WINTER: TAKURUA - NEWSLETTER 2024 MANAGERS MESSAGE: SUE CAVE Kia ora koutou I hope you are all well, keeping warm, have your flu vaccinations sorted and are ready to try out those winter recipes. Elayne (our Navigator) has just finished delivering another Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) program (twice a week for seven weeks) and according to one of the participants, “the group bonded well and learnt from each other” and commented that, “the program ignited long forgotten memories”. The group now starts a Maintenance Program that Lesley and Lee will run over the next 14 weeks. If you want to know more about CST and how this helps your brain health, please chat to any of our staff. In this issue Fiona (our Educator) has provided advice on how to keep your brain healthy over winter. Some reports suggest that our brains may function better in cold weather so there is no excuse not to try out some of her suggestions! During June we will be celebrating the contribution of our Volunteers. Volunteers’ week shines the spotlight on those who use their free time to support us. Volunteering is a great way of giving something back to a cause which is close to you. We couldn’t do without the support of our amazing Volunteers, come and meet them at the “Meet The Locals” expo at the War Memorial Hall, Whakatane, on Saturday 15th June, from 10am to 2pm. SAVE THE DATE: We will also be in Kawerau on the 18th of June at the Health Day which is at the Credit Union New World shopping mall 10am to 2pm. Hope to see you there! Noho ora mai Dementia Learning Center Te Pūtahi Akoranga mō Te Mate Wareware The Dementia Learning Centre is our hub of excellence for dementia education. The kaupapa of the Centre is based around people, and the right we all have to feel supported, valued and loved. The Centre offers multiple resources, webinars and online programs to help improve knowledge and provide support to people living with dementia, care partners, family and whānau. https://alzheimers.org.nz/explore/dementia-learning-centre/
CARER SUPPORT MEETINGS 2024 Just a reminder about our carer support meeting dates. 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 : with Lesley or Lee Date Time Venue Last Tuesday of the month 10.00am to 12.00pm Whakatane Library Kawerau : with Ann Date Time Venue Thursday 27th June Thursday 25th July Thursday 22nd August Thursday 19th September Thursday 31st October 10.30am to 12.00pm Bert Hamilton Hall INFORMATION SERIES: VASCULAR DEMENTIA Statistics indicate that one in three people who have a stroke may go on to develop dementia. This means that it’s even more important for people who have had a stroke, and people who are at high risk, to take care of their brain health. Vascular dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels in our brain, like strokes. If you notice changes in memory and thinking in yourself or your loved one, it's important to see the doctor as soon as possible. They can do some tests to figure out what’s causing your symptoms and give you advice on managing your brain health. Whether or not someone is diagnosed with vascular dementia, there are steps we can all take to protect the blood vessels in our brains from damage. These include managing blood pressure, cholesterol levels and stopping smoking. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. ALZHEIMERS LIBRARY We have some great books that you can loan from our Library. These include books specifically to explain dementia to children, books for carers and DVD's. One of our latest additions is CONTENTED DEMENTIA by Oliver James. This book explores therapeutic conversations that provide appropriate support of the person with dementias perceptions by "making a present of the past". The website www.contenteddementiatrust.org also has some great tips.
EDUCATION: MAINTAINING BRAIN HEALTH OVER WINTER Move It! Staying active and moving the body is vital for brain health. Wrap up warm and get outside for a brisk walk. It will support blood flow and expose you to sunlight and fresh air that will contribute to your overall wellbeing. Try walking a different route or simply walk around the neighbourhood noting the changing leaves and different smells and sounds. At home exercises • Walk and talk: stand up and move around if you are on the phone • Jive: put on some music and dance Nourish Yourself! Your brain uses about 20% of the energy you consume (eat) each day... so having a nutritious diet is key for brain health. Specific foods and nutrients support cognitive function so give yourself a brain health treat! • Make the most of foods rich in Vitamin C (think kiwifruit) • Choose seasonal vegetables for hearty soups and casseroles • Include fish and seafood in your weekly meal plan Stay Social Something as simple as spending time with friends and whanau can keep your mind sharp. So, take a cookery class, organise a coffee morning with friends or learn something new. • Organise a Potluck Dinner • Have a Movie Night • Games Day ...think Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble or Chess for a bit of friendly competition. • Scrapbooking ... include photos, newspaper clippings and notebook entries of family events • Photo Memories...create a new photo album or story to go with the family photos Hydrate Water is essential for brain health; if you want clearer thinking, good memory and improved concentration...it is just a sip away! Make it a habit to have a glass of water with each meal. Enjoy the winter season with your family/whanau and embrace this opportunity to recharge.
WINTER RECIPE: MATARIKI MEATLOAF This saucy meatloaf is so easy to make with ingredients most of us have in our pantry. Meatloaf 500 g beef mince 500 g sausage meat 2 diced onions ¼ cup milk 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon parsley Sauce 1 cup water 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup vinegar ½ cup tomato sauce 2 Tablespoons plain flour 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons butter Method Preheat oven to 180 c. Mix together all meatloaf ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Shape into a loaf, place into baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. Whisk the sauce ingredients and pour over the meatloaf. Cook for a further 45 minutes. Open the oven every 15 minutes to spoon the sauce over the meatloaf to prevent it drying out. VOLUNTEERS Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu – National Volunteer Week honours the collective energies and mana of Volunteers in Aotearoa. This national event runs from 16-22 June. This year’s theme is Whiria te tangata – Weave the people together. Some of our Volunteers will be at the “Meeting The Locals” expo at the War Memorial Hall on the 15th of June. If you are interested in volunteering, come and chat to us at the expo. 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]
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/donation World Continence Week is from 17-23 June 2024 We know how hard it can be to start new habits, and this is particularly true regarding pelvic floor muscles – many people don’t know what and where they are, and about the important role they play in our bladder, bowel, and overall pelvic function! That’s why this World Continence Week, we are encouraging you to Take the Pelvic Floor Challenge by doing your pelvic floor exercises daily from 17 to 23 June – find out more about the Pelvic Floor Challenge by following this link. If you are worried or need advice, Continence NZ can help – please visit their web-site or call 0800 650 659. World Continence Week 2024: Take the Pelvic Floor Challenge! www.continence.org.nz
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, 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