Casa Mia Winter Newsletter 2014

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Christadelphian Aged Care W I N T E R N E W S L E T T E R

CASA MIA Address: 28 Alma Road, Padstow NSW, 2211

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Phone: (02) 8707 6010

Email: admin@chomes.com.au

Managers Message

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Welcome to Casa Mia

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. nnn

Gal 5:22-23

Dear Residents and Carers, As you are probably aware our three year Re-Accreditation Audit was undertaken on May 20th -22nd. I am very pleased to let you know that three years accreditation was achieved. This is the most that can be gained and we are very proud of our achievements. I thank you all for your input into the home and hope that we can continue to meet the needs of all of our Residents.

I would also like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout the renovation period. The building works has taken longer then expected due to water leaking from many of our bathrooms. This was unexpected and left us with no other option then to upgrade all of out bathrooms as well. It is my understanding that the remaining building works should take another six weeks approximately.

We have also ordered a lot of new furniture which should arrive mid July. This will include new dining tables and chairs, lounges and rolling chairs. This will make a huge difference with not only the appearance but to Resident comfort as well.

A new support group has been developed and meet on the second Wednesday of every month. The aim of the group is to offer support and a friendly ear to the families of our Residents.

Many families struggle with their loved one being in care and we hope that these meetings can help offer comfort to the families.

Please know that any family member or carer is welcome to join the group for morning tea, a chat and the offer of friendship.

Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts, Regards, Sharon Fletcher

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others�

- Philippians 2:4

Message from our CEO I would like to thank the residents of Southhaven Hostel, Casa Mia and Maranatha for their patience and understanding as the renovations at those sites continue. Whilst our staff do as much as they can to minimise the disruption to our residents, inevitably, given the scale of the refurbishment being undertaken, residents may become unsettled. Please speak to the facility manager if you have any particular concerns or suggestions as our staff continue to deal with day to day practicalities.

Due to the nature of the equipment used and constant movement of people, care facilities suffer significant wear and tear and the renovation works at these 3 sites will revitalise the environment and amenity for our residents.

In the next few months we will be commencing some painting and re-flooring at Ashburn House, Ridgeview and Chamberlain Gardens. Shortly we will advise residents and families of start dates. This work does not involve major construction so any disturbance to residents should be of a minor nature.

1st July is the implementation date of the new funding arrangements and other provisions of the Living Longer Living Better legislation. The legislation introduced by the former Government brings significant change to the aged care sector with an expansion of Home Care services and funding changes for Residential Care which will impact both consumers/residents and facility operators. Information regarding these changes can be found on the Living Longer Living Better website. Alternatively, specific information relating to Christadelphian Aged Care is available on our website. The existing arrangements for most residents who have entered into care prior to 1st July are "grandfathered" under the legislation.

It is a privilege for Christadelphian Aged Care to look after all those who choose to live in our Homes, and I would like to once again acknowledge the dedication of all our staff and volunteers in providing the best possible environment and care for our residents.

Regards, Ross Peden

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE 11th - Family Support Group Morning Tea 11th - “Dominique Sepe” sings to celebrate Italy

JULY 4th - American Independence Day Celebrations

AUGUST 13th - Combined Concert at 10am

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

1 Djoka S

8 Sophia K

2 Patricia F

3 Patricia D

10 Bruce R

11 Shirley C

7 Robyn G

11 Alexios K

12 Dymtro I

8 Valda W

16 Robert C

12 Amy J

14 John D

22 Ian M

14 Phillis A

15 Carlo R

26 Mary G

15 Joyce T

16 Robert M

26 Carmel W

16 Betty D

18 Franco R

20 Biruta U

24 Jessie G

22 Anthony C 26 Phyllis O

Activity Reviews MARCH

Greyhound Club

In March we made our annual pilgrimage to the Greyhound Club for a Trivia Day. We didn’t do so well in the Trivia but we had a lot of fun guessing the answers.

Phyllis had a great time dancing to the music of the line dancers and Doreen who always loves to get up and have a go had fun dancing with Carlton. The day was over all too soon but we’ll be there again next year.

Greek Independence Day

Cultural Days are a lot of fun at Casa Mia and in March we celebrated Greek Independence Day. We have a few Greek residents and Anna on reception is also Greek.

Anna was valuable in obtaining some lovely Greek music for the occasion and made copies for us to keep. Our resident Alexios and his wife Dina and daughter Dora with him were stars on the day as they taught us all the art of mixing the dough and plaiting the dough to make sweet bread. Dora had already baked a loaf for us to copy and we all had a little taste with a cuppa after the activity. First we had to roll out the dough, than divide our own piece of dough into three. We then rolled the dough into three long sausages which were then plaited into shape.

We had some really good results and some not so good but we all had fun. For lunch our kitchen served Moussaka (Greek Lasagne) so that everyone could get an authentic taste of Greece.

A big "thankyou" to Dina and Dora for giving up their time in coming and teaching us a little of Greek Culture.

Activity Reviews contd APRIL

Anzac Day Service

On Wednesday 16th April, we had our Anzac Day Service at Casa Mia. Bruce Knox from the Padstow RSL once again was kind enough to come and perform the service for us. He had a large group of ex servicemen with him and an even larger group of women from the Women’s Auxiliary. As usual the mood was very somber as we remembered those wonderful men and women who served and died alongside our allies to protect our shores so that we can enjoy the freedom we do today. After the service, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea together remembering old times and swapping stories. Thanks again to the Padstow RSL and the Women’s Auxiliary for all the wonderful work they do.

Line Dancing Ladies - In our community we are lucky enough to have the line dancing

ladies who come and entertain our residents. The ladies have so much energy and enthusiasm, the residents and staff can't help but get up and give it a go. Residents enjoy the finale with " give me a home among the gumtrees" complete with hand gestures. As soon as our ladies packed up their dancing shoes our residents were already calling out" when you coming back?"

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Memorial Day (comments from a family)

We would like to say what a lovely Memorial Day we had at Casa Mia on the 21/5/2014. The service was beautiful and the weather was perfect. The organisation by Sue and Colleen could not have been done any better than what it was. The families who had lost loved ones recently, showed many emotions, sadness because they lost their loved ones and happiness that they were now at peace. The singing by Shirley, the prayer by Carlton, the reading by Sue and the thoughts by Cathy were so touching even the welcome by Colleen started the day off beautifully. We would also like to thank Denise for letting the families who had lost a loved one, release one of the White Doves each on the count of 3. We would like to thank all the staff for putting on such a lovely afternoon.

Yours Sincerely, Ces and Diane Rayner on behalf of her mother, Jean Mandile

Activity Reviews contd MAY CONTD

Mother's Day - Mother's Day at Casa Mia is always a wonderful

time, with the residents and staff making beautiful flowers made from rose scented tissues paper and cardboard and lollipops. Our Mother's Day raffle is also very popular with wonderful prizes including some very fluffy bathrobes, which come in handy with the colder weather.

Our thanks must go to our hairdresser Marilyn for presenting the gifts so beautifully. Our Avon lady Helen also came calling with lots of cheap goodies for the staff and free gifts for the residents and to give some of ladies some well deserved pampering. Thank you Helen for coming in and helping us out. The raffle was drawn on the Friday the 9th May and to our pleasant surprise the staff actually one a few prizes.

Congratulations Gina (AIN) for taking home first prize. To all our mothers here at Casa Mia we hope you had a Happy Mother's Day.

A Grandmother’s Prayer “A Grandmother’s Prayer” Oh Lord, I do not ask for much, Eternal beauty, or youth, or such.

Just give me a little hand to hold, And I’ll forget that I’m growing old.

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I do not ask for cloudless skies, A life that’s free from tears and sighs.

Just give me a little face to kiss, And anxious moments will turn to bliss.

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For what is there, really, that means so much As little hands that reach and touch, As little eyes that search and see Only the best in fragile me.?

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So let me grow more loving and wise By looking at life through their wide eyes.

For through these little ones, you have given This grateful grandmother a glimpse of Heaven.

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By Barbara Burrows

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Men’s Club

We have been making small bird houses, boats and planes. The joy of these models is that you follow the instructions and just glue them in place. We had a pretty fun morning working with our hands and occupying our mind while talking about the old days. The activity held some of the mens attention while others got frustrated with the activity.

But by and large pretty good. Once all the models are dry we will begin painting them all.

Fun Photos from Activities

Resident Story - June W June was born in Gillingham, England in 1932. The war started in 1939 and she started singing in the church as the German bombs were dropping all over England. A woman was killed by a bomb in the alley behind June’s house. Her grandfather had the job of digging bodies from out of the ruins after the bombs hit all the while hoping he would find someone alive.

June (16yrs) met her husband Ted (17yrs) when she was still at school. She married when she was 18 years old and Ted was working as a compositor for the Daily Telegraph. June has 3 daughters, Francesca, Susan & Julie.

June and her family moved to Australia from England in 1960 and lived in Bankstown, later on moving to Padstow. Because June was an only child it was a very difficult thing for her to leave her Mum and all her possessions to travel to the other side of the world to start a new life. June is now naturalised and proud to call herself an Australian.

Staff Profile - Larka Cutmore

The Staff at Casa Mia welcome our new nursing sister Larka Cutmore. Larka came to Casa Mia about 6 months ago and has only been working as a Registered Nurse for a year, so well and truly a fresh face to nursing. Larka is a single working mum of two beautiful children. Nate, a boy of three and a sweet daughter Nyah, who's five. Larka's children sometimes pop in for a visit and are loved by all the resident’s . Both Nate and Nyah enjoy coming to Casa Mia even calling the residents "nan and pop”.

BIBLICAL HUMOUR

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?

A. Ruthless.

Q. A.

Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?

Noah - He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation

Q. A.

Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?

Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a Little prophet.

Q. A.

Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?

Samson. He brought the house down.

Q.

What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?

Your mother ate us out of house and home.

A.

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Q. A.

Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?

Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. A.

Who’s the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?

David He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q.

Which Bible character had no parents?

Joshua, son of Nun.

A. Q. A.

Why didn't they play cards on the Ark ?

Because Noah was standing on the deck.

Pastoral Care BRINGING COMFORT Life has a habit of causing disruptions and we face difficult times. And then we need to face up to loneliness, being weary in mind or body, separation from friends or family, and the loss of someone close to us, sickness and pain. And the list goes on. Sorrow is a universal emotion common to all people. For example - an old man in his mid 80's said one day to his son "What good am I now? Why does God leave me here? I feel so useless". Or a lady who just lost her husband after 45 years of marriage. She wrote in a note "I miss him so much after all these wonderful years. I cry a lot. Is it wrong to weep and feel such sorrow?" These are real issues, and maybe you can relate to them personally today. These are examples of real life experiences. In these times, we need someone who can bring help and comfort. There are times in all of our lives when we experience loss and need to be comforted. We may lose our job, or a relationship, or a dream, or a loved one. During any season of loss and grief we may feel afraid, powerless and alone. What we need most during these times is to be comforted. We need the strength and hope that come from knowing deeply that we are not alone - from knowing that the God of all comfort has promised to be present with us in times of loss. God's very name is Comforter, or ‘paraclatos’. God stands beside us, with us, listening to our complaints in the middle of the night. Listening to our quiet rage and frustration and despair, God speaks softly and says, "I am with you. I will help you. Is my arm too short that I cannot reach down to earth and help you up? Is my arm too short that I cannot help you stand again?" Our God is a God of comfort. God stands beside us and pulls us up when we are down.

Psalm 34:18 says "The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope."

Life begins and ends with comfort. A tiny little baby is born and this new born baby is startled by the newness of life, and the new born baby cries out. That baby is then comforted and cuddled by an attending nurse, trying to calm that baby down. The years fly by far too quickly, and that little baby becomes a dying grandma or grandpa, and at that point, that elderly baby needs to be comforted as he or she prepares to die. And so life begins and ends with comfort. And every day and every month and every year in between, human beings are designed in such a way that we need to be comforted and also give comfort to others. Our God is a God who comforts. Our God is a God who stretches his hand from heaven to pull us up when we are down. God comes to us when we are down and out, washed out, tired out, worn out. God comes down to us and comforts us just by listening to us; just by listening to the howling of our aching hearts.

A favourite author Henri Nouwen once wrote about the need to have a friend who understands and helps us and brings comfort to our lives. This is what he says: When we honestly ask ourselves which people in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares (book Out of Solitude).

Our deepest sympathies have According to the Bible, God is the "Father of compassion and the God gone out to the families who of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles" (II Corinthians 1:3-4). have lost their loved ones over God is a God of comfort who actively seeks to comfort us. To receive the Autmun period. comfort from God is to let God be present with us during our times of distress. It is to let God sit next to us and listen to whatever we need to say; it is to let God hold us and remind us that we are loved, we are valued and we are not alone. "Letting God be God" means letting God give himself to us as our Comfort in times of loss and distress.

Sometime read Matthew 11:28-30. Allow yourself to hear this direct invitation from Jesus to come with your burdens. "If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle nnn and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy and this burden is light”. - By Chris Witts

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Bereavements

Volunteer Corner Hi Everyone Volunteering has certainly been going from strength to strength at Casa Mia. There are some extremely loyal and dedicated people who give VERY generously of their time to Casa. We have been blessed with a few students who are working in the community and it’s wonderful to see people happy and fulfilled in caring for our residents. Over the past few months we have also benefitted from the connection with the Community Visitors Scheme who match volunteers with a friend in an Aged Care Facility for weekly visits.

The government has generously given us a computer to teach the residents about technology and it’s connected to the internet for their use at any time – to email or skype family or “google” something.

The volunteers are encouraged to share their skills with those older people who haven’t had the opportunities that the younger generations experience everyday. Just this month we “googled” a resident who had been an artist and she was amazed to find herself and her art work on the Net! The second week of May each year is National Volunteer Week and 2014 is 25 years since Australia has been recognising the value of volunteering and contributions that are made so generously. The theme this year was “Celebrate the Power of Volunteering”. Christadelphian Aged Care took the opportunity to invite all our volunteers to lunch to thank them for their time, care and commitment to our facilities and more especially to our residents. We had a lovely lunch together at Sans Souci – a beautiful setting, delicious food and great company. It was wonderful to hear some touching stories from the different facilities Are you Renovating? told by the volunteers about Re-decorating? the work they do and what they get out of contributing We are looking for old 1950s/1960s to others. living room furniture and decor, as well as kitchen cupboards, utensils and decor.

“Blessed is the influence of one true loving soul We would like to create a on another” - George Eliot “memory room” for our residents.

So, a big thank you from me personally, to all the Please contact Cathy Strachan wonderful people I am so privileged to work with. You are cstrachan@chomes.com.au an inspiration to me to give of myself in the care of others.

Love and best wishes for a warm and happy winter, Cathy Strachan, Volunteer & Pastoral Care Coordinator 0435 814 411 or cstrachan@chomes.com.au “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves” - James Barrie

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Volunteer Photos Thank You Lunch

Read, Rest & Relax!

TOP 4 RELAXATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELDERLY 1. Muscle Relaxation - In this technique, participants are encouraged to focus on tensing up and then releasing and relaxing the muscles in their main muscle groups, including their shoulders, arms, fingers, legs and toes.

2. Visualisation - This technique involves participants imagining partaking in their favourite activity in a beautiful place, such as relaxing on a sandy beach in the Mediterranean, standing on the top of a mountain in the Alps or swimming in a crystal clear lake in the Caribbean.

3. Gentle Exercise - Non-strenuous exercises, such as Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi, are popular amongst the elderly, allowing them to gently stretch and strengthen their bodies while focusing on their breathing techniques.

4. Listening To Calming Music - Soothing music can help to ease fear and anxiety in the elderly.

FUNNIES - The Importance of Walking • • • • •

• My grandpa started walking 5 miles a day when he was 60.

Now he's 97 years old and we have no idea where the heck he is!

• I like long walks, especially when they’re taken by people who annoy me.

The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.

I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing.

Every time I hear the dirty word ‘exercise', I wash my mouth out with chocolate.

I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Lemon Delicious

• 100g unsalted butter, extra to grease • 1 cup caster sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Grated zest of 2 large lemons, plus juice of 3 large lemons • 4 eggs, separated • 1/2 cup self-raising flour • 2 cups milk • Icing sugar, to dust • Blueberry compote, to serve

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Serves 8

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease a 28cm x 20cm baking dish.

2. Place the butter, caster sugar, vanilla and lemon zest in an electric

mixer, and beat until thick and pale. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3.Fold in half the flour, then fold in the milk. Fold in the remaining 1/4 cup flour, then fold in the lemon juice (don’t worry if the mixture looks curdled at this stage). Set aside.

4. Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the lemon mixture, then pour into a prepared dish.

5. Place the dish in a large roasting pan and add boiling water so it comes halfway up the sides.

Bake for 40 minutes until golden and set on top.

Dust with icing sugar and serve with blueberry compote.

Winter W e ather 1

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18 www.CrosswordWeaver.com

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ACROSS 3 The process by which snow or ice changes to water.

7 A period of very cold winter we ather that damages 8 11 12 14 16 17 18

plants.

Intensely cold temperature.

The temperature felt by the human body when wind makes it fe el colder than the actual temperature.

Mildly cold fe eling.

Bright with sunshine.

Snowfall that is so he avy one can se e little or nothing on the horizon.

Ice crystals on a froz en surface; " Old Jack _______."

A large mass of snow that slides down a mountain.

1 A standardiz ed me asure of how hot or cold it is

outside.

2 R ain that fre e z es as it falls.

4 A tool used to me asure the temperature.

5 W ater that falls to the e arth in the form of rain, hail,

mist, sle et, or snow.

6 Pieces of ice falling from the sky.

9 A solid form of froz en water.

10 A storm with he avy snow, strong winds, and severe

cold.

13 C overed with snow.

14 A mixture of snow and water.

15 Precipitation in the form of small white ice crystals

that form inside clouds.

17 Thick water vapor that makes it hard to se e.

W O R D B A N K : Avalanche, bliz z ard, cool, fog, fre e z e, frigid, frost, hail, ice, melt, precipitation, sle et, slush, snow, snowy, sunny, temperature, thermometer, whiteout, windchill.

Autumn Newsletter Word Search Solution:

The hidden TV show is: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW

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