Alzheimers Society Northland (Inc)

P O Box 1179, 321 Western Hills Drive, Whangarei Ph: (09) 438 7771, Fax: (09) 438 2974 – email northland@alzheimers.org.nz

June 2013

Thank you to COGS, Oxford Sports Trust and The Southern Trust for their support in 2012

Half way through the year, time flies when you deal with Councils. To be fair we have just lodged our Resource Consent and they are working through in the time frames they promised. I am hoping that our new building will be one step closer this time next week. After that is the Building Consent and then we start turning dirt. It does seem a long time, but I am sure once it gets started things will move along quite quickly. As we have increased the overall size of the building we don’t expect to be moving in until mid March 2014.

It also might seem such a long way away but I am looking for collectors for our September Street Appeal. If you might be available for an hour or so on Fri 20th September please call the office and leave your name. Many hands make light work, so they say. I promise most of the sites will be inside just in case the weather is not what we are hoping for.

Kevin Salmon General Manager

Kevin Salmon - General Manager

Alzheimers Northland 2013 Gala Dinner

Over 120 diners enjoyed their five course dinner cooked by Executive Chef Shane Yardley and his team from Fish Restaurant, Hilton Hotel in Auckland. Simon Gault of Masterchef held an entertaining master class with the help of some of the diners. There were door prizes, auction items and lucky dips. The Gala Dinner was a huge success, thanks to our organisers and the many sponsors who helped raise $23,000. Our sponsors are listed on Page 3.

June 2013

Kai ora from everyone at Alz Club. MEN'S ACTIVITIES Traditionally there are many more women than men in health care facilities. Activity calendars often reflect an abundance of activities that are female-oriented such as crafts, cooking, domestic activities, and beauty groups. I have been asked on a number of occasions “What Can we do with men?” Although “all men are created equal” they all have different interests. This is a challenge that all Recreation Professionals face, there are many environmental techniques that can be implemented to accommodate our men, such as—

Create shadow boxes filled with familiar objects such as tools, fishing gear, camping gear, woodworking, electrical, plumbing etc. and display in various locations or in the resident’s rooms.

Purchase (or build) interactive boards that have latches, doorknobs, faucets, nuts/bolts, pipes, etc. These can be displayed on portable boards or on walls. Many thanks to Alan Peake who has kindly constructed a board with lights and sound effects. It is a great success.

A sensory box may include similar items as the memory box, but usually is geared toward stimulating senses. Such items may include:

Olfactory - cologne, shoe polish, shaving cream, woodchips (cedar, hickory, manuka) etc.

Tactile - sandpaper, pocket watch, comb, work gloves, paintbrush, etc. Auditory - marching or military music or favorite genre, sounds of nature/animals, etc. Visual - nostalgic and family photos, personal memorabilia, etc. Kinesthetic - simple jigsaw puzzles, variety of balls, blocks of wood for sanding, etc.

Kits and boxes can be made for any type of hobby or occupation. Tool Box - fill a plastic tool box with items such as a paintbrush, tape measure, large

nuts/bolts, sandpaper, level, etc. Backpack - fill a backpack with camping/hiking gear such as a mess kit, canteen, compass, flashlight, binoculars,

etc. Tackle Box - fill a plastic tackle box with items such as fishing lures, reels, small rod, bobbers, etc. (remove all

hooks) Cooler- fill a small cooler with sporting event items such as: water bottle, binoculars, pictures of sports teams,

sunglasses, vintage beer ads, baseball cap, a variety of small soft sports balls (soccer ball, baseball, basketball, hockey puck, etc.).

The Feel and Describe Box - find a medium-sized cardboard box, cut a hole (large enough for a hand to easily fit through), paint or cover the box with contact paper (preferably paper with a wood-style) then fill the box with a variety of items such as those listed above. Have the men reach in and describe what they are feeling.

The men may also enjoy bowling, playing pool, going to an arcade, a putting green, fishing, going to a movie or concert, and of course, dining out and we won’t forget to mention the Horse Races.

Table games (cards, dominoes, backgammon, checkers) Socials, parties, happy hour, special events Movies (Westerns, comedies, war movies, mysteries) Ping pong and billiards Cognitive Games Competitions

The hunter/outdoorsman may enjoy watching the birds, listening to the sounds of nature, sifting through Fishing & Game magazine, investigating the backpack, or the aroma of pine. The sports fan may enjoy adapted physical games such as bowling and basketball, watching sports on TV, trips to a game or playing a soccer video game. The truck and car lovers may enjoy remote controlled cars, watching auto racing, going to a car show, or doing a car puzzle. The handyman may enjoy fiddling with wood blocks, helping the maintenance department in hanging a picture, sorting through an array of nuts and bolts in the toolbox, creating a pipe sculpture, building a model airplane, etc. The businessman may enjoy counting fake money, organizing receipts, punching numbers on a calculator, balancing a cheque book, monitoring the stock market or reading the Herald. I hope that you may find something listed of use for you and your man. Ka kite ano Cheryll Magee Dementia Day Centre’s Coordinator/Reg. Diversional Therapist

Page 2 Keeping up with the team...

Whangarei—Kaipara News

Greetings from Anne, Robyn and Rod. We have had a busy few months with meeting new clients. Anne facilitated a question and answer presentation held at Jane Mander which 80 people attended. Our next Carers Education Programme in Whangarei is scheduled for 16th, 23rd and 30th July. We are organising a retreat in June for 6 lucky carers in the Far North in July. We are going to Paradise View Health Retreat & Spa, Waipu.

Countdown Supports Alzheimers

When purchasing online with Countdown Alzheimer’s carers have free delivery for all online orders, saving $15.00 Promotion Code: forget me not

Mid-North News - Lizzi Hulbert

Kia Ora, from Ria Leef-Smith. I recently attended a two day workshop on Health Promotion for Community Workers facilitated by Karen Hick and Sue Taylor from Health Promotion Forum NZ. Karen’s workshop covered Public, Personal Health and Health Promotion and the differences between Health Education and Health Promotion. Day Two: Sue covered Maori Health Promotion—meaning the process of enabling Maori to increase control over the determinants of health and strength, their identity as Maori and thereby improving their health and position in Society. These workshops were totally hands on for the participants and well worth attending, a good networking opportunity. Cheers Ria.

Page 3 June 2013

Far North News - Kia ora from Ria Leef-Smith

Tiaho Trust ‘Accessibility Advisory Group’ Tiaho Trust is a disability led organisation that links disability news and information to people and families in Northland and works with us to promote our services throughout Northland.

They are seeking persons with Dementia who are interested in working with others with a range of impairments as part of an ‘Accessibility Advisory Group’ to provide feedback and advice around how we can ensure that those with Dementia receive information about our services through channels and in formats that are easily accessible to them. Feedback and advice will also be sought on what would help improve the accessibility of the built environment to businesses and services in Northland. This is a volunteer position however a koha may be considered to cover transport costs associated with attending meetings which will be held initially every six weeks at the Tiaho Trust offices in Hunt Street Whangarei. Please contact Sheryl Kibblewhite on 09 430 3406 or email sheryl@tiaho.org.nz if you are interested in being part of this group.

Kerikeri Village Trust – Tui Wing This month I attended the opening of the newly refurbished Tui (Secure) Wing at the Kerikeri Retirement Village. The rooms have been updated and there are three new ones with modern facilities and a very comfortable kitchen and living area. The Rest Home has added new modern en-suite rooms. Falls Alert Now that the winter weather approaches care needs to be taken to prevent falls. Three of our carers have sustained quite serious injuries, two falling outside in their gardens and one falling off a stool inside. Carer Support Group This is held on the first Wednesday of the month at Kingston House, Hone Heke Road, Kerikeri. All carers are welcome for a chat and a cuppa. Rainbow Group There are a few vacancies and this is held every Wednesday at the Social Centre at the Kerikeri Village. Enquiries to Lizzi on 021-585-337.

Italian Dinner An Italian Dinner was held in Waipu by Dawn Heywood and raised over $800. The diners wore costumes and enjoyed a

four course dinner. It was a fun night filled with much hilarity and enjoyed by all. Thank you Dawn. If you would like to host an event, or would like to talk about it, please call us on 09 438 7771. We would love to hear from you.

A big Thank You to our sponsors without your generous donations and sponsorship our Gala Dinner evening would not have been such a success

Addiction Hair, AJ Hackett Bungy –

Queenstown Amici Italian Restaurant

Arnold Franks Aussie Butcher Barrells 100%

Bayleys Real Estate Beautiful Things Bloom Flowers

Buchannans Pharmacy Copthorne Hotel & Resort

Bay of Islands Cow Pizza Queenstown

Craigs Firestone Dental Laser Clinic

Dickens Inn Dive Tutukaka

Dream Waters Fishing— Guides Queenstown

Euro Restaurant Auckland Explore NZ

Fishers on Cameron Flying Fish Design Store Fullers Great Sights—

Bay of Islands

Hell Pizza Hilton Hotel Auckland Jervois Steak House—

Queenstown Kauri Cliffs Golf

Kensington Dental Centre Kensington Gym

Les Andrew Lion Nathan

Liquor King Maunu Louie Berkers Mad Butcher

Making Faces—Photography

Marisco Vineyard Mondos

Morgan Classic Car Hire Moulin Rouge

Northland Hospitality Nourish Group

NZ Safety Orrs Pharmacy

Overproof Pak n Save

Passion for Hair Penguin Wholesalers

Peregrine Wines Possum Trendz

ProVision Technologies Ltd Queenstown House

Reflections Hair and Beauty Repco

Revas on the Waterfront Rodney Wayne Schnappa Rock

Scripps Specsavers

Tawapou Coastal Natives The Cabbage Tree

The Duke of— Marlborough Hotel Tiki Wholesale Meats

Tipu Whangarei Aquatic Centre Whangarei Chainsaw and

Mower Services World of Decor

Wynn Fraser Paints AND OF COURSE:

Shane Yardley Rob Johnston

Leigh Barachet

Thank you to all who have sent donations in lieu of flowers following the death of a loved one or friend. Our condolences to all those recently bereaved. In particular our thoughts are with the families of Fred Barnes, Anne Koome, Malcolm Roland, Nola Turvey, Keith Harding, Dawn Wharfe, Brian Collins

MEMBERSHIP

My choice of Membership is:

[ ] Annual (Family/Individual) June anniversary ($35)

[ ] Annual (Corporate/Rest Home) ($100)

[ ] Life Time Membership (Family/Individual) ($200)

[ ] Donation $.......

Name: _____________________

Address (Including Postcode): ____________________________________

______________________________________________________________

__________________________________ Phone: _____________________

Email address:_________________________________________________

Are you a member of our society? As a Member you will receive regular newsletters and invitations to special events/activities. Becoming a member also gives you voting rights at our Annual General Meeting and helps us with much-needed funds.

On a cold bleak day like this it is not easy to remember the lovely long summer we had.

So the sunshine in our particular world consists of looking forward to our new building. Progress is being made and not only on our building but Alzheimers seems to be spoken about much more. This can only be good for “de-stigmatising” dementia. There are many changes being planned for the care of our loved ones which will, over time, help to reduce the stresses on family and whanau that come with a diagnosis of dementia.

I hope you will be able to shop at the particular Countdown supermarkets that will be fundraising for Alzheimers in July. Enjoy the lamingtons that will be for sale.

Regent New World, with the support of Anchor Growing Communities funding project, over the next 3 months will have an Alzheimers Northland charity box for Anchor product tokens to be placed.

We want to be able to do as much as possible for you all and it is an unfortunate fact that money is needed to enable us to do this.

Blessings to you all Margaret.

Message from the Chairperson :

Margaret Malcolm

The Alzheimers Society Northland Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation which provides support, information and education to anyone in the Northland community who is affected by Alzheimers disease and/or a related dementia

disorder; and at the same time we support their family, whanau and carers.

Our Community Advisors are available to families from Te Hana to Cape Reinga.

Some of the services we provide are:

Home visits Education Seminars

Telephone Support Day Centre

Support Groups Advocacy

321 Western Hills Drive PO Box 1179, Whangarei, 0140 Phone: (09) 438 7771 or 0800 004 001 Kaitaia Office (09) 408 1123 Kerikeri Office(09) 407 3010 Fax: (09) 438 2974 Email: northland@alzheimers.org.nz

Your HRV flyer is enclosed.

To find out more about your Alzheimer Society member’s discount — Please phone Murray Batger on (09) 430 3475

Our deepest gratitude...

Thanks to everyone who made donations and helped in so many ways so far this year. Sir John Logan Camp-bell Residuary Estate Oxford Sports Trust The Southern Trust Lion foundation COGS Far North NZ Lotteries Board