October 2014 Happy Spring We are so enjoying our remodelled facility. If you haven’t come to visit us at Amberlea please drop by and we would be happy to give you a tour. The views of Kawau Bay and The Mahurangi Peninsula are exceptional. While you are here please pop in and say hello to our new manager Julia is a New Zealand Registered Nurse, trained at Auckland Hospital and worked in the U.S.A. for 32 years after meeting her husband on her O.E. Julia was Assistant Director of Nursing for one of L.A & Ventura counties foremost Hospice/Palliative Care Companies which aided millions of people. She is passionate about healthcare bringing almost 40 years of nursing experience with Diplomas in Aromatherapy, Flower Essences, Massage Therapy, Reiki, and Yoga. Julia returned to N.Z. to be close to her aging parents and extended family. She started working at Amberlea in October 2013 as a casual R.N, then as Clinical Co-Ordinator before taking on the role of Unit Manager. Julia has four children, two living in U.S.A. and two in New Zealand. You may see Maya, her youngest daughter, helping out with afternoon teas which she loves doing. Thank you to Jenny who has been holding it all together through these big transitions. What an exceptional receptionist and asset she has been to us all. Health & Safety As part of our health & safety programme we have embraced the national initiative to reduce injuries resulting from falls. Staff, residents, families/whanau and our physio are combining efforts to achieve this goal. We have been purchasing protective garments called “Impactware”, using safety devices and conducting in-service training to raise awareness. Initially we are targeting residents who are most at risk. Quality Initiative Together with Lee & Hart Pharmacy (Warkworth) we are introducing an automated medication dispensing system. Designed to increase accuracy and efficiency during medication rounds this will ultimately reduce the time R.N’s spend dispensing pills and free up time for more quality interaction with our residents. Resident Surveys The customer satisfaction surveys have been sent out over the last month. You should have received your survey by now and we appreciate your participation. Your feedback is a critical component to continuously improving the quality of service CHT provides. Amberlea’s Activities Welcome to our new activity coordinator Reina Jao. Among her many duties Reina will be organising our bus trips which are a central part of our activity programme. Matinees at the Matakana Cinema have been a big hit and the last move ‘The 100ft Journey’ was enjoyed by those who attended. The Twin Set & Pearls 50’s outing at hosted by the Methodist ladies was enjoyed by all and Operatunity in Orewa continues monthly. AMBERLEA NEWSLETTER A phenomenal new programme called ‘Singing for Seniors’ has been introduced by CHT. All residents are learning the lyrics to a wide variety of familiar songs. Our Activities Coordinators lead sing-a-longs which, as well as being fun, have many significant health benefits. Stay tuned to see who comes to our new book club where we meet monthly with the local librarian to share and discuss the books we have read. Books are changed weekly and large print books are available. Garden club led by our resident and activity coordinators will continue with the development of more plant installations in and around the facility. This beatification along with our stunning views is what makes Amberlea so uniquely special as these healing components are essential for well being. We are planning to develop an area to commemorate and celebrate life and our loved ones. This will be a place where people can converse, reminisce and reflect. I am pleased to welcome the following Healthcare Assistants Dee Thomas, Fiona Ellis, Liana Jackson, Arebu Timon, Peta Wenzlick and Alba Valencia. New RN’s, Ajith Joseph, Anish Varghese and Clinicial Coordinator Rita Willcox. Wish List - recycled items in good working condition are gratefully accepted such as flower pots coffee grounds; potting mix; indoor or outdoor plants - either bulbs, edible herbs or non-poisonous flora; placemats (pictorial) with cork backing; old favourite B&W movie DVD’s such as Bogart, Hepburn, Mitchum, Gable, Sinatra, Agatha Christie and westerns and small portable CD players to use for ‘Singing for Seniors’ in residents’ own rooms. Julia Nessim Manager [email protected] AMBERLEA NEWSLETTER