Pool Party at Ron Smith

A few weeks ago, Matron Avril and myself decided to be very brave and have a pool party for the residents.

Even though we would have like to get them all in the swimming pool for a swim, we weren't that brave yet and just got them to the pool to sit in the not-as-sunny-as-we-had-hoped-for weather and enjoy an ice-cream while watching some crazy staff members jumping in the pool.  We had such a fun afternoon and next summer, we might even be more brave than this time.

It was such an unexpected and spontaneous event and enjoyed by everybody - even the grumpy ones :)  

Ivan Langenstrass enjoying his ice-cream.

Come rain or cold, we decided a pool party we would have and ice-cream we would eat :)

Sister Tando enjoying her ice-cream.

We had such a fun, spontaneous afternoon and even though we just missed the rain (one or two raindrops might have caught up with us), it was well worth it...

Hope we've inspired you to also be a little bit more spontaneous wherever you are :)

Work has never been this fun :)

After the Eden Alternative Training we've had (see this previous post on Eden Alternative), we have decided to start implementing some of the principles and empowering our caregivers with knowledge that can help them to become care partners together with the residents.

We started at Lakeside and the results have been amazing.  The caregivers are participating well and seeing that work can be as fun as you want it to be.  And the residents joined us for each training session and gave their opinion and participated too.  We've been having a ball of  a time.


Physical activity:

Physical activity is very important for older people as it can keep them mobile for as long as possible as well as play a big part in preventing falls.  Physical exercise can also help to uplift the residents' moods.

We chatted about the different physical activities that can be done e.g. chair exercises, music and movement, physical games like chair soccer, balloon volleyball etc.  The residents participated in the discussions and felt that physical exercises are a very important part of good care.

Music and Movement groups with the staff. 

We then had some training on daily living activities (e.g. anything from brushing your hair to making your bed) and how important it is not to do everything for the residents, but to let them participate in these activities for as long as possible.  This will keep the feeling of independence for longer as well as decrease feelings of helplessness as they are actively involved in the everyday activities of the unit.  

Francina and Sarah Lombard making her bed together.  

Sarah showing Francina how she used to do it. 

Care Partners :)

Sheila Faccio helping to fold the laundry.

Shelia and Patricia working together.

Sheila has a very specific way of doing it and said these towels are folded in the right way for guests.

Lerato working with Molly Matroos  (our youngest resident) to set the table for lunch time.  

Sarah decided to jump in and show us how to fold the serviettes.

Joy Mowat decided to start from scratch and first clean everything that must go on the table.  Rosie is supervising the activity.

Moving very fast :)

Joy almost done.

Last serviette or two and then we are ready for lunch time.  

Team work :)

We had another training session with them about the importance of a walking programme.  We brainstormed about the residents' abilities to see who can walk with supervision, who can walk with assistance and who needs to go out in a wheelchair. Then we discussed times that would suit the caregivers and residents best to go for a walk and then we were ready to walk...

Two residents helped out as porters. 

Mary Philips going for a walk with a student.  Nancy Gelfand and Florah follow in the back. 

Happy to be outside :)

Lots of rest breaks are recommended in a walking programme :)

Seeing staff and residents growing together is a wonderful experience.  We hope to see lots more of that here at Ron Smith Care Centre.  

Easter Bonnet Parade

It is that time of the year again, when you see bunnies and eggs everywhere and here at Rand Aid, some beautiful hats for our colourful Easter Bonnet Parade :)

Here are some photos of our fun-filled morning:

1. Anna Marks showing off her hat. 

Allen Sugden and Sister Una van Zyl.  Allen won the prize for the sexiest hat...

Liba Chromy moving to the beat of the music with Selwyn Katz following in the back. 

Debbie Swanepoel (right) who was the entertainer on the piano and got everybody moving. She is pictured with Maude Davidson.  

The winners of the morning for best decorated hats:

Ivan Langenstrass.

Joy Mowat.

Our beautiful Easter Bunny - Nathan Cooper. 

All you need is love :)

There's no better time of the year to show your love than around Valentine's Day.

We began celebrating Valentine's Day on the Monday before the Big Day when we started making decorations for our party, cut out quotes about love and reminisced about long-lost love stories. We had a beautiful Valentine's party on Tuesday, the 12th of February, organised by the volunteers.  And then we had three Valentine's parties on the 14th. So we definitely felt the love here at Ron Smith Care Centre ...

Here are some of the photos :)

The ward was beautifully decorated by the volunteers.

Everyone received red flowers to wear :)

  Edith Bernardis loved the heart biscuits that were made especially for the residents.

OT's theme for Valentine's day :)

Dinah (OTT) with Anna Marks (left) and Liba Chromy (right).

Ivan Langenstrass, who was our Valentine's Casanova, made many a lady's heart skip a beat when he gave them a Valentine's Kiss.  Here he is with Helen Viljoen.

Lorna Smith really took our theme to heart.  She also painted most of the fishes for us.

Selwyn Katz enjoying his cupcake that he decorated himself.

We had a visitor - Scruffy who sings a Valentine's tune while his ears move.  The residents loved Scruffy and he brought lots of smiles and laughs.  Here Liba Chromy is listening to the song.

John Lee decided to take interacting with Scruffy to the next level.  Scruffy will never be the same again.

This is one of my favourite videos so far.  See how Anna Marks interacts with Scruffy :)

Lakeside also looked very festive.

Joy Mowat from Lakeside wanted to see Scruffy sing several times.

Riverlodge 3 Party.  Edith Bernardis and Erica Behla busy with crafts after they had their Valentine cupcakes.

Noel Tilney didn't want to let go of Scruffy.

Happy Valentine's Day from Joe Rosen


Hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day and remember...