Autumn Newsletter 2022

AUTUMN NGAHURU - NEWSLETTER 2022

Message from our Chairperson

Greetings

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2022, the third year of a Covid pandemic.

Because our work is so heavily based on social connection with face-to-face meetings, group
activities, and event-based promotion, the pandemic has had a huge impact on our work. Staff did
an amazing job over the last two years, pivoting to provide a safe service in a different way, working
from home. adapting to an electronic reporting system, supporting clients by phone and zoom. But
the pandemic has taken its toll and was sadly a key factor in our losing staff and a significant number
of volunteers during 2021

I would like to acknowledge the contribution of those staff: Gina Jones, Bryce Sheedy and Pauline
Hocken, for the skill and vision they each brought to Alzheimer’s Eastern Bay of Plenty. They
enriched our organization and helped us all think differently about all manner of things. Thanks also
to all the retiring volunteers in particular Ann Wicks who has worked so hard to produce and publish
this newsletter for you for a long time

Your Board had a few role changes. After our AGM in September, Susi Shaw resigned as
chairperson and took on the role of treasurer. Trish Morris joined us to be secretary, Verna
Falwasser keeps us on our toes as community representative, and I took on the role of chairperson.
We are a very small and friendly board, but we need more members, please contact me if you might
be interested.

This brings us to 2022. We advertised for new staff, and we have been incredibly lucky with the
caliber of applicants applying for the vacant positions. We have been able to appoint a new
manager, navigator, and educator, each of whom bringing a wealth of experience, skills,
understanding and passion for the work we do.

Our new manager Sue Cave started in February and already we are feeling the lift of fresh energy.
Sue will introduce the others to you as they start. The board is very proud of this strengthened new
operational team. We have renewed optimism as we move forward and reconnect with so many of
you to deliver a safe effective service in this Covid era.

Board and staff are so looking forward to engaging with clients and community in 2022 and we look
forward to working with you all.

A Bit About Me

As a new chair and being newish to town an introduction may be helpful. Like many of our staff and
volunteers my interest in this organization comes from my parent’s experience with Alzheimer’s. My
husband and I retired to Ohope from Rotorua in 2019. My career had involved governance and
advocacy for community-based organizations, and more latterly government funding of community
organizations though the DHB and MSD.

Volunteering for the Board of Eastern Bay of Plenty Alzheimer’s is a good way for me to give back.
Covid lock downs have impacted on my personal life a positive way, we were lucky to have 4 new
grandchildren born in the last year, so I balance my volunteering with nana duties.

Nga Mihi Jenny Dowthwaite.
Alzheimers EBOP Team
Our new Manager Sue Cave, started in February and will be soon joined by Lesley Harris
(Navigator) and Fiona Hutcheson (Educator) to work alongside Elayne and Heather.

Sue returns home to Whakatane after working in Northland and the UK. Her Managerial, HR and
Health and Safety experience spans the social services sector, ACC, National Autistic Society
(UK), NZ Police and private enterprise. Having experienced Alzheimer's in her own family, she is
keen to make a difference and is enjoying reconnecting and exploring the beautiful Eastern Bay
of Plenty.
Watch this space for the new Team photo in the next edition!

Volunteers
Where would we be without our volunteers! THANK YOU to everyone who continues to help,
whether it is visiting or phoning clients, helping at the Opotiki and Kawerau MENZ sheds, installing
the Wanda track system, or joining in fundraising events.

Join Our Volunteer Team

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can
be enormous.
Volunteering involves connecting, giving back, and gaining skills, and is also an amazing way to
improve our own wellbeing. Come and be part of our team by becoming a volunteer for people
living with dementia.

We want clients (people with dementia) in our community to live well with dementia, to have fun
and meaningful lives. Volunteers can play a huge role in this, often being the highlight of their day.

Companion volunteers visit a person with dementia on a weekly or fortnightly basis. You might
go for a walk together, watch a movie or have a cup of tea and a chat.

Event volunteers help to organise, run, and/or participate in fundraising events such as our
Annual Appeal or Walk for Dementia. If you have contacts in the corporate world who would be
interested in supporting us, we'd love to hear from you too.

All our staff and volunteers must be fully vaccinated and boosted as well as undertake a
police vetting check.

WANT A PAID VOLUNTEER POSITION?
We are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator – this is a 10 hour per week position and involves
managing the volunteer programme. This is a great job with lots of variety. You will oversee the
Menz sheds in Opotiki and Kawerau, help recruit volunteers, train volunteers, oversee events and
work with our Navigators to match volunteers to clients.

We would love to hear from you!
Contact Sue (Manager) on 0800 004 001, cell 027 382 2205 or email [email protected]

Become a Dementia Friend

It would be great to get more!

What is Dementia Friends?
Dementia Friends is an Alzheimers NZ initiative to raise awareness, increase understanding, grow
inclusion and acceptance of people with dementia and reduce stigma and discrimination. Anyone
can become a Dementia Friend. In Eastern Bay of Plenty we have 82 Dementia Friends,

What does a Dementia Friend do?
A Dementia Friend learns about what it is like to live with dementia and makes a commitment to
action that will help someone or people with dementia to live well. Even very small actions can make
a big difference. Actions can range from simply getting a better understanding and appreciation of
dementia, to wearing a badge and wristband to let people know you are a Dementia Friend, through
to perhaps actively helping someone with dementia to do something they might enjoy or like help
with.

How do I become a Dementia Friend?
You can become a Dementia Friend by completing the on-line education programme. It should take
only about 20 to 30 minutes. The link is https://alzheimers.org.nz/explore/dementia-friendly-
nz/become-a-dementia-friend/

What is I want help or am worried about myself or someone else?
Early symptoms of dementia can be subtle and hard to recognise. We recommend seeing a doctor
as soon as there are any concerns. An early diagnosis means early access to support.
Your local Alzheimers organisation offers support and expertise. You can contact your local office
on 0800 004 001
CONDOLENCES

We extend our deepest sympathy 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.

YOUNGER ONSET DEMENTIA AOTEAROA TRUST

YODAT Online support group for people diagnosed with dementia before the age of 66.

Get involved – join a group!
Technical support is provided for first-time users of video conferencing. For further
information, please contact: Brigid Ryan, PhD [email protected] 027 699 796

BEQUESTS OR DONATIONS

Home Care Services If you would like to support our services and make
Community Services a positive difference to the lives of many people
Independent Living Service affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias, you
Advocacy/Information Services may consider doing this in either of two ways:
1. A direct donation or bequest to Alzheimer's
We also provide EBOP will help us provide ongoing services:
Conference Room Hire, Equipment Hire, By an online payment (03-0490-0180920-00 using
your name as reference)
On-site Library and Internet access. •As a one-off or by regular payments
Hearing therapist, Stroke & Brain Injury and COPD &
•By provision in your will
Post-Polio
Field Officers on site. •Leaving a fixed sum or percentage of your
estate to Alzheimer's EBOP.
We are a totally committed and professional team 2. A donation to Eastern Bay of Plenty
who can assist with any of the above Service needs. Community Foundation Endowment Fund for
Alzheimers EBOP, usually by a one-off payment
Telephone 07 307 1447 Fax 07 307 0229 or by provision in your will. This is a “gift that
Email: [email protected] Website: www.drct.co.nz 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

•are a NZ tax resident

•received taxable income

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Enquiries welcome

Autumn Gardening Tips

AUTUMN TO DO LIST
IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

• Replace the lost nutrients from those heavy growing seasons by adding in compost, blood and
bone, and sheep pellets. This will provide a healthy new foundation for your autumn and winter
crops.

• Keep mounding up celery and leeks.
• Autumn is an ideal time to plant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, spinach and Chinese

cabbages.
• Plant lettuce early autumn and you can get a good harvest from most lettuce varieties.
• Sow seeds for your winter crops like carrots, swedes, turnips and radish. Autumn is a busy season

for slugs and snails so remember to protect them.
• Aphids and whitefly will be about. Blast off with a hose or spray with warm soapy water.

IN THE FRUIT GARDEN

• Fertilise citrus trees in early autumn
• Prepare new planting sites with compost
• Protect grape vines with bird netting

IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

• Autumn in the flower garden signals a time to change to new season's potted colour.
• Pansies, violas, and polyanthus are more tolerant of the cooler weather.
• It is the best time to plant bulbs for spring flowering
• Basic maintenance in the flower garden requires pruning back flowering plants that have finished

for the season.
• Support taller flowering plants like dahlias and sweet peas with frames or stakes.
• Mulch your flower beds to suppress weeds and protect plants from the cooler months ahead.

Gardening is a great way to keep fit,
get some fresh air

and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

We at Alzheimer’s Eastern Bay of Plenty are able to keep up the work we do through the income of
Subscriptions, Donations and Grants that we receive. An annual subscription of $25 covers the
whole family and covers the period from 1st June to 31st May each year. This subscription helps us

provide the newsletter to keep you informed about what we do.

Subscriptions are now due for 2022/2023 If you are Joining for the first time, please direct
credit and send these details to our email

MEMBERSHIP 2022/2023

ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY INCORPORATED

Name:

Phone No:
Address:

Email address:

Annual subscription for a family: $25.00

Plus Donation $ Total: $

Send payment to:

Alzheimers Society Eastern Bay of Plenty, PO Box 13, WHAKATANE 3158

or you can direct credit

03-0490-0180920-00 using your name as reference

STAYING HEALTHY – TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Caring for someone with dementia can be very rewarding. It can also be difficult, exhausting, lonely and at
times overwhelming. Here are some coping strategies to stay healthy.

✓ Eat a healthy, balanced diet: lots of veg and fruit and limit alcohol and processed foods.

✓ Try to get some rest: try and take some naps during the day if your sleep is interrupted at night.

✓ Keep in touch with family and friends: you deserve and need a social life, don't cut yourself off.

✓ Find ways to relax do what you can to relax and boost your energy and morale.

✓ Exercise: walking is a great stress reliever and gardening wan lift your mood and give you some
happy time. These activities can also be good for someone with dementia.

✓ Stay Positive: Your attitude makes a difference to the way you feel so try to focus on the good
things, making every day count. Also, focus on the things the person with dementia can still do,
rather than the things they can’t.

✓ Take each day one step at a time: don't worry about what happened yesterday because you can't
change it, and don't stress about what you need to do tomorrow as you'll deal with that when it
comes. Just focus on what you need to do right now.

ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY EASTERN BAY 0F PLENTY INCORPORATED

Chairperson Jenny Dowthwaite

Board Members Susi Shaw

Verna Falwasser

Trish Morris

Vacancy

Manager Sue Cave

Educator Fiona Hutcheson (from 21 March)

Navigators Elayne Tangitu

Lesley Harris (from 21 March)

Volunteer Programme Co-ordinator Vacant

Office Administrator Heather Balcombe

Finances Dallas Cooke

Newsletter Editor Vacant

0525 Freephone: 0800 004 001 ma:

[email protected] DCT
Website:
http:/www.alzheimers.org.nz/alzheimers-

eastern-b

Alzheimers Society Eastern Bay of Plenty Incorporated
Lightning Hub, 1st Floor, 193-195 The Strand, Whakatane 3120

Phone 07 308 0525 Freephone 0800 004 001
P O Box 13, Whakatane 3158

Email [email protected]

WWW https://alzheimers.org.nz/eastern-bay-of-plenty/

Charity Registration CC21067