Knox Life 45

We're growing places

Welcome to new Operations and Community Manager Fran Voykovich

Fran is originally from Chester in the UK, a beautiful city in the Northwest of England.

Today as I write, the sun is shining and residents and the on-site construction team are making the most of sunshine. The chilly weather has arrived and feeling cosy has become a priority. The range of outings and activities that Olivia and her Lifestyle and Leisure team are coordinating continues to expand to cover a range of small group interests, with more of the usual community-based groups picking up where the pandemic interrupted for several years.

Te Whatu Ora impasse

The Aged Care sector funding impasse with Te Whatu Ora remains unresolved as the current offer doesn’t come close to meeting actual cost increases, these negotiations will continue.

You're invited to next Knox Community Meeting

We have scheduled a Knox Community Meeting, held every 8-10 weeks to keep people updated on things of interest. This will be held on Monday 3 July 5:30pm – 6:30pm in the Multipurpose Room at Knox.

Award for pandemic response

Knox has received the COVID-19 Response Recognition Award from Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins. This is in recognition of service in support of the national COVID-19 response.

Masks please

Mask wearing in aged care remains a national directive and the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the community is again evidence of continued risks of spread.

We ask that you do not visit in dining rooms at meal-times or visit the physiotherapy gym. If you are here at a meal-time please visit with your family member in their room, outdoors or alternate space away from dining rooms.

It is essential you do not visit Knox at all if you or a member of your household has any cold-like or gastroenteritis symptoms as we must be meticulously careful about all infections.

Visiting Hours

10am – 11:30am

2pm – 8pm

We urge visitors to observe these times as we are all committed to honouring the request made by residents for a quiet period in the middle of the day to rest after lunch.

She’s been living in New Zealand for nearly 20 years and is married to Kiwi, Adrian. Fran is a busy mum to two teenage boys, Alex and Nathaniel, who are both still at school.

Fran has worked in a number of different management roles in services for older people and for people with disabilities and sensory impairment in the UK. Fran was an active member of a large branch of the Alzheimer’s Society in North Wales for more than eight years, serving as Branch Secretary and Fundraiser.

Since moving to New Zealand, Fran has worked for the Ministry of Health and at Counties Manukau District Health Board in contracting, project and programme management and operational roles.

Fran is a huge football fan and has supported her beloved Chester Football Club for many years. In her leisure time Fran loves to travel, enjoys baking and

First CAP Graduates from Knox programme

In May the first Knox CAP course was concluded and a further 13 Registered Nurses have entered the New Zealand health system as a result. Congratulations to you all! Nursing Council of NZ Aotearoa approved Knox as a provider of CAP training. This 7-week programme is for New Zealand registered and enrolled nurses who have been out of practice for five years or more and also for internationally qualified nurses wishing to gain registration as a nurse in New Zealand.

“Shut the door - not that it lets in the cold, but that it lets out the coziness.” MARK TWAIN

JIll WOODWARD CEO

Benjohn Ventigan

NIGHT SITE MANAGER

Benjohn (Ben) appreciates working in an elder-centered community, because caring for those who walked before us represents life’s most significant value.

He works as the Night Site Manager/ Registered Nurse who is responsible for providing clinical support and ensuring safety of the community within Knox –both staff and the residents we look after. With prior experience of working in the Emergency Department, he is equipped with the necessary critical thinking skills to make clinical decisions and give residents quality care.

Raewyn Hopkins AFTERNOON SITE MANAGER

Raewyn trained as a Registered GRON in Dunedin and has worked in the four main cities of New Zealand – some local rural hospitals and GP practices. She has also enjoyed time working in the UK and Cambodia as well as travel through Europe, East Africa, Asia and the Pacific. If she has a regret, it is giving up a training position at the London School of Tropical Medicine.

Since returning to New Zealand she has been working in Auckland where she was encouraged to complete a MPH and a PhD. Raewyn has co-authored numerous journal articles and won some prestigious Abstract prizes.

Raewyn says she has had a wonderful time as a nurse and would do it all again even knowing what the downs are as the ups are so rewarding, a bit like her golf!

Raewyn's favourite quotes:

“Start where you are. Use what you can. Do what you can”, Arthur Ash

“Look for a way to lift someone up. If that’s all you do it’s enough”, Elizabeth Lesser

Etka Jain

AFTERNOON / WEEKEND SITE MANAGER

Etka is an allied health professional with a background in physiotherapy committed to improving residents' Hauora (well-being) through compassionate care.

Etka has extensive experience working with the elderly and am currently pursuing a master's degree in health practice specialising in rehabilitation with the aim of providing comprehensive support to the people during their most crucial stages of rehabilitation. She joined Knox in late 2022 working after hours and on weekends to support the inner community, including Rimu, Kowhai, and Nikau's homes. Etka's role as a Site Manager involves leadership and coordination of the care team as well as identifying and addressing concerns related to resident quality of care and staff wellbeing.

TK Raval WEEKEND SITE MANAGER

Trilok Raval's (TK) role includes managing staffing, day-to-day operational tasks, helping our leadership teams to fulfil the organisational values and resident's needs by focusing on making sure residents and family feel welcomed all while upholding Eden Alternative principles.

A great advocate for residents, he comes with significant experience in Physiotherapy and management roles. This enables him to deliver the holistic approach with residents, their families and the team at Knox.

TK has experience working in New Zealand and Australian health care sectors which empowers him to adjust to the role's challenges.

TK’s experience working in Clinical quality and risk management supports organisation to provide adequate and safe care environment to our residents and staff.

Over the period of time, his strengths at Knox have helped us to serve our residents and community the best possible way. TK's sound clinical knowledge and management style help to foster Knox principles and values.

Supporting independence and creating opportunities to grow

Lifestyle and Leisure regularly facilitate shopping and local café trips to enable independence, identify new challenges for growth and support Elders as members of the community.

Ma - ori tikanga learning goes unlimited

Thanks to the Te Pou Consumer Grant residents of Knox headed out on a day trip with Time Unlimited Tours.

Over the past year a group of our residents have been taking part in a Tikanga programme with tutors in Rongoa, Wairata, poi making and use and Te Reo Ma - ori.

Residents were eager to get out in the community and visit a marae to continue learning.

Our day started early, we set off in the Knox and Time Unlimited Tour vans. Our first stop was the Auckland Museum. We arrived with just enough time to look around the Ma - ori exhibition before we were seated and ready in the theatre. The Ma - ori performance took us on lively journey through the story of Aotearoa New Zealand and Tamaki Makaurau / Auckland. We heard beautiful Ma - ori songs, enjoyed the poi dance and learnt about traditional Ma - ori weapons. By the end of the performance, we were sitting right on the edge of our seats.

The four performers finished with an unforgettable version of the worldfamous haka.

Our next stop was the Community Marae in Glen Innes.

Upon arrival we were welcomed with a po - whiri. The afternoon slowed down as we enjoyed some kai and reflected on the day and all of our learnings.

At the end of what was a vibrant day, we each shared a reflection or comment. One of our residents was proud to share the story of her mother being the first Ma - ori woman to move to America. Others commented on their gratitude for all that was shared. We are grateful to be able to continue our learning individually, as a group and as a community.

New volunteers always welcome

Members of our wider community are always welcome to join our Volunteer Team. Just like our volunteers, the opportunities are diverse and interesting and can be tailored to suit your interests and availability. Contact us today to have a chat.

volunteer@knox.co.nz

We'd love your unused toys

Families and children are back, so we would welcome any donations of toys, puzzles, books and games. They don't have to be new but toys in complete and in good condition would be appreciated. Drop them into Reception at any time.

Mother’s Day High Tea

Mother’s Day was celebrated with beautiful high tea. The afternoon kicked off with sweets and savouries perfectly accompanied by a hot cup of tea. We finished the afternoon with a craft activity and some snaps in the photo booth. Simply Flowers in Remuera donated beautiful flowers for our table setting.

Your donation or bequest can make a big difference

We know that even a small gift can make a huge difference to the future of charities like Knox Home.

We are often asked how best to donate or leave a thank you gift. Some families ask as they would like to have friends and families donate to Knox in lieu of flowers

You are invited to make donations at any time to Elizabeth Knox Home & Hospital or consider a bequest in your Will.

To make a bequest, we suggest you consult a lawyer, the Public Trust or a Trustee company.

As a registered charity, all donations over $5 receive a receipt and are entitled to a 33% tax rebate.

We invite you to read more information on the Knox website: www.knox.co.nz/donations

Knox Home Trust Board Members

Dr Alastair MacCormick (CHAIR)

Ms Marika Eastwick-Field

Dr Bruce Foggo

Mr Bal Matheson (DEPUTY CHAIR)

Mr Warwick Peacock

Mr Andrew Smith

Ms Vanessa Stoddart

Ms Kim Wright

The Eden Alternative 10 Principles

1. The three plagues of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom account for the bulk of suffering among our Elders.

2. An Elder-centred community commits to creating a human habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with people of all ages and abilities, as well as plants and animals. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike, with a pathway to a life worth living.

3. Loving companionship is the antidote to loneliness. Elders deserve easy access to human and animal companionship.

4. An Elder-centred community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness.

5. An Elder-centred community imbues daily life with variety and spontaneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place. This is the antidote to boredom.

6. Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.

7. Medical treatment should be the servant of genuine human caring, never its master.

8. An Elder-centred community honours its Elders by de-emphasising top-down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority into the hands of the Elders or into the hands of those closest to them.

9. Creating an Elder-centred community is a never-ending process. Human growth must never be separated from human life.

10. Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.

The core concept of the Eden Alternative™ is simple: Care environments are habitats for human beings that should promote health, wellbeing and growth rather than facilities where the frail and elderly stagnate and decline.

The Eden Alternative™ shows us how companion animals, children and plants help in providing an opportunity for meaningful contribution and care, and how the Eden Alternative works at preventing and eliminating the aged care plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom.

For more information on the Eden Alternative, please visit edenalt.org