With the arrival of summer, residents have been enjoying gentle walks around the garden, taking in the sunshine and the fresh air. It’s been lovely seeing some of the residents stretch their legs. We recently enjoyed a barbeque lunch to make the most of the weather. We set up tables outside so that everyone could relax together in the sunshine. It was a wonderful chance to share a laugh, listen to some music, and celebrate the season.

Our residents have been enjoying outings in our new van. It’s lovely driving around the beautiful Whirinaki. We all enjoy the peace and quiet, and the beautiful scenery. Our outings are a sensory experience for our residents; they feel the warmth of the sun, the breeze on their faces, and hear the gentle rustle of leaves. Short stops are always included to ensure their comfort and safety, and residents are encouraged to engage as much or as little as they like. Whether chatting, observing the scenery, or quietly enjoying the ride, everyone benefits from a change of environment and the gentle stimulation it brings.

We have noticed that painting and the sensory experience it brings has been popular with residents lately. The residents enjoy the texture of the paint on their brushes. It is lovely to see them immersed in this experience and expressing their creativity.

Last August marked a significant milestone for us as we officially moved into the newly constructed small home of our facility. The transition took place on August 26th, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation. The move was made even more special with the support of several family members who generously offered their time to help set up the residents' rooms, making their spaces feel warm and personalised from day one.

We are enjoying our kitchenette and open-plan design which helps our home feel homely and welcoming. We are especially pleased with the addition of a new oven and dishwasher in the kitchenette! Our newly landscaped garden has quickly become a favourite among both residents and our team members, with its fresh plantings and beautiful greenery. The new patio area also provides a safe and pleasant space where residents can enjoy walks or simply relax outdoors.

Meanwhile, renovation work has commenced on the old building, ensuring it will continue to serve our community with improved functionality and comfort. We are grateful for this new chapter and excited about all the positive changes it will bring for our residents, families, and staff.

In addition to the new facilities, we are pleased to welcome some new team members to our care family: Kevin, Barbara, Fe, and Edmer. Kevin will also take on the role of Diversional Therapist, and he is working on enriching our activity programs.

As the end of the year approaches, our focus is shifting to Christmas and the festive season. One of our favourite holiday traditions is putting up the Christmas trees, it’s a joyful activity that brings everyone together and fills our home with laughter and memories.

We are excited to invite you to our Christmas Family Gathering. This will be held on Tuesday the 16^th of December at 2.30pm. We welcome families to come together and join us for afternoon tea. It will be an opportunity to connect and celebrate the season alongside loved ones.

We wish you a happy and relaxed festive season.

Thankyou for participating in our EPOA survey

A big thank you to the families who participated in the EPOA Survey. In general, your feedback was very positive.

An area that we will put some focus into is creating more opportunities for our residents to participate in cultural activities.  Activities preferences can be very specific to each resident so if you have suggestions you would like to share, please reach out to Suzette or Fran.

We value your time and appreciate your feedback on your loved one’s care within our home. We are always happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions; we are open to your feedback at any time.

The feedback from the surveys has now been collated and if you are interested in taking a look, you will find it posted to the bulletin board in our home.

As the year draws to a close it is a time to reflect on how we are going, what we have accomplished and look forward to the year ahead.

As I travel around the homes I love hearing from residents and their families about how things are going for them and how we can improve. Please do come and have a chat if you see me around our homes.

Often over the Christmas period we learn more about our residents and their families through meeting family that aren’t able to visit as often, and sharing fond memories about summer holidays.

These memories and stories can help our staff teams to develop a deeper understanding of a resident, their families and the things that bring them joy. Sharing the journey of our residents and their whānau through the often challenging path of aging is something our staff love doing.

This involves spending time with residents:

• Listening carefully
• Helping the person fill in the blanks
• Reading facial expressions and body language and try to respond appropriately
• Giving compliments
• Asking for opinions and open ended questions
• Enjoying the person in every way possible

These techniques assist our teams to put together the stories that make us all who we are. Please use these techniques while visiting if you would like to.

I wish you all a happy holiday season. I hope you all get to spend some time connecting with the people that matter most to you.

Ngā mihi

Andrew Sheard, Managing Director

My name is Arah Cartagena, and I’m really pleased to be rejoining the team here at Dementia Care NZ. Some of you may remember me from my previous time with the organisation. After spending time working in home and community care, I’m grateful to return and reconnect with the people and values that have always meant so much to me.

Throughout my career in nursing, I’ve had the privilege of supporting people in a variety of settings. These experiences have shaped my belief that meaningful care is about more than just meeting needs. It’s about understanding what matters most to each person, honouring their story, and supporting them to live each day with dignity, purpose, and connection.

I also recognise the vital role families play in the lives of their loved ones. Your insights and experiences are an important part of the care we provide, and I’m committed to ensuring that our approach reflects the trust you place in us.

I am passionate about leading our clinical team. I look forward to developing, energising and supporting our team members, and ensuring that our team embodies our vision and values through all that we do.

Outside of work, I have a strong interest in learning and self-development. I’m always curious and enjoy discovering new perspectives and ideas.

Ngā mihi nui,
Arah Cartagena

Gift ideas for a person who has dementia

It can sometimes be tricky to think of gift ideas for someone with dementia. Here are a few ideas from our team.

Comfort and sensory items:

• Favourite food
• Soft blanket/throw
• Weighted soft pet
• Tactile or fidget items to keep hands busy
• Fidget blanket

Personalised gifts:

• Mixtape/CD/MP3 of your loved one’s favourite music
• Home movies
• Photo album, photo book- filled with photos of people they love
• Framed or laminated photos of the person’s life
• Picture for their room of a beautiful place they might remember
• Memory book or memory box – filled with items from their past, photos and trinkets
• Personalised memory cushion, made from a familiar fabric, or embroidered with special people’s names on it.

Please avoid bringing original photographs and precious items.

Things to wear:

• Dressing gown
• Sunhat
• Socks
• Summer nightie or pyjamas
• A beautiful summer scarf
• A piece of costume jewellery
• Seasonal clothing

You could check your loved one’s drawers or ask a team member for clothing your loved one might need.

Other:

• Hand cream
• Colouring pencils
• Magazine subscription
• Simple board game
• Beautiful bunch of flowers
• Speaker or music player for their room

Christmas reminders from Dementia Care NZ

Season’s greetings

The following information will help the holiday season go as smoothly as possible.

Outings

If you intend to take your loved one home for the day or afternoon over the Christmas period, or on Christmas Day, please discuss this with a Registered Nurse so that medication and comfort requirements can be arranged. Prior warning will allow us to have your loved one appropriately dressed and ready for you.

For safety reasons, outings of this nature first need to be discussed and approved by the EPOA.

Naming clothes

Please remember that all new items need to be clearly marked with the owner’s first and last name before they arrive. This is especially important at Christmas time, when many lovingly chosen new items are given as gifts by family members. We discourage expensive woolen items, which are easily damaged in the wash. Please select easy care clothing wherever possible.

We hope that you are enjoying the warmer weather and that your Christmas preparations are going really well.

Meri Kirihimete / Merry Christmas

From all of us at Dementia Care NZ

Magic Moments

During a recent music afternoon, one of the residents surprised everyone by joining in for a dance — something they hadn’t done in a long time! It was a beautiful and heartwarming moment.

A resident noticed that a fellow resident was struggling with mobility. He offered a helping hand, showing compassion and community spirit that inspired us.