The hamlets herald APRIL 2014 A M e s s a ge f ro m yo u r R e c re a t i o n M a n a ge r As we enter the month of April, we begin to see the signs of Spring outside. Tulips, crocuses and daffodils are popping up out of the dirt as we breathe in the sweet smell of Spring! I would like to thank all those who attended our special St. Patrick s festivities last month! We all enjoyed our special entertainment, 2 For The Showgirls, of whom provided an energetic performance complete with Irish songs and some hand-clappin, toe-tappin FUN! Spring programming was in full effect with our Seed & Potting and Spring Poems programs! A beautiful Scenic Drive to White Rock Beach (complete with sunny weather) provided some breathtaking scenery for our participants! This month will be offering an exciting array of various programs suitable for all tastes. We anticipate a MAGIC SHOW on April Fools Day! Evergreen Hamlets is taking part in EARTH DAY initiatives through a BOTTLE DRIVE, as we are accepting donations from all families, friends and staff! H&H Total Care is partnering with the Electronics Recycling Association (ERA), and is requesting our help as well (see flyers on page 7 and 8 for details)! On Earth Day, a select group will also partake in annual CLEAN SWEEP program, allowing participants to clean the outside grounds around our home, as we work towards promoting a cleaner environment! Easter will be recognized by our ever-popular Egg-Decorating program, an Easter Egg Contest, and a special Church Service on April 27th! Families are also reminded that we have received the results from the family surveys that were sent out and we will be sharing those results with everyone very soon! Please view an important special Community Corner 2- page bulletin (Page 5-6). Families and Guests are also welcome to inquire about any educational opportunities with our Care Manager, Diane Cameron at 604.597.7906 (ext. 166). Finally, Happy Easter to all our devoted readers! Jason Villanueva Recreation Manager Evergreen Hamlets at Fleetwood Communities where Health & Happiness are a Way of Life Tel: 604-597-7906 (ext. 400) Fax: 604-597-9025 What s Inside Message from the RM Page 1 Council Minutes Page 2 Upcoming Events Page 3 Birthdays/ Word Scramble Page 4 Community Corner pt. 1 Page 5 Community Corner pt. 2 Page 6 H&H Earth Day Initiative Page 7 Special Events Flyer Page 8
RESIDENT COUNCIL March 18th, 2014 Recreation Staff: Jason, Chloe Council Attendees: Wendy F. Darcy P. Brian D. Trever H. Sonia H. Current Discussion Topics: Richard H. Ron A. Richard B. Michael L. Debbie M. Art E. Julie W. Beverley R. Peter D. Trish S. Ileana W. Vanessa D. Dorothy S. Tom R. Laura H. Ken D. Bill C. 1) We established a $600 fundraising goal to go towards a new Table Shuffleboard. 2) The change in structure of our programming from one large program, to two smaller programs running simultaneously on different floors, has been approved by residents. 3) Bible Study was enjoyed by those who attended, and we look forward to more religious services in the near future. (Recreation Manager is looking into establishing more Church Group contacts in the area) 4) Participants loved the St. Patrick s Day musical entertainment 2 for the Showgirls, and requested the duo return sometime in the future. 5) Our Take out Lunch program has been changed to Take out Dinner (to be served at 5:00pm on floor/ units) starting in April-onwards. Residents vote for Take Out Dinner= Burger King, Lunch Outing = Ricky s in April. 6) Recreation Manager inquires with Council on ways to make our floors more Home-like ; suggestions include: 1) more pictures on the walls, 2) more plants, 3) ambient lighting, 4) a pet, and 5) pleasant scents for our rooms. MENU COMMITTEE Staff: Raman (Head Chef) Current Discussion Topics: 1) Suggestions for the special Easter Menu included glazed ham, turkey, and roast beef, and for dessert black forest cake, cheese cake, and apple pie. 2) While discussing breakfast, the topic of yogurt availability arose; Raman clarified that yogurt is already available on each floor and Residents need only to ask the Care Aides for some. More fresh fruit was also suggested as part of breakfast.
Every Friday - Weekend Warm-Up (B-day Party: Apr. 25) Scrabble, Yahtzee Every Saturday - Bingo, Movie Matinee Every Sunday - Wii Games, Music Social, Fitness, Happy Nails Every Monday - Bingo, Crib Club Every Thursday - Sensory Stimulation April 1st - Just For Laughs, MAGIC SHOW April 2, 9,16th - Exercises April 4, 11th - Tai Chi April 8, 22nd - Music Therapy with Gordon April 9th - Debate Club, Take Out Dinner: Burger King April 15th - Baking Club: Carrot Cupcakes April 15. 16th - Easter Egg Decorating April 17th - Easter Egg Hunt April 18th - Prince Of Egypt Movie Presentation April 22nd - Evergreen BOTTLE DRIVE, Clean Sweep April 24th - Karaoke Time! April 27th - Fleetwood Reformed Church Service SPECIAL OUTINGS: April 24th - Lunch Outing : Ricky s All Day Grill April 30th - Scenic Drive to White Rock Beach Please look towards our Activity Calendar for more information! Please book 2 weeks in advance if you plan on attending any Special Event/outing, as they tend to fill up fairly quickly! See you there!
APRIL BIRTHDAYS MAY BIRTHDAYS Mary M. Baldev D. Karol S. Pete R. Bill C. Debra M. Michael L. Zachary L. Sylvia H. Randy H. Diana C. We hope the month of April is filled with luck, happiness, and warm thoughts for all our residents, staff, families and friends! Special welcome to all new residents who have now joined us at Evergreen! We look forward to learning more about you soon!
DYSPHAGIA & TEXTURE MODIFIED DIETS Dysphagia [dis-fey-juh, -jee-uh] means swallowing disorder OR problems swallowing. It can be due to many reasons including: Medical conditions such as Huntington s disease, brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, stroke Use of some medications Psychological factors Dysphagia can be mild or severe; long term or short term, and can present as difficulties swallowing food or fluids, or both. When dysphagia is not addressed, this puts the resident at risk of: Choking, which can result in blocking of the airway, and may cause death Aspiration, which is entry of foreign material into the trachea and lungs (such as food particles, saliva, medications, etc.). This can cause harmful bacteria to grow in the lungs, and can result in pneumonia. Malnutrition/dehydration All residents with signs and symptoms of dysphagia must be assessed by a qualified individual. TREATMENT OF DYSPHAGIA When the resident s swallowing is assessed, recommendations often include: Compensatory postures: Positioning the body when eating/drinking to minimize risk of choking or aspiration. Food and/or fluid texture modifications Feeding techniques, such as small bites of food and allowing additional time to eat Compliance with treatment recommendations is crucial for the resident s safety. TEXTURE MODIFICATION There are four diet textures available at Evergreen Hamlets. Fluid consistencies can be thickened to a nectar, honey or pudding consistency. REGULAR TEXTURE: No modifications are made to any foods. Person in care must be able to tolerate all foods/food textures. CUT UP TEXTURE: Some foods will be cut up into bite sized pieces (i.e. meats). Finger foods (i.e. sandwiches) and some soft desserts will not be cut up. Cut up texture is appropriate for a person in care who may have difficulties cutting up their own food. It is not usually recommended for a resident with dysphagia. CONTINUED >
> CONTINUED: MINCED TEXTURE: Foods are soft or ground to a minced like texture. Crustless bread is usually included in the minced diet, unless it is poorly tolerated. Minced texture is appropriate for a person in care who is having difficulties chewing and/or mild dysphagia. PUREE TEXTURE: All foods are pureed to a smooth, cohesive consistency with no lumps. Food can be referred to as swallow ready. Puree foods are necessary for a person in care who has severe chewing problems, severe dysphagia or presents with other factors affecting intake and/or compromising safety (i.e. poor alertness). The minced and puree texture diets follow the regular and cut up menu as closely as possible. For example, if the regular texture diet is receiving a ham sandwich with a broccoli salad, the minced will receive puree bread, puree ham & mayo, and puree broccoli salad. Most foods can be minced and pureed, however there are some foods that may not produce an acceptable product when modified, for example, lettuce salads. When such food items are on the menu, alternatives are used that are similar in nutritional value and food group. The nutritional value of texture modified diets is similar to a regular diet. THICKENED FLUIDS: If a patient is at risk of aspirating thin fluids, thickened fluids may be required to minimize the risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. There are different consistencies of thickened fluids; nectar, honey and pudding thick. Depending on the severity of the resident s risk of aspiration, will determine what fluid consistency is required. COMPLIANCE TO DIET TEXTURES If a resident has been changed to a texture modified diet, but you would still like to bring your loved one food and drink, please check with a staff member about what types of food will be safe to bring. Thickening powder to thicken fluids is always available for you to thicken fluids to the appropriate consistency- every type of fluid can be thickened including pop, juice, milk, even beer! Please ask staff to teach you how to use the thickener powder. Evergreen Hamlet employees must comply with all diet recommendations and are required to only feed foods that follow the recommended texture modified diet. If foods and/or fluids are left at the facility by family and/or friends that are not the appropriate texture, the staff will not be able to feed those foods. If you have any questions or you would like more information regarding dysphagia or texture modified diets, please feel free to contact Chrissie Ohlund, Registered Dietitian, 604.597.7906 ext. 501 (available on Tuesday only).
Earth Day 2014: April 22nd Every year on April 22, over a billion people in 190 countries take action for Earth Day. How are you making an impact this Earth Day? H&H Total Care and its facilities are partnering with Electronics Recycling Association (ERA) to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth's environment beginning our in communities. With your help we hope to amass as much of your old and unwanted electronics which ERA will then refurbish and redistribute to local charities. We are asking you to help us in our mission to repurpose your old electronics in a meaningful manner that will strengthen our community and help us donate to a good cause. If H&H and its sites collect enough items to be one of ERA s top 10 donators, we will have a tree planted in our company name. It s easy being green Comb through your homes to gather any old and unwanted electronics you wish to recycle (not including household appliances). A drop off location has been setup close to the staff room for any electronic equipment until April 22nd when the ERA will pick up. Staff, residents, families and friends are encouraged to participate! Be aware we will be taking pictures of participants dropping of equipment to post on our website we want to inspire other people to do what you are doing disposing of old electronics in a way that has a pronounced community and environmental impact! Thank you for your support!
WHEN: April 1st, 2014 WHERE: TIME: Activity Auditorium 3:00-4:00PM All are invited to join us on April Fool s Day, for a special afternoon as magician Peter Rooke performs a number of intriguing tricks and illusions to dazzle the mind! RSVP with JASON (Recreation) by March 28th, to guarantee your seat! (604)597-7906 (EXT 400) ATTENTION ALL FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND STAFF: Help us meet our fundraising goal of $600, as the Recreation Department has begun FUNDRAISING towards a new Table Shuffleboard for our residents! All families, friends, and staff, are kindly asked to contribute their empty bottles, cans, and other recyclables, to the Evergreen Bottle Drive. Submit donations in a plastic bag in front of the Recreation Office by no later than April 22nd, 2014 (Earth Day).