AUTUMN 2017 Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness The New Zealand Cycle Classic 2017, a five day event held in January of this year, took its riders from Masterton to Castlepoint, through the The Five Towns of the Wairarapa and on a fast 12 lap, 10 km circuit just west of Masterton. Glenwood residents were there to cheer them on. IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 From our Facility Manager Clinical Nurse Leader Quality Obituaries Community Care & Education Page 6 Administration Page 7 Good times Page 10 Glenwood News and Activities - Birthdays - New to Glenwood On the Noticeboard Glenwood News, Autumn 2017 1
FROM OUR FACILITY MANAGER Doing our best for you Dear Residents, Families and Staff I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas break and what little summer we have had. Satisfaction survey I would like to thank all those who provided feedback in the relatives and residents survey in December your input and suggestions are greatly valued. The survey has now been collated by our Quality coordinator and reviewed by our staff, the management team and relevant committees. Where possible, we will respond to suggestions, review the issues raised and provide solutions. There were several issues not scoring as high as we would want. The first was our food service. We have had a number of staff changes in the kitchen over the last year due to staff sickness and turnover. However, we have just appointed a new first cook, Racheal Dickson, who is at present reviewing the menus and processes to help meet everyone s desires and needs. Not an easy process, when everyone has different tastes. Again, weekend availability of activities has been highlighted. Clearly, making an activities assistant available to run a Saturday programme for the last quarter of 2016 has not been enough we will again review this situation with a view to covering Sundays as well. The survey also indicated a dissatisfaction with the podiatry service, though no specific issues were identified in the survey. We will review this service from our perspective but if you have any concerns, please share them with us so we can make improvements. Denise McAlpine Transport or suitable transport being available for resident outings was another issue. A mobility van is available at Glenwood we share this with the Wairarapa Masonic Village. We use it as much as possible but our biggest limitation is the availability of drivers. Though I have been encouraging staff to learn to drive it, not everyone is keen. What better way to celebrate turning 60 than with chocolate cake and kind wishes 2 Glenwood News, Autumn 2017
There is of course Driving Miss Daisy, a wonderful service. Just a wee reminder that residents are responsible for the cost of their own transport when attending social occasions. Staffing numbers were also questioned. This is disappointing to read, because here at Glenwood we staff well above the minimum staffing hours and we offer our staff extensive training. Of course, despite the best laid plans we can be a staff member down due to sickness and not be able to find a replacement. I apologise for not meeting your expectations please be assured that we ll continue to work towards providing you and your family with quality care. Quality care Glenwood s Mission states that: We are committed to providing all residents with compassionate and quality care appropriate to their Individual needs, to ensure their right to be cared for with Dignity and Respect and to promote their autonomy and Freedom of choice. Our staff take pride in ensuring that the residents of Glenwood are assisted to look and feel good about themselves, and to remain healthy and happy in their daily lives. This is greatly enhanced by the support you give our staff by doing things as little as making sure that shaving gear is maintained and that electric appliances are tested and tagged for safety. Helping at meal times (if swallowing issues are not a problem) is a wonderful way of spending one-on-one time with your family member. We also value feedback on any issues that arise. If you do have concerns do not forget to raise them with the registered nurses or Lyn our Clinical Nurse Leader. We want to work together to ensure that the quality care we promise is a consistent measure of the care that you or your family receive at Glenwood. Warm wishes Denise McAlpine, Facility manager CLINICAL NURSE LEADER Providing great care Hello Everyone I hope you and your families have had a great festive season and are enjoying the warmer days of summer and early autumn. This year, the warmer days appear to be fewer and far between than in previous years but they are still very enjoyable. During the hotter days, our team works very hard to ensure that our residents stay cool and well hydrated. With the numerous jugs of water being refreshed continuously, thanks to our kitchen staff, and health care assistants for making sure residents are encouraged and assisted with their drinks and the many ice lollies handed out by the DTs. For this period, our QPS figures have shown that our hard work has paid off as we have had fewer infections and skin tears for this period. A huge thank you to everyone. We are also continually working to improve the standard of care we provide. Over the past months Peggy, our enrolled nurse, has been working alongside Lyn Stewart our staff. This has been a great learning for us as a team and already we have seen the benefits of this. Over the next couple of weeks we will be preparing for our annual influenza vaccinations. We ask that all families keep a look out for the permission forms that will be circulating soon. It was a pleasure meeting those of you who attended our Meet & Greet evening in early March. Lyn Stewart, acting Clinical nurse leader Glenwood News, Autumn 2017 3
QUALITY Glenwood a great place to live Hi Everyone I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and new year, and managed to catch up with family and friends. Hard to believe we are now in autumn I wonder where the summer went to. Thank you all for the survey responses that were completed in December as always it is good to know the areas in which we can make improvement, and also the areas in which we are doing well. It s wonderful to know you would all recommend Glenwood to your family and friends as a place to live. The staff again did well with their yearly Infection Control survey, which highlighted a couple of areas for further education that were brought up at our last staff meeting. Our QPS results for the last quarter were favourable with a reduction in falls, skin tears and infections so well done to the staff for their hard work. We had no staff manual handling injuries, a decrease in staff absenteeism and also a reduction in the use of agency staff which is very good. Jacqui Staats The staff are due to complete their yearly Employee satisfaction and Aged Care Competency surveys this month so I look forward to getting these back and seeing how they do. Jacqui Staats, Quality coordinator Obituaries Our sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of the following residents... Alex, Brenda, Rangi, Rosemary They have been a special part of our extended Family at Glenwood, and their passing is remembered by us all. 4 Glenwood News, Autumn 2017
COMMUNITY CARE & EDUCATION Excellent team work Hello Everyone I would like to take this time to thank our great Community Team and Support Staff for assisting in my fairly smooth transition from an RN on the floor to Community & Education Co-ordinator. I am really enjoying this new role and challenge. I hope you have been enjoying the lovely summer we have been having, though I must admit I am looking forward to autumn and its milder weather, especially the cooler nights! I recently attended my brother s wedding on Waiheke Island and I was reminded that New Zealand really is Paradise. Community As part of our service, the Community staff assist with the delivery of Glenwood s Meals on Wheels service. Over the past several months this service has increased in size. I would like to say a big thank you all the staff who deliver these meals and for the wonderful work they do. The feedback we receive is that our staff s visits and smiling faces are very much welcomed and appreciated. I would also like to welcome to the Community team our new staff members Jean Bresaz, Maureen Gavin & Carmelle Hoskin. Education The Education Team is currently planning its goals for 2017, and will be implementing online training for all staff. Peggy is being kept busy with organising and Sally Furness assisting the staff with their Career Force training, and is doing a fantastic job. We also have staff attending courses outside of Glenwood. Kathryn and Gill will be completing their Palliative Care Education this year at the DHB; Molly and Riria will be attending the Health Care Assistants Education Seminar next month in Palmerston North this is run by the Aged Care Association. I would like to congratulate the following staff for successfully completing the Ace Programme: Kathryn Armstrong, Molly de Lara-Bell, Jane de Lara-Bell and Megan Luff. Sheryl MacGregor obtained her certificate in the Ace Advanced Programme, and Stephanie Lowen the NZ Certificate in Cleaning Level 3. Well done! Sally Furness, RN, Community Care & Education Co-ordinator Congratulations to all! Glenwood News, Autumn 2017 5
ADMINISTRATION A new challenge for Stef Dear Residents and Families It s incredible but true this is my last newsletter entry for a while. You might have heard or noticed already there are big changes happening in my life. As from June I m going to be Mummy again and the belly is growing strong. I m feeling very well and hope I can rock up and support the Glenwood team until the end of May. You never know though what the little bundle has in its mind, and you cannot predict when they are likely to pop out, so we will wait and see. Everyone tells me how much having a baby changes your life, but in reality, you can t even begin to comprehend the total transformation that occurs when your little one is born. I have loved before, but I never understood the love a parent has for their child until I had mine. After having Sophie six years ago I totally understood why there is nothing like a mother s love (nor a father s). As you know, I m pretty organised but I m sure I m up for a new challenge. Even if I m not just ready yet I do look forward to have my world turned upside down all over again. I know they say that the love you have just doubles with your second child, but it is hard to imagine having the love I hold for Sophie double for another, and yet it is possible. So my count down here at Glenwood is running but rest assured, I will come in from time to time to visit you all. Thank you so much for our all our great chats and laughter when you stopped by my office. To all my colleagues here at Glenwood CHEERS for the great team work over the last four years keep rocking crew! I will miss you all. Stef Porten, Administration manager Having children brings a whole new perspective to the love God has for us Glenwood s A team: Gary and Stef 6 Glenwood News, Autumn 2017
GOOD TIMES Reflecting on a wonderful Christmas Residents celebrated well during the festive season by attending the Trust House Over 70s Xmas party at Solway Park. This is an annual event at which a yummy lunch, drinks and entertainment are put on for over 500 people. At Glenwood, residents were entertained by the Savage Club and family joined residents for dinner and drinks. Glenwood News, Autumn 2017 7
GOOD TIMES The New Zealand Cycle classic 2017 The New Zealand Cycle classic 2017 Glenwood residents cheering on the champions of tomorrow. In Glenwood s kitchen Rachael Glenwood s 1st cook Beautiful food takes practice learning how to make food moulds 8 Glenwood News, Autumn 2017
GOOD TIMES From Glenwood s garden Our talented flower arranging team Piper Madison visits Glenwood Piper Madison, two-months old, was brought in to see us by her mother Rebecca, our clinical nurse who is on maternity leave. Residents and staff were able to hold her and give her lots of cuddles. Glenwood News, Autumn 2017 9
Glenwood News and Activities Happy Birthday To all following Residents Doss, Henrietta, Ian, Ivy, Julia, Kelvin, Max, Phillip, Trix Welcome to Glenwood! We have some new people at Glenwood and we would like to extend a very warm welcome to... Bryan, Elsma, Gina, Hazel, Margaret Our aim is to make sure that you feel well cared for living in your home away from home. On the Noticeboard Cold winter months are ahead of us Would you please be so kind as to check your family member s wardrobe to ensure that they have nice warm clothes available and, if necessary, change their summer clothes over to winter clothes Flu vaccinations are available for all residents on the 6 April & 24 April. Have you returned your consent forms to our Clinical Nurse leader yet? If not, please be so kind to do so or ask for a new copy. A helping hand Do you know someone who would like to assist us with resident activities? We are always on the look out for volunteers who could help make a difference for our residents Keeping in touch Would you like to keep updated on Glenwood s News and receive our Newsletter online on a three monthly basis? If yes, let our Admin Coordinator Stefanie know or email: gmhadmin@masonicvillages.co.nz so we can enter you on our email list. 10 Glenwood News, Autumn 2017