and swallowing education. Wai Ching is available at the Memory Innovation Centre on a Thursday and is also available for home visits.

Danielle Bell | Dietician
Memory Innovations Centre Program: Food For Thought
Danielle strives to help individuals improve their quality of life. She treats her clients as unique individuals and takes the time to listen and walk beside them as they discover the ways that food and movement can elevate their physical and mental wellbeing. She has experience working as a clinical dietitian in aged care homes and developed an interest in nutrition for healthy ageing.

Jessica Tilbrook | Dietician
Memory Innovations Centre Program: Food For Thought
Jessica has a passion for people, their stories, and understanding their relationship with food. She has training in disordered eating, intuitive eating and mindfulness. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including aged care, rehab and mental health specialities. She has spent three years managing dietetic services across QLD, NSW and ACT for a large not-for profit. Jess respects body diversity and loves to empower clients to live a healthy life, in a way that promotes autonomy and dignity.

Rebecca Levi | Dietician
Memory Innovations Centre Program: Food For Thought
Rebecca has a passion for empowering people to discover a more positive relationship with health, food and body. She has worked across the public health and food industry sectors. Rebecca values working compassionately, respectfully and with care. She looks at health from a holistic point of view with a focus on health behaviours and understands that health can mean something different to everyone. Rebecca is an energetic person and values the trust and connections she builds with clients.

Ray Cornwell | Psychologist
Memory Innovations Centre Program: Build Your Brain
If you or your loved one are noticing changes in your memory, or you have been diagnosed with dementia “Build your Brain” is the program for you. Ray is our resident psychologist and will guide you on practical skills to assist with memory changes and cope with stress and anxiety in a relaxed social environment. Brain training has the ability to reduce cognitive decline, assist with attention, language and processing speed and may stimulate new neural pathways to assist with cognitive impairment.


The simplicity of the programs is key. Our aim is to empower seniors to use these programs in their own homes. A cozy and welcoming environment awaits you, with a lovely garden area to relax in with a cuppa. And carers welcome subject to space availability.

Payment options include the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (assessment and eligibility required for Specialised Support Service – Innovation), a direct Home Care Package charge or Fee for Service.

MORE INFO & BOOKINGS

Jessica Margules
P: (02) 9481 2659
E: seniors@catholiccaredbb.org.au
W: www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/aged-care

 

More news stories like this one

Mediation gives Amanda & David breathing space

When Amanda first contacted CatholicCare for help with property mediation, her life was nothing short of chaotic. “You name it, it had happened,” says Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Melanie.

Read More

Called to carry the cross – a Good Friday reflection

2000 years ago, there lived a man called Simon who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. When he woke up that Friday morning, ‘carrying the cross of Jesus’ was probably not on his to-do list.

Read More

Everything you need to know about supported playgroups

Are your little ones climbing the walls at home? Have you ever thought about attending a playgroup but not sure what to expect? Perhaps, you’ve heard the term, ‘supported playgroup’ and wondering what that’s all about.

Read More