SEN January & February 2023

HELLO FRIENDS

Dear residents, families and friends,

As another year has come to an end, we take a moment to reflect. If 2022 has taught us anything, it is patience and resilience. As we all manage uncertainty differently, we should be reminded that maintaining a positive mindset will help us to see “the glass as half full" and to be grateful for being in the position we are as we encounter each new situation.

We are now prepared to see a brighter and promising new year, full of life, hope and new starts, and to continue to see positiveness around us to enjoy meaningful moments with family and friends. Preparation has already begun on continuing to bring a wide range of exciting social activities that continue to engage, inspire and excite our beloved residents each month.

We look forward to making more memories and continuing to witness the heartwarming smiles of our residents in the year ahead.

From our SwanCare Social Engagement Team, we wish to thank you all for your ongoing support and understanding throughout the past year. We hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and wish you all the best for a successful 2023.

Warm regards,

Claudia Becerra

Claudia Becerra

GREAT MOMENTS 1

Melbourne Cup

What a very busy and beautiful end of year! Melbourne Cup day provided lovely weather and sunshine for all our care centre residents who donned their best outfits, hats or fascinators, ready to enjoy a lovely BBQ lunch and watch the race. This was followed by a fun afternoon with games. What a great time we all had!

GREAT MOMENTS 2

Christmas Lunch

It really looked like Christmas around SwanCare throughout December with our care centres well prepared for the festive season and celebrations. Once again, our residents enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch, drinks and shared good memories and laughs. Some residents were lucky enough to receive a surprise visit from Santa and their helpers, just in time to deliver their presents and spread happiness and joy all around. We also had our popular yearly “Christmas lights” bus trip, our residents enjoyed a lovely evening, watching the sunset by the river and beautiful light displays around the area. We would like to thank the Auxiliary Group for their contributions and donations to our Christmas events, decorations and raffle hampers, we really appreciate their ongoing support.

KINGIA FAMILY

November and December were busy months for us at SwanCare Kingia. Just some of the well enjoyed activities included our horse race game with a big dice, Never Have I Ever, musical instruments, wartime quiz, wartime sing along, armchair travel to Singapore, pizza making, a Bunnings workshop, decking the halls and of course, our festive celebrations like birthdays, Christmas lunch, Christmas games, a raffle and New Year party!

We also had a special Remembrance Day with the residents commemorating the event and Don R and David O as our readers with Joan S laying the wreath for us. They lead the celebration with solemnity which everyone felt during the whole program.

We would like to say our special thanks to the Auxiliary Group who gave us donations for Christmas decorations and raffle gifts. We love the inflatable Christmas decorations which gives a warm and joyous welcome for everyone here are at Kingia. We also wish to send a special thanks to the primary school teacher for the Christmas cards from students, as well as the families and staff who gave us gifts and greetings cards. Kingia truly felt especially loved and cared for during this time of the year.

NINGANA FAMILY

The Christmas season started with our residents’ putting decorations around SwanCare Ningana to spread cheer and joy. Our lovely staff also got into festive mode wearing Christmas scrubs and tops throughout December. It was uplifting to see everyone sharing the same spirit.

We had arts and craft sessions, quiz and words games, and beautiful sing-along sessions with traditional Christmas carols. The weather also started to warm up and it was a great opportunity to use our beautiful garden, for concerts, walking clubs and other activities.

Ningana had their Christmas party in mid-December, the weather was perfect, and our residents enjoyed a lovely cocktail dinner in our garden and live music by Derek Eden, who played all the Australian Christmas classics. We couldn’t help to clap and sing along, it was a beautiful evening indeed.

TANDARA FAMILY

SwanCare Tandara’s November started with many wonderful festivities including a solemn Remembrance Day, and Melbourne Cup activities like hat making, a fancy lunch and horse race games. We had fun reminiscing about our childhood memories, remembering our loved ones with sweetheart trees and savoring the day during sensory garden.

December was filled with Christmas events like Bunnings Christmas workshops, baking cookies, decking the halls, making angels, carols by candlelight, high tea party, lunch and elves gift giving. We also had our New Year’s party! We’d like to thank the volunteers, our jolly Santa Claus and to Aurora for doing a free concert on Christmas day.

The Christmas party was made grandiose because of the collaboration dance between our Quality & Compliance Coordinator Preetha, and our guest entertainer Sofia. Preetha did a Classical Indian dance performance alongside Sofia’s Flamenco routine.

The residents were amazed by the combination of the two different styles, they were even taught some steps! What a delight to see the cultural dances being embraced by our residents with their own interpretations as well. We’ve seen harmony, the fusion of different cultures and how music can bring people from different backgrounds together. It’s truly a unique experience.

WAMINDA FAMILY

Special Christmas Concert

The residents were treated to a special Christmas concert by one of the Social Engagement team members Hans, and his fellow band member Lindsey. The SwanCare Waminda Activity Room was packed with everyone including staff, eager to see the performance.

Before the show began a special afternoon high tea was severed by the Social Engagement team. The residents were treated to some delicious cakes as well as some bubbly. Thanks to the Auxiliary Group from the village,

there were several hampers that were donated to our raffle. Each resident and staff member had an entry in the draw with the winners very happy to receive their prize.

During the performance all the residents seemed to be enjoying themselves with plenty of smiles and lots of clapping between songs. Some of the staff even provided a little dance entertainment as the music was that moving. All in all, Hans and Lindsey provided a great concert and many of the residents are already looking forward to watching their next performance.

MESSAGE OF THE MONTH

Dietitian’s Corner

As summer has now arrived, it’s important to remain mindful as to how best take care of ourselves in the warmer weather.

Tip 1: Remain hydrated

Why hydrate now? We lose more water during the summer as it’s used to cool our bodies down.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Most common signs are cracked lips, dizziness, urinary tract infections or muscle weakness.

Tip 2: Soak up the sun

What is our sunshine vitamin? It is our good old vitamin D!

Why do we need it? It not only helps to build our bones but also reduces the risk of falls.

But I don’t feel thirsty. By the time we feel thirsty, our body is already dehydrated, so it’s best to drink water before then.

How to drink more fluids daily? Have chilled drinks such as milk, juice, or water. Keep a schedule, set a reminder on your phone, or find a water buddy to join you.

How can we get some?

Sunlight! Take walks in the early morning or late evening for 15 to 30 minutes a day, at least twice a week. Remember to ‘Slip, Slop, Slap!’

Concerned about your levels? Contact your GP & dietitian.

SwanCare would like to welcome the following people:

Ningana: Lorraine B. Michael L. Lesley Y. Vincent L. Shirley B. Stella S. Margaret L. Wendy H. Harold G. Pietro P.

Shizuko I. Joseph H. Evone S. Keith C. Elizabeth C. Frederick P.

Kingia: Philippe D. Heather B. Phyllis J. Lesley T. Dorothy L.

Tandara: Joyce C. Zenaida B. William B. Betty F. Jan V. Stanislaw M.

Waminda: Robert C. Ann M. Geoffrey M. Barbara S. Margaret S. Janis K. Johannes T. Margaret P Patricia B. Ken R-S.