AUTUMN RAUMATI - NEWSLETTER 2024 MANAGERS MESSAGE: SUE CAVE Kia ora koutou Welcome to our 1st newsletter of 2024. We have another busy year planned to support our 400 strong dementia mate wareware clients, carers, and whanau. Carer support meetings have started again in both Kawerau and Whakatane. We are busy recruiting and training Volunteers. Our Educator is out in the community providing talks and seminars about dementia. If you would like a speaker for your community or business group, please contact our office on 07 308 0525. Noho ora mai INTRODUCING OUR NAVIGATORS Pictured below are our Dementia Navigators Elayne, Lesley, Ann, and Lee (pictured left to right). Ann and Lee have recently joined our team. Ann has worked as a Registered Nurse for many years and Lee has an extensive ACC background. What do Navigators do? Navigators support those diagnosed with dementia, their carers and family/whanau by providing expert advice, information and resources. They help to navigate the health and social services systems and make sure you have informed choices about the future. Navigators make contact on a regular basis and are here to provide support throughout the dementia mate wareware journey. Learn more about living well with dementia.
CARER SUPPORT MEETINGS 2024 Just a reminder that our carer support meetings have started. If you want to meet others in similar situations, socialise, gain information, share experiences and learn more about dementia mate wareware, please pop along to a meeting. Whakatane Date Time Venue Last Tuesday of the month 10.00am to 12.00pm Whakatane Library Kawerau Date Time Venue Last Wednesday of the month 12.30 pm to 2.00pm Bert Hamilton Hall REPOSITIONING DEMENTIA CONFERENCE The repositioning dementia conference is on the 21st of March and is free to all those with dementia mate wareware and their carers. There are some wonderful guest speakers with all the latest information about dementia. We encourage you to attend either in-person or online. Register online today https://alzheimers.org.nz/explore/events/ INFORMATION SERIES: ADVANCE CARE PLANNING Tō tātou reo Advance care planning is a process of thinking and talking about your values and goals and what your preferences are for current and future health care. It helps you to understand what the future might hold and say what health care you would or would not want, including end-of-life care. Your Navigator can give you information about this and guide you through the process. VOLUNTEERS Did you know that we operate a companion caller program? A companion call is a regular (usually weekly) telephone call made by a volunteer to someone affected by dementia to check in and have a friendly chat about anything the person they’re calling would like to chat about. For more information about becoming a companion caller or to receive this service contact Talia. There are many more opportunities for volunteer work so contact our Volunteer Coordinator Talia, if you are interested on 027 382 7299 or email [email protected]
MUSIC AND DEMENTIA Studies have shown music may reduce agitation and improve behavioural issues that are common in the middle stages of dementia mate wareware. Here are a few tips when choosing music: 1. Identify music that’s familiar and enjoyable. 2. Choose a source of music that isn’t interrupted by adverts, which can cause confusion. 3. Use music to create the mood you want. For example, a tranquil piece of music can create a calm environment, while a faster pace song from someone's childhood may boost spirit and evoke happy memories. 4. Encourage movement (clapping, dancing) to add to the enjoyment. 5. Avoid sensory overload: eliminate competing noises by shutting windows and doors and turning off the TV. Make sure the volume isn’t too loud. MEMBERSHIP Membership entitles you to vote at our AGM, subscription to our newsletter and first access to events. All subscriptions and donations remain in the Eastern Bay of Plenty to support people living with dementia mate wareware and their families. Please fill in the form to join. Name: Email address: Telephone: Mobile: Address: Annual subscription for a family: $5.00 Plus Donation $ Total $ Send form to: Alzheimers Society Eastern Bay of Plenty, PO Box 13, WHAKATANE 3158 or you can direct credit Westpac 03-0490-0180920-00 Particulars – use your last name Reference – membership or m/s&donation
BEQUESTS and DONATIONS If you would like to support our services and make a positive difference to the lives of those affected by dementia you may like to consider making a bequest or donation to Alzheimers EBOP. This can be completed in several ways: • Making an online payment 03-0490-0180920-00 using your name as reference • Making a one-off or regular payment • Leaving a gift in your will (please contact us for more information) Donating to the Eastern Bay of Plenty Community Foundation Endowment Fund for Alzheimers EBOP, usually by a one-off payment or by provision in your will. This is a “gift that keeps on giving” as every year income is received by way of investment growth of the Endowment Fund. Remember you can claim a tax credit from IRD (using form IR526) at the end of the tax year if, during that year, you: • donated $5.00 or more to Alzheimers Eastern Bay of Plenty and • are a NZ tax resident and • received taxable income ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY INCORPORATED Chairperson Jenny Dowthwaite Board Members Pat Kane, Peter Hill, Jeremy Bendall, Maria Clarke Manager Sue Cave Navigators Elayne Tangitu, Lesley Harris, Lee Harper, Ann O’Neil Educator Volunteer Coordinator Office Administrator Office Hours Office Phone Number Fiona Hutcheson Talia Spackman Heather Balcombe 8 am to 12 noon Monday to Friday 07 308 0525
THANKS TO OUR ADVERTISERS CONDOLENCES We extend our deepest sympathy to those who have lost a loved one recently. We would like to thank all the families who have requested donations to Alzheimer's EBOP to be made in lieu of flowers. MARY SHAPLEY RETIREMENT VILLAGE A Bupa Village that combines the best features of a Rest Home and Hospital Facilities. Independent Units, Companionship and Security. 4 Spence Lane Whakatane Phone 07 308 5457 Enquires Welcome We have dedicated experienced staff providing a high standard of personalised care, visiting in-house Doctor, daily Diversional Therapy activities catering for individual needs, group settings and regular outings and in-house church services. Families and friends always welcome, we provide a safe secure homely environment. Inquiries and inspection welcome. OHOPE BEACH CARE Home Care Services Community Services Independent Living Service Advocacy/Information Services We also provide Conference Room Hire, Equipment Hire, On-site Library and Internet Access, Hearing Therapist, Stroke & Brain Injury, COPD and Post-Polio Field Officers On-site. We are a totally committed and professional team who can assist with any of the above Service needs. Telephone 07 307 1447 Fax 07 307 0229 Email: [email protected] Website: www.drct.co.nz
Alzheimers Society Eastern Bay of Plenty Incorporated www.alzheimers.org.nz/eastern-bay-of-plenty Lightning Hub, 1st Floor, 193-195 The Strand, Whakatane 3120 Phone 07 308 0525 or 0800 004 001 P O Box 13 Whakatane 3158