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Christadelphian Aged Care A U T U M N N E W S L E T T E R
LAKEFRONT VILLAGE Address: 53-67 Chamberlain Rd, Wyoming NSW 2250 Phone: (02) 4329 8000 Email: admin@chomes.com.au
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Managers Message
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Welcome to Lakefront Village
Look long and hard at people who live lovingly. Notice how beautifully they age. Notice how relevant their wealth or status is. Notice how much other people want to be in their presence. Notice how they smile. nnn
“When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. Job 29:24
First of all, I would like to say what a pleasure it is to have Raelene and Jo fitting into their new roles at the village. We look forward to a variety of outings on Wednesday and also some light entertainment in the Community Centre on Tuesdays. In April, we have the “The Harpiness Duo” performing Harp and vocals. Our Library has had a makeover. Thanks to Pam, Ros, Jean and Jayne. We have two new bookcases and will soon have an allocated section for DVD’s, CD’s, Games and Puzzles. The spare office is now the “Computer Room”. This gives ideal light and is a much better space. We are so lucky to have Norma’s expert tuition and it is great to see so many residents embracing this modern world’s technology. A new very large screened computer will soon be installed for all to enjoy. If you would like to get involved please don’t hesitate to call in and see Norma on Thursdays. Welcome to our new residents: Margaret Quinlan SA 3 Daryl Smith SA 4 Norm and Bonny Thrush Unit 15 Margaret Sturt Unit 22 Over the next few months we really hope to focus on the gardens so that we can once again enter our local garden competition. When the weather cools down we can look at some new plants in certain sections. Thanks again to Barry and Bob for such a great job. We have a visiting Bush Turkey, sometimes know as a Scrub or Brush Turkey. I would love a photo of him or her for our next newsletter. I have only seen him once and didn’t have a camera but have been told that he/she usually struts around proudly in the afternoon about 5pm. As from the 27/2/14, I will be taking each Thursday off as Annual Leave as I am planning to complete “The Great North Walk” again. This is a bush walk from Sydney to Newcastle. Warmest Regards, Geraldine Mustchin
“Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself” - Og Mandino
Message from our Senior Manager I’m very happy and excited to be part of Christadelphian Aged Care. I have a passion for aged care having come from a quality improvement background. I have worked as an aged care quality assessor with the Agency, a facility manager and as a registered nurse in cardiac, triage and aged care. I’m keen to share my industry knowledge and experience gained in having assessed a variety of systems and processes across a number of aged care facilities throughout NSW, ACT and Victoria. My main responsibility is for clinical governance across the homes under Christadelphian Aged Care. Fundamentally, this means achieving the best possible care for residents using a defined approach. This is done by focusing on what’s best for the resident and then building the service or environment around those needs. This will better enable us to approach challenges and continuous improvement activities proactively and confidently. My wife Maria and I have three daughters, all of who play for the State League competition with Netball NSW. Two are currently at university studying physiotherapy and business respectively and the third currently undertaking her HSC exams this year. I coach representative netball for the Under 12s age group for the Hills District Netball Association NSW and I enjoy travel and culture, although I haven’t had much of an opportunity to do so in recent times. I have however travelled extensively throughout the USA with the highlight being at Elvis’ Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. I’m friendly, approachable and I very much look forward to learning more about each home and meeting members of the Christadelphian care team. - Jose Rigor Senior Manager, Operations
MARCH
UPCOMING EVENTS APRIL
Waterview Restaurant at Berowra
Musical afternoon with Annette Benson (The Harpiness Duo)
Wildlife Arc
Some of the ladies in our Serviced Apartments have been busy knitting pouches for orphaned baby animals. Wildlife Arc volunteers called to collect the pouches and bought along a very cute blue tonged lizard and a beautiful diamond python to say hello. Many thanks to Marge and Joy for doing such great work.
MAY Teddy Bear’s Picnic Rock ‘n Roll Entertainment with coffee & cake
Activity Reviews Wednesday Outings - Over the past few months Lakefront residents have enjoyed outings to
Kurri Kurri, Murrays Beach Café, Dora Creek Workers Club, Budgewoi Hotel, Swansea RSL, Norah Head Café, Wyee Nursery, Canton Chinese Restaurant, Bamboo Buddha and Central Coast Leagues Club. All residents that have come on the outings have had a great time. We shocked the girls at Murrays Beach Café when 20 people got off the bus and I had forgotten to book in. All went well and I have since learnt to book for morning tea, unless we go to the Golden Arches. Dora Creek Workers Club was small, but had great food. Everyone enjoyed the meal. Wyee Nursery is always a big hit. We enjoyed a walk around the nursery and a cuppa. Bamboo Buddha was by far the nicest morning tea and we will be going back again. We are looking forward to many more outings - Raelene
Christmas Party
Lakefront Village is renowned for putting on a great party and last Christmas was no exception. The residents one and all look forward to this very special event which is celebrated in style with great food and great entertainment. The Christmas fare was delicious, a traditional roast with all the delicious Christmas trimmings, ham, plum pudding and topped off with a glass of crisp white wine. Entertainment guru Dave Hart didn’t disappoint putting on a great show with his fantastic range of songs and music and many a Christmas carol was sung. The popular Lakefront Conga Line didn’t disappoint either with everyone taking part and Santa leading us on a path of twists and turns, and lots of laughs. Actually it was hilarious!! Speaking of Santa, what a treat, loved by all and what a good sport, always happy and a good listener. What would we do without him Another enjoyable Christmas party at Lakefront, can’t wait for next Christmas.
Bingo at the Serviced Apartments MONDAYS AT 1.30PM -
Our residents who live in the serviced apartments have been very vocal in asking us to start up Bingo in the dining room so that they can enjoy this much favoured pastime in a relaxed and homely environment. We decided to oblige and held our first bingo session on Monday 13th January 2014. It was a real hit and we have had some really positive feedback. Every week since we have had a few more people turn up and currently we are up to 25 players. We not only get our wonderful residents from the serviced apartments coming along but also many from the self care units as well. So thank you all for joining in & we hope that you’ll keep on coming - Jo.
LAKEFRONT WALKERS It is such a pleasure to welcome our new Lakefront Walkers. Congratulations to Kevin, Polly, Ian and Bob for joining in on our 8.00am walk. It is amazing what a difference a regular 30 minute walks makes. Kevin has taken on the job of “pedometer controller” and keeps us informed of how far we walk in the mornings. I am sure doctors are happy and everyone is feeling so much better. We enjoyed a walk along Soldiers Beach and paddled in the water and Polly created her own “Boot Camp” when she climbed up sand hills instead of taking the steps. Next time I am going to carry her up the steps. Coffee was good at East Toukley and we are looking forward to another beach walk in the near future. Everyone is welcome to join. 8.00am at the Community Centre
Lakefront Village Gardens The gardens are in need of good soaking rain. Let’s hope it is not too far away. Many thanks to all residents that enjoy gardening and have helped create such beautiful areas in the village. Transplanted azaleas flowered very late in the season but it was great to see that they survived the move. The Ivory Curl trees (Buckinghamia celsissima) are flowering profusely around the Community Centre. This tree grows naturally in rainforests in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Many thanks to Pam for watering the plants in the nursery. Such a great help! Bottled Worm Juice is available from the nursery. Waste vegetable matter is collected from the kitchen and turned into this wonderful plant tonic. To mix up, just add water to a tea like solution. Plans are in place to once again enter the Wyong Shire Garden Competition in September. Over the next few months we will be trying to improve sections of the grounds in the hope that we once again impress the judges. Happy Gardening!! On a recent trip to Wyee Nursery, I could not help but notice an advanced pot of Jade that had been clipped and cropped into a beautiful shape. I noted the price and could not believe my eyes $895 - this was not a mistake. I then remembered we had a large pot of Jade in the nursery that I could convert the same way. All is going well so far and I welcome advice on pruning from anyone that is familiar with topiary.
Lakefront History At the end of the path leading to the lake there is a seat to sit and rest. The family of one of our former residents Dorothy Lipman arranged with council to provide the seat for all to enjoy.
When weary of this world below I often gaze above Into a heaven of blue and rose A heaven that I love I soon forget my weariness My troubles all have gone My eyes have seen loveliness For which my soul did long - Dorothy Lipman, 1923 (aged 15)
Pastoral Care CAN GOD HEAL A BROKEN HEART? It was a comedian who said, "If broken hearts were commercials, we'd all be on TV." In some strange way he was saying we each have a broken heart, not physically I hope, but inside, where no-one else can see. One of the most popular groups of the 1970s was the Bee Gees. They sang a song that asked five questions and added one plea: "How can you mend a broken heart? How can you stop the rain from falling down? How can you stop the sun from shining? What makes the world go round? How can you mend this broken man? How can a loser ever win? Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again." You might recall the song. The Bee Gees never answered that question. But we know many people have broken hearts because of all sorts of reasons, death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, loss of status, loss of health, betrayal by a friend, loss of a child and, yes, loss of your childhood. All of these reasons can leave you a broken man or woman. What is a wound? If you have ever had an injury or a deep cut, you know how painful it is and how it hurts to be touched. Often, sorrow and loss are like deep wounds. They can be so painful that it seems no one or nothing can make the pain go away. Sometimes our heart is so broken that we can't even express the words and nothing seems to take the pain away. Is there hope for healing a broken heart? Something or someone has just broken your heart. You were caught off-guard by a betrayal, a shocking behaviour, or loss of a loved one. Suddenly you are feeling like you've lost all hope. You can feel a physical aching in your chest that leaves you wounded and scarred. How can you ever hope to recover or discover what steps will end this suffering? We know that emotions are a vital part of the way we are made. Yet we can't understand why it takes so long to heal from emotional injuries and others try to help. Many times, our wounded heart is the result of someone else's actions toward us, and other times it's because of actions we took. Sometimes too, it's a combination of both. But in trying to encourage us, they can't seem to say the right thing. Like a deep wound, a broken heart will not heal overnight. Like some medicines that burn when you apply them to a skin wound, so can a well-meaning friend who says the wrong thing at the wrong time. Who wants to pour rubbing alcohol on an open wound? We search the stores to find an ointment that we can apply to our skin wound that will not burn and then cover it gently with a Band-Aid. It's the same way with our broken heart. We need the right ointment to bring about healing. They say time heals all wounds. But what about the wounds that people can't see? We can't go to the doctors and say "I have a broken heart, can you fix it!" So who can we go to when we have a broken heart, is there anyone who cares? Who are those with the broken heart? They say time heals all wounds. But what about the wounds that people can't see? The pain of past hurts rules many lives. It simmers, it stifles, and sometimes it shuts a person completely down. However, God heals hurts. He is waiting and ready to touch our deepest pain if we will let Him. In a sense, His healing is another divine exchange, in which we offer to Him our hurt and He offers to us His healing. Psalm 147:3 states, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (or sorrows)" "Brokenhearted" refers to the wounds in the innermost portion of ourselves. Most of us do not know how to go about receiving Our deepest sympathies have this wonderful healing gift of God. Some of us have not been aware gone out to the families who that this level of deep healing was available. I like what Max Lucardo have lost their loved ones over says in his marvellous book "He still moves Stones". Why did God leave the Autmun period. us one tale after another of wounded lives being restored? So we could be grateful for the past? So we could look back with amazement at what Jesus did? No. The purpose of these stories is not to tell us what Jesus did. Their purpose is to tell us what Jesus does. 'Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.' Paul penned. 'The Scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope.' (Romans 15:4) These are not just Sunday school stories. Not romantic fables. Not somewhere-over-the-rainbow illusions. They are historic moments in which a real God met real pain so we could answer nnn the question, 'Where is God when I hurt?' He's not just doing it just for them. He is doing it for me. He's doing it for you." - By Chris Witts
Bereavements
Physio Corner SHARING WITH OTHERS We are regularly reminded of the benefits from exercise and activity to improve our daily life especially as we age; it therefore becomes increasingly more important for us to keep our bodies moving. Our mobility levels may change suddenly, we may have feelings of uncertainty, or our desire to remain socially interactive may decrease. These changes are common to many people and finding the courage to overcome this may seem impossible at times. Participating in a regular exercise group or activity enables us to adjust to changes of ourselves and others whilst receiving the rich rewards physically, socially and emotionally. Tai Chi brings residents together and creates feelings of wellbeing, involvement, participation, acceptance and a sense of belonging to all those who attend. Tai Chi is an “all inclusive” seated program, where residents are positioned together in a circle joining all equally as one group. Each resident brings something unique to the group “themselves”. Judith Forst, a regular attendee from one of our facilities said she remembered her first time coming along to Tai Chi. She said, “I felt safe, warm and comfortable to be with a group of caring people who accepted each other and shared each others company, and the interaction between the group was so special”. There are many physical benefits with Tai Chi, but the emotional and social acceptance builds you with strength. Other residents report to our Physio team daily of their own personal rewards by attending Tai Chi. There are many social and active groups available to all our residents and families looking for new friends. So come along and try Tai Chi if it is available at your facility and experience the wonderful enjoyment of sharing with others. - Megan Higgins, Physio Assistant
Read, Rest & Relax! WHAT’S YOUR NAME AGAIN?
Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to playing cards a few times a week. One day when playing cards, one looked at the other and said, "Now don't get mad at me. I know we've been friends a long time, but I just can't think of your name. I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is." Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared. Finally she said, "How soon do you need to know?
QUIZ: HOW OLD ARE YOU REALLY? From the following list of 25 items, count all the ones that you remember -- not the ones you were told about! How to score yourself is at the end. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Blackjack chewing gum Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar-water Candy cigarettes Soda-pop machines that dispensed bottles Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers 7. Party lines 8. Newsreels before the movie 9. P. F. Flyers 10. Butch wax 11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix
Super-simple Peach & Raspberry Tart
• 1/2 cup almond meal (ground almonds) • 1 tablespoon caster sugar
• 1 egg separated
• 2sheets frozen butter puff pas try, partially thawed • 2 medium peaches, halved, stones removed, cut into thick wedges • 1/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 tablespoon apricot jam, warmed, strained
• Vanilla ice-cream, to serve Serves 4
(e.g., Olive - 6933) 12. Peashooters 13. Howdy Doody 14. 45-RPM records ... and 78-RPM records 15. S&H Green Stamps 16. Hi-fi systems 17. Metal ice trays with lever 18. Mimeograph paper 19. Blue flashbulb If you remembered: 20. Packards 21. Rollerskate keys 0-5 = You're still young 6-10 = You are getting older 22. Cork popguns 23. Drive-in theaters 11-15 = Don't tell your age 24. Studebakers 16-25 = You're older than 25. Washtub wringers you think! 1. Preheat oven to 220°C/ 200°C fan-forced. Grease a large baking tray. Line with baking paper. 2. Combine almond meal, sugar and egg white.
3. Place pastry sheets on top of each other. Gently press to secure. Cut a 22c m round from pastry. Place round on prepared baking tray. Score a 19cm round in centre of larger round. Prick 19cm round all over with a fork. 4. Spread almond meal mixture over 19cm round. Top with peaches and raspberries . Brush pastry border with egg yolk. Bak e for 20 to 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and puffed and peaches are tender. Brush pea ches and raspberries with jam. Serve with ice-cream.
Word Search Find and circle all of the old TV shows that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell the name of an additional old TV show.
ALICE BEN CASEY BEVERLY HILLBILLIES CHIPS CANNON CAPTAIN KANGAROO DOBIE GILLIS DONNA REED DR. KILDARE EMERGENCY FLIPPER
FLYING NUN FUGITIVE GOMER PYLE GOOD TIMES GREEN ACRES GREEN HORNET HOWDY DOODY I SPY IRONSIDE JETSONS KOJAK
L.A. LAW LASSIE LOVE BOAT MAD ABOUT YOU MAUDE MEDICAL CENTER MIAMI VICE MOD SQUAD MOONLIGHTING MURPHY BROWN
ODD COUPLE PEYTON PLACE RAWHIDE RIFLEMAN RIN TIN TIN SOAP ST. ELSEWHERE TAXI THREE'S COMPANY WALTONS
Summer Newsletter Puzzle Answer Scrambled Christmas Carol: Merry Christmas
Disclaimer: All photos and stories have been published with consent of relatives and residents involved. Thank you for your submissions.