The first half of this year has almost gone with what feels like the speed of light!

We had a fabulous Festive Season, lots of parties, visitors, good food and heaps of fun! Thanks to the many family, friends and visitors who helped make the time so much fun.

It was with disbelief seeing the devastation that occurred in Christchurch during the February 22nd Earthquake. One of the major issues for Irwell along with all other Aged Care Facilities in Wellington was assisting to look after the many Elderly Evacuees from Christchurch who required urgent admission to other facilities due to the damage suffered to their Christchurch facility. It was a situation never before experienced but one which we all coped with well (especially the Evacuees).

One month after the devastating Earthquake a 'mufti day' was held. Staff and Residents were encouraged to wear red and black clothing along with red and Black ribbons, some Staff went all out and had red and black face art-work painted on them Each Staff member and Residents who wished to gave a donation towards the Earthquake appeal.

A total of $1,000 was raised, after a lot of thought the money was donated to Addington Primary School. The Children decided to hold a Community Breakfast and invited the Emergency Services along who helped them on the day of the Earthquake. The Children sent us Photos and Cards of the day.

The Children wrote they will use money left over from the Breakfast to purchase games they can play on wet days. The Residents were really excited at getting the Photos and Cards, they were very pleased to see the money donated giving some joy to the Children.

While watching all the footage of the Earthquake it quickly became apparent the Civil Defense recommendation of having 3 days supplies in house-hold survival pack was not nearly enough it appeared 10 – 14 days was a more realistic requirement. With this in mind Irwell decided to increase their emergency disaster equipment/supplies/water to this level. We hope we never have to use the contents though but comforting to know it is there just in case we have to.

Trust you are all well?

We had a very busy Summer this year with planting a cottage garden which looked fabulous and colourful.

Our sight-seeing trips around the bays complete with ice-cream stops along the way were enjoyed by everyone (we were doing this several times a week making use of the fine days).

The warm and sunny weather lasting long into Autumn was a bonus BUT the onset of winter has been a bit abrupt to say the least (while the newsletter is being written the radio has just announced it is SNOWING in Karori!) brrrrrr

The menus have been updated slightly to take into account the change in temperature. Our home cooked meals with plenty of choices bring many positive comments from Residents and their Family members so we don't want to make any drastic changes. Our Cooks Susan and Rowan bake really yummy stuff for Afternoon Tea (you should see their Muffins and Scones WOW!).

Rebecca and Brendan are our Activity Officer's. They develop an interesting programme with the help of the Residents, this ensures what they plan is what the Residents want! Some of the favourite things are

Bingo

Exercises

Crosswords and Word-find Quizz

In-door Bowls

In-door Golf

Happy Hour is pretty popular as well

Five of our Staff recently graduated with their qualification National Certificate in Elderly Care. We celebrated this with a lavish afternoon tea followed by the presentation of Badges and Certificates.

In early July we are going to have another mid winter party with a United Nations theme Idol concert so planning is already underway with that.

Take care and KEEP WARM!

- Residents and Staff

Boy o Boy wasn't it a decent winter? Talk about Southerly Storms they just seemed to go on and on for ever.

Our view from the Seaview Lounge as you know looks out over Cook Strait, this view proved a great source of entertainment during the Southerly Storms watching the poor inter-island ferries attempting to cross the strait in 3mtr swells, we even saw one ferry having to turn back due to the large swell, we later found out the swells were over 7mtrs that day.

We have fortunately escaped any influenza this year (so far and I'm writing this with fingers crossed). The advertisements run by the Ministry of Health on Influenza advising the public the way it is spread has certainly assisted with stopping any influenza coming into the building as well our 'entertaining' posters at the entrance way.

Our Irwell Idol competition went well as did our Mid-winter Christmas, both Residents and Staff joined in with some wonderful skits, judging them was extremely difficult, a lot of effort had been put in, practicing, costumes etc. But there had to be a winner and that was Margaret who sung a 'rendition' of “How much is that Doggy in the Window” accompanied by the Dog called “Kev”.

We also had Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, Flo-jo the poet, 'Bountiful Beryl', The Irwell Bell ringers quartet, Momma-Mia Teresa, plus so many more who were “Absolutely Fabulous”!!!

There are some really great photos of the day which you really need to come and look at.

Our knitting group are going really well with lovely bits and bobs being knitted. If you have any wool you no longer need we are only too willing to take it off your hands although for the Neo-nates it needs to be 100% wool (no acrylic allowed).

Take care until next time

Regards

Residents, Staff and Management

As you are all aware of the H1N1 Influenza Virus is particularly contageous, as is the seasonal influenza, common cold, stomach bugs. Please remember not to visit if you are unwell, it is also important to remember not to visit if you have been in close contact with someone who has been unwell in the past 48 hours. It not only the Residents we need to protect but the Staff as well, if Staff become unwell then staffing levels become significantly stretched.

Thank you for remembering to sanitize your hands when entering the Rest Home, remember to do the same when leaving.

If you do become unwell particularly with influenza within 6 days of visiting please let us know.

To lift our Spirits we are holding an “Irwell Idol” concert with a Midwinter Christmas theme. This will be held on the 31st July with a 2pm start. We would love you to come and enjoy the fun. We of course expect you to participate as well (although we won't force you to do so).

The concert will involve both Residents and Staff and will be followed with an afternoon tea.

The Residents are beginning to knit some items for the neo nats at Wellington Maternity Hospital Special Care Unit. The items need to be in 100% pure wool, it you have any balls or even ½ balls you no longer need the Residents would be grateful for them.

We hope you will be able to come to our concert.

Regards from us all

Hello to you

Hope you enjoyed our reasonable Summer with plenty of sun-bathing, B.B.Q's and holiday memories to keep you going through winter, which I feel could be a long and cold one.

We have a new and very exciting Activity Programme up and running which the Residents are enjoying. Visits from the SPCA, local Music Artists, lots of Crafts, Celebrating different Nationalities of the World (Irwell has Residents from 11 different Countries and 8 Staff from different Countries) definitely making us a 'Mini United Nations'. Later in the Month we are going to have all staff dress in their National Costumes which I'm sure will be a colourful experience for us. (Keep an eye on the Activity Programme, remember you are always welcome to join in).We hope you are enjoying looking at the photos on the walls in the corridors, the Residents look really great, we will continue to display photos when special events are held. Copies of the photos can be arranged, just write down your name and photos wanted and give to one of the staff.

Our goal for this year is for Care Staff to complete their National Certificate in care of the Older Person (those staff who have not already done so). Staff are very keen to achieve this qualification and are putting a lot of time and effort into their studies but the benefit to us all will be worth it. Once they have finished their studies there will be a Graduation ceremony in the Wellington Town Hall where Certificates and Badges will be handed out by Wellington Mayor.

We have two issues of concern that needs to be brought to your attention:

Security:

The main doors are locked at 5.30pm and door 'alarmed' this is for the safety and security of Residents and Staff. Despite notices on the doors asking Visitors to get a Staff member to lock the door after them this is not happening or Visitors are letting the Residents lock the doors after they go! This is really not safe. When you are ready to leave ring the bell on the front counter and wait for a staff member to come – thanks

Infection Control:

Once again it is the 'flu' season with plenty of coughs, colds, tummy upsets 'doing the rounds' we ask you to stay away from the Rest Home if you are unwell or you have been near someone who has been unwell in the past 48 hours. In the entry foyer there is a stand with hand-gel on, you need to use this before entering the Home and when leaving, good hand hygiene reduces the spread of infection.

Surveys:

We need to continue to provide a good level of care to your relative and to ensure this happens we need feedback from families/friends. For this reason attached to this newsletter is a Satisfaction Survey. We hope you can take the time to fill this in and either return via post, fax or put into the basket on the reception counter.

It is very good for us to receive feedback on our service.

Thank you, take care, stay warm and safe –

kind regards from Staff and Management

Hello how are you

I'm sure you are feeling wind-blown like we all are with October being one of the windiest we have had for many years. One good thing about the wind it sure does blow the old winter cob-webs away!

We were fortunate to be kept busy with our daily Activities and keep Nice and Warm with the sun streaming in on sunny Days so we didn't notice the bad weather too much.

During September we begun having weekly art classes using water colours as the primary media. Work being produced at these classes is just fantastic! We have it displayed around the corridors so everyone can see the work being achieved by Residents who thought they could not paint at all.

Also in September we had a Spring Festival. The Seaview Lounge was decorated to resemble a spring garden, flowers, butterflies, bumblebees etc. There were a lot of games, music, quizzes and to end up with, a delicious Devonshire Tea plus other 'delightful delectables ' to eat.

We celebrated Melbourne Cup day with a Fashion Parade, horse games and related quizzes then watched the race while sipping on a wine and having some nibbles. It didn't really matter who won, the atmosphere was enough for us to enjoy.

As mentioned in the previous Newsletter several of our Staff were doing training for their National Certificate in Care of the Older person – well they have all completed their studies and passed with 'flying colours' and are eagerly awaiting the graduation ceremony in the Town Hall. There is another group who begun their certificate in August, they are being encouraged and given support by the first group who have just graduated.

We are getting prepared for Christmas, which is fast approaching, decorations being organised, Christmas lights being checked and bulbs replaced – GREAT FUN.

Just to remind you we do provide Respite Care, Convalescing Care and Long-term care. You will need to book soon if you need Respite Care over the Christmas and New Year season.

Take care, keep safe and happy.

Kindest regards

Residents, Staff, Heather and John

Irwell Rest Home

Caring for the Elderly in a Family Environment

Hello how are you all?

The summer that we waited so patiently for has been and gone, but it was one that was worth waiting for wasn't

During the lovely weather we were able to get the gardens re-planted with native plants – 530 of them to be precise!!!! It has certainly been worth the effort, they are now starting to grow and looking really good with all the different coloured foliage and different textures and leaf shapes.

I was not impressed with Spike though, he decided to help with the gardening by digging a 'few holes'. Unfortunately it was where I had already planted some desert grasses, it was very hard telling him off because he looked so pleased with himself!

We celebrated Easter with our Easter Bonnet parade, most of the residents and staff got involved, there were some really amazing creations. This was followed by Mothers Day celebrations, with many bouquets of flowers being delivered.

Mikes been busy with the craft group once again, producing lovely paintings, doing knitting, crochet, needle work. The residents who participate look forward to this activity. The gardening group has got the raised gardens well stocked with a multitude of flowers/plants, the courtyard is looking 'blooming' lovely.

There is becoming intense rivalry with indoor bowls between Irwell and visiting teams from the Chelsea and Marsden Day Care Groups. Mike and the 'supporters' from the other team really get into the competitive spirit while these games are on. The games finish, the winning team gets congratulated, everyone becomes friends again and finish the afternoon off with a splendid afternoon tea of the homemade cakes from Eva and Susan (our Cooks).

We have several of our care staff who began their National Certificate in Care of the Older Person late last year. They are getting on well with their studies, we hope to have another group started in the next month. This is a NZAQ course, recognised throughout New Zealand. The staff who are currently going through the course are finding the knowledge they are getting is very beneficial to them.

Its lovely seeing the residents family members and it good being able to spend time having a chat, we appreciate all the feedback you give, a special thanks to those of you who assisted the Certification Auditors recently.

Please remember to book your Respite Care as soon as you can to ensure a place for your relative.

Take care now and remember to add that extra blanket to your bed !!

Kindest regards

Residents, Staff, Heather and John

Caring for the Elderly in a Family Environment