SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
NEWSLETTER MAY & JUNE 2023 ISSUE 19
HELLO FRIENDS
Dear Residents, Families and Friends, Welcome to our May-June 2023 edition!
In April 2021, the first edition of our Social Engagement Newsletter was issued. After two years and 18 editions, we feel proud of what our Social Engagement teams have achieved. They have done an excellent job providing fun, engaging and meaningful activities for our residents across our four care centres. We would like to acknowledge everyone who has contributed to making this newsletter a platform to showcase the special events and activities we organise in each of our care centres for our residents and families to enjoy. Doing so takes a collaborative effort. To all our teams, Marketing, Clinical, Hospitality, Allied Health Care staff and everyone else involved, we appreciate your support throughout these last two years.
We will continue to provide our residents with these services and activities to enhance their social, physical and emotional wellbeing.
In this edition, we are incredibly happy to show you what has been happening in SwanCare as our residents celebrate International Women’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, ANZAC Day and the many other activities that they have enjoyed recently.
Thank you all for your support.
Warm regards,
Claudia Becerra
Claudia Becerra
GREAT MOMENTS 1
Harmony Week
Harmony Week is a national celebration that recognises and commemorates Australia's cultural diversity. To honour this occasion residents enjoyed a fashion parade starring some very familiar faces! A number of SwanCare team members showcased a variety of traditional cultural attire from nations around the globe.
AIN Happy Kaur represented her country India and was the parade emcee. Happy provided residents with interesting information,
sharing the rich history and meaning behind each ensemble, from outback Australia all the way to Spain.
Residents from all four care centres clapped and cheered as staff strutted, posed, and even danced down the runway!
SwanCare is proud to have a multicultural and diverse community amongst our residents, their families and friends, and our staff.
GREAT MOMENTS 2 ANZAC
Day
We were able to hold ANZAC Day services for our residents across all four care centres. Residents gathered to honour the memory of those who have fallen in battle. Some of our residents were actively involved before and during the service and volunteered to read the Ode and Flanders Field poem. We prayed and laid our wreaths and sang the New Zealand and Australian national anthems. Residents were grateful to be able to pay tribute to the fallen and acknowledge the sacrifices of our Australian Armed Forces and how they fought in the First World War. It was a very special moment for all. Lest we forget.
KINGIA FAMILY
Staying Active
Engagement in social and leisure activities is an indicator of quality of life and well-being in residential aged care. We encourage our residents to participate in their preferred hobby and various activities daily. Resident Joan is a prime example of how being actively involved increases self-value, optimism and can decrease the risk of depression and feeling of isolation. Joan, who has lived at SwanCare Kingia for nearly 7 years, enjoys looking after our balcony garden as well as assisting with decorating our corridors, dining room and activity rooms. Recently, she even started to deliver the newspaper for K2 residents. She really enjoys being involved in these activities which also assist staff greatly.
Celebrations a Plenty
Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest and cutest stars on this Earth, Audrey, who celebrated her 98th birthday with us recently. In addition to the celebration of Audrey, staff were also blessed to celebrate the milestone 90th birthday of one of our most compassionate and caring residents, Mary.
Thank you for sharing these special days with us. We wish you both many more years of good health and happiness ladies!
NINGANA FAMILY
Our Social Engagement team has taken advantage of the beautiful Autumn weather and provided outdoor activities, concerts, and events in our beautiful SwanCare Ningana courtyard. We had an afternoon games session for St. Patrick's Day. Residents played "Catch the Coins" where they had to put their reflexes to test and catch as many coins as possible, and "Shoot the Leprechaun" where residents got points for their good aiming skills!
For International Women’s Day, residents were invited to our Beauty Spa. They enjoyed a relaxing afternoon being pampered with facial care masks, hand and foot massages, and makeup sessions. Some treats were also available and it was the perfect end to a lovely event. Happy Women’s Day!
For Easter our residents went on an egg hunt! Our team organised a scavenger hunt in our garden and residents worked in teams finding clues and chocolate eggs! It was a wonderful way to reminisce on childhood memories. After this, we tested our resident's knowledge with some trivia games and quizzes while having traditional hot cross buns. To finalise, we did our Easter raffle draw and announced three winners. We would like to thank everyone who purchased the tickets, the funds will go towards our activities and resources.
Ningana would also like to thank the SwanCare Centres Auxiliary Committee for their generous donation to purchase 10 large piece jigsaw puzzles for our residents.
TANDARA FAMILY
Introducing a new member of the SwanCare Tandara family, Edward, who recently become a participant in our 1-1 activities. Edward enjoys painting as one of his favorite leisure activities, an activity he used to do with his youngest daughter whom he always has with love in his mind. He also showed us his great ability with manual arts, making decorations for ANZAC Day and having a good time with Social Engagement staff.
March and April provided residents and staff at Tandara many reasons to celebrate and reflect. Some of our stunning ladies were honored with their photographs and celebrated International Women's Day with a great deal of fanfare and spectacle. The Social Engagement team had the opportunity to recognise these incredible women on this memorable day by giving them a gift. What could be more thrilling and satisfying than giving them their own photos? Another holiday we celebrated was St. Patrick’s Day where residents enjoyed all the fun being Irishmen. During these holidays not only do our residents get to engage in various arts and crafts, but they also provide our staff with many stories about their own experiences which are always held dear in our hearts.
WAMINDA FAMILY
In the week leading up to Easter the residents at SwanCare Waminda kept busy with as many Easter themed activities as possible. There were quizzes and movies as well as several Easter themed arts and crafts. The Social Engagement team delivered eggs to every resident alongside an Easter Bunny to the delight of several residents and staff. Some residents got together and made little egg bags for several of the residents who don’t get many visitors. The residents wrote messages on little hearts and added these to the bags with the Social Engagement staff who worked on Easter delivering them so that the residents would be able to enjoy this special little gift.
MESSAGE OF THE MONTH
Dietitian’s Corner
Winter is a time for increased colds and the flu, but that’s not all… COVID-19 is still around too. So, we need to be vigilant this season and below are some tips on how to support your immune system this winter.
Tip 1: Focus on immune boosting foods
By?
Eating foods that are high in:
- Vitamin C, D & E
- Zinc
- Selenium
Why?
Studies shown they may be able to reduce infection rates, decrease symptom severity & assist in recovery. Overall, strengthening our body defenses.
Tip 2: Food for our moods
Why?
Foods that are high in tryptophan, an amino acid, can potentially improve moods.
How?
It forms a hormone called serotonin that regulates our mood, sleep, appetite, digestion, learning and memory ability.
Where can I find them?
- Wholegrains (e.g. porridge, muesli, rice & pasta)
- Fish (e.g. salmon & canned tuna)
- Fruit & vegetables (e.g. peas, potatoes, mushroom, tomatoes, citrus fruits & berries)
- Lean meat (e.g. beef, chicken & pork)
They can be found in:
- Tomato
- Bananas
- Milk & cheese
- Coffee
- Nuts & seeds
SwanCare would like to welcome the following people:
Ningana:
Letty R.
Vangelis R.
Bonnie H.
Sheila S.
Paul R.
Doreen P.
Roy N.
Kingia:
Daphne L.
Kevin B.
Ethel T.
Joy C.
Andrew S.
Eileen D.
Tandara:
Edward F.
Fay H.
Alan G.
Malathie G.
Peter G.
Waminda:
Jack H.
Margaret C.
Gwendoline W.
Joan D.
IT'S A CELEBRATION!
Birthdays & Milestones
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO EILEEN D., MERLE B., CARMELA D., SALLY W., ELLEN M. & DOREEN L. WHO WILL BE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAY MILESTONES THIS MONTH!
Much love from the SwanCare Team.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS 4th Michael S. 5th Eileen D. 7th Helen H. 15th Alan C. 17th Kathryn D. 19th Maureen E. 19th Phyllis J. 24th John R. 27th Jean P. MAY BIRTHDAYS 2nd Merle B. 9th Anne McC. 19th David R. 23rd Jeanette G. 26th Bernadette S. 27th Ann H. 27th Maria T. APRIL BIRTHDAYS 2nd Estelle T. 8th Madeleine B. 9th Arthur D. 17th Norma D. 19th Betty C. 24th Ellen M. 26th Mavis O’M. 29th Edna K. MAY BIRTHDAYS 6th Dulcie K. 8th Gloria B. 8th Merle J. 13th Lawford O. 15th Rosvita H. 16th Ruby U. 16th Valerie B. 20th Doreen L. 22th Cathie R. 29th Barbara S. 31st May D. APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1st Murat O. 2nd Debra D. 3rd Gordon Ch. 13th Vera Ch. 14th Jean J. 15th Anthony B. 15th Ian W. 15th Lorraine B. 18th David S. 23rd Keith C. 25th Daphne W. 26th Colin M. 26th Barbara S. 28th Edward M. MAY BIRTHDAYS 2nd Valorie G. 4th Bay B. 7th Arnolda V. 8th Ross W. 8th Carol G. 10th Shirley B. 13th Krystine H. 15th Pamela T. 16th Ann J. 17th Irene S. 22nd Carl F. 22nd Paul R. 22nd Carmela D. 27th Sally W. 30th George L.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS 8th James D. 8th Terry B. 10th Elizabeth K. 16th Marion M. 29th Peter B. MAY BIRTHDAYS 6th Cathy L. 9th Nora J. 15th Betty C. 16th Bogumila P. 19th Maxine D. 20th Joyce S. 29th Joyce C. 30th Anthea T.
W rd Search MAY FLOWERS
P O P P Y L O R C H I D R G D X T H Y D R A N G E A X Q L H Y A C I N T H J Q F N A G W J J X H B D A P T F F F L L I L A C L X M E U O W M O M B E G O N I A O L D L P J O O J G V U O R N I I E E B V Z I N N I A Y Y P L G T U Y R W S U N F L O W E R U E A S T E R L I L Y R B O N M Q C R O C U S I O O L S I F X B D H I B I S C U S E A D A H L I A B K U F K G S C P M F P W G G D A I S Y Q I Tulip Rose Petunia Marigold Crocus Daffodil Dahlia Poppy Begonia Sunflower Lilac Orchid Peony Easter Lily Hydrangea Hyacinth Amaryllis Hibiscus Daisy Zinnia
ALWAYS SOMEONE TO TALK TO
Centre visiting hours: Monday – Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Spritz Café hours: Monday – Friday 7:30am – 3:00pm
Jarrah Café hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday – Sunday 8:00am – 3:00pm
General Manager Health & Aged Care Services
Admissions Manager
Clinical Operations Manager
Quality & Compliance Coordinator
Food Services Dietitian
SwanCare Kingia & Tandara Managers
SwanCare Ningana Managers
SwanCare Waminda Managers
Julie Atkinson
Leanne LeBrun
Duska Bodegrajac
Preetha Thamilaraser
Alicia Peng
Jovy Tesani
Farhath Jameel
Sharleen Mann
Arnel Braulio
Pauline Bremner
Bindhya Baby Theres
UPCOMING EVENTS - WA DAY 5th OF JUNE
WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities for you to share your skills and time with our residents, so get in touch with us to express your interest.