Lakefront Retirement Village - Summer 2013 Newsletter

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Christadelphian Aged Care S U M M E R 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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I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!

The Saviour - yes the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in Bethlehem!

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Luke 2:10-11

Managers Message

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Welcome to Lakefront Village

Where has the year gone! I cannot believe that it is nearly over.

The Unit renovations will nearly be complete and I must thank everyone for their patience.

Last month it gave me the greatest pleasure to accept the Lakefront Village trophy for 2nd place in the Wyong Shire Garden Competition. Brian and Jeanette Goulder also received a trophy for their beautiful display.

Congratulations to all gardeners and to Bob and Barry.

The Community Vegetable garden is thriving with many enthusiastic gardeners. How good is it to be able to pick fresh beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs. It has also become quite a meeting point in the village.

So sorry to see Alan leaving but no doubt he is going on to greener pastures.

Alan has provided a wonderful program of events for Lakefront for the past 13 years. Over this time, I would get in to work on Monday morning and talk about the fabulous lookouts that I had bush walked to over the weekend, and with such enthusiasm suggest to Alan that the residents might like a drive to a great view and a coffee. I think he stopped listening to me after he did take my advice and drove to Heaton Lookout on the edge of the Watagan Mountains (I had forgotten to tell him that the road was not sealed and a bit bumpy.) (Spectacular view) Residents have had the opportunity to visit beautiful places. They have climbed mountains, crossed rivers and creeks and have had boat and ferry rides on Tuggerah Lakes, Hawkesbury and Myall Rivers, the Brisbane Water and Sydney Harbour to mention a few. There have also been visits to donkey and alpaca farms and of course many pubs/clubs coffee shops. The “Nights Out” have been a great way for residents to enjoy the best of fine dining around the Central Coast. There were so many occasions when the monthly program was issued that I would think “Wow I wish I could come with you…”

Between the two of us we also invented: “Dancing with the Staff ” - it was fun but sad to say that it did not last long. “Theme Lunches” - we had Indian, Chinese and Country & Western days and we would dress accordingly.

And we also learnt how to play African drums and made some great sounds and had some very happy times.

Alan has been a greatly valued member of staff and a true friend and I will miss him very much but I do wish him all the best for the future.

I wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Warm Regards, Geraldine Mustchin

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

2 Thess 3:16

Message from our CFO

Sustainability is ‘the capacity to endure’. In nature, the word ‘sustainable’ describes how living systems of plants and animals continue on diverse and productive over time, even through many changes in weather and landscape. Ancient, healthy, tropical wetlands like Kakadu or remote, cold climate fern forests in Tasmania are examples of what it means to be sustainable. One day I’d love to visit Kakadu in the Northern Territory to experience its pristine beauty.

A sustainable aged care organisation is one that contributes to society’s need for the daily care, nursing support, recreation and accommodation needed by many older people, consistently across the years.

One of Christadelphian Aged Care’s eight values is about being Sustainable. We describe this as ‘running CAC as a professional and financially sustainable organisation’. In other words, we want to be able to care for people for a long time ahead, providing care and support for our residents and their families and also providing ongoing employment for our staff and suppliers.

Values are the things that people believe are important in the way they live and the way they work. Values direct our decisions, activities and behaviour as a group of people working together to provide care.

Over the years, CAC has taken the view that it is very helpful for our organisation to be of a size large enough to weather cycles in economic conditions and government policy, employ enthusiastic and experienced staff, and be able to upgrade and improve the physical facilities we offer – our buildings, equipment, technology, furnishings and fittings. So for a number of years we have been growing in size.

In November, we have been delighted to welcome our sister organisation in Queensland, Maranatha, to join with Christadelphian Aged Care in a merger. Maranatha operates as an integrated community combining a retirement village of 52 independent living units and a residential aged care facility able to care for 91 older Australians. They are supported by over 90 staff who are now part of the CAC team.

Ongoing changes to regulations and aged care funding continue to impact on smaller residential aged care facilities like Maranatha. Announced changes appear to be framed to fit larger organisations such as CAC that have a corporate support team, economies of scale and extensive systems supporting their six operations. So the Queensland Board and their members agreed that it was in our mutual interest to join together.

The merger allows Christadelphian Aged Care to increase its scale of operations and deliver residential aged care services in both Queensland and New South Wales via a single Christadelphian entity.

In being sustainable we seek to enrich the quality of life of the people in our care by nurturing them through our compassion, service and comfortable living environment.

Best Wishes, Andrew O’Toole

UPCOMING EVENTS DECEMBER 4th - Christmas Party

JANUARY 22nd - Australia Day Celebrations

FEBRUARY 14th - Valentine’s Day Morning Tea

Welcome to our new residents: Ian Penney

Unit 29

Keith & Yvonne Lightfoot Unit 86 Stan Dawson

Unit 72

Ron & June Stokoe

Unit 49

Ian & Diane Hume

Unit 14

Eric Myers

SA 6

Activity Reviews Melbourne Cup 2013

The Race that stops a Nation! Another great day at Lakefront with everyone dressed in their glad rags, bets on, nibbles and drinks at hand, ready set go they’re off. We always have a great day on Melbourne Cup Day and this year was no exception. We ran 10 full sweeps for a bit of fun, had some lovely food and the big screen booming out the fashions and the races.

Best Dressed Man, now 2 years in a row was Alan McNair. Have a look at the photos he looked a little like James Bond even though a couple of the cheeky residents said they thought he was our waiter - ha ha.

Best Hat this year went to Helen Heath who looks belie her age. She looked to be straight off the cat walks of Gay Paris.

Best Dressed Woman for 2013 went to a fairly new resident, Mavis Briggs who really did look lovely indeed.

Best Innovation (I just made this one up). In it’s inaugural year, went to me for my incredible fashion design The Surt. A cross between a suit and shorts expect to see this outfit at the races for many a meeting to come. Shirt tie and jacket mixed with board shorts gives that perfect combination of chic and function. Look great front the waist up, feel great from the waist down, keep your eyes out for it at The Royal Ascot Ladies Day later in the year.

What’s in the Pot?

We have a large terracotta pot at the front of the Community Centre that is usually filled with colourful annuals. For a change, I have planted a pineapple (bromeliad) that to my delight is fruiting. It will be interesting to watch the fruit develop as you collect your mail.

Activity Reviews contd

Hunter Valley Gardens - Rose Spectacular

During November, we drove to the famous wine district of Hunter Valley and visited the Hunter Valley Gardens for their Rose Spectacular. Bill Roche and wife Imelda became incredibly wealthy through Nutrimetics and longed to build a garden to bring joy to millions, even after they were gone. This idea became the seed of what is now the wonderful Hunter Valley Gardens.

They started building and planting in 1999 and 4 years later opened to the public. It is a brilliant place and Bill and Imelda still visit almost every month.

We visited the gardens for our day out at the annual Rose Spectacular. We did a tour on a train with fantastic commentary and visited all areas of the gardens. The roses, as the name suggests, are truly spectacular, as are the whole gardens.

After the tour we had lunch in the garden restaurant, which was very pleasant indeed.

A Summer of Singing Cicadas

I have noticed many Black Prince Cicadas around the village grounds. We can expect to hear them singing soon. It is their sudden appearance in the summer months, mysterious feeding habits and striking song that has attracted attention to cicadas for thousands of years. I can remember as a child, my brother collecting them and keeping them in an old shoe box lined with leaves. They don’t bite, aren’t regarded as a pest and are harmless to humans.

Shall we look forward to that summer sound and of course cicada rain?

Manly Day Outing

Lakefront Village Gardens Garden Competition Prizes

Veggie Garden

How to Plant Your Garden

First, you come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. Then, for the garden of your daily living, follow the below steps: PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:

1. Peas of mind 2. Peas of heart 3. Peas of soul

1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3. Turnip to help one another

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:

TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:

1. Squash gossip 2. Squash indifference 3. Squash grumbling 4. Squash selfishness PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE: 1. Lettuce be faithful 2. Lettuce be kind 3. Lettuce be patient 4. Lettuce really love one another

1. Thyme for each other 2. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for friends Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow. Not bad, huh?!

My Goodbye - Alan Philips November 29 2013 will be my last day at Lakefront Village, where I have worked as Activities Co-Ordinator for the past 13 years. In February 2001, a very auspicious year for me as it was also the year of the birth of my beloved son, Benjamin Alan, I answered an advertisement in the local paper and came to an interview with Geraldine and Earle Lehmann. The interview took place in a portable just outside the gates in what was being used as a Sales Office at the time. There was a dirt track to the left of the gates over to the newest units at the time, 68-72, there was no such thing as units 80-91 and the area where the community centre now sits was heavily bushed with 2 very old sheds that acted as The Hut for the female residents and The Shed for the men. After a little to and froing I was offered the job and as they say the rest is history.

I took up a desk in Geraldine’s office, on my 1st day, which at the time was at the end of the dining room. Geraldine was on leave on my very 1st week and 2 staff from our managing company of the time, RLS, were there to welcome and guide me. Debbie Demento was the Salesperson and she worked part time at Lakefront and part time at another of the group’s office, Elderslee so she would come here about 2 hours a day. On my 2nd day, I was surprised and a little shocked to find that I was the only staff member besides the cook, Sally. This was when I realized that it was up to me, on my own, to organize my new role. I started with an event that I called Meet the New Guy and asked residents to come to an afternoon tea in the dining room, which doubled as community centre at the time, with some suggestions for activities. That day formed the basis of the way things run in my department to this day. I wrote down all suggestions from the residents then did a survey on that list asking people to prioritize what events they would like to do. Something I have never forgotten from that day was when resident Dick Davison, Molly’s husband from unit 22 suggested that I take the residents pistol shooting.

I added that to my list but only received 1 positive comment on the survey which I can only imagine was from Dick.

Well 13 years later we have had some wonderful trips and some fantastic times and I am left with some great memories. One of my fondest being, the night out when Kevin helped Dennis by opening his 2 bottles of wine for him. The help extended beyond the opening of the bottles, so helpful was Kevin that he also took the burden of drinking the wine away from Dennis and drank them for him. All the way home in the bus Kevin kept us laughing with ‘Alaaaannn, how do you know which lines to drive between, there’s just so many of them, hic??? Alaaaannnn, what are you going to tell Olwen when you take me home, hic????’ Very funny indeed.

I loved some of our land and sea trips like the Last Riverboat Postman and the one where we catch a ferry to Palm Beach from Ettalong, then another ferry out to The Basin for a picnic, fantastic. Our 1st fete was really successful and testament to the hard work of the residents. They wore a little thin after a few years with just so much work involved but I am very proud by how we

My Goodbye contd went about organizing that 1st one and how much we learnt to improve our future ones. John McBride was a fantastic helper in those early days, strong as an ox and would go hard all day long helping with anything that he could.

We’ve had some great Christmas Parties over the years but for me my last one was most memorable because Santa was particularly special that year. Santa sat on everyone’s lap, had photos and created a very festive atmosphere, giving each resident a gift pack. Jane’s husband???, took some great photos that day too, which was great.

Residents have always been willing to help with any jobs whatsoever around events and there’s never been a shortage of offers. My right arm man (woman) over the past few years has been the villages unofficial Mayoress, Barbara Daniel. Barbie-Jane, as I like to call her, has been my backbone as far as help is concerned. Barbara normally starts before I do when we have a function in the community centre and organizes everything, including me. On the day that I do Crazy Bingo and then that evening have Night Out. I come into work and Barb has already set the tables, setup the bingo and even has a jug of water and a glass on my table. Thank you so much Barb for those many years of help. I’ve had plenty of helpers along the way and I’d hate to miss anyone but Joan and Dennis have been constant and great helpers for years now so thanks to them also as well as to the many of willing bodies all along the way.

Then there’s Geri! What can I say about Geraldine that would express what a pleasure it has been to work with her? She is my colleague, boss (apparently) and more importantly my friend. We work together as a team and ‘have each other’s back’, so to speak, we laugh at each other a lot, pick on each other often and I feel a great deal of support and backing from her. Geraldine is the woman who every man dreams of; the woman who can’t say no. So many times Geraldine has done my work so that I could indulge myself in one of my many ‘sidelines’, nothing is ever too hard, she has a heart that is bigger than Texas and I will miss her dearly.

Goodbye and Good Luck Alan - we will all miss you terribly!

LAKEFRONT WALKERS The Lakefront Walkers will celebrate 3 years of morning walks on 8th December 2013.

Congratulations to all and welcome to our new walkers Ian, Kevin and Polly.

It is great to have you on board.

Everyone is welcome to join.

8.00am each weekday morning

Lakefront Village Canines Name: Charlie Breed: Cairn Terrier (originally bred in the Scottish Highlands) Charlie would like to thank everyone for their well wishes after his recent surgery Personality: “ Happy and a real boy”

Age: 10 years

Likes: Loves his food, his walks and Barry, Bob and Barry’s cart Dislikes: Motorbikes Charlie Name: Mitzi

Name: Bonnie

Breed: Jack Russell Shitzu cross

Breed: Chihuahua cross

Personality: “Fun Loving” Age: 2 years

Personality: “Sweet/ Excitable”

Likes: Walks /Everybody

Age: 7 years

and everything

Likes: Chicken

Dislikes: Being left “home alone”

Mitzi

Dislikes: Being left alone

Bonnie

Name: Polly Breed: Maltese Shitzu cross Personality: “Bold & Beautiful and Bossy” Age: 11 years Likes: Walking, motorbikes and being boss Dislikes: Being left alone Polly Topsy

Missy

Name: Missy

Name: Topsy

Breed: Australian Silky cross

Breed: Maltese Poodle cross

Personality: “Ladylike and aloof ”

Personality: “Gentle/Ladylike”

Age: 7 years

Age: 14 years

Likes: Charlie

Likes: Treats/walks and games

Dislikes: Some food

Dislikes: Being nursed

Pastoral Care A WOUNDED SPIRIT Many people today are walking around with a wounded spirit. What am I talking about? I’m referring to those individuals who have been badly hurt by experiences in life, from which they have big difficulties overcoming.

Maybe that’s you today. We all carry some kind of internal wound or scar, and some have deep emotional wounds.

Maybe you’ve been rejected by a family member and never found resolution. It’s not sensible to ignore how you feel, for you are an emotional being, and emotional hurts can take a long time to heal - it can be a long process.

Physical wounds usually come from without and are easy to understand and cope with, but there are no simple bandages for a wounded spirit. Wounds to the spirit are sudden blows, and most of the time we don't see them coming, for they usually come from those whom we love and trust the most. And that is what is so disturbing about this. A broken arm or leg is obvious - a broken heart is not easily seen. A bruise is an inner hurt or injury, and we ask “where did this come from? Why do I react like this?” It can be serious. One writer describes it “the impairment of our past can bridle our present and detour our future”. No wonder the writer of Proverbs in the Old Testament says “the human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?” (Proverbs 18:14). You can’t bury emotional pain or try to forget all about it; it will come to the surface eventually. I guess that’s why we tend to forget the bad and only remember the good. I’m sure no-one wants to stay in this hurtful place, instead we look for help, and getting professional help is always a good thing, indeed sometimes essential.

You can sometimes feel violated by others, by negative words, events, actions. It’s a reaction that knocks you down and you just can’t get up again. Each day is a nightmare, and it seems you can’t heal yourself. Negative, critical words are a common assault. Someone says something so nasty and horrible that you feel devastated, and the words have penetrated into your spirit. Marriages can, and often do, be destroyed by critical words spoken between a husband and wife. How often have we seen that happen? I don’t think we realise how harmful our words can be. And gossip is another harmful action. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:8 “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts”.

It’s important to remember our limitations. Sometimes we try to do everything and get stuck somewhere, trying to please everybody. We are not perfect. We do want to be loved and respected by everyone, but the reality is others will hurt us. Even betray us. That is a deep wound and a very hurtful thing to work through, a betrayal of confidence. To be betrayed actually means “to disclose a secret or confidence treacherously; to break a promise, to be disloyal to a person’s trust”. Guard against it as much as possible. Don’t inflict pain in the lives of your friends – keep confidences and be loyal.

Jesus knows and understands all that you are going through. He understands how you can be wounded by rejection because many rejected Him and His own disciples abandoned Him in the time of His greatest need. He knew the tears of pain and sorrow as He grieved for His friend, Lazarus. He understood how it felt to be misunderstood because His own mother and brothers did not understand Him, and even declared that He was mad. He was also wounded and hurt by the same people that He ministered to and gave His life for.

Someone has said “God does not waste an oun ce of our pain or a drop of our tears. Suffering does not come our way for no reason. He seems especially efficient at using what we endure to mould our character. If we are willing to allow Him into our lives, He takes our bumps and bruises, and shapes them into something beautiful”.

Source: Chris Witts

Bereavements

Our deepest sympathies have gone out to the families who have lost their loved ones over the Summer period.

Dental Care

IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH It is a fact that more and more older Australians are retaining their teeth as they age, thanks to improved dental care throughout life, fluoride and better nutrition. However as we age, natural fatigue and depletion of the salivary flow means that it becomes increasingly more difficult to keep disease and decay in check - Bacteria builds up on teeth making gums prone to infection and tooth decay. The body is then constantly ingesting this bacteria and gums remain inflamed until the infection is brought under control.

Did you know that a build up of bacteria in the mouth can be linked to many other systemic diseases?

There are multiple studies that have found links between many systemic diseases and the constant ingestion of oral bacteria. Years ago, a physician who suspected heart disease would probably not refer the patient to a dentist. The same went for diabetes, chronic chest infections, or just about any other medical condition. Times have changed. The past 5 to 10 years have seen ballooning interest in possible links between mouth health and body health, and for good reason.

In one recent study, people with serious gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.* Optimal Oral Health Practices Best ways to maintain a healthy mouth as we age: 1. Twice Daily Brushing of teeth, tongue and gums 2. High Fluoride Toothpaste 3. Antibacterial Product after Lunch (such as Curacept Gel) 4. Keep the mouth moist (using products such as Biotene if needed) 5. Moderate Sugar Intake 6. Regular Dental Cleans (3-6 monthly) Regular Dentist Visits promotes better overall health By eliminating bacteria and infection and maintaining oral function (and hence vitamin intake), regular dental examinations of the teeth and gums is the best way to maintain better overall health within the Aged Care Environment.

Mobile Dental Services have regular visits to Christadelphian Aged Care facilities and offer our residents the opportunity to visit a dental professional highly experienced in the dental care of the elderly, with the convenience of not leaving the Facility. Please ask Facility Manager/Care Manager for more information on this service. *Source – American Dental Association

Read, Rest & Relax!

In our day-to-day living, most people don't know what it truly means to relax. This very word brings images of some kind of discipline or "shut-down" mode, but the fact is that relaxation can be made up of simple little things you do as you go about your normal daily routine.

Simple things like breathing deeply and stretching outside in nature for 10 minutes before you start your day, reading a book before you go to bed with a candle flickering by your side, taking a relaxing walk along the beach or writing down all the things you are grateful for. Another favourite is laying out in the sun for 15-20 minutes a few times a week with cold-pressed coconut oil rubbed on your skin. All of these rituals are great ways to bring balance into your life, to de-stress and to keep you in the present moment.These simple little rituals can provide a peaceful chance to breathe, unwind and renew ourselves.

Christmas Jokes Q. What never eats at Christmas time?

A. The turkey - it's usually STUFFED! Q. What goes “oh, oh, oh”?

A. Santa walking backwards!

Time for a belly laugh...

I'm not 80 - I'm merely 28 with 52 years' experience!

Growing old is like being penalised for a crime you haven't committed.

'I don't drink anymore, I can get the same feeling from standing up quickly.'

Q. What did the cow say on Christmas morning?

A. Mooooey Christmas!

Fruit Mince Brownies

Makes 12

• 200g good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped • 300g brown sugar • 250g unsalted butter, choppe d

• 4 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 1/3 cups (200g) plain flour • 1/4 tsp baking powder • 1/3 cup (35g) cocoa, plus ext ra to dust • 1/3 cup (85g) fruit mince • 1 tsp mixed spice • 1 cup (100g) toasted walnuts, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 22cm square cake or brownie pan and line the base with baking paper.

2. Place chocolate, sugar and but ter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted and well combined. Rem ove from heat, cool slightly, then stir in egg s until well combined. Add flour, baking powder, cocoa, fruit mince, mixed spice and nuts, stirring to combine. Spread into the pan and bake for 25 minutes or until just set.

3. Cool in pan, then dust with coc oa. Cut into 12 squares and serve. Brown ies will keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Word Scramble Unscramble each of these famous Christmas Carols.

To find the hidden phrase, copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number.

Hidden Phrase: Spring Newsletter Puzzle Answer 9 letter word: Dimension

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