SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2023 ISSUE 21
HELLO FRIENDS
Welcome residents, family, and friends to our September-October 2023 edition of SEN.
It seems to have been a long, cold and wet winter, but this has not deterred the residents and staff at our care centres from enjoying a range of activities.
We have had a lot happening such as our popular activities, Cycling Without Age, bingo, bus trips, food experience sessions, movie afternoons and more.
Christmas in July was celebrated and a ‘Pyjama Day’ was held to raise money for The Pyjama Foundation, supporting children in foster care.
The string quartet from the West Australian Symphony Orchestra visited and performed at all four care centres and put on a great performance. It was very much enjoyed by the residents and staff.
Visits to SwanCare’s Main Production Kitchen have resumed, giving residents and staff an insight into the supply and running of our extensive food services area which caters to all SwanCare residents.
We had lots of practice in the lead up to our Aged Care Games, where we competed at Belmont Recreation Centre this August. We had a great time competing against other care centres from around Perth. With all four of our care centres in attendance meant there was a total of 14 teams. We did not win, but we did not come last either, and Ningana won the trophy for ‘Best Presented Team’ which was very well deserved.
We would like to say a big thank you to all of our volunteers who help us out every month and to the SwanCare Centres Auxiliary committee, who raise funds and donate money to our care centres, enabling us to purchase various items for our residents to make use of and enjoy. You are all an integral part of the SwanCare family for which we are truly grateful. Thank you all so much!
As we all know sunshine is the best medicine, so we look forward to getting out and about in the spring sun.
Until next time, stay safe and take care.
Warm regards,
Ceri Williams
Ceri Williams
GREAT MOMENTS 1
NAIDOC Week
SwanCare Ningana
For NAIDOC week, Ningana arranged an activity called ‘Exploring NAIDOC’ where staff talked to our residents about Aboriginal history, traditions, and music. Our staff also did some storytelling which our residents enjoyed. Overall, it was a very educational and innovative session for them. Then for art and craft our residents did some dot painting as well as scratching, where they enjoyed seeing different shapes of animals take form to then turn them into beautiful Indigenous designs.
SwanCare Waminda
For NAIDOC week at Waminda the staff organised several activities for residents to explore various aspects of Aboriginal culture. Residents participated in creating their own dot paintings using the primary colours. Another activity residents seemed to enjoy was watching the movie ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’. During the intermission, staff served some freshly made damper which appeared to be a hit as many residents spoke about ways they would eat damper when they were younger.
GREAT MOMENTS 2
Aged Care Games
On the 10th of August, SwanCare’s four residential aged care centres attended the Aged Care Games, which we had not attended since prior to the pandemic. The four teams were the Kings of Kingia, Tandara Tigers, Waminda Warriors and the Ningana Knights. The four teams competed against other Perth aged care centres in various games involving teamwork and skill. Ningana took out the award for best dressed with their shields and ‘horse’. Everyone enjoyed themselves and many are eagerly awaiting next year's games already!
KINGIA FAMILY
Our Kingia family celebrated the first birthday of one of our most beloved furry volunteers, Ash. His older sister, Cindy, had previously celebrated her first birthday in Kingia also. Thanks to Jane, Lesley B.’s daughter, for bringing us immense joy with your pets.
On a cold winter’s day, Kingia hosted a coffee club where we invited Kingia and Tandara residents to get to know one another with a simple game of ‘Top 5s’. Then both care centres had their taste buds treated with everyone’s favourite… chocolate! – for World Chocolate Day.
In August Kingia and Tandara had a tour in SwanCare’s Main Production Kitchen and were completely amazed at how this kitchen manages to serve more than 500 people with 5 meals a day!
Finally, we would like to welcome Rev. James from the Anglican church. He started having individual visits and monthly church services back in July for all four care centres. Welcome to SwanCare family Rev. James!
NINGANA FAMILY
Men’s Club
We have started our Men’s group recently and our male residents are enjoying the fun activities we prepare for them, such as beer ping pong, tie your tie competition, racing cars and paper planes! The atmosphere is perfect with suitable background music encouraging residents to come down to our Allied Health Room and start talking to each other and sharing experiences. It is a perfect opportunity for our male residents to interact with one another, and to promote their physical and mental well-being. They all enjoy this activity and look forward to attending next month.
Armchair Travels
We took a trip to Bali, Indonesia, and Canada! We explored these beautiful countries and visited their main landmarks and tourist destinations. We also talked about their traditions, cultures, and tried a bit of their lovely food. Our Armchair Travel sessions have become one of our favourite activities as our residents enjoy learning about diverse cultures and travelling around the world from the comfort of their chair. We are excited to show you where we will be travelling next!
Art & craft session
Our residents enjoyed creating resources for the Live lighter Aged Care Games which we participated in this August. They made our colourful team banner during the Bunnings workshop and finalised the decorations in our craft sessions with the assistance of our lovely staff. It was meaningful for our residents to be involved in these activities and to support our team, the ‘Ningana Knights!’
TANDARA FAMILY
Bastille Day is special for Tandara resident Margaret B., not only because it is her birthday, but because this year she did not expect to have a surprise celebration for her milestone birthday with her SwanCare family!
In July, our Tandara family made a couple of horses out of pool noodles and had a cowboy themed party. We also had our painting competition with John P.’s wife who is an artist herself.
For National Tree Day, Tandara and Kingia had a plum tree planted in each of our lovely gardens, with the help of our gardener, Tom Saunders, our volunteer village resident, Brian Mutzig, and a little bit of sun and rain.
West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) also provided worldclass entertainment in the comfort of our humble homes. Yes, one concert for each care centre! WASO even gave us a souvenir poster with the musos’ signatures on it.
Lastly, we had an intimate celebration for our adorable Carwardine couple who renewed their vows in celebration of their 55 years of marriage.
WAMINDA FAMILY
Toasties & Hot Chocolate
Wintertime may have been upon us but here at Waminda, but our residents have been staying warm with help from the Social Engagement team. Both toasties and hot chocolate have made their way onto the program recently with each event getting a nice little crowd.
The hot chocolates were served with marshmallows and were clearly a big hit with many residents cheekily going back for more! Toasties were also thoroughly enjoyed with several fillings on display for the residents to customise their own sandwiches. From classic cheese to gourmet chicken, there were plenty of options for everyone to fill up with.
The rain may be pouring but inside everyone is warm and toasty!
MESSAGE OF THE MONTH
Resident ContributionPerth Western Australia is a lucky city, with an airport that is never ice-bound or covered in snow.
Instead of a typical dreamy winter, Perth experiences colder days with light showers. If you're coming to Perth then come in November, when the jacaranda and the oleander turn the land into a riot of colour and white naval uniforms on visiting sailors’ glow like the midday sun.
Come in November, when the sea breeze is strong and the street lights are orange flares in an indigo sky.
Sap rising in the Liquidambar trees, feeding a million embryo leaves. Days growing longer, nights shorter, Earth warming, birds nesting, and everywhere the sound of spring from Vivaldi's Four Seasons.
Come in November, before the summer that is hot enough to turn French poodles into French fries. Plant a tree and come back next year to see if your tree has thrived. If you were born to do gardening the green leaves will tell you what spring is all about.
Don't cut the flowers, let the bees nudge them. Taste some honey, eat some spring lamb and new potatoes, then go out and dig the Earth; man finds fulfilment when he has a shovel in his hands.
By Eric C.SwanCare would like to welcome the following people:
Ningana:
Florence G.
John T.
Carlo C.
Craig W.
Christine B.
Robin W.
David C.
Helen H.
Juliet B.
Jeffery G.
Kingia:
Gerald T.
Susan P.
Andrew E.
Tandara:
Mary G.
Karolina L.
Alex “Peter” W.
David S.
Waminda:
Cecily M.
IT'S A CELEBRATION!
Birthdays & Milestones
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO WILMER P., PETRINA C., ERIC C., KAYE T., RONALD C., PATRICK A. & MICHAEL C. WHO WILL BE CELEBRATING THEIR UPCOMING BIRTHDAY MILESTONES!
Much love from the SwanCare Team.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 4th Joan R. 8th Alan A. 10th Rita T. 17th Evelyn C. 26th Hazel C. 28th Donald R. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 5th Betty F. 14th Vanda S. 16th Susan P. 17th Frederick V. 21st Francis B. 22nd John M. 23rd Janet T. 25th Andrew S. 29th Joy C. AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 2nd Lynne S. 6th Colin F. 7th Eileen M. 8th Betty B. 10th Marion M. 13th Celine K. 18th Kaye T. 22nd Lynette C. 26th Betty G. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 9th Cecily M. 9th Ethel W. 11th Thomas T. 12th Thelma H. 16th Ronald C. 16th Patrick A. 20th Barbara F. 23rd Michael C. 27th Iris G. AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 3rd Wilmer P. 4th Simon T. 9th Craig W. 17th Petrina C. 23rd Wendy Z. 26th Florence G. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1st Willy N. 1st Shizuko I. 3rd Margaret W. 5th Margaret B. 14th Deborah R. 17th Nell B. 18th Geraldo H. 20th Sylvia K. 24th Helen B. 25th Pamela C. 26th Janet L.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 10th Olive C. 23rd Giuseppe B. 23rd Jennifer S. 25th Chin “Peter” L. 25th Martin C. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 11th Patricia T. 17th Eric C.
W rd Search POSITIVE WORDS
H U M B L E G E N E R O U S C E C H A R M I N G M Y P F H C O U R A G E O U S X C R E C R E A T I V E C Z R H I E F O X M E M G E N U I N E R U W N U T B R A V E M E N F N L V S J X G M C R V H D U M O P T I M I S T I C E L L M H W S U D I F T K Q L Y E I X S O P D E I T I M P L H O P E F U L S R Q N W F O V Q W I S E O U C A D F U Y Q N U H A P P Y P D T Q L A G R A C I O U S P B A E H L Positive Creative Humble Happy Brave Kind Wise Fun Loyal Cheerful Charming Considerate Courageous Generous Optimistic Friendly Gracious Genuine Hopeful Helpful
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
Food Services Dietitian
SwanCare Kingia & Tandara Managers
SwanCare Ningana Managers
SwanCare Waminda Managers
Julie Atkinson
Leanne LeBrun
Duska Bodegrajac
Alicia Peng
Jovy Tesani
Farhath Jameel
Sharleen Mann
Arnel Braulio
Pauline Bremner
Bindhya Baby Theres
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.
3rd September 30th September 31st October