Maranatha Spring Newsletter 2017

C h ristade lph ia n A g e d C a re

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S P R I N G

N E W S L E T T E R

M ARANATHA Address: 1582 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503

For as the earth brings forth its sprouts and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

ISAIAH 61:1 1

Phone: (07) 3482 5333

Email: admin@chomes.com.au

Manager’s Message Welcome to Maranatha

Hi everyone! This quarter our Maranatha Manager’s Message comes from Care Manager Suzette Remoreras and Kerry Kennedy (Resident Services Officer) instead of Facility Manager Suzette Robertson, who is at the time of writing this, enjoying the mountain air in Switzerland.

I have been Care Manager at Maranatha for almost two years now and over that time have seen the Home grow in size and success. We recently had the pleasure of an unannounced visit from the Quality Standards Accreditation Agency. This is the government body who audits residential aged care facilities and, as well as having scheduled audits, have a program of unexpected visits to ensure that facilities are operating in accordance with the requirements at all times. I am pleased to report that the auditors were pleased with Maranatha and found us compliant with the legislation.

This positive outcome is largely due to our loyal and dedicated staff who always go the extra mile for the residents and their families. A huge THANK YOU to all involved.

Kind Regards, Suzette Remoreras - Care Manager

Resident Services Officer’s Message As you will be aware, we have had a significant construction happening in the village at Maranatha over the last eight or nine months. Due to the demand for more Independent Living Units (especially from the Christadelphian community), the Board decided that it would build more accommodation to meet this need. Living next to a construction site is never easy and at Maranatha we have had many people in this situation. Thankfully, we are nearing completion of this construction phase and life should return to normal in the not too far distant future. We would like to thank all those who have been inconvenienced by this. I am sure that not only do we appreciate their willingness to share the Maranatha site but many future unit residents would join us in saying a huge and heartfelt thank you. It is a wonderful thing to share something for the benefit of others especially when the generosity comes at a cost.

The NBN is now available to Village residents and hopefully will produce the improved service the government has envisaged. Ben Daily (IT Manager) has been working behind the scenes to ensure the upgrades necessitated by the NBN have been made to the nurse call system.

Maranatha has never remained static and since the first unit was built back in the 1980s, we have seen it grow and develop. The look of Maranatha may have changed (again) over the past few months, but we will soon be used to this new face and it will become as dear to us as the ‘old’ Maranatha. We can now look forward to welcoming new friends who will be able to live here and share this special place with us.

Kind Regards, Kerry Kennedy - Resident Services Officer

Senior Village Manager’s Message Ryan has been doing a terrific job keeping the gardens free of weeds and the extensive lawns under control. The gardens will be fertilised shortly and we should see tender shoots sprouting as they reach for the sun. As the sun warms up, it is a good time to remember to wear your hat and to regularly apply sunscreen. I have bought a new hat for the Queensland sunshine! With Ryan’s diligence, the gardens will be in fantastic shape for the Maranatha Fair. Thank you for lodging your gardening requests with Chris as this allows Ryan to plan these activities around the everyday chores. Ryan is progressively guerneying driveways and paths around the village. This is taking a while to complete as it has not been done for some time. Great job Ryan, they look like new!

INS have completed the installation of the new Emergency Call system and Joe has been installing the key safe boxes on all units. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kerry if you have any questions.

Preparations for the Maranatha Fair are well underway. Magic Glen has a few tricks up his sleeve, sideshow alley has all the bells and whistles for the young at heart, plenty of homemade jams and pickles (my favourite is Rosella jam), delicious hot foods and fresh fruit and veggies to take home. Pine Rivers Brass band will be playing some old favourites and a special performance by the Maranatha Resident Choir shouldn’t be missed! There is plenty to do and see at the Fair on September 9 from 10am. I might see you near the Animal Farm feeding a sheep or two.

Kind Regards, Jane Burns - Senior Manager, Retirement Villages

Birthdays & Upcoming Events UPCOMING EVENTS SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

1st - Sing-a-long with Dawn and Friends 4th - Father’s Day Morning Tea 9th - Maranatha Annual Fair - organised by the

1 Margaret Hansford

2 Maxwell Curle 2 Teg Kalmar

7 Lesley Pyott

3 Kay Power

3 Laurie Youngman

8 Glady Tooth

7 Alan Joyce

11 Wally Winch

12 Glady Burke

10 Phyllis Crew

14 Beth Williams

OCTOBER

14 Shirley Winch

13th - The Big Brass Band 13th - Sing-a-long with Dawn and Friends 27th - October Birthday Party 31st - Brent’s 100th Birthday Celebrations

17 Marjorie Booth 14 Mavis Ryan 19 Beryl Graydon

19 Janet Galbraith

24 John Laidler

23 Joyce Burrows 18 Lois Lewis

26 Barbara Roy

24 Iris Johnston

22 Irene Newman

29 Vera Male

30 Alfred Organ Happy 101st

28 Ian Law

31 Brent Otto Happy 100th

29 Con Mansell

31 Carol Spall

30 Jean Warner

15 Albert Bates

Fundraising Committee

29th - September Birthday Party

NOVEMBER 10th - Sing-a-long with Dawn and Friends 11th - Remembrance Day 24th - November Birthday Party

ILU Birthdays 6 Alisa Mogg

9 Rosemary Wright

11 Joan Mogg

15 Lynn Hermann

18 Len Mogg

26 Phyllis Caddick

Please remember the usual weekly rostered activities like: choir, knitting and nattering, gentle bus trips, craft and painting to name a few.

Refer to you monthly program for times and locations.

Activity Reviews WINTER BALL June saw the residents of Maranatha enjoy their annual ball. This year the theme was “Winter” with the Poinciana Lounge decked head to toe in balloons and snowflakes. This day, as with any event, really could not have happened without the assistance of the wonderful volunteers that support Maranatha throughout the year. From assisting with the all-important beauty requirements that a ball presents (good nails are essential in finishing off a wonderful outfit!), to helping the residents and RAOs cut out what felt like a million snowflakes, to helping with the final arrangements before that event could even take place. And then there was the assistance with helping with the food catering and dancing.

Thank you from all the residents and staff of Maranatha.

See photos on next page.

Photos of the day are also still able to be viewed on the CAC Facebook page.

MINNIE CLARK On a sad note, we said goodbye to Minnie. Minnie has for the last year been our Physio Assistant but in reality has grown up at Maranatha, with her mother being a previous manager.

She would come as a child of two, delighting those that interacted with her, growing in years and running the employment challenge of working in the kitchen after school and later becoming the receptionist, leaving us for a brief period of time to become a mother, but ever faithfully returning to attend to the needs of her “many grandparents”.

We shall miss her smiling face and her calm nature and wish her well in future endeavours.

Just had their hair done and watching the staff and volunteers do fire training - every picture tells a story!

Winter Ball - Photos

Winter Ball - Photos

Activity Reviews ARTS A PLENTY July is the month for artists to flourish or so it seems at Maranatha, with the new wing housing the wonderful art and crafts that have been produced by the residents, staff and volunteers alike: latch hooks, quilting, line art, painting, colouring, cross stitch, doll making and decretive stitches were just some of the wonders on display.

Thanks to the Wilston Christadelphian Church for the display boards and volunteer Jeff for getting them and returning them.

The items were displayed for all to see for the week – family, residents, staff and volunteers all marvelling at the talent (and sometimes hidden talents of those we live and work with).

It was a wonderful way to lead into the EKKA month, with a resident heard commenting on “how wonderful everything was and that now there was no need to go to the EKKA when we are able to witness such fond handcrafts at home”.

WINTER TIME Is there a better time to be in Queensland than in Winter? With the mercury only going down a little to bring relief from the humidity, clear blue skies and enjoyable sunshine, it is just too nice to be indoors.

So, it has been concerts in the sunshine and children in the garden for the residents of Hibiscus and what a wonderful time it has been.

Activity Reviews BERYL AND JIM MALCOMSON - PHOTO COMP ENTRY Many of you may have seen the photo competition posters around the facility of late. Jim and Beryl, with the assistance of their wonderful great granddaughter, entered with a beautiful photo of them showing the test of their commitment to each other; the photo in the background is their wedding photo. Mae Grosskopf also entered the competition with some beautiful photos of her mum Virginia.

At the time the newsletter was written, they all had been short listed and we eagerly await the outcome.

FAMILY FUN DAY The EKKA came to Maranatha this year - with show bags, fairy floss, strawberry ice creams (courtesy of the fundraising committee), markets and a side show alley in the morning. In the afternoon, the fun continued with a family friendly fun show, a bearded lady, Marvellous Michael, the fat lady and the strong woman all in attendance. A concert from Wayne kept the laughter and joy going. After a show-style afternoon tea of dagwood dogs, the fundraising committee once again supported the residents by paying for and suppling the Amazing Animal Farm. We would like to thank the fundraising committee of Maranatha once again for their continued support, without which we could not offer the residents so much fun and enjoyment.

See photo page for pictures

To be held at MARANATHA AGED CARE

Saturday 9th September 10am Lots of goodies for everyone: Homemade Jams, Pickles, Sweets, Cakes, Fruit and Vegetables, Pre-loved Clothes, Craft, Pre-loved Books, Plants, Wooden Craft & Toys, Trash & Treasure Stall, Kid’s Novelty Stall.

Food Galore: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Sandwiches,, Meals in a spud, Savory Mince Rolls, German Hot Dogs, Tea & Coffee, Cappuccinos, cold drinks, Cupcakes, Desserts & more!

10.10am PINE RIVERS

KID’S CRAFT ACTIVITIES

BRASS BAND

Fun and entertainment for all ages: 11.00am

MAGIC GLEN

11.45am

MAGIC SHOW

NORTH LAKES COLLEGE CHOIR

For all ages

12.30pm

MARANATHA RESIDENTS

CHOIR

SIDE SHOW GAMES

JUMPING CASTLE

and many other stalls

Family Fun Day - Photos

Staff Profile - Frida Osa Talofa everyone (pronounced ‘Ta-lof-fa’ in Samoan)!

My name is Frida Osa and I am a New Zealander born of Samoan and German descendants. I come from a family of five, with two older sisters and myself, the baby of the family. Most of you would know my sister, Natasha, who works night duty in Magnolia and Lily Pily and yes, we are very different in height as we have been told so many times!

My family history derives back from World War II, in which my great-grandfather, who was German, fled to Samoa and met my great-grandmother. His surname My sisters with my mum was Smit, but to evade the Germans, added an “h” to Smit, which became “Smith”. This is an interesting piece of family history, I thought I would like to share.

I have two beautiful adult boys named Jordan, 20 years and Emmanuel, 19 years and a female cat name Tiger. I am a kid at heart and love watching kids movies with nieces and nephews, singing karaoke and dancing, and watching comedies and romantic movies. I had talent in sprinting and won the 100m races from primary and high school and play deep court in volleyball. (This is the reason why I tend to walk very fast at work!) But what I enjoy most is putting a smile on our residents’ faces with my coworkers on the weekends, dressing up in tutu wigs and anything colourful as nursing can be a stressful and hectic job.

My childhood memories are arriving in Australia at the age of nine on Jordan and Emmanuel December 1, 1986 on a British Airways plane from New Zealand, and not knowing what my future held for me. It was exciting, yet I had no idea that I was moving to another country, away from my family and friends. I commenced school at Queen of Apostles in Stafford, Everton Park State High and Craigslea High School.

I began Muay Tuai, also known as kickboxing and accepted an award as the ‘Most Improved’ and was the first girl kickboxer in the team to be trained under the Welterweight Champion of Australia, Kerry McNaught in Stafford.

I began full-time as a shop assistant at the ‘Foodstore’ and I was the first employee to receive the ‘Employee of the Month’ in 1993, as I tackled a drug addict who stole money from my till. It all happened in a split second, I really don’t know how I had the courage and strength to do this, but I guess, you don’t mess with a little Samoan! I should have played in a woman’s rugby team!

I had my first real taste of experiencing camping along the coast of My parents (above) Western Australia. I caught my first whiting at Monkey Mia and visited and my beautiful cat, Broome and the famous Cable Beach with the camels strolling along it.

Tiger (below) We made our way to Darwin, down to Katherine, Mt Isa and back to Brisbane, instead of flying back from Perth, with my partner, Mickey. We met very interesting people along the way in their upmarket caravans but I experienced camping in a two man tent and a 1987 Toyota Corolla sedan and was proud of it! We had a ball but it was an eye opener and as you can see, I am a simple woman with simple tastes.

Staff Profile - Frida Osa

continued

So how did I become interested in nursing? I have very fond memories of my mother who was an Enrolled Nurse in Auckland, New Zealand employed at Saint Christopher’s Hospital for elderly in Papatoetoe. I would wake up early and go to work with her, feed residents their breakfast and then make my way to Holy Cross School as it was only five minute walk. I was only eight years old! I guess being in a Samoan culture, you have dedication, commitment, love and respect for your elders. The elderly become your grandparents in a way that you adopt them as your own. The love and respect my mother showed to the elderly, gave me have an insight of how they should be treated.

Who was the Easter bunny?

I completed my Cert 3 in Aged Care in 2001 at Hill Court Vocational Centre at Redcliffe and began employment as a Personal Carer for five years at Inverpine RSL. I then completed my Diploma of Nursing in 2006 and becoming an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse, which I have been for the last 11 years at various places such as Prince Charles Hospital, Nazarene, Bally Cara and currently Maranatha for the last nine years. I cannot believe how time flies!

And to end my story, I believe in the motto “It is never too late, to learn new things”. Which is why I have come to believe in achieving my goals of finally studying for my Bachelor of Nursing, which I will become a Registered Nurse. I am currently in my third year and should complete it in August 2018. To accomplish a dream and going for it, you can never be sure of what the future holds.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed reading my life story. Who I am, how my nursing career began and what it means to me because to anyone believing in accomplishing a goal, no matter how old you are, AIM FOR THE SKY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO LIMITS!

PJ Day with my co-workers

Myself and Rebecca

Samoan dress

Maroons vs Blues

Dressing up for a 70s party

Weekend dress-ups with the staff

My extended family

FRIENDS ARE LIKE FLOWERS

love

1 John 3:18

Pastoral Care

Let us not with word or speech but with actions and in truth

Friends are like flowers, beautiful flowers Friends are like flowers in the garden of life

Many years ago, in my youth, I heard and learnt a song about friends being like beautiful flowers in our life.

That song, at the time and still to this day, touched something in me and I find that I often look at a good friend and picture them as a beautiful flower.

Friends can be a blessing that many of us take for granted as “just being there”. No matter what the occasion, an afternoon at the theatre, catching up for a quiet lunch or a quick coffee, a warm and familiar shoulder to cry on, friends are those people in our life who enjoy our company, never judge us and are always there for us.

“The heartfelt council of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense” - Proverbs 27:9 But sometimes, due to circumstances beyond our control, friendships can end all too soon.

Circumstances such as relocation, ageing, illness and death can leave us hanging like autumn leaves on a windy day – very sad and quite vulnerable.

So where am I going with this? Working in aged care and spending a great deal of time having one on one visits with many a lonely resident can give a pretty good perspective as to how important friendships have been in years past. There are quite a number of residents who have little or no family visitation due to numerous reasons, but what they do have are precious memories which can be encouraged and brought forward. Memories not only of family but of friendships formed in the school yard, at the workplace, in the armed forces, with neighbours and with social groups. Some friendships would have been made at mother’s groups, during overseas travel or even at the local pub. Some were made easily while others took time, some were fleeting while others lasted a lifetime. But with every friendship created comes the memories of that creation.

I recently had the privilege of spending forty very rewarding minutes with a resident who was feeling down and lonely. When I came into her room she said, “Oh, thank God, someone I can talk to that will talk back to me”. I felt both humbled and most thankful that I had turned left rather than right in the foyer that day. This dear lady sat and cried for a short time about her loneliness and told me how much she missed her family and friends. When I felt that she was ready, I diverted her to tell me about some of her memories as a child and teenager.

I heard her tell of being raised by hardworking parents who loved their five children, of how they were raised with hand-me-down clothes and shoes, home haircuts, lard sandwiches, and shared bath water, that started with the youngest child and dad as the last. How they sat on the floor of the lounge room every night after dinner to listen to the radio shows they loved, and how on a Saturday night once a month a block of chocolate was passed around and shared. She recalled a special friend from school who Our deepest sympathies have loved to sleep over at her place so she could have a lard gone out to the families who sandwich as she never had them at home.

Bereavements

After 40 minutes of crying, reminiscing, laughing and hand holding I left my resident rather reluctantly because I felt as though I had been taken on a short journey and I wanted more.

Taking the time to listen and encourage memories can be a rewarding experience for all parties, it can take such little to give so much.

By Jan Murray, Pastoral Carer, Courtlands Village <— P.S. I saw this lovely lady as a Pansy – pretty, bright eyed (after the tears) and smiling.

“Friendship is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others” - C.S. Lewis

have lost their loved ones over the Winter period.

Volunteer Corner Over the winter months, we have had a very busy time with a wonderful ball which you will have seen photos of on our screen and on Facebook. This was a thoroughly enjoyable day for all residents, volunteers and staff and without our wonderful team of volunteers days like this could not happen!

Also, there is the continuing work of the café which provides for our residents and their visitors which is staffed by Vicki and her team of volunteers who work tirelessly (which doesn’t mean they don’t get tired!) to serve others. The café is undergoing renovation work to provide a larger environment to protect against the extremes in weather, which we are looking forward to seeing as the café staff are having to work around this renovation which requires a little more creativity and an unassailable sense of humour!

With the changing nature of our incoming residents, the role of the volunteers is becoming more focused on providing one-on-one visits and pastoral care support, so the pastoral care team are particularly valued with their willingness to come and care and listen. Part of this support is provided through visiting with residents and doing hand massage, so our hand massage team is growing and Emma has been coming in and doing nail pampering for our residents. So many ladies are displaying very lovely nails.

Our lovely Michelle and Tammy are constant in their provision of entertainment and support of the residents during Music with Wayne and everybody has a jolly old time.

This past week, we had another big event with our own EKKA and again without our volunteers it would never have been as successful. We had a fat lady, nail pampering, fairy floss fairies, sideshow alley, our market day with strawberry ice creams, fruit cake, quilts, and so much more and many of these events were provided by volunteers.

We also need to mention that Gayna is an invaluable part of the team in the Memory Support Unit where she dispenses kindness, love, enjoyment and humour along with the tea and coffee at morning tea time.

Other volunteers come in to play games such as 500, Mah Jong and Scrabble, however we have not yet found a chess player to match our champion chess playing resident.

It must not be forgotten that we have a library trolley and a shopping trolley which regularly go round visiting with the residents and this is a regular and faithful commitment made by Janelle, Joy, Susan, Margaret, Deb and their other helpers.

During the winter months, we had an art gallery running, which could not have happened without the services of Jeff, to get the screens and return them and the volunteers to help assemble, display and contribute to the lovely art and craft work which was on display.

Mentioning all the many great and varied activities which have occurred during the winter months, we cannot forget that these things are organised and driven by Anne and her wonderful team of Joan, Colleen, Nancy, Sara and Michael who work tirelessly to provide joy and comfort to the residents. And it cannot be omitted to say that we will miss Anne terribly at Maranatha with her creative, humorous and can-do attitude, with the attention to detail and her unfailing care to provide the best for the residents. However, like everybody who has worked at Maranatha, she cannot leave all together and will continue to visit us as a volunteer, God willing.

“Never underestimate the impact that you may have on someone else’s life.”

Read, Rest & Relax!

SPRING CLEANING TIPS Finally, springtime is knocking at our door! After winter, we’re ready to swing open the windows and let the fresh air flow in. Spring is a season of renewal. Symbolically, it’s when nature comes alive again: blooming flowers, baby animals and cleansing rain showers!

Many people grew up with a seasonal tradition: the spring-cleaning. It’s an annual reminder its time to clean house and de-clutter. For seniors, it’s a great way to shake the winter blues and reminisce. Many older adults are rejuvenated by the warming weather and sunshine. A cleanup confers health benefits as well: reducing symptoms of respiratory illness and risk for falling. A good cleaning is beneficial both physically and emotionally!

Spring Cleaning To-Do List: Clean out bedside drawers and sort books/ magazines Open windows to circulate fresh air

De-clutter; remove objects that obstruct the flow of movement through the room such as unnecessary furniture Bust dust - don't forget photographs and art on walls, blinds, vents & light bulbs

FATHER’S DAY JOKES Q: What did the daddy tomato say to the baby tomato?

A: Catch up!

Q: Why are Fathers like parking spaces?

A: The good ones are already taken!

Q: Why did the cookie cry?

A: Because his father was a wafer so long!

Q: What did daddy spider say to baby spider?

A: You spend too much time on the web.

Q: Why did the baby strawberry cry?

A: Because his dad was in a jam!

Lemon Delicious Slice • 50g unsalted butter, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/3 cup caster sugar • 1 tablespoon cornflour • 1 1/3 cups plain flour • Icing sugar mixture, to serve • • • • •

LEMON TOPPING 4 eggs 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 1/3 cup plain flour 1 1/3 cups caster sugar 2/3 cup lemon juice Makes 24 pieces

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced.

Grease a 3cm-deep slice pan. Line with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang on all sides.

2. Place butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.

Microwave on MEDIUM for 1 minute or until melted. Set aside to cool. Stir in vanilla and sugar. Sift flours over butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir until a soft dough forms.

Transfer to prepared pan. Press into pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven. Set aside to cool.

3. Make topping: Whisk eggs, lemon rind, flour and sugar together until smooth. Add lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Pour over base. Bake for 15 minutes or until just set.

Cool completely in pan. Dust with icing sugar.

Cut into pieces. Serve.

Spring Riddles Find â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Spring relatedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rhyming words that match the clues.

1. What flowers do that rhymes with mud

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2. What flowers do that rhymes with room

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3. What plants do that rhymes with pout

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4. A spring blossom that rhymes with hairy

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5. A spring flower that rhymes with hill

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6. What birds lay that rhymes with legs

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7. What a bird builds that rhymes with best

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8. What eggs do that rhymes with match

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9. What farmers plant that rhymes with weeds

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10. A month in spring that rhymes with remember ________________________

Disclaimer: All photos and stories have been published with consent of relatives and residents involved. Thank you for your submissions.