1. family and parenting

January 2015
The
Messenger
415 River Street W. Tweed, ON. K0K 3J0, P. O. Box 200
www.moiraplace.com
Telephone: 613-478-5524
Message from the Administrator
Celebrating
January
New Years Day
January 1
Hal Entertains
January 7
Moira River Ramblers
Entertain
January 12
Pub Night
January 21
Welcome to 2015! I hope that you’ve been able to ring in the New Year
in style, comfort and health. We are looking forward to another year of
providing high quality care and services to you and your loved ones at
Moira Place. We have a fabulous team here and our Mission focuses
around the people who live in our Home. Our Mission states: “AON
Long-Term Care Homes are dedicated to creating a ‘new tradition of
long term care’ by combining a comfortable environment with flexible
programs tailored to individual needs. We will provide a supportive,
home-like environment that ensures the maximum independence,
dignity, safety, and wellness of every one of our residents.”
I want to thank our Residents’ Council, as they have agreed to purchase
two Glider Chairs that we will put in the hallway of the dining room in
two home areas. The chairs will cost close to $1,500 as they are
designed for long-term care and have safety features that include a
locking mechanism when the person in the chair stands up, which helps
to prevent falls. The Residents’ Council was eager to help us improve
the quality of life in our Home and this is greatly appreciated.
To add to the purchase above, we are procuring another two Glider
Chairs that will go into the remaining two home areas for our residents
to use. We are utilizing our Benevolent Fund to obtain these glider
rockers. This is a fund that we began shortly after we opened where we
place the proceeds from various donations that people want to make
towards our Home. If you would like more information on this fund,
please drop in to see me or give me a call.
Continuous quality improvement is a journey that we undertake daily
and if you have any suggestions for helping us along this journey, please
don’t hesitate to share with us. One forum for assisting here is the
Family Council. This is a council that the Ministry of Health & LongTerm Care encourages in all long-term care homes across the Province.
A few of the duties of the Family Council as laid out in the Long-Term
Care Homes Act are: “1. Advise residents respecting their rights and
obligations under this Act. 2. Advise residents respecting the rights and
obligations of the licensee under this Act and under any agreement
relating to the home.” There are a number of other duties / obligations
of the Family Council as specified in the Act and we would ask that you
consider volunteering to sit on this Council. As we have not had an
active Family Council for some time, we will be holding meetings twice
per year to see if people would be interested in joining and assisting us.
Look for information posted in the Home and in the next newsletter
regarding a meeting in February that you are welcome to attend.
All the best of 2015,
Michael O’Keeffe
Administrator
Brain Work
January bodes to be a challenging month.
It is, after all, International Brainteaser
Month. There are brainteasers for every
taste. Wordsmiths enjoy crosswords,
word jumbles, and acrostics.
Mathematicians enjoy sudoku and
kakuro. Riddles, logic puzzles, tangrams,
ciphers, and even good old-fashioned
Rubik’s cubes keep our minds sharp.
Just as exercise is healthy for the body, brainteasers are
healthy for the brain. Flex your gray matter by answering
some of these brainteasers below:
1. A man stands on one side of a river, his dog on the other.
The man calls his dog, who immediately crosses the river
without getting wet and without using a bridge or a boat.
How did the dog do it?
Welcome Gwendolyn.
2. In 1990, a person is 15 years old. In 1995, that same
person is 10 years old. How could this be?
3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest
mountain in the world?
Is your mind is too cluttered with irrelevant minutia to solve
January’s brainteasers? Never fear. Another little known
fact is that January 4 is Trivia Day, a day to demonstrate the
remarkable benefits of random knowledge. Make some
room in your head for these curious tidbits:
On Good Friday in 1930, the BBC reported, “There is no
news.” Piano music followed.
Hydrox cookies debuted in 1908, four years before
Oreos.
Duffel bags originated in the town of Duffel, Belgium,
where the thick cloth used to make the bag was
manufactured.
Answers: 1. He walked; the river is frozen. 2. The person
was born in 2005 BC. 3. Mt. Everest; It was still the highest
mountain before it was discovered.
Bryant playing balloon Ball.
INTERRUPTIONS DURING
MEDICATION
ADMINISTRATION TIMES
In an effort to decrease distractions for the registered
staff when they are providing medications to residents,
we ask that family members try not to call to speak with
the registered staff around meal times. In the event of an
emergency, calling at any time is appropriate.
Putting a Stamp on January
Canadian Bluenose might sound like
someone who’s been out in the
January cold too long, but it’s
actually the name of a stamp issued
in Canada on January 8, 1929. It
features an image of the Canadian
schooner Bluenose, a celebrated
racing ship, hard-working fishing
vessel, and symbol of Nova Scotia. The stamp is
considered to be one of the most beautiful stamps ever
made and is worth about $700 Canadian dollars.
Vera stopped to pose for a picture after visiting the Salon.
Chapel Services
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Edna
Armstrong and Barbara Good as our new Home
Chaplain’s. The two ladies will be sharing the
responsibilities of Sunday Services, Pastoral Visits,
Celebration of Life services and providing support to
Residents and Staff.
Barbara worked at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary,
Canada’s largest hospital, as a Chaplain for 15 years before
moving back to Tweed. Edna Armstrong is a Lay Reader
with the Anglican Church and has currently been providing
Tuesday afternoon services, visiting with Parishners; and
provided back up for Sunday services and Celebration of
Life services. We would like to thank Reverend Bill Perry
for his services and support over the last 5 years.
There are many Spiritual Care programs offered each
month including Rosary, Mass, Sunday & Tuesday
Services, Bible Study, Protestant Communion and Hymn
Sings. The Goals and Objectives of the Spiritual and
Religious Care Program include:
· To ensure that services and programs are available to
residents across a variety of religious and spiritual beliefs
· To optimize participation and a sense of inclusion
regarding the spiritual and religious beliefs of all residents
in the Home
· Enhance the relationship between the Home and the local
spiritual community
If you would like to visit with the Chaplain at anytime,
The ladies from the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church led contact Linda Huddleston at ext 3009 to make
a wonderful Christmas Service
arrangements.
Hi-Yo, Silver!
The call of “Hi-Yo, Silver! Away!” first echoed on
Detroit’s WXYZ radio station on January 30, 1933. A
mysterious masked cowboy known as the Lone
Ranger went on to become one of the most famous
and influential western heroes of the 20th century and
beyond.
Jean helped with the second stage of the milk bag mat.
WXYZ station owner George
Trendle and writer Fran
Striker co-developed the
idea of The Lone Ranger, yet
neither of them had any
experience with cowboys or
the Wild West. To them, this
hardly mattered. After seeing
the success of the movie
The Mask of Zorro, they
wanted to develop an
American version of a masked swashbuckler.
Furthermore, they wanted their hero to set an
example of good morals and to stand for truth, justice,
and freedom. The show was an instant success and
eventually drew an audience of 20 million faithful
listeners three times a week.
Reminder to Families
The writers did not worry about historical accuracy.
This was perhaps most evident in the character of
Tonto, the Lone Ranger’s faithful Native American
sidekick, who uttered simple phrases and groans.
During early episodes, the Lone Ranger was often
stuck talking to his horse, Silver. The writers realized
they needed a second character, so they introduced
Tonto on February 25, 1933. Like the Lone Ranger,
Tonto was also a model of justice and truth, and often
provided the brains of the duo.
•
•
With the arrival of the winter weather, it is
important that each Resident has a warm coat, hat
and mittens available. Often we head out on a bus
trip or to get some fresh air in the
courtyard and we would like
everyone to have warm clothes
available to wear so they can
participate.
Please remember that any items
that were given as gifts during the
holidays need to be labeled with
Residents names.
By the 1950s, The Lone Ranger had moved to film
and television, and starred Clayton Moore as the
masked hero. The western craze hit full stride,
and a string of hit shows followed: The Roy Rogers
Show, The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, Bonanza,
Gunsmoke, Maverick, and Rawhide. Some argue that
the western declined with the Red Scare, the Space
Race, and the Cold War. Yet others contend that
westerns never went out of style. The Lone Ranger
struck gold in 1933, and westerns have been
treasured ever since.
Katherine and her family stop for a picture.
We had an excellent turn out for the Family
Christmas Dinner. We had turkey, ham and all the
fixin’s! We were treated to great music afterwards in
the Fireside Lounge with Kathy & Friends.
Merle is waiting for the music to begin.
Tips for Visiting People
with Dementia
Friends, neighbours and extended family are important
sources of support for Residents. But uncertainty about what
to expect may prevent some people from visiting a person
with dementia. Here are some helpful suggestions for visitors.
• Choose a time that is best for the person with dementia.
Shorten the visit if he/she shows signs of fatigue. Visits
between a half-hour and an hour are best.
• Use gestures as well as words. Pace the conversation,
allowing time for them to respond.
• Identify yourself and say why you are there. "It's Jane. I
came to visit you today."
• Recall humorous experiences you both shared. "I remember when we both..." Take pleasure in each moment.
• We all communicate through emotion, expression and
touch. Holding a hand, or smiling when you talk can
convey more than words.
• Give a manicure, massage hands with cream, or apply
make-up. Such activities help the person with dementia
feel cared for.
• Help with phone calls, sending birthday cards and gifts.
• Go for a walk or a drive together.
• Look through family pictures. Be sure to say “tell me
more” when they talk about a memory.
• Listen to music and sing along to old favourites.
• Read out loud.
We love 4 legged visitors.
Do you have a spouse, family member
or friend living at
Moira Place?
Do you have questions about Alzheimer
disease or a related dementia?
The Alzheimer Society of
Belleville - Hastings-Quinte
provides on site support and
information to family,
friends and residents of
Moira Place on a monthly
basis.
For more information contact Darlene at
613-395-5018.
Ken, Louise, Doreen and Marjorie gathered for a round of
word games.
Moira Place Family Council
Family Council is an organized, self-led, self determining,
demographic group composed of family and friends of the
residents of Moira Place. Family Council provides support, empowerment and advocacy to the family and
friends of the residents.
What does Family Council do?
• Welcomes and supports families
• Serves in an advisory capacity
• Sponsors activities
• Educates & Advocates (locally and provincially)
Everyone is welcome!
For more information contact Tracey McKichan
Joan is helping to fold the towels.
Read This, By Cracky!
Rene are you up to something?
Snowball
I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
And a pillow for his head
Then last night it ran away
But first - it wet the bed!
Dagnabbit, it’s time for
Talk Like a Grizzled
Prospector Day on
January 24. You’ve never
heard of it, you say?
Perhaps you have heard
of James Marshall, who, on January 24, 1848,
discovered gold that started the California Gold
Rush. Almost 100 years later, a farmer named
Walter Knott built a western-themed ghost town on
his berry farm. Knott’s Berry Farm drew a wide
audience, thanks to its guarantee that anyone who
found gold on the property as part of the “panning
for gold” attraction could take it home. Every
January 24, Knott’s Berry Farm holds its annual
Prospector’s Day parade. So dadgummit, hitch up
yer overalls, grab yer dumfungled pan, and get
ready to pan the whole consarn territory for the
sockdologer of payouts!
The Decade of Big Food
Quinte A Cappella entertained with amazing music.
A Whole Year of New Years
Many people around the globe will be counting down the
seconds until January 1 to shout, “Happy New Year!”
But there are also many people who won’t be
celebrating a new year on January 1. Some cultures
do not even consider it to be the year 2015!
For many Chinese, the New Year festival is the most
important of the year. February 19 marks the beginning
of the year of the sheep, considered an unlucky year, for
those born as sheep are said to be meek.
New Year’s in Thailand, known as Songkran, is
celebrated over three days from April 13–15. The Thai
people take the notion of spring cleaning seriously, and
they celebrate their New Year each spring with a festival
of throwing water. Coincidentally, April is also the hottest
month in Thailand, so thousands of people drenching
each other with water in the streets provides the perfect
means of escape from the scorching heat and
suffocating humidity.
It is tradition amongst both Ethiopians and Jewish
people to celebrate their New Year in September.
Enkutatash in Ethiopia falls on September 11, marking
the end of the rainy season and commemorating the
return of the Queen of Sheba to Ethiopia after her visit to
King Solomon in Jerusalem in 980 BC. The Ethiopian
calendar is also eight years behind the Western
calendar, so the year 2015 will be 2008.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at
sundown on September 13. It will be year 5776 on the
Hebrew calendar! It is customary for this first high
holiday to be announced with the blowing of the shofar,
which is a hollowed-out ram’s horn.
After the austerity and rationing of the war years, the 1950s
was a big decade—big families, big meals, and elaborate
dinner parties. Families still ate dinner together, hair rollers
were banned from the dinner table, and no one—but no
one—talked on the phone during the dinner hour.
When the family ate out, the local diner with waitresses
speeding burgers to the car on roller skates often figured
into the plan. Teenagers congregated inside the diners after
school. Girls in poodle skirts danced with leather-jacketclad boys to American Bandstand tunes on the jukebox.
Over at the malt shop, soda
jerks served milkshakes made
with real milk and Coke floats
made with homemade ice
cream. Saturday shopping
sprees included a stop at
Woolworth’s lunch counter.
Sunday dinners, which took
place at noon, consisted of pot
roast, roasted potatoes, and
vegetable casseroles made with
condensed soups. The meal was
topped off with a chiffon pie.
Cocktail parties and dinner
parties filled out the weekend.
Betcha Didn’t Know
• While Rice Krispies treats were extremely popular in the
1950s and are still popular today, we bet you didn’t know
they were invented in the 1930s as a Camp Fire Girls
fundraiser.
• McDonald’s and Burger King both began operations in
1954, but Ray Kroc didn’t buy McDonald’s in its entirety
until 1961.
• In 1952, Howard Johnson’s was the world’s largest food
chain, with 351 restaurants.
• Campbell’s introduced its green bean casserole in 1955,
and the dish has been served at Thanksgiving tables ever
since.
• In 1957, margarine outsold butter for the first time.
• In 1958, 18-year-old Frank Carney opened the first Pizza
Hut with $600 he borrowed from his mother.