Chamberlain Gardens Winter Newsletter 2016

2 0 1 6

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

CHAMBERLAIN GARDENS

Address: 53-67 Chamberlain Rd, Wyoming NSW 2250 Phone: (02) 4329 8000 Email: admin@chomes.com.au

z

Kindness is like snow It

beautifies

everything it covers

Wash me, and I shall be

whiter than

snow - Psalm 51:7 -

Manager’s Message

z

Welcome to Chamberlain Gardens

Welcome to the Winter edition of our newsletter. The weather is becoming more refreshing each day and the hot days of summer are disappearing. We have had a very busy time with the Easter week and Anzac Day and last week we had International Nurses Day. We have enjoyed plenty of holidays and activities for staff, residents and their families.

As most of you will know, we said goodbye to our facility manager Bev Moss in March. A big thank you to Bev for all she has done for Chamberlain Gardens. We wish her well in her future endeavours.

We will be welcoming our new facility manager Sue Thacker on the 1st June. Sue, I know, will be an enthusiastic manager and is looking forward to her move to the beautiful Central Coast. In the meantime, I will remain as acting facility manager until Sue arrives to takeover. May I say a big thank you to all the staff for their assistance over the past eight weeks and to the residents for their ready acceptance of me and the change in their lives.

International Nurses Day was celebrated with a staff lunch and appreciation awards at Chamberlain Gardens. This is a very special day when we have the opportunity to say thank you to all the nurses who make such a difference in our lives.

Congratulations to Anne Hird, Suzanne Matthews, Fiona Baldwin, Sharon Mesic and to our wonderful Care Manager Olivia Harris who were recipients of appreciation awards on that day. Also a big thank you to Val Charlton who so capably organised the luncheon.

The kitchen staff have also been very busy preparing for their annual Food Authority audit which they had on 5th May. It was no surprise that they again came away with an “A” rating for their efforts.

Congratulations to all the kitchen staff. continued over page

Manager’s Message continued We wish to acknowledge the hard work of all the staff at Chamberlain Gardens and wish to thank everyone for their contribution to excellent resident care.

The colder months are fast approaching and residents have been progressively having their Flu vaccinations over the past few weeks. It is a timely reminder for everyone to be aware that if you are suffering from the effects of colds or ‘flu then you should not visit your loved ones until the symptoms have gone. In this way we can all play our part in preventing an outbreak of respiratory infections this winter. Please feel free to ring staff for updates if you are unable to visit.

Until next time… Margaret Watkins - Acting Facility Manager

UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

JUNE Wed 15th at 10am A visit to Valley View Primary School to watch their Mid Year Concert and have morning tea

Horizon

Horizon

Horizon

8 Irene Dimmock

13 Darryl Eastlake

8 Marjorie Eves

14 Judith Jansson

17 Beverley Turner

19 Phyllis Nieuwendyke

16 Joyce Tedder

Jennifer Pointon

20 Gladys James

JULY

Garden

Garden

29 Keith Huntley

8 Mae Johnston

4 Alan Skeoch

31 Anastasis Ur

12 Gwen Hunt

4 Julia Parson

Garden

Thurs 21st at 5:30pm Residents and Family Christmas in July Drinks and Nibble Night

14 Kathleen Browne

7 Ivan Skinner

18 Faye Fish

15 Geoff Clarke

12 Val Brigden

25 Val Eggleton

18 Ena Wildig

25 Wilbert Jackson

24 Val Bailey

Coastal

Coastal

24 John Gaeta

5 Allan Carmody

12 Marjorie Gilles

Coastal

Elizabeth Anderson

11 Phyllis Elliott 14 June Hayes 28 Louise Gale

AUGUST Mon 8th at 2pm Visit from Elvis

Activity Reviews MARCH We started the month of March by introducing to the residents a new act. Keri Lewis sang and played the keyboard and was an absolute hit with the residents, so we will be having her back again in the future.

Friday 11th we had the group “Loss Bonkers” come to entertain. This is a group of middle aged guys who had previously been in bands, are semi-retired and have decided to form a group entertaining residents in nursing homes. They are large and loud but so much fun.

Wednesday 16th we had one of our favourites, “Singing Hands” come to the facility. These are a group of ladies who wear white gloves and sign language along to music. The ladies show residents the moves to the chorus’s and engage the residents by encouraging them to sign along with them. It is so nice to see the residents participating and puts a smile on many a face.

Julz came and entertained everyone on Wednesday 23rd.

She said she loves coming to this facility because she loves how the staff interact with the residents and said she is made to feel so welcome, which is very nice to hear.

Thursday 24th we were visited by the Kindergarten and year 1 students from Valley View Primary School. It was their Easter Hat Parade and the children had made their hats and were very excited to show them off. We had 60 very polite and excited children walk to each dining area (as it was lunch time) to wish all the residents a “Happy Easter”. The children performed a couple of songs and then went back to school, but not before being given an Easter egg from the RAO’s. We enjoy visits from the school and this is beneficial for both residents and children.

That afternoon, the residents were entertained by Evan Haswell who sings a lot of the favourites and has residents singing along with him.

Easter came and went and lots of families visited and residents went out. We were blessed with sunny weather with the Easter Bunny paying the residents a visit, delivering chocolates and Easter Eggs.

Activity Reviews APRIL “The Gals” visited us again; the residents love their beautiful costumes which they make and with each visit, we are yet to see them in the same costume twice. This group of ladies have been coming to the facility for the past 6 years. They ask for a donation, which they give to the Westmead Children’s Hospital and last year “The Gals” donated over $4,000 from their shows.

Sunday 10th April we were lucky enough to have a visit from the Central Coast Historic Car Club. The members and their cars arrived at 10am and enjoyed morning tea with the residents which was catered for by the team in the kitchen. We were blessed with a sunny day; lots of residents and staff viewed the cars, which many residents had owned at some stage in their life so bought back many memories.

Wednesday 13th the residents were entertained by “BB Thomas” who is also a new act and proved very popular with the residents, so we will be having him back again!!

Jerry Wall visited Friday 15th, and we held his concert outside under the pergola while we were still enjoying the beautiful weather. Jerry is a retired policeman and has many a story for the residents… and sometimes has to be roped in by staff !!

Tuesday 26th we held our ANZAC Service outside in the carpark in front of the flag. This service is always well attended and this year we had a representative from the Ourimbah Lisarow RSL Sub Branch Geoff Talbot lay the wreath and raise the flag. After the service, we allowed the residents to reflect, listen to some Australian music and enjoy eating ANZAC biscuits which the kitchen had made.

This year, we have been lucky enough to have Trevor Rix come and entertain the residents.

Trevor has recently moved to the Central Coast from QLD where he used to play in many of the clubs and major hotels. When Trevor sent me an email saying he was moving here and was able to come and entertain, I told Trevor I thought he would be out of our price range. Trevor said whatever you can afford and that was the beginning of a very good working relationship.

We held our last Combined Men’s Lunch until the warmer weather next September. The men had asked for hotdogs, so they were made and served with BBQ onion, grated cheese, a choice of tomato sauce or mustard and served with hot chips. The men enjoyed a beer or soft drink and dessert was an ice cream in a cone. When we first started the Combined Men’s Lunches, the men tended to keep to themselves and were hesitant to socialise, but this is now a thing of the past. We started the lunches with 12/15 men attending 2 years ago and at this last lunch we had 35!

Activity Reviews MAY Wednesday 4th we held the Memorial Service. This service was conducted by our Pastoral Care Officer Liz McKay, and was well attended by residents and past family members. The service is a chance for staff, residents and families to have closure; many of our residents have lived with us for a long time and their loss is felt deeply. We purchased a Little Gem Magnolia, which has been planted outside the Horizon dining room so the residents can admire and is a living memorial.

Friday 6th, Friends for Life came down from Newcastle to entertain. They entertained the Horizon residents in the morning and the Garden and Coastal residents in the afternoon.

Monday 9th, Mark Wheatley came to the facility to entertain. Mark sings a medley of Country Music, plays the guitar, and is very entertaining. Mark used to entertain at Old Sydney Town and his day job is that of a Paramedic.

Tuesday 10th, all our Volunteers attended a lunch in Sydney which the organisation puts on each year as a way of thanking our residents for all their hard work. Those of us left at the facility can say we were very lost without our volunteers. We are very lucky to have volunteers and could not achieve or hold many of our activities without their help, so from all the RAO’s and staff a big thank you to our volunteers.

Thursday 12th was International Nurses Day. Margaret, our Acting Manager and Olivia Harris, our Care Manager organised a staff lunch to celebrate the day. Our Educator Linda modelled her old RN’s uniform from the 60’s and Debbie her slightly more modern uniform!!

UPCOMING EVENTS This year, we not only have an election to deal with but it is also Census year and this will be organised and attended to later in the year. Notices will be posted when both these activities will be taking place and where. If anyone has any concerns or questions please get in contact with Sharon Mesic - RAO, as she will be supervising both events.

Over the winter months, we will be taking the more able residents out on the bus to the Grange Hotel and various other hotels for lunch. Could families please ensure that their parents have some money on them so they are able to attend if they wish.

Photos from Activities

Photos from Activities

Photos from Bus Outings

Old age is golden so I’ve heard said,

Old But sometimes I wonder as I crawl into my bed, Age is With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup My eyes on the table until I wake up.

Golden As sleep dims my vision, I say to myself:

Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?

How do I know my youth is all spent?

My get up and go has got up and went But in spite of it all I’m able to grin

And think of the places my get up has been.

Resident Story - Margot Tarring

Margot was born in Kent, Bromeley (just outside of London) and spent her life growing up there until she left school. Margot used to play lots of sport; she absolutely loved school and didn’t want to leave and really missed it. Margot said the mistresses at her school were just marvellous.

Margot said she always wanted to be a makeup artist or model but started work in a laundry office. However, her heart wasn’t in it so studied secretarial studies and book keeping.

Margot used to go out to local dances with friends. She met her husband in school, Fredrich (Fred), who Margot said was a ‘good looking fellow’. Fred used to come down with his group of friends to watch the girls play netball (Margot says they were really watching them in their navy blue knickers!!).

Margot got a good offer to model, however she couldn’t take the position because the war had just broken and life had become difficult. Later, Margot went for an audition in London after the war had ended. She couldn’t believe she had been picked for the auditions and was chuffed. Margot loved showing off the dresses and looking pretty. Margot went on to become a Cosmetic Consultant and owning a modelling agency.

Margot married Fred in September 1939 when she was 21 years of age and Fred was 24.

Fred was called overseas in the Second World War and stationed in the Middle East. Fred was a Regimental Sargent Major with the Royal Tank Regiment. Margot joined the army about a year after Fred left for war. Things in London were tough as they were experiencing many bomb raids.

Margot said after Pearl Harbour the Americans started coming to London to help.

Margot lived at this time in South East England and said when the planes flew over the English Channel they would fly right over her house because it was the fastest route. Margot saw planes overhead constantly, lots of daylight raids and then the “flying bombs” came in. The bomb would go down screaming.

Margot would go out onto the street with the mobile canteens, offer hot coffee, tea, soups and rolls to feed the firemen and civilians. When the heavy bombs came overhead, it was really scary. Margot said they would seek shelter in underground cellars. It was often difficult to get home from work because of all the bombings so that was when 24 hour shifts started. Margot said you couldn’t truly describe what it was like being amidst war.

Margot modelled for 10 years after she and Fred came out of the army and in 1970, after being encouraged by her brother Roy to come out to Australia, they emigrated.

Margot now considers herself to be a real Aussie.

Fred was 93 when he passed away and they were together for almost 70 years. They are the proud parents of two sons, Ian and Malcom. Margot now has 2 granddaughters and one great grandchild in England and three Aussie grandchildren. Before Fred passed away, they travelled the world together, visiting the Middle East, East Africa, and North England and had travelled around Australia.

Staff Profile - Elissa Metzke

Cert 3 AIN

Elissa was born in Townsville, Queensland in 1970 and one of two children.

Elissa moved to Penrith with her family and attend both Kingswood Public School and Kingswood High School, leaving after year 10.

Elissa moved to the Central Coast and began working for Blue Shield Marketing, making souvenirs for the tourist industry out of kangaroo skins. Elissa worked for this company for 3 years before moving to Dubbo.

I asked why the move to Dubbo and Elissa said because her friends were going and she was able to work with horses and ride horses. While in Dubbo, Elissa also worked as a nanny.

Elissa moved back to the Central Coast in 1995 for the birth of her daughter Alexandra, who is now at Bathurst University studying to be a Paramedic. Elissa worked for Scholastics for 13 years and then decided she would like a change in career and signed up to do an AIN course with Intercept. Elissa did her work experience here at Chamberlain Gardens and was employed after completing her course. I asked Elissa what she likes about nursing and Elissa said she enjoys “interacting with the residents, especially working with the dementia residents”. Elissa is currently studying at Gosford Tafe. She is completing her Cert 4 in Leisure and Health, which will enable Elissa to become an RAO. Elissa’s hobbies are crocheting, card making, bonsai and reading. Fishing is a favourite and Elissa will often hire a boat to go feed the fish (her words) in the Brisbane Waters.

Elissa has travelled to Bali and said she enjoyed her trip there and could easily live in Bali, as she likes their relaxed way of life.

SPOTLIGHT ON A VOLUNTEER - Paula Poli Paula came to Chamberlain in August 2015 as a volunteer pastoral carer. She had completed a Bachelor of Counselling and needed to do 250 hours practical. She visits every Monday and her gentle nature and happy smiley presence is warmly welcomed by all the residents but especially those regulars Paula has taken the time to get to know on a deeper level. Paula said one of the greatest privileges is having the opportunity to repeat visit and build on knowledge and information sharing and the trust and honesty that is shown her by the residents.

Paula loves it at Chamberlain. It is a different environment than the normal counselling world where people come to you, because here you offer your services and are invited into their space. Paula believes it has been a valuable experience and feels blessed to have chosen aged care in which to hone her skills. Paula would like to continue as a volunteer pastoral carer even when her prac hours are fulfilled in May. Paula is no stranger to volunteering; she worked at St Vincent De Paul as the secretary of home visitation for four years and enjoyed the connection and helping people in need so much that it prompted her to do the counselling course.

Paula is also a busy single mum to two children, a daughter 22, in university and a son, 17, doing his HSC. Paula also works full time as a Claims Manager but hopes to set up a home counselling practice in the future.

I feel Chamberlain Gardens generally, but specifically the residents have been greatly enriched by having Paula as a volunteer. Her genuine care and concern and commitment is a blessing that we don’t take for granted. Thank you Paula for being such a wonderful person and friend.

love

1 John 3:18

Pastoral Care

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

ONE DAY AT A TIME

A frail, elderly woman fell and broke her hip. The doctor set the bones as best he could, but he knew that she would have a long and uncomfortable recovery. The next day when he visited her in the hospital, he found her in great anxiety. “Oh, Doctor,” she asked, “how long am I going to have to stay in bed?” He thought about her question and then with great wisdom and kindness said “Only one day – one day at a time”.

And that was a good piece of advice, something we need to think about. Very often we worry about life and feel we can’t cope with too much. Not like the committed Christian lady who had learned a lot about life. She said “I’ve had a lot of trouble in my life - and most of it never happened!” It was imaginary, like so many of our worries.

You may know the story about Sir William Osler, the great doctor and teacher at John Hopkins University. His medical students were getting tired and stressed out, and he said, “Learn to live in day-tight compartments.”

What is a day-tight compartment? You know what a water-tight compartment is. You put some water in a jar, screw on the lid, and when you tip it over the water doesn’t leak out. Osler instructed his students to circle each twenty-four-hour period and live within that period, with their full focus and energy. If a day seemed too overwhelming, he suggested circling an hour and coping with that hour.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said “Don’t be anxious about tomorrow; God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time” (Living Bible). It seems to me that Jesus is saying to us this is the way we should live – live in bite sized pieces in 24 hours segments.

We each have got the present time. That’s all I have. That’s all I have to give to this world. Not next hour or next month but right now. That’s the gift that God has given to me so I ought to use it. Just because the future is uncertain and unsure and brief, doesn’t mean you get all uptight and get paralysed with panic and worry. It’s the motivation to trust God more.

You put your trust in God. That’s how you face the future. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.” That’s what counts. David said in Psalm 35:15 “Lord, my days are in your hands.” In Psalm 37:5 we read “Let the Lord lead you and trust Him to help” Writing to the Christians of Ephesus nineteen centuries ago Paul says, “Make the best use of your time.”

Ephesians 5:16 There are two reasons why we should do that: 1. It is God’s time each day that we are using and enjoying, or wasting and letting slip by. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NIV) 2. Kipling had the idea in his famous poem “If ”. “If you can fill each unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run…” There is so much we can do for God, and so much God has given us to enjoy, that to waste time is like throwing a precious gift out the window.

3. But there is a more sombre thought: Today could be your last day in this earthly life. That is a possibility no-one wants to think about, but which nobody can deny. That very practical Christian, James, wrote: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” James 4: 13-14 (NIV) If this were your last day on earth, how would you use it?

There was a commercial years ago on TV that said “It doesn’t matter how long you live if you’re not doing anything with your life.” We worry about the duration. How long are we going to live. God worries about the donation. What are you doing with it. Am I making my life count or frittering it away on non-essentials, things that aren’t going to count? God says, Make your life count - do it now! - By Chris Witts

Bereavements

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

nnn

Volunteer Corner Well the year has certainly flown by so far. We are reaching record volunteer hours each month and the positive ramifications from having such regular and committed volunteers is evidenced by the ease of which residents interact and enjoy their activities and one on ones.

We now have a new volunteer Mary who is helping residents navigate our “broadband for seniors” computer which is located upstairs in the lounge. If you have a family member or friend who is a resident and who would like to learn computer basics or even a bit more, please let me know. Mary will be here one day a week.

National Volunteer week is again on the calendar for May 9th-15th. It is a wonderful opportunity for us all to acknowledge and recognise the wonderful and tireless work our volunteers contribute not only in our facility but in the community at large.

Christadelphian Aged Care will again be hosting our annual Volunteer Thank You lunch on Wednesday 23rd May from 11am at the St George Sailing Club in Sydney. All current volunteers are invited to attend. We will be taking the facility bus as transport and it is always a wonderful day of celebration and recognition.

The theme for National Volunteer Week this year is “Give Happy Live Happy”. It acknowledges that the benefits of volunteering are reciprocal and that volunteers also gain significant emotional, social and health benefits from being involved in Volunteering.

Our Family and Carers support group continues to meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 10.30am. We are pleased to welcome any new family or friends who would like the opportunity to chat with other families and myself about the many changes and challenges facing them and their loved ones during the transition to and living within our home here at Chamberlain.

Just a reminder that Pastoral care is available here in our facility. If you or your loved one would like a confidential ear to listen, a hand to hold or just general spiritual or emotional support please let staff know you would like to speak to a pastoral carer.

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer program, please do not hesitate to contact me: Liz McKay on 0435 785 244 or lmckay@chomes.com.au Volunteer & Pastoral Care Coordinator

Read, Rest & Relax!

Creamy Corn & Bacon Soup • 20g butter

• 1 leek, pale section only, coarsely chopped • 2 bacon rashers, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 4 corn cobs, husks and silks removed • 1 brushed potato, peeled, coarsely chopped

1. Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the leek and bacon, stirring, for 5 mins or until leek softens. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 min or until fragrant.

2. Use a large sharp knife to cut down the length of each corn cob to remove kernels.

Add corn kernels, potato and stock to the leek mixture. Bring to the boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 mins or until potato is tender.

• 4 cups (1L) chicken stock or vegetable stock

3. Carefully use a stick blender to blend until smooth. Stir in cream. Season.

• 1/2 cup (125ml) thickened cream

4. Ladle soup among serving bowls. Top with chilli and thyme.

• Finely chopped red chilli, to serve

Chilli popcorn: Toss 3 cups freshly popped popcorn with a mixture of 2 teaspoons icing sugar, 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes and a pinch of sea salt flakes, then process in a food processor until chopped.

• Thyme sprigs, to serve • Chilli popcorn, to serve (see ->) Serves 4

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