S E N SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE 17
HELLO FRIENDS Welcome to the Spring edition of SEN! This season brings out the best of nature. It is a time for us to get back outside to appreciate all the beauty and wonder this season has to offer. As we look to experience the magic of the gardens around us with warm sunny skies, birds, butterflies, beautiful blooms and wildflowers. We will take in the fragrantly sweet fresh air and pose among the flowering trees and shrubs. We will admire the Camellias, Azaleas, Daffodils, Tulips, Poppies, Everlastings, Daisies and more. This colourful magic comes so naturally for everyone to see, feel, hear, smell and taste! So, for Spring, outdoor activities are back on our programs. All our residents will have the opportunity to witness the magic of the season by participating in a variety of activities on our calendar, including, walking club, cycling club, and bus trips. All that Spring has to offer will stimulate our residents’ senses, will relax and uplift them, too. Just being outside has its own way of giving us therapeutic benefits. This is one reason we always love our bus trips. Whether it’s watching the blue, rolling waves crash against the sandy shore or hearing the birds chirping in a green and luscious park; there is something so remarkable and beautiful about being immersed in nature. It always has a way of bringing peace to the mind and grounding a person. We look forward to sharing these special moments with our residents and hope all our families and friends also find the opportunity to indulge in the wonders of nature, if even for just a moment or two. Warm regards,
Rhea Dimalanta Rhea Dimalanta
"Spring adds new life & new beauty to all that is."
GREAT MOMENTS 1 Father's Day In honour of our resident fathers, and father figures, our Social Engagement Team compiled a number of activities dedicated specifically for Father's Day. From target practice, reminiscing games, photo shoots, beer pong and even trying their luck in raffles. The gents all had a great time and we enjoyed spoiling them all!
GREAT MOMENTS 2 Bentley Park Show October brings SwanCare’s annual Bentley Park Show which is a time for our retirement living and aged care residents to come together and showcase some of their many talents. 2022 was no exception, with residents from each of our care centres either submitting pieces of work or participating in the events of the day. What a fabulous day it was!
KINGIA FAMILY SwanCare Kingia has been the center of art and craft for September and October. Our lovely residents kept themselves busy making sunflowers for the Spring party and so much more! As our fascinators for the upcoming Melbourne Cup Day needed replacing, we made new fascinators so everyone would be ready to don their nicest outfit for a photo shoot when the race is here. With Remembrance Day nearing, we made lovely red poppies out of tissue paper and they looked just like the real ones outside. For Halloween, we made scary bowling pins for our games just in time for visiting kids’ trick or treating inside the centre.
Kingia also had specially themed weeks such as a week for Father’s Day, Spring, Royalty, Teachers, Grandparents, Oktoberfest and Halloween. Activities like quizzes, games, reminiscing, bingo, and art and craft were being related to those themes. For armchair travel, we were immersed into the culture of Kenya and Peru. We also had our giant word game adapted into a picture game. We made a small-sized game a big game and then we also made a tall game to be short one, like our new basketball game which was donated and created just for us.
NINGANA FAMILY We were pleased to have Don Woodland, son to our resident Betty, do a Skydiving presentation for our residents. Don was a professional skydiving instructor with more than 39 years’ experience and over 11,600 jumps. Don shared some fascinating videos from his jumps in United States and Australia. Our residents were fascinated to hear Don’s experience and to learn about this interesting sport. The disco party arrived at SwanCare Ningana! We recently had a "Silent Disco" with Ryan from AudioVault Events. Our activity area was transformed into a disco with lights and decorations. Ryan assisted our residents with a headset that changed colour. Each colour was a channel and played different music, mainly disco from 50-60's. Staff even had fun trying them on. Our residents quickly started dancing to the music and having fun, showing off their best dance moves! In October, we had "Support your Team" day. Our lovely residents and staff put on a jersey or item to support their favourite sporting team. We had a ball game competition in our courtyard where our residents were able to play mini golf, ten pin bowling and basketball. They really showed their competitive side! The red team was the winner with three winners in the overall score. Our residents really enjoyed this joyful and colourful event.
TANDARA FAMILY On behalf of all four care centres, SwanCare Tandara would like to thank Carole C. from the Care Auxiliary Group for helping us fund our plant donations. The succulents from Lesley W. and Geoff P. were all re-potted during the Bunnings workshop. Tandara was also able replace all the plants from the three vertical gardens with the succulents donated. One of our residents kept really busy tending to these plants. Our Spring party was made even more special with our very own garden fairy. As a tribute to our Queen we made an memorial. The residents and staff also wrote their condolences and had them posted to the Buckingham Palace. For art and craft, we made fascinators and kites, which were almost able to fly on our bus trip.
Bingo had different themes such as casino card games, Royalty and Halloween. For Oktoberfest, we had armchair travel to Germany which included pretzels and a little bit of beer. We also had our second cooking session where we made pancakes with lots of chocolate syrup and sprinkles. This made the staff from the ground floor to stop by, check us out. Some even joined in to have a bite with us.
WAMINDA FAMILY The residents at SwanCare Waminda were kept busy in the lead up to Melbourne Cup by making their own fascinators. The ladies had a wonderful time putting together their individual looks, some of them even modeled their creations. The Social Engagement Team helped the residents hold their fascinators together while the glue was drying so they did not lose their shapes. Everyone seemed to have a great time and they are all looking forward to the big day where they can show off their work. When it comes to bingo there is always a crowded room here at Waminda. The residents enjoy the twice weekly games as it both a social occasion for some and a serious time for others. Before the games start residents are busy picking cards with a lucky number or choosing their favourite counter colour. Once heads down its race to see who is going to win the small or big jackpot per game. It's not too serious as many of the resident's chime in with whistles or sayings when the numbers are called to help put a smile on everyone's faces. Tea and coffee is served which helps round off a lovely day of playing.
MESSAGE OF THE MONTH Dietitian’s Corner Spring has sprung, so with our days getting longer, we must start preparing ourselves for the warmer weather ahead. Below are two tips to keep you hydrated and healthy while enjoying beauty of Spring. Tip 1: Maintain hydration When do we lose water? We lose water through everything we do. This includes breathing, sweating, & going to the loo.
Why? How to keep Tricks: hydrated? Water has many Take small sips of functions including Have 8-10 cups of fluid water throughout temperature regulation, a day. Fluids include the day, include high cushioning our joints, beverages (i.e., coffee, fluid content foods assists in digestion, tea, & water), soups like soups, fruits constipation & and ice. (e.g., melons), jellies moisturizing our skin. and ice cream.
Tip 2: Get enough protein & exercise What’s the relation? When we exercise, we need enough protein to feed our muscles.
Why? Protein helps build muscle & when our muscles are fed well, it can result in improving our strength.
Where can we find protein? In beef, lamb, fish, chicken & dairy products. For vegetarians, beans, lentils & tofu dishes are also packed with protein.
Tricks: Sneak-in an extra dash of milk into your beverage or request a tub of yoghurt between meals to help boost your protein each day.
SwanCare would like to welcome the following people: Ningana: Jeanette B. Lorraine B. Lillian D. Matthys D. Joseph G. Dorothy L. Michael L.
Voon L. Hilary M. Willy N. Deborah R. Blanche T. Melania W. Robert W.
Kingia:
Tandara:
Waminda:
Henry E. Vanda S.
Betty C. Eric C.
Colin F. Alma L. John M. Lawford O. Shirley S.
IT'S A CELEBRATION! Birthdays, Milestones, and New Residents
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Michael P. 28th Irene L. 1st Claire M. 20th Valma C.
Gerlinde R. 29th Joyce P. 2nd Jeanette B. 27th Pauline B.
22nd Trevor F. 10th Dorothy P.
11th
Kathleen M. 18th Anne S. 10th Albert N. 29th Noel S.
12th Betty W.
16th Neville D.
16th Veronica B.
23rd Fulvio B.
24th Sandra E.
10th Robert A.
16th Jillian P.
7th
6th
5th
Carlyle L.
16th John P. 6th
Peter D.
7th
6th
Albert A.
29th Ronald C. 8th
Thomas M.
9th
Michael C.
22nd Vera L.
Rose B.
20th Audrey N.
14th Stella F.
29th Christine G. 13th Vicky C.
21st Rosemary R.
Thomas D. 26th Agnes M. 14th Beryl R. 26th Bettyne S.
9th
22nd Andrew S.
Gwenda P. 11th Ron H. 3rd Joan F. 19th Kathleen L. 7th
Margaret A. 18th Lurline P. 13th Beryl C. 22nd Joyce C. 8th
8th
Jim W.
17th Joan B. 27th Basil K.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL P., GERLINDE R., DOROTHY P., NOEL S., STELLA F., JOAN F., KATHLEEN L. & BASIL K. WHO WILL BE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAY MILESTONES THIS MONTH! Much love from the SwanCare Team.
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Cockatoo
Kookaburra
Lorikeet
Common Mynar
Butcherbird
Willy Wagtail
Sparrow
Honeyeater
Fairy Wren
Kingfisher
Budgerigar
Cockatiel
Rosella
Seagull
Plover
Swamp Hen
Brahminy Kite
Ibis
ALWAYS SOMEONE TO TALK TO Centre visiting hours:
Monday – Sunday
9:00am – 12:00pm
2:00pm – 5:00pm Spritz Cafe hours:
Monday – Friday
Jarrah Cafe hours:
Monday – Tuesday CLOSED
7:30am – 3:00pm
Wednesday – Friday
7:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday – Sunday
8:00am – 3:00pm
General Manager Health & Aged Care Services
Julie Atkinson
Admissions Manager
Leanne LeBrun
Clinical Operations Manager
Duska Bodegrajac
Quality & Compliance Coordinator
Preetha Thamilaraser
Food Services Dietitian
Alicia Peng
SwanCare Kingia & Tandara Managers
Jovy Tesani Farhath Jameel
SwanCare Ningana Managers
Sharleen Mann Arnel Braulio
SwanCare Waminda Managers
Pauline Bremner Eric Almen
REMEMBRANCE DAY 11th NOVEMBER 2022
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.