Ridgeview 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

RIDGEVIEW Address: 95 Daintree Drive, Albion Park NSW 2527

z

Kindness is like snow It

beautifies

everything it covers

Wash me, and I shall be

whiter
 than

snow - Psalm 51:7 -

Phone: (02) 4235 7600 Email: admin@chomes.com.au

Manager’s Message

z

Welcome to Ridgeview Summer has been a busy time for the staff and residents at Ridgeview.

As the summer passes we are starting to feel the hints of winter.

I have had the pleasure of being a part of the Ridgeview Team for 6 months and this time has gone by so fast. I have enjoyed meeting all the residents and their families through family conferences and the many events which have taken place. Over the last 6 months, we have endeavoured to listen to the staff and residents to identify ways in which we can provide a supported environment which meets the needs of all our residents.

This has resulted in many fun events as well as some fabulous new initiatives at the site. I am inspired daily by the ideas and suggestions that I receive from our lovely staff, residents and family members. It feels that at times there are not enough hours in the day to achieve everything we want to do.

We have recently appointed Chica Hoobin, one of our residents, to be the Consumer Representative at our Clinical Quality Improvement and Risk Management Meeting. Having Consumer Representation will provide the opportunity for residents to be involved in decision making and will also be an avenue for feedback on initiatives we are planning.

We are endeavouring to expand this process of consumer engagement in many other initiatives across the site.

A review of the activities and access to Lounge and outdoor areas has resulted in an expansion of the Amethyst area, providing the opportunity to develop more individual and group programs for our residents but also to give greater access to outdoor areas, to either relax in the sun or spend time with loved ones.

With the implementation of the new call system, we have identified that we need to have names for the many lounge and dining areas across the site and we have come up with some lovely names for the areas, once identified as the corner lounge, and that dining room.

You will see the signs as we implement them across the site over the winter period. We have chosen names such as: In the Sunshine Area we will have: Sunshine Dining Room, Tranquillity Lounge, and Sunshine Lounge In the Amethyst Area we will have: Wattle Lounge, Maple Lounge, Cedar Lounge, Oak Lounge and the Water Gum Lounge In the Sapphire Area we will have: The Tree Top Library, Blue Gum Dining, Blue Gum Lounge, Sports Lounge, the Pines Lodge and the wellness lounge next to the Wellness Centre continued over page

Manager’s Message continued

I would like to thank all the residents and relatives who have provided feedback either face to face or through the feedback process as this has allowed us to closer meet the needs of the residents. I would encourage you to contact me if you have any concerns or suggestions as I value the feedback provided.

I have been advised by the staff that winter in Albion Park is usually a fairly chilly one. Knowing this, we will endeavour to meet the temperature needs of all our residents to ensure that we are all warm and cosy at the Facility.

Flu season is upon us and in an endeavour to keep our residents safe we have commenced vaccination of residents across the facility. Many residents have participated in the vaccination program and this is comforting to us all. We are continuing to encourage all staff to also participate in an endeavour to keep our residents safe from the flu.

While getting the flu may mean a week of feeling crummy for some, it can be a very serious illness for those with compromised immune systems. Elderly people are particularly at risk and it is our goal to ensure that the residents are protected as much as possible from getting the flu.

I wish everyone well over the coming frosty months and look forward to catching up with families and loved ones at our Father’s Day celebrations currently scheduled for the 10th September 2016. We have some fantastic events planned and we look forward to sharing these events with you.

All the best, Michelle Murphy

UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

JUNE

2 Margaret

2 Norma

6 June

Queen’s Birthday Celebrations

6 Nancy

3 Gerard

16 Ivan

8 Patricia

4 Margaret

19 Jeanette

JULY

10 Melva

5 Maggie

22 Walter

11 Betty

7 Peter

23 Elsie

17 Vincent

7 Hope

25 Alma

23 Margaret

14 Joseph

27 Ann

24 Olga

16 Nadia

30 Isabella

26 Reginald

19 Arletta

30 Patricia

27 Oswald

22 Doreen

31 Hildergard

30 Patricia

23 Berta 28 Helen 28 Noel 28 Pilar 30 Les 31 Helen

Christmas in July

AUGUST TBA

Activity Reviews Hi from the RAO Team! The RAO department has been very busy since our last newsletter. We have been experiencing good attendance to all our activities and the fabulous weather has been a treat for utilising our courtyards. Such a great area for sing-alongs, ladies groups and our beloved ukulele players.

Bus trips are going well and each area (Sapphire, Amethyst and Sunshine) is going out weekly. Our scenic drives are a favourite, especially for Amethyst and Sunshine. Thanks to the brilliant idea from our much loved bus driver Wayne, we have purchased lap tables for our residents to use, making a cuppa by the sea or in the park much easier for those not wishing to get off the bus.

Sunshine is now enjoying two trips a month for an early dinner, having a picnic of sandwiches, pies or fish ‘n’ chips. Favourite destinations are Robertson Pie shop, Werri Beach and Sublime Point.

The Residents enjoyed contributing to the Family Day (30th April) and the Mother’s Day stall.

Many busy hands were engaged and hours of work to make numerous cupie dolls and lovely Mother’s Day cards. Thank you to all the people involved - the dolls were amazing and sold well.

Amethyst celebrated two very special birthday this month: John Lee turned 100 on the 14th May and Pat Marley turned 90 on the 27th April.

Congratulations! Until next time, Cheers from the RAO’s - Sunshine, Amethyst, Sapphire.

John Lee turns 100 Filled with great joy and emotion, it was wonderful to enjoy this special milestone together.

Photos fromActivities

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY Ridgeview celebrated International Nurses Day in style with an array of onesies and colourful pyjamas all around Ridgeview. Staff enjoyed a delicious barbecue of bacon and egg rolls cooked by the talented Lifestyle Team.

Activity Reviews ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL VISIT (Cordeaux Campus) We were absolutely delighted to receive a visit from over 40 students from the Junior School Choir of Illawarra Christian School (Cordeaux Campus) during April. Residents were thrilled to listen and clap along to a variety of Christian songs, reminding us of God’s great love and care for us.

THANK YOU ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY We thank all the volunteers at the St Vincent de Paul Society for bringing 150 chocolate Easter bunnies which were given to the Residents on Easter Sunday morning.

The St Vincent de Paul Society support many Homes across the Illawarra and have been faithfully delivering chocolates to our Residents at Ridgeview every Easter and Christmas. Thank you for your continued support.

ST PAUL’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Residents received a visit from 4 students and head teacher from St Paul’s Catholic Primary School at Albion Park for Easter. The Year 5 and 6 classes made each of our residents a special Easter card and ch o c o l at e s wh i ch we re h a n d delivered around the Home.

Thank you so much to these wo n d erf u l s tu d en ts fo r th ei r continued support and care for our Residents at Ridgeview.

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

Resident Story - Pat Marley LOOKING BACK - by John O’Dwyer

This short write up appeared in a local football magazine, regarding our Pat Marley and the RAO’s thought we’d share it with you.

‘Well known Albion Park rugby league identity Pat Marley celebrated his 90th birthday on Wednesday and still retains a keen interest in the game. Pat was a player with Kiama and a referee and a long term official of Albion Park-Oak Flats club where he is a life member and when a delegate to group seven helped establish the junior league sixty years ago. Pat and wife Mary are life members of Albion Park Woman’s Hockey club and great workers in the community along with son John and daughter Maree.’ (John O’Dywer 2016) Everyone at Ridgeview congratulates you too, on reaching this “great Milestone”.

Coffee Van daily at Ridgeview Coffee and hot chocolate lovers will be JUMPING FOR JOY as we now have a Coffee Van daily at Ridgeview from 11.30am -12pm.

Residents, families, visitors, staff and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the delicious delights that the Coffee Van has to offer.

Coffee, Long/Short Black, Chai Latte, Mocha, Cold Drip Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Cappuccino, Latte, Macchiato etc.

There is also a small selection of cakes that can be purchased.

Please see noticeboards for full selection and price list.

Staff Profile Rhonda Nicholas Hi my name is Rhonda.

I have been working in Aged Care for the past 11 years and have been at Ridgeview for the past four years. Caring for my dad, inspired me to do nursing.

I love helping people. I’m very committed to my job and work with a great team. I enjoy spending time with my 4 children and 6 grandchildren with one more grandchild on the way.

Ridgeview Aged Care is going to publish a COOKBOOK The cookbook will be made up of recipes from our residents, families, staff and volunteers. The more recipes and contributors we get, the better the cookbook will turn out and the more copies we will sell.

We need help from everyone to make this a huge success.

1. Select your favourite recipe 2. Copy, type, print and place it in the box at Reception to be included in the Cookbook 3. Include your name (if you’d like it listed) 4. You can also email recipes directly to: mbonner@chomes.com.au No later than Friday 15th July, 2016 Thanks for your help!

Volunteer Corner We welcome new volunteers Cheryl, Teihana, Bob, Fay, Molly (Pet Therapy dog), Paul and Des to the Volunteer team at Ridgeview Aged Care.

Last week was National Volunteers Week (9th-15th May). This is an opportunity as an organisation to say THANK YOU to all our volunteers at Christadelphian Aged Care.

We enjoyed a wonderful day together at St George Sailing Club, Sans Souci with over 140 volunteers from across all 9 of the Christadelphian Aged Care facilities (see photos).

We are very blessed at Ridgeview to have a team of 56 volunteers engaged in a variety of activities with our Home. Every day you volunteer, you bring joy, smiles, hugs, laughs and happiness to our residents. Our Residents are able to enjoy a variety of different activities such as knitting, craft, card making, Euchre, Pool, Kiosk, Lolly Trolley, Choir, computers and iPads, companionship and 1:1 visits, Ukulele sing-alongs, weekly communion, Church and devotional services, beauty days, library, Pastoral Care, card and table games, labelling clothing, pet therapy, guitar sing-alongs, Bible reading, admin support‌ the list is endless.

The volunteers at Ridgeview are keen and always willing to help and assist at special events such as Christmas, Easter, Family Days and fundraising days‌ such support is greatly valued and makes organising these big events so much easier.

I am constantly in awe at the selfless service that these men and woman provide at Ridgeview. On behalf of the Management at Christadelphian Aged Care, Ridgeview Aged Care, Staff, Residents and families we THANK YOU all for your time.

- Michelle Bonner

SPOTLIGHT ON A VOLUNTEER - Susan Porter Our little volunteer Ukulele Group has a wonderful time visiting Ridgeview Aged Care each week, sometimes more, playing and singing a selection of songs so the residents can join in where they can. We feel very privileged when we see a resident who may not normally converse start to tap their fingers, or sway, or clap to our music. We are greatly rewarded then, as well as when we talk with the staff and residents. We do all have fun together.

From this Grandma Volunteer, Susan Porter of Shellharbour, on behalf of us all.

Volunteer Thank You Lunch

Volunteer Corner

Speech from Volunteer Thank You Lunch 2016

"You are quite simply amazing, coming to us with a willing spirit, with warm smiles and hellos, sharing stories from the pages you are writing from the big book of life, both within and without of our facilities.

You are inspiring, coming back again and again, living your love, loving your living, showing by example just how love can make a difference.

You are connected with residents and their families, with staff, with other volunteers and the greater community. You build relationships and you take positive action, you are proactive and purposeful.

You keep on showing up, you keep on asking for improvements or making suggestions, you continue seeking, planning and encouraging, you advocate for the residents and you keep on going even though at first you don't succeed.

You often work through some initial uncomfortability and uncertainty which as coordinators we know, and are thankful and most grateful for.

You are resilient. You deal with life on life's terms. Sometimes the same residents who interacted and enjoyed your company last week or even the day before will be sleepy despondent or ill, or unable to to remember you. Sometimes tears fall and hearts ache at the empty spaces at the table when those who helped us write these stories in the big book of life just the week before have passed away.

You are important. We want to let you know for the times we are not around to say hello or goodbye or thankyou or ask about how your day is going or has gone, please know you are important. We appreciate you, and you are an integral part of the fabric of our aged care facilities.

You are ambassadors. Every time you share a story with someone else about something in your volunteering experience that has touched your heart in some way, every time you share with others what exactly it is you do as at "that volunteering place", you represent us and you plant a seed in others.

You as individuals together help create the whole, and paint the big picture of who we are and what we stand for. Your advocacy of the mission and values of our organisation to the broader community makes you our ambassadors and for that we are very grateful.

You are celebrated. Not just for today or during Volunteer Week every May, or International Volunteer Day in December, you are celebrated for who you are, what you choose to do and what you stand for. You are celebrated for the ability to look beyond the self to the greater good.

You are blessed. You are blessed by knowing when you give happily, you live happily. You are blessed with an insight into selflessness, you are blessed by connection, you are blessed with a purpose of a goal beyond day to day.

We as coordinators feel honoured to know you all, to see how you bless others through your volunteering. To each and every one of you today and every day, we say thank you."

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer program, please do not hesitate to contact me: Michelle Bonner on 0434 421 617 or mbonner@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.