SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
NEWSLETTER MARCH & APRIL 2023 ISSUE 18
HELLO FRIENDS
Dear Residents, Families and Friends, Welcome to the March & April edition of our Social Engagement Newsletter.
As we look forward to the new year ahead spending time with our family, our SwanCare family and close friends, I reflected on something that was once said to me, and I am sure you would all agree: Time is more important than anything we can own or buy, after all, one person’s minute is worth no more or less than another’s.
This is why it is so important to spend our moments and days doing something that we get fulfilment and joy from. We are all different with varying views and interests of things that give us pleasure and purpose.
The Social Engagement teams across all our care centres continue to work together to explore and bring about a range of activities that will have something for everyone. We are always open to suggestions and there is always room for improvement, so if you have an activity in mind that you would like to introduce and it is within our boundaries to do so, please speak to one of the Social Engagement team members. We as a team get so much joy from seeing our residents doing the things that make them happy.
Some events that are happening this month include, Bunnings Workshops, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Harmony Day, National Puppy Day, a visit from the Animal Farm as well as favorites such as Cycling Without Age, Walking Club, Bingo and much more.
We hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful weather we are having. Look after yourselves and stay safe.
Warm regards,
Ceri Williams Ceri WilliamsMany Reasons to Celebrate
SwanCare Kingia and Tandara
celebrated Australia Day with a special BBQ lunch from our Main Production Kitchen. Australia Day decorations filled the area and small flags were waved up high. Everyone enjoyed a lovely summer day celebrating as one big happy family.
Valentine’s Day in SwanCare Kingia and Tandara were celebrated by having a concert with singer, Gary Lynn. It became even more special with a wonderful surprise from one of our residents Michelle M. Michelle felt connected and moved by Gary’s songs and joined him in singing as loud as she could. The team felt teary-eyed and exuberantly overjoyed for her. This is music therapy at its best!
SwanCare Ningana
Residents had an early celebration for this Lunar New Year. They enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea with a variety of traditional sweets,
spring rolls, fortune cookies and jasmine tea. We talked about the meaning of the year of the rabbit, and the residents had the opportunity to find their Chinese zodiac sign. It was a fun and different afternoon for all of us.
Australia Day
Residents at Ningana enjoyed a BBQ lunch for Australia Day. The dining areas were decorated and set up nicely with music on in the background. It was lovely to see everyone sharing their own experiences and celebrations while enjoying a great afternoon.
Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air! Ningana celebrated Valentine's Day with a romantic morning tea for our lovely couples. They enjoyed having a nice morning with their loved ones and had fun playing the "How Much Do You Know Each Other" game! We all had an enjoyable time.
GREAT MOMENTS 1
GREAT MOMENTS 2
Crafts & Culture
During the month of February, our residential aged care residents were visited by Ashlee from Bunnings. For this workshop Ashlee brought some wooden picture frames that residents could decorate with paint. The residents all appeared to be enjoying themselves by bringing forth their inner artist.
A Lunar New Year party was organised for both SwanCare Kingia and Tandara. Residents watched a documentary about Lunar New Year, a simple lion dance was performed by staff and residents together, we tasted many Chinese snacks and foods, and
staff learnt Yangko – a traditional Chinese folk dance. Special thanks to Janice for her contributions to the event and sharing her lovely lions to us all.
The following week a Chinese dance group performed a one hour show of traditional dances, costumes, songs and shared cultural information. These gave Kingia and Tandara residents a better idea about Chinese culture. Our residents said it was very interesting and entertaining and that the dancer's costumes were so attractive. Many residents also loved taking photos with them.
KINGIA FAMILY
SwanCare Kingia’s summer days in January were spent indulging in lots of delicious fruit treats, like having fruit cubes, fruit kebabs, fresh fruit juice and fruit merengue! Like Tandara, the program is fruity in January and icy in February.
Once a month until March, residents can have ice cream served in every room together with sprinkles and their choice of strawberry or chocolate syrup. During February, they had different flavours of ice slushies and summer drinks, with a light up juice fountain at the centre. Some of them were really excited, especially when they got to operate the juicer or ice blender, when they had a cup of juice from the fountain, and even when they got to cut up fruits and serve them to their friends. Many thanks to Alicia Peng, our Food Services Dietitian, for sponsoring us and providing the Summer Hydration Program.
SwanCare Kingia, Tandara and Ningana have also started the Lenten season by observing Ash Wednesday in advance through marking the forehead with the help of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters. The Sisters come every Tuesday for room visits and monthly Catholic mass. Our monthly non-denominational church service with pastor Mark Illingworth fills up our Swan Room as well, with hymns played by Stephen Best, a resident’s brother.
NINGANA FAMILY
We have been truly fortunate with the lovely weather in the last few weeks. Our residents did not miss the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and outdoor events such as concerts, Cycling Without Age and walking clubs. Residents were also offered refreshing drinks and icy poles to encourage them to maintain hydration during the summer season. In line with this, we had a “Fresh Fruit” day, where our residents enjoyed delicious and refreshing fruit juices. We had a nice variety starting with orange, pineapple, watermelon, and a hint of mint and ginger. Our residents really enjoyed the juices, and most had more than one serve!
All aboard! Our residents were taken on an adventure to Argentina during our Armchair Travel session. They enjoyed learning about the history of the country, touristic places, traditions and even had the chance to try ‘yerba mate,’ the traditional Argentinian infused tea and delicious chimichurri sauce. Our residents were delighted and thoroughly enjoyed the session.
TANDARA FAMILY
For people living in our residential aged care centres, Valentine’s Day can be a reminder of the importance of companionship and support. We would like to share the story of two couples who have been together for many years and are now living together at SwanCare Tandara.
Bill and Zeny B. have been married for over 30 years. The couple spends most of their days inside their shared room. Zeny will sometimes join in the activities but does prefer to spend more of her time with Bill. They love it when they go down to the garden and watch the water fountain together.
Eric and Heather C. are another beautiful couple we have with us at Tandara. Heather moved here in 2016 and since then, she has been actively participating in daily social engagement activities. Eric has recently been admitted to Tandara as well. Even though their rooms are not on the same floor, Eric visits her almost every day. Eric also loves to tend to the garden and makes his own plans as to how he would like to spend his day. They both love to join in for happy hours and sing along sessions.
WAMINDA FAMILY
It was a very sombre day at SwanCare Waminda as staff and residents gathered at a memorial service for people no longer with us. Included in this service was a special tribute to a longtime volunteer and resident, Rita Stemmerik. Rita’s family and friends joined us as everyone remembered how much Rita helped us at SwanCare, and of course the little shop she ran that the residents and staff all loved to visit. Rita not only won awards for her dedication to volunteering but she has also claimed a spot in all our hearts. She, and all the residents who are no longer with us, will always be remembered.
MESSAGE OF THE MONTH
Dietitian’s Corner
Autumn has arrived and colder days are on its way, and there are a few things to keep in mind as we care for ourselves in preparation for the cold, wintery season.
Tip 1: Enhance our immune system
By?
Having Zinc, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Iron, and Vitamin C daily.
Where are they?
In red meat, milk, grains, lentils, nuts, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
Tip 2: Getting enough sleep
Why?
Lack of sleep can lead to less muscle mass and more fat around our waist. Muscle is crucial to prevent falls.
How?
By having 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day.
How can I get them? They can be found on our menu. Have you tried our braised beef or lentil bean paneer curry yet?
Unsure of your requirements? Have a chat with your GP or our clinical dietitian. They can tell you more about them.
Food tips for good bedtime: Good fiber intake helps to improve sleep duration. Adequate protein is linked with better sleep duration and quality.
Where are they?
Fiber is hidden in grains, vegetables and fruits. Protein is in our meats, beans, nuts and seeds.
SwanCare would like to welcome the following people:
Ningana:
Sylvia K.
Patrick G.
Shizuko I.
Gregory W.
David S.
Gerarda B.
Jack M.
Ann J.
Murat O. Del C. Brian C.
Carmela D.
Cornelis B.
Kingia: Martin C. Janet T. Jean W.
Tandara: Joyce E. Carl C.
Waminda: Barbara S. Ken R-S.
IT'S A CELEBRATION!
Birthdays & Milestones
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY K. & CLIFF B. WHO WILL BE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAY MILESTONES THIS MONTH!
Much love from the SwanCare Team.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 16th Timothy B. 16th Gwen H. 21st Leonard W. MARCH BIRTHDAYS 2nd William S. 2nd Mary K. 6th Jean W. 12th David H. 12th Wendy J. 14th Frank L. 17th David O. 22nd Audrey B 24th Wayne L. 25th Johanna M. 30th Rosemary R. FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 3rd Gloria F. 4th Joan M. 7th Gwen L. 22nd Wyn T. 24th Margaret S. 27th Muriel C. MARCH BIRTHDAYS 2nd Leslie W. 5th Carolyn P. 15th Joan E. 21st Renate K. 26th Babs L. 27th Una L. FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 4th Ian M. 6th Nancy S. 8th Shirley W. 11th Kasik Ng 11th Richard T. 13th John M. 17th Delores C. 19th John K. 22nd Cornelis B. MARCH BIRTHDAYS 5th Sigurd C. 5th Greta L. 11th Madge O. 14th Colin P. 19th Marlene B. 20th Wendy H. 22nd Arnolda B. 24th Michael H. 29th Raewynne H. 30th Arthur B.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 1st Bernard B. 2nd Peter T. 21st Hellen F. 22nd Elsie V. 24th Yuan L. MARCH BIRTHDAYS 4th David H. 5th Glenn J. 13th Cliff B. 27th Maureen C.
W rd Search LUNAR NEW YEAR
Winter Solstice Horse Dumplings Festival
Luck Boar Dragon Lanterns
Lunar Red Astrology Tiger
Firecracker Zodiac Rooster Snake
Parade Rat Rabbit Monkey
Y M O N K E Y E C H H B P R P M E D U M P L I N G S X W T L L Q A F R Z S N A K E F A R E D K E X A O Y U G C I J V W K G S B J B D R D O R P Z C I U T Y Q K B I J V E K U T L E I O V F O I A N C L U N A R V K Q I A L T C R V P U X L A N T E R N S Y A A S T R O L O G Y R A T B C R K U Q P P A R A D E H D K W I N T E R S O L S T I C E H F V M E H O R S E W M Z R R O O S T E R D R A G O N U
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 Dietician
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
25th April
ANZAC DAY
Lest we forget
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.
