Elphino's

On Friday, the 14th of September, we had the opening of our very own coffee shop, called Elphino's. We have been waiting for a long time to open this coffee shop and for many people, it was a dream come true.

The coffee shop is available for family members, residents and the public in general, but there is a specific focus on residents with special needs. The coffee shop aims to give family members and carers an opportunity to have a cup of coffee or snack with their loved one, secure in the knowledge that their special needs are understood.

It was a busy morning, filled with excitement about the new shop. Here are some of the photos of the morning:

Champagne and 'koeksisters' were part of the opening celebrations.

Office ladies Tanya and Suzie and Matron Avril enjoying a glass of champagne to celebrate Elphino's opening.

Phyllis getting ready to cut the ribbon to make the opening official.

John Lee enjoyed every moment of the opening.

The beautiful coffee shop.

Everybody having a good time.

With seating both in and outdoors, gorgeous flower décor and a menu packed with light eats, including toasted sandwiches, waffles, pancakes, muffins and scones, the coffee shop is sure to provide a delightful outing in a supportive, caring environment.

Hope to see you soon :) 

Spring has sprung...

Spring is in the air and with the warmer weather, it is lovely to be able to have OT outside in the sun from time to time.  This led to our recent chair soccer afternoon with two young and energetic boys volunteering from St John's School.

"Spring has newly sprung

the hills are full of grass"

Honour-the-Aged Month

August is our month of honouring our elderly residents here at Ron Smith Care Centre. This initiative started many years ago and has been faithfully followed through in August of each year.

On the 29th of August we had our special tea in the different sections of the care centre.  This tea is prepared by the village residents of Elphin Lodge.  The ladies come in and lay out tables and bring the eats and treats.  This function really allows for great interaction between the village residents and the care centre residents and it's always a very special morning. 

Here are some of the photos of the morning.

Elphin residents Joan Beeton, Adrienne Reid and Marlene Gordon with Joy Movat and Penny Diamond from Ron Smith Care Centre.

Betty Haugthton from RSCC and Betty Dell from Elphin drinking a cup of tea together

Nicole Morrison, a young volunteer helping us out on the day.

On the 31st of August we then had our Honour-the-Aged Lunch - a special lunch to not only celebrate spring that is around the corner, but the wonderful lives our residents have had and the wisdom reflected in their grey hair.  

Helen Petrie gave a wonderful speech reminding us that to "Honour the elderly" is not just a social norm, but also the 5th commandment in the Bible.  She also said that we are reminded about this in August, but it is our responsibility to love them, respect them, be considerate and appreciate them every day of the year.

We had a wonderful lunch cooked for us by our chef; Steve Burton, and with beautiful music in the background by our volunteer Debbie Swanepoel, the atmosphere was lovely.

Marie Diesel, enjoying the beautiful flowers that were on the table.

The two porters Millicent and Doris who worked very hard to get everybody to the dining hall in time.

Anna Marks enjoying the cherry dessert.

Debbie Swanepoel doing her magic on the keyboard.

Sister Eunice Lakay and Arhcibald McDonald sharing a giggle

All the smiles on the residents' faces made our hard work feel like a piece of cake :)

*Proverbs 16:31

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.” (NKJV)

Come and join us...

Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Information Session

When: 20 September 2012
Where: Elphin Lodge Main Hall
222 Modderfontein Road, Lyndhurst
Time: 17h30 for 18h00

RSVP: Auriel: 011 882 6296

Join us for an informative session
about Alzheimer’s and Dementia
presented by Loraine Schirlinger
from Alzheimer’s SA.

A support group will be established
if the need is identified.

Refreshments will be served.

Snow at Ron Smith

We had such a wonderful experience on the 7th of August with an unexpected change in the weather.  We were all busy in OT with various activities when the first flakes of snow fell.  I took the bravest resident out for a bit of sensory stimulation :)  His face lit up as he looked up and saw the tiny flakes falling down.  He remembered his first experience with snow.  "I can remember being on a farm when I saw snow for the first time.  I forgot how beautiful snow is."

The grounds of Elphin Lodge turned instantly into a Winter Wonderland. 

Another bunch of people who really enjoyed the snow were the enthusiastic third year Occupational Therapy students.  They were immediately out in the cold, running around and catching as many snowflakes as they could.  

Zainab, Nicole and Fae enjoying the snow  (and freezing to death).

Winnie was very happy about the snow.

Some staff members enjoyed the snow a bit too much and might have ended up with a bit of flu 

(so worth it).

Even though the residents did not make snow angels, the sisters on the ward made them all aware of the beautiful scenery outside and there was a kind of magic in the air that only snow can bring...

A bit of entertainment...

On the 10th of August, six Grade 10 scholars from Germiston High School came to do some volunteer work at our care centre.  They were doing this in honour of Madiba's 94th birthday, but they decided to give a whole day instead of the normal 67 minutes.

In the morning, they made popcorn for the residents for the Friday movie (Meet me in St Louis).  They served the popcorn and warm blankets and made sure the residents were comfortable for the movie.  They then came to assist with the group in the Alzheimer's and Dementia Ward where the residents really enjoyed their company.  They learnt a bit about sensory stimulation and how you can use it to stimulate a resident living with dementia.  They soon started dancing with the residents who were able to do so.

They then had an hour to plan a concert for the afternoon and they really put a lot of effort in.  The concert started off with an adapted version of "Amazing Grace" they worked out.  They then read a selection of beautiful poems to the residents and ended off with a dance number.  They performed this concert in some of the wards and their audience was very appreciative.  They sang along with Amazing Grace and gave the students a big round of applause after the poems and dancing. 

Thanks to Rumbi, Lerato, Nonhlanhla, Busiwe, Mosa and Siyabonga for the time they gave to do something special for the elderly.  We really appreciate this!

In the words of Mrs Beryl Moll:  "How marvellous."

Happy Birthday

On the 17th of August, one of our residents, Mrs Marjorie Gittings, turned 90 years old.  This milestone was celebrated through a special tea in the Riverlodge 2 lounge.  OT was closed that morning as we were all invited to celebrate with Marjorie and her family.

This beautiful birthday tea reminded me how each and every resident has a life story.  Sometimes we forget that when we spend time with the residents.  We see them when they come to the dining room or to OT or the concerts and hear bits and pieces of their memories and experiences, but we never truly realise that they all have their very own special story...

On Friday, I saw Marjorie in a different role.  I saw her as a mother and a grandmother and I could see how great she must have fulfilled those roles when I listened to the beautiful tear-filled speeches.  I saw her as an active church and community member and heard the testimonies of her friends and fellow church members about  how she changed their lives in a unique way. Her life story became real in front of my eyes and I was amazed by what I saw.

Let's never forget to find each resident's story and treasure it and make it part of our everyday interactions with them.

Happy birthday Marjorie.  May all of our stories one day be as beautiful as yours...

Marjorie and her beautiful card made for her by the church members.

Marjorie's family - from daughter through to great grandchild.