THE CHATTERBOX VOL 2; ISSUE 4 3

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AVENS Quarterly Newsletter Vol 2. Issue 4

SELFLESSLY SERVING AVENS’ SENIORS There is one characteristic all AVENS’ volunteers have in common: their ability to make Residents smile. Of course, there are many ways to induce a smile: Kelton uses his unique yet stylish dance moves during AVENS’ Oldies Dance; Rona and Linda take a more relaxed approach leading seniors through the soothing motions of Tai Chi; and Karen visits with her tuck cart of goods (and goodies). Other volunteers, like Marg, take the time to sit and talk with Residents over a game of Scrabble. It’s a Long Way to Tipperary and You Are My Sunshine are favorites during Sing-Along with Dawn and Esther. But whatever the activity, the result is always the same: a smile.

Kathryn, a Resident of AVENS, states:

“Volunteers are important because they enhance Residents’ quality of life.”

Kathryn believes volunteers bring a new set of skills to the AVENS’ community. Skills that when shared improve Residents cognitive, physical and socio-emotional well-being.

However, Residents are not the only ones who benefit from volunteering. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, “Those who engage in volunteer activities are less likely to suffer from ill health later in life and may be introduced into a positive reinforcing cycle of good health and future volunteering” (2007, p.7).

An activity that improves one’s own health while enhancing the lives of others is sure to make any one smile!

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies

within us.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Brain Teaser:

Below are 5 well-known six letter words with only their endings. Can you determine the words? 1. _ _ _ amt 2. _ _ _ nue 3. _ _ _ rtz 4. _ _ _ oze 5. _ _ _ mth

I’m Puzzled:

Q1. If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs can a hen lay in three days?

Q2. What is represented by this ‘BrainBat’?

knee

light light

Go Figure:

Did you know 85 % of plant life is found in the ocean?

Did you know the longest recorded flight of a chicken was 13 seconds?

Did you know 11 % of people are left handed?

Answers: Brain Teaser: dreamt, avenue, quartz, snooze, warmth I’m Puzzled: 1. 2 eggs; 2. Neon lights

BRAIN GAIN

As you may know AVENS - A Community for Seniors is raising funds for a much-needed new long-term care,

rehabilitation and palliative care facility. This facility will provide 60 new beds and provide new programming for

our seniors in need. It will also support the repatriation of seniors to a modern and comfortable facility near

friends and family.

One of our annual fundraising campaigns is ‘Easter for AVENS’. This campaign is a request for all workers in the NWT to contribute some of their Easter Friday salary to AVENS in support of the new facility, its furnishings, equipment, programming and services. We are asking all workers in the NWT to make a tax deductible donation equal to 1 to 8 hours of their Good Friday salary to AVENS. Encourage your friends and neighbors. Our Seniors need our community’s help. Simply fill out the Donation Card (online) and drop it off, with your cheque or credit card info, to AVENS or

mail it to AVENS, Suite 1, 5710 - 50th Ave. Yellowknife, NT, X1A 1G1.

For more information contact: John Simpson, AVENS’ Coordinator of Fund Development, at 867-446-1048

jsimpson@genesisgroup.ca.

n celebration of National Volunteer

Week, AVENS would like to acknowledge the hard work of individuals who volunteer their time and talents. Whether it be during one-to-one visits, large group activities or special events, AVENS’, volunteers help to improve Residents’ quality of life. Many of our volunteers engage Residents in one-to-one visits. Judy and Dawn from the Yellowknife Association for Community Living (YACL) spend time painting, doing puzzles and assisting individuals in the Ball and Balance Class. Alisha, a local high school student, paints Judy’s nails plum purple during her Saturday morning volunteer sessions. Other volunteers facilitate large group activities. Bert belts out Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah with evening entertainment: Peter and Gary. Jeanne plays piano as Residents sing along. Lynn and Lynn lead karaoke, Brad plays the soft pipes and Laurie and Friends surprise Residents with something new each week! But what is song without dance? Anna and the Dancers and The Country Scottish Dancers give Residents the opportunity to jive!

Some individuals like Marg and Helen assist with special events like the annual Thanksgiving Dinner, Silent Auction and Aboriginal Ice Fishing on Great Slave Lake.

As one can see, AVENS has a range of dedicated and passionate volunteers who help to improve the health and well-being of AVENS’ Residents.

For this, AVENS’ staff and Residents are forever grateful!

VOLUNTEER GROUPS

Elks & Rotary Clubs BINGO! The Elks and Rotary Clubs of

Yellowknife come each Tuesday (of every

second month) to call BINGO for Residents.

The committed volunteers socialize with

Residents and provide the winners with tasty

prizes.

Elders & Babies Elders & Babies volunteers: Genevieve and

daughter, Gracie (Gracie has volunteered at

AVENS since she was a newborn. She is now 5

years old); Jennifer and son, Jack; and Christie

and son, James, visit Residents who enjoy

watching the toddlers play and laugh.

Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus provide dedicated

volunteers to engage Residents in shuffleboard

on Monday evenings. Volunteers Ivan and his

wife, Anne cheer on the Residents as they play

a game of skill!

Dog Therapy Saint John’s Ambulance Dog Therapy

volunteers bring their beautiful furry friends to

visit with Residents every Monday and Friday

evening. Residents have the opportunity to pet

and play with dogs of all shapes and sizes, ages

and breeds!

VIVACIOUS VOLUNTEERS

Dawn performing at Sing-Along

Judy and Dawn from YACL participate in Karen’s Drop-in Art Class

Elk’s BINGO Volunteers

Anka gives foot massages while Oscar plays soothing music

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Volunteer and Recreation Supervisor at 920-2443 ext. 103

or vrs@avensseniors.com.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

MAY BIRTHDAYS

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

Marion Lai King Jean Baptiste

Bill Leon

Anna Lew

Yvonne Peggy

Mabel Judy

Sylvia Elsie

Eric M. Renata

Betty Ernestine

Introducing AVENS’ Staff

Why should I be worried about antimicrobial resistance?

Join us for our Monthly Birthday Celebration on the last Thursday of each month at 2:30

in the Multipurpose Room.

MEET TONY, AVENS’ very own Snow Melter.

Figure 1 Actual Figure 2 Portrait

Tony’s most memorable moment was when he went to his interview with no shoes on.

If Tony won the lottery he would “buy a ticket on Santa’s sail boat (invented and built by Tony) and sail around the world at Christmas”.

Tony’s favorite:

game is pool candy is gum

TV show is Get Smart food is cake

animal is the cat

Definition – Antimicrobial resistance means that certain microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses and some parasites) have developed a resistance to the standard treatments that were successful in treating them in the past. Standard treatments loose effectiveness which means infections last longer and there is an increased chance of spreading to others.

How does this happen? This problem has occurred due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Some countries sell antibiotics over the counter and without a prescription which leads to increased use and the creation of resistant strains, (MRSA, ESBL and VRE are some examples). Also contributing to this problem is the practice of adding antibiotics to livestock feed, not completely finishing the antibiotics prescribed to treat an infection and not testing to ensure the antibiotic being used is effective in treating the bugs causing the infection.

Why should I be worried about this? Without doing anything, it is predicted that more of these antibiotic resistant bacteria will develop. Antibiotic resistant bacteria will continue developing resistance to stronger antibiotics until the bacteria can no longer be destroyed.

What can I do differently? The term ‘Antimicrobial Stewardship’ is being used to describe a course of action designed to stop or at least slow down the development of antibiotic resistant organisms and conserve the antibiotics we currently have.

The Centers for Disease Control recommend the following things you can do to help! 1. Do not take antibiotics for a viral infection

like a cold or the flu.

2. Take an antibiotic exactly as the healthcare

provider tells you. Do not skip doses.

3. Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone

else. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct

treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.

And remember, NOT ALL BUGS NEED DRUGS!

And remember, NOT ALL BUGS NEED DRUGS!

And remember, NOT ALL BUGS NEED DRUGS!