VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT

We are almost at the shortest day of the year, there is snow on the Tararua’s today and we had a good frost this morning so winter is definitely here. I am hoping that many of you will be receiving this newsletter via email. Over the last little while we have been gathering email addresses and we plan to communicate more by email in the future. Anzac day was one of our best to date with fabulous weather that

enticed many of our residents to enjoy the flag ceremony outside. Des Spence did a fantastic job of inspecting the guard of the Tutira sea scouts. After the flag ceremony we enjoyed an excellent Anzac service in the chapel lead by Alan Smith. We finished the afternoon with a cup of tea and an anzac biscuit, of course. At the afternoon tea Alan Smith presented the village with a copy of ―Horowhenua and the Great War 1914 – 1918, compiled by local author Linda Fletcher. This book is a culmination of a research project, begun in 2006, to identify all the casualties named on Horowhenua’s war memorials. It details the lives of 188 men from the district who died in the First World War, telling their stories through letters from the front and newspaper obituaries. This book will be treasured by us and I am sure will be of interest to many of our residents. We have a new advocate for our care residents, Alan Fryer. Alan has kindly offered his time and expertise to do this role. We were sorry to see Val Cameron resign from this position but really appreciate all the great work she did during her time in this position. Alan has chaired the last two care resident’s meetings where he has been very well received. Some of our residents already knew Alan from his time as a Registered Nurse here at the Masonic and he also continues to volunteer assisting some of our residents to get to medical appointments. We look forward to working with Alan in this role. Early last month a group of village residents accompanied by Warick Dunn (CEO) and myself supported John Collyns (Executive Director RVA) when he presented an oral submission to our local council about the changes to the proposed rating system for the Horowhenua region. I would like to thank this group for their interest and support with this matter. The arguments presented in this submission were that the proposed changes in the rating system would increase rates for all village residents but currently retirement village residents cannot claim the Government’s rates rebate for eligible rate payers which means they are disadvantaged financially and the second argument was that villages impose less of a burden on council services and therefore it was asked that a special retirement village rate be implemented to reflect

HOROWHENUA MASONIC VILLAGE JUNE 2015 ISSUE NO 87

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these savings. We wait to see if this submission results in any benefits for village residents. We have installed some new signage in the village grounds. These give clearer directions and we hope will help to discourage speeding vehicles. We have started working on new signage for the corner of Arapaepae Rd and Queen Street and at the main entrance. Last week we hosted, for the 3rd year in succession, the professional music group, Operatunity. We held the concert in our chapel which was a great venue and one that our care residents were able to access easily. It was so good to see such a large number of our residents being able to attend and enjoy this concert and the joy that the wonderful music gave to them. It takes a bit of organising to put on an event like this and I give a huge thank you to our staff that helped to make this a reality. It was a fantastic team effort. I would like to finish with a reminder to the villa and flat residents. If you are changing locks please make sure you give us a key so we can access your home in an emergency and a reminder not to leave you keys in the lock because this can make it difficult to unlock the door from the outside. Wrap up warm and look after yourselves over the winter months Sue Maney Village Manager

Des Spence with Book donated by “Inspecting of the Guard” Alan Smith on ANZAC Day

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Walking groups for the Community Activity Programme

Operatunity Concert in Chapel

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HEALTH INFORMATION Sylvia Meijer, Nurse Practitioner

FALLS PREVENTION

Fall prevention may not seem like a lively topic, but it’s important. As you get older, physical changes and health conditions – and sometimes the medications used to treat those conditions – make falls more likely. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Not only is the harm from falls devastating and distressing for the person who has fallen, and for their families, but it often means the person has to have extra medical tests and treatment or a stay in hospital. Often people start to mobilize less for fear of falling. Fear of falling doesn’t need to rule your life instead, consider six simple fall-prevention strategies.

WHAT CAUSES MOST FALLS IN OLDER PEOPLE? If you are over 65 years old, you have a one in three chance of falling this year. For people aged 80 and over, the risk increases to one in two.

Falls mostly occur when you have: poor balance

weak muscles

low blood pressure

poor vision

medical conditions, eg Parkinson’s disease, stroke.

You may also be at risk of falling if you are not active, or take multiple medications.

Have you fallen before? Write down the details, including when, where and how you fell. Be prepared to discuss instances when you almost fell but were caught by someone or managed to grab hold of something just in time. Details such as these may help your doctor identify specific fall-prevention strategies.

Could your health conditions cause a fall? Certain eye and ear disorders may increase your risk of falls. Be prepared to discuss your health conditions and how comfortable you are when you walk — for example, do you feel any dizziness, joint pain, numbness or shortness of breath when you walk? Your health professional may evaluate your muscle strength, balance and walking style as well. The use of walking frames may help you to feel more comfortable.

Medications. A list of your prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements, to take to your GP or Nurse appointment is helpful. Your health professional can review your medications for side effects and interactions that may increase your risk of falling. To help with falls prevention, your health professional may consider weaning you off certain medications — such as sedatives and blood pressure medication.

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Falls can be prevented by:

Being active

Having eyesight checked regularly

Having your medication reviewed

Having a well-balanced diet

Keeping your living space clutter free

Good foot care and safe shoes

To lower the fracture risk, older adults can:

Get adequate calcium and vitamin D—from food and/or from supplements.

Do weight bearing exercise.

Get checked for osteoporosis.

Keep moving

Physical activity can go a long way toward falls prevention. Check with your health professional if it is ok to do gentle exercises. Consider activities such as walking, water workouts or tai chi. Sitting exercises are also helpful to promote upper body strength, useful when using walking frames. Such activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility. Physiotherapists can create a custom exercise program aimed at improving your balance, flexibility and muscle strength.

Wear sensible shoes

Consider changing your footwear as part of your fall-prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. So can walking in your stocking feet. Instead wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with non-skid soles.

Shoe shopping tips include:

Have shoes properly fitted

Don’t shop for shoes when your feet hurt

Feet tend to swell during the day, so try shoes on mid-afternoon, take your usual socks and orthotics to see how this fits

Try shoes on both feet as feet are seldom the same size

Walk in the shoes when trying on, not just fit them while sitting

Shoes should fit properly, they should not have to be stretched or ‘broken in’

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Remove home hazards

Take a look around your living space. To make your space safer:

Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways.

Move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas.

Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or a slip-resistant backing

Store clothing, dishes, food and other necessities within easy reach.

Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease or food.

Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower.

Don’t rush.

Light up your living space

Keep your living space brightly lit to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see.

Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways. Place a lamp within reach of your bed. Make clear paths to light switches that aren't near room entrances. Consider trading switches for glow-in-the-dark switches or stickers. Store flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages.

Use assistive devices

Your health professional might recommend using a walker to keep you steady.

Other assistive devices can help, too. For example:

Hand rails for both sides to get up from toilet Nonslip flooring A raised toilet seat or one with armrests Grab bars for the shower or bath Wearing an alert / alarm to contact someone to assist you if you fall

Discuss falls concerns with your health professional, some simple adjustments to your living space or medication may be all that is required to prevent you from falls.

Source: MoH NZ, ACC, Mayo Clinic.

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FROM THE RESIDENTS COMMITTEE

In May the resident’s bus trip was to the Cable Car and Museum followed by morning tea at the Café high above Wellington. All enjoyed the hustle & bustle of the busy Wellington streets as we drove through. Lunch and shopping at Paraparaumu Mall followed. Bob our driver goes out of his way to show us all the interesting sights on our trips – thank you Bob. The weekly morning teas in the Café are always well attended and offer a good opportunity to meet with other residents. The local Automobile Association came and gave a very informative talk to residents on the work of the AA and the requirements necessary for renewing a driver’s licence for those over the age of 75 years. At the April Happy Hour a group brought along objects of interest to ‘show & tell’, the story behind them which was very interesting. In May a fun quiz was held with small chocolate fish as a reward for the right answers. Keep the monthly calendar handy to keep up to date with the various activities on offer and don’t forget the suggestion box in the foyer of the Leisure Centre if you have ideas for other activities.

Eloise Van de Vyver Registered Nurse who works at the Masonic Village

recently gaining her Diploma of Nursing

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DIVERSIONAL THERAPIST Here we are in winter already, and today as I write this, the hills are well covered with snow and the air has a real nip in it.

As we do every year we had a great Anzac Day ceremony. The day was perfect as the TS Tutira Sea Cadets ‘Presented the Colours’ at the flag pole, and the ‘Guard’ was inspected by Des Spence. Following this ceremony we went to our Chapel and enjoyed an excellent service led by Alan Smith.

The RSA were represented and many of our facility residents and Flats and Villa residents attended. We followed this with an afternoon tea of yummy Anzac biscuits.

RoseLyn fashions have visited with their huge array of clothing, just in time for our residents to peruse and purchase their own clothing. Our main lounge is full to the brim with racks of clothing, and Rose and Tommy are very helpful. This activity is open to the whole village and a notice is sent out to the village.

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We continue to enjoy a range of entertainers, each with a different sound or musical genre. This is Danny playing his ever popular Irish music. Exercises sessions are held twice a week on a Monday and Wednesday at 11a.m. We use the Arthritis Foundation tape, and these sit down exercises remain extremely popular.

‘Gizmo’ our canine friends visitor who comes each fortnight with his father Steve, is well loved and brings a great deal of pleasure to our residents.

The visit by ‘Operatunity’ to our facility was a huge success. The concert held in our chapel was very well attended by the facility residents. We all enjoyed a concert for just over an hour of wonderful singing, violin and piano playing by a very gifted group of young people. The theme was ‘I’m in love with Vienna’ We have just had ‘Purple Day’ to raise money for our local Age Concern group. This is a day to raise public awareness of Elder Abuse. Til next time stay well, stay warm

All the best Barb, Jill, Ann and Tui

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CULTURAL CONFUSION

Let’s face it – English is a crazy language

There is no egg in eggplant, no ham in hamburger & neither pine nor apple in a pineapple

English muffins weren’t invented in England, nor were French Fries invented in France

Sweetmeats are candies, while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat

Quicksand can work slowly, Boxing rings are square and a Guinea Pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig

Why is it that writers write, but fingers don’t fing, Grocers don’t groce and hammers don’t ham?

If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, two geese, so one moose, two meese?

If teachers taught, why didn’t the preacher praught. If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

In this crazy language, people recite at a play, and play at a recital. We ship by truck and send cargo by ship.

We have noses that run and feet that smell.

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and wise guy are opposite?

How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while the weather can be hot as hell one day and cold as hell on another?

You fill in a form by filling it out and your alarm clock goes off by going on.

When the stars are out, they are visible But when the lights are out they are invisible

When I windup my watch, I start it but when I wind up this essay I end it…..

We learn there is no answer to every question in life….. we just have to learn to live with it.

Have a positive WINTER

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June 2015 July 2015 04th Eddie Spencer 10th Lorna Rolston 12th Maureen Hayward 12th Dennis Carey 15th Ted Ayson 15th John Gratton 21st Maryanne Buckley 30th Maureen Norris 25th Barbara Growcott

26th Pat Barnett 27th Jack Stradling

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE We have some new people in the village and we would like to extend them a very warm Welcome

Colleen Smith Muriel Currie Ted Ayson Betty Whitelaw Helen Bolderson Thomas Moyes Tony Bennett Donald Dudley Garth Carkeek Max Webber Owen & Trish Moore Doreen Olsen

OBITUARIES Our sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of the following Residents. They

have all been a special part of our family at the Masonic and are a great loss to us all.

Margaret Taylor William Stock Iris Goode Nancy Simpson Bert Kernohan

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In the Leisure Centre

ACTIVITY FREQUENCY DAY FROM TO

HOUSIE (Leisure Centre) Weekly Tuesday 1.00pm

COFFEE AT THE CAFÉ

Wednesday $3 Tea/Coffee Muffin/Scone

Wednesday 10.00am

CRAFT CLASSES Weekly Wednesday 1.30pm

RUMMY-O Weekly Wednesday 1.30pm 4.00pm

INDOOR BOWLS Weekly

Monday Thursday

2.00pm 2.00pm

4.30pm 4.30pm

DARTS Weekly Thursday 10.00am

OUTDOOR BOWLS Weekly Thursday 10.30am

EXERCISES Weekly

Tuesday Saturday

9.00am 9.30am

HAPPY HOUR Last Friday of the Month 4.00pm 5.00pm

CAFÉ

Open Sunday-Friday10.00am - 2.00pm Phone Bookings 367 3509

KEEPING IN TOUCH

As advised in our last newsletter we are trying to develop a data base of e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers for our residents and families with the idea of improving our communication. If you are happy to provide this information e-mail your details to Chris at Reception at: hmvreception@masonicvillages.co.nz

Then we could e-mail future newsletters and Village notices to you – thank you.

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In the Main Home:

ACTIVITY DAY LOCATION FROM TO

EXERCISES Monday Wednesday

Main Lounge Main Lounge

11.00am 11.00am

11.25am 11.25am

SCRABBLE Monday Main Lounge 2.00pm 4.00pm

RUMMY-O Monday Sunday

Main Lounge Main Lounge

3.00pm 9.30am

4.15pm 11.00am

QUEEN ST CHAPEL

2nd Wednesday Main Lounge 2.00pm

MUSIC Friday Main Lounge 2.00pm

See Weekly Programme

HOBBIES & CHAT Friday Main Lounge 10.30am 11.30am

HOUSIE Monday Thursday

Main Lounge Main Lounge

2.00pm 10.30am

3.00pm 11.30am

Please refer to Notice Boards for the Full Weekly Programme.

All Residents of the Care Facility are invited to participate in the activities.

SERVICE DAY LOCATION FROM TO

VILLAGE CHURCH SERVICE

Sunday MacDonnell

Chapel 3.30pm

ANGLICAN COMMUNION

3rd Wednesday MacDonnell

Chapel 10.30am

ALL Welcome

LIBRARY Wednesday Library 3.30pm 4.00pm

For Levin Public Library Books

VILLAGE SHOP Monday-Friday Reception 10.00am Midday

HAIRDRESSER Monday pm Tuesday am Friday am

Unit 2 Wing 2

Hairdresser

Appointment Necessary

Ext 213

DRY CLEANING The Drycleaners will uplift and deliver from Reception for all Village Residents. All Drycleaning to be pre-paid.

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REMINDER: It is very important that

all care Resident’s clothing is named so that it does not get lost in our laundry. Don’t forget to name new clothes purchased during the year.

For Sew on labels Contact Cherry Pie Bernina in Levin PO Box 514 Levin Phone 368 3680 Minimum order 3 dozen but for a new resident Cherry Pie suggests purchasing at least 5 dozen Cost 3 dozen $26.00 4 dozen $29.60 5 dozen $32.60 The labels take approximately 1 week after ordering and pre-payment

We are requesting that ALL residents clothes be labeled as we have several bags of clothing with no names on.

If you have any articles of clothing missing please talk to the Charge Nurse.

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VILLA AVAILABLE

All enquiries to Sue Maney, Village Manager

Phone 368 8144, Ext 203

VILLAGE CHURCH SERVICES Village Church Service Roster 3.30pm in the MacDonnell Chapel Services now run by 7 Teams, which are as follows:- Team 1 – Salvation Army Team 5 – Garratt Team 2 – Christensen Team 6 – Christie Team 3 – Trail Team 7 – Dixon Team 4 – Salvation Army June 2015 July 2015 07th Team 6 05th Team 3 14th Team 7 12th Team 4 21st Team 1 19th Team 5 28th Team 2 26th Team 6

Villa 44 2 Bedrooms plus a study, Internal garage

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VILLAGE BUS TIMETABLE

Day Bus Depart Return

MONDAY Village 9.30am 11.30am

WEDNESDAY Village 9.30am 11.30am

WEDNESDAY

Garden of York Village 11.45am

FRIDAY Village 9.30am 11.30am

Departs from the Care Facility Foyer, and then motors around the Villas before departing from the Village. Please phone the Office if you wish to be picked up at your Villa.

Drops off at the Post Office and Farmers.

Picks up at the side entrance of Te Takere, Bath Street Wednesday Trips to Garden of York Leave from the Care Facility Foyer Please Note: The Village Bus DOES NOT run on Public Holidays