DECEMBER 2016 IBIS Care Blakehurst Newsletter
WWW.IBISCARE.COM.AU
December 2016
A message from ESM Bianca Ivancic… December is finally upon us. The year passed quickly, but, provided plenty of enjoyment whilst it was here. We have shared many wonderful moments here at Blakehurst Aged Care, with quality time spent amongst friends - some old and some new. We have learnt new crafts, discovered new locations and witnessed the changes happening within the world that surrounds us. I think it is safe to say that 2016 will not be forgotten quickly. This month, you will see the Christmas trees go up and our facility fill with the cheer and joy that the festive season never fails to provide. You will be gifted with the presence of family as they find more time to pop in and say hello. Some of you may have been blessed with a new grandson or granddaughter in 2016 and will no doubt look forward to experiencing the excitement a first Christmas provides. Gifts will be exchanged and smiles will beam in abundance, Christmas truly is a time to reflect and embrace every fortunate thing life has provided to you. Blakehurst Aged Care will be sure to deliver a very momentous end of year celebration. [CONT’D ON P2]
“I would like to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. I thank you for letting me be a part of your life this year and I look forward to providing more fun and games next year.” - Lisa Pye
Lifestyle Coordinator.
In This Issue What’s NEWS at IBIS Care Blakehurst. What’s On December! Nonstop November! Resident of the
Month. Events Calendar. And much more…. The start of November had us off and racing...
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Inside
THIS ISSUE… 02. “Welcome to the December issue of the Blakehurst Aged Care Newsletter.” - A Christmas message from the ESM Bianca Ivancic. 03. It was a nonstop November! Enjoying life at Blakehurst. 04. Resident of the Month. A photo says a thousand words. We take a closer look at a resident’s family album. 06. Get ready for December! Lifestyle Co-ordinator, Lisa , tells us what’s on the activities menu.
08. November was absolutely nonstop and we have the photos to remember it. 09. A garden refresh. 10. Read, relax and have a laugh with our joke of the month and happenings of history. 11. Word Search. Celebrating the New Year in all of its wonder. If you need inspiration for your 2017 goals list, this month’s word search should easily assist.
As I sit down with my family this year to indulge in a Christmastide feast, I will no doubt think of my extended family here at Blakehurst Aged Care. I have word that the kitchen and lifestyle team have something quite special prepared for you and I know you will appreciate the effort that goes into delivering a celebration to such a large community. I am often overwhelmed with the kindness I see, delivered daily, by our staff. I wish every single Blakehurst Aged Care staff member, associate and resident, a safe and happy Christmas. I look forward to embracing the excitement and freshness a new year provides, when we face the beginning of 2017 together.
Christmas is forever, not for just one day, For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away Like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others Is good you do yourself… [Norman Wesley Brooks]
Merry Christmas. God Bless, Bianca Ivancic ESM
Don’t forget to keep your handy activities calendar of events, located on the back page of this newsletter. We value your feedback. Please forward your suggestions, compliments or complaints via the feedback forms located at the Resident Information Centres located within the facility. Alternatively, feedback can be emailed to:
[email protected]
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The IBIS Care Blakehurst Lifestyle … November
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olden Carers. An exciting activity will find its way onto our schedule shortly, inspired by the Golden Carers organisation. Jen - the lead lifestyle officer of this project - will introduce the Postcard Exchange Program. Jen feels this is a great opportunity for residents to connect with others - at a similar stage in life - all over the world. The activity will involve exchanging messages via postcard, letter or photograph, with other members across the globe.
Early in November we celebrated the Melbourne Cup. Residents took to the courtyard runway to showcase their best Melbourne Cup attire – some wore classic race day hats, while others opted for a more eccentric display of hand crafted head wear. Josephine was crowned ‘Best Dressed’ on the day and happily received her prize. The choice to co-ordinate her entire ensemble stole the show and secured the judge’s unanimous decision. At 2:30 residents gathered to enjoy cocktails, before the race commenced on the big screen, with Colin taking out a BIG win.
Things got ‘nautical’ in November… So how many things can you make blue … that are edible? Apparently quite a few! Residents enjoyed crafting décor and treats for the Nautical November Happy Hour on the 25th of November. From cakes and biscuits baring blue icing, brown sugar inspired sand and cocktail glasses foaming blue, this was definitely a theme event we all dove into. With bursting blue smiles all around, the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our favourite quote for the day was from Edwinea, “Am I in Fiji enjoying a blue lagoon?”.
Happy Birthday December! Allen Colless Joyce Lippiatt Fay Vale Jessie Sidoti Colin Cameron Beryl Hillier Margarete Busseler Edna Hope Patricia Coroneos Rose Millard
December December December December December December December December December December
6th 6th 8th 9th 17th 18th 21st 23rd 24th 24th
This month’s Birthday party will be held on the 14th of December. Entertainment by Ian Blakeney.
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IBIS Care Blakehurst - Resident of the Month.
This month we have opened the pages of Patricia Seaborn’s photo album. Pictured above is [2006] Patricia taking a leisurely walk, stopping only to pose alongside the iconic coat hanger, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. To the right captures [1948] Patricia and her husband standing in front of their first home in Waitara. Patricia is holding her first born child, Roger. [Inset 1942] Below is a picture of [1958] Patricia’s father, Jack, husband, Rolf, and daughter Janet. [Inset 1944] Janet and Rolf were married in Sydney. This is a picture taken on that day. Photos kindly supplied by Roger Seaborn.
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IBIS Care Blakehurst Lifestyle ... What’s On! On the 4th of December we will be welcoming the local Girl Guides to Blakehurst Aged Care. The group will be providing a Christmas inspired concert and a small gift for our residents. In addition, Saint Raphael’s Primary School will also be entertaining us on the 8th of December at 1:30.
Teaching young children the importance and value in providing support to the elderly, encourages a sense of caring and responsibility within a community. These visits also create awareness and help remove any preconceived views students may have. We are incredibly grateful to all schools within the community that have taken the time to pop in and say hello.
Religious Services. A friendly reminder that we have religious services provided by the following. Anglican Church 2nd Wednesday of every month Orthodox On Availability Rosary Group 2nd Tuesday of every month Hear Gods Word Last Sunday of the month. Rays of Son Light Monthly Catholic Mass Every 3 Months If you would like more details on these services please contact Lifestyle Co-ordinator Lisa Pye. ALL are welcome to attend.
The Christmas lights tradition goes back a long way. Once started as a simple candle light in the window of a house or placed around the Christmas tree, soon turned into the magical display found on the fascia of many houses today. The custom goes back to the use of candles to decorate the Christmas tree in Christian homes in modern Germany. Traditionally erected on the first day of the advent calendar, the decorating of houses in ‘fairy lights’ has become a significant part of the annual celebration. As we well know, our local community has produced some very spectacular Christmas displays in the past. We will be taking an up close look at the Christmastide streets on the 19th and 20th of this month. Don’t forget to reserve your seat on the bus. Tis the season to party! Traditionally, the Christmas season is a time of overindulgence, with too many scrumptious things to eat and a sense of whimsy in the air. It is the season to connect with old friends and reflect upon a year that passed too quickly. Most of all, however, it is a time to enjoy! We have two very important party invitations with your name scribed upon them. The Christmas Party, held on the 21st, will offer an incredible lunch of roast ham, turkey, corn, pumpkin and potatoes - all the drippings. Topped off with a dessert of pudding with brandied custard, the party will have you slumped happily in your chair, whilst Alfredo and his accordion provide a good old fashioned Christmas performance. The New Years Eve Party is also an event not to be missed. With pre-movie cocktails and a perfectly picked flick to see in the new year, hanging out in a luxury event with close friends is a grand way to welcome 2017.
Are you coming to the Resident and Relative meeting? Do you have feedback, suggestions or a complaint? Attending the monthly Residents and Relative meeting provides a great opportunity to have your say. All are encouraged to attend.
December 6th 2:30pm We hope to see you there. IBIS Care Blakehurst .05
IBIS Care Blakehurst Welcome to Activities Central... Welcome to the very last Newsletter for this year. And hasn’t it been a busy and eventful one! We enjoyed so many wonderful times this year and, as always, it is hard to choose a highlight, but, if I was to choose, I would say the highlight of the year would have to be taking part in organising and putting together our annual Fete. Putting the fete together is quite a huge task and I could not of pulled it off without the help of our dedicated ESM Bianca, Care Manager Annika, Care Coordinator Lester, Corp Services Officer Allan, Flora and all staff who volunteered their precious time. I would also like to extend my thanks and gratitude to my team of ladies in Lifestyle, again I could not achieve what I have achieved this year, without your backing and support. Your assistance with implementing new ideas and activities i.e. Men’s Den, Sensory Group, Bible Study and many other creative ideas, is always appreciated. And, of course Sam, our Newsletter creator, wow!! In the short few months that we have worked together it is like a breath of fresh air to work beside someone that shares my ideas and is equally passionate about creating an environment for our wonderful residents that they can call home. 2016 has been a year packed with goodness and I have enjoyed it greatly. What’s coming up in December... We are very excited to see Lena Cruz return, after a long work-ation. Lena has been touring with her Theatre co, overseas. I am sure she will be delighted to be entertaining residents down under, once again. The Lifestyle team have a few projects currently under consideration. One of those projects is the use of sensory mats for dementia residents. We are in the process of sourcing the best mats for this activity and have found many options are available. Once we have decided upon the appropriate product, we will advise of the commencement date of this activity. We also have new activities commencing in The Sands area. Please keep an eye on your appropriate activities calendars for the details and start dates of these activities. Men’s Den now has a regular location situated in the Sands lounge area. It will be on my ‘to-do’ list in the new year as to how we can re-vibe this room to reflect this particular activities purpose. Please also remember the end of year Resident and Relatives Meeting on the 6th of this month. This is the last time for 2016 to have your say. Please come along to touch base with how the year has been progressing and how we plan to improve and amend specific requirements in the new year. I hope to see you all there. I would like to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. I thank you for letting me be a part of your life this year and I look forward to providing more fun and games next year. Lisa Pye
Lifestyle Coordinator IBIS Care Blakehurst .06
IBIS Care Blakehurst … Melbourne Cup 2016
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Residents enjoyed quite a few small indulgences this month. Pictured above: the men take a moment in the Men’s Den. Rhonda hosted an excursion to the Danebank Christmas Concert and Lifestyle threw a Nautical November party, literally painting the facility BLUE!
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IBIS Care Blakehurst Iris volunteered to assist in a little garden refresh recently. The garden is open to all residents to tend to.
Some people walk in our lives for just a moment,
But stay in our hearts forever. In Loving Memory Gloria Newell Graham Murphy Harry Colligan Albert Goodwin - From Residents & Staff at IBIS Care Blakehurst. IBIS Care Blakehurst .09
IBIS Care Blakehurst DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?
B
ack in the day - December…
We would love to hear about your life and the things that make you, you. Please let the Lifestyle Co-ordinator or member of the Lifestyle team know, and we will publish your story in the next issue.
1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. Rosa Louise Mc Cauley Parks was an American Civil Rights Activist whom the United States Congress named ‘ the mother of the freedom movement’. On December 1, 1955, she refused to obey a bus drivers order to give up her seat in the coloured section to a white passenger, as the white section was full. She was arrested for civil disobedience.
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each proceeded to buy a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints and were stuck in the thick head. The Englishman pushed his beer from him in disgust. The Scotsman scooped at his beer until he washed the fly out and then continued drinking. The Irishman carefully picked the fly out of his drink, then held it out over the beer and started yelling "SPIT IT OUT YOU! SPIT IT OUT!!”
1859 John Brown was hanged for his part in the raid of Harpers Ferry. Brown was accompanied by 21 men when he attempted to initiate an armed slave revolt by taking over a United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry. He was defeated.
The LAPD, The FBI, and the CIA are all trying to prove that they are the best at apprehending criminals. The President decides to give them a test. He releases a rabbit into a forest and each of them has to catch it.
The CIA goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest. They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigations they conclude that rabbits do not exist. The FBI goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit, and they make no apologies. The rabbit had it coming.
The LAPD goes in. They come out two hours later with a badly beaten bear. The bear is yelling: "Okay! Okay! I'm a rabbit! I'm a rabbit”.
1861 Queen Victoria prohibited exports to the United States. When the United States Navy illegally captured two Confederate diplomats from a British Ship, let’s just say, Britain wasn’t happy. The matter was eventually resolved with the United States giving in to big brother Britain’s demands - the two chaps were promptly sent back home to their Queen. 1966 A treaty was enacted, prohibiting nuclear weapons in space. The Outer Space treaty is a treaty that forms the basis of international space law. Under this law no government can claim any part of outer space as their own. It is to be available for exploration by all and used only for peaceful purposes. Although the placement of weapons of mass destruction is prohibited, conventional weapons are not - I guess that explains why we have so much space junk flying around. 1773 The Boston Tea Party. Sounds innocent enough. A group of men raid a British ship and dump some tea. They called it taxation tyranny and the crime was marked as an act of coercion and closed Boston to merchant shipping. Did you know? December w as originally the tenth month of the year in the Roman calendar. In Latin, ‘decem’ means tenth. It wasn’t until the Romans added January and February to the calendar that it became the twelfth month.
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Ridiculous Riddles... What never gets any wetter no matter how hard it rains? Answer on Page 11.
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With 2017 poking it’s head around a not too distant corner, I thought it only fitting we find some inspiration in all of the wonderful possibilities a new year provides. What are you looking forward to in the new year?
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CELEBRATION CHAMPAGNE COUNTDOWN
FRIENDS OUTINGS MIDNIGHT
HAPPINESS LAUGHTER LOVE
The answer to our riddle on page 10 is: The ocean.
DECEMBER
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IBIS Care Blakehurst … Calendar BUS TRIPS
WEDNESDAY INDEPENDENT & VILLA RESIDENTS
LUNCH
HAIRDRESSING SERVICES TUESDAY’S IN-ROOM SERVICE PARK RESIDENTS THURSDAY’S IN SALON BY APPOINTMENT FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY 1:30-2:30PM ENDEAVOUR ROOM
10 13 23 24
SATURDAY 3.00PM RAYS OF SON LIGHT
TUESDAY 11.00AM ROSARY GROUP FRIDAY CHRISTMAS RAFFLE 2:30PM SATURDAY 11AM HEAR GODS WORD
BARB’S ART CLASS 2ND & 4TH SATURDAY
SHOPPING BUS TRIP
FRIDAY
INDEPENDENT & VILLA RESIDENTS
2 4 6
FRIDAY 2:30PM LENA CRUZ
KNITTING CLUB HELD EVERY 2ND
SATURDAY
MORNING 10:30AM BUS TRIPS
MONDAY MORNING
SUNDAY 10:30AM GIRL GUIDES CONCERT
TUESDAY 2:30 RESIDENT & RELATIVE MEETING
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AFTERNOON
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WEDNESDAY 2:30PM CATHOLIC MASS
CAFÉ RAYURE OPEN EVERY THURSDAY 10:30AM—11.30AM
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WEDNESDAY 10.30AM MONTHLY BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH IAN BLAKENEY & 2:30PM ANGLICAN CHURCH SERVICE
MONDAY AND 20 TUESDAY 7:30PM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BUS OUTING
WEDNESDAY CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH LUNCH. ALFREDO AT 2:30PM FOLLOWED BY A VISIT FROM SANTA!
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SUNDAY 2:30PM NEW YEARS EVE PRE MOVIE COCKTAILS 2:30PM FOLLOWED BY NEW YEARS EVE MOVIE
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