Summer 2018 - Alzheimers NZ
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Summer 2018
As the year ends, we think about all we are grateful for.
Our relationship with our community here in Whanganui and our Alzheimers Whanganui Incorporated
rural communities is one thing we value very much. Thank you for 5/136 Victoria Avenue
the opportunity to serve you for another year. P O Box 7018, Whanganui 4541
Ph: 06 3458833 0800 004 001
We have had another very busy year here at Alzheimers Whanganui. Charity Register No: CC10907
This year has seen us deliver three Whānau Wellbeing & Dementia www.alzheimerswhanganui.org.nz
Education Programmes for Carers, two of these in Whanganui and www.facebook.com/pages/alzheimers
-whanganui/4092561702183
one in Taihape. All were well attended. These programmes are held
2.5hrs per week for six weeks and are funded by our DHB meaning
there is no cost to participants. With the delivery in Taihape staff and
one board member travelled to Taihape one evening per week for six Christmas/New Year
weeks and I would like to thank them for their dedication to service Office Closed
delivery in our rural areas.
Thursday 20th December
We have continued to add to, and expand, our services in the rural
Office Reopens
areas and have a presence there two days each month.
Monday 7th January
Our mission statement “A Dementia Friendly New Zealand
Aotearoa” is foremost in our minds in everything we do and
providing our clients, their family/whānau and carers with the best The Group
services we can is something we strive to do all year round. Last outing for 2018 will be on
Thanks to our supporters, 2018 was a very successful year for us. We Monday 17th Dec – Supper at the
were able to exceed our goals and expand our services to the Office & Viewing the Christmas
community because of the generosity and commitment of people Lights around Whanganui
like you.
The Group will recommence
I would also like to thank our Board for the hours they give mid January
voluntarily and for their contribution and dedication to Alzheimers Please contact office for details
Whanganui and exceptional support of staff.
My thanks also to the staff here at Alzheimers Whanganui. Yes we
survived 2018. In fact we thrived because of their amazing hard work Whānau Wellbeing &
and the contribution they make everyday to ensure the integrity and
dignity of Alzheimers Whanganui is upheld. They are a wonderful Dementia Education
group of people to work with. Programme for 2019
Ohakune 29 Jan – 5 March
In closing I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Whanganui 7 May – 11 June
joyful, rewarding New Year. I look forward to working with you all in
2019. Please contact office for details
Wendy
Alzheimers Whanganui is a not-for-profit organisation supporting people affected by dementia and/or
socially isolated in the Whanganui, Rangitikei and Waimarino District. We work with people who have
concerns with memory loss, cognitive changes or a diagnosis of dementia. (A person does not require a
diagnosis prior to receiving support). Core support involves information, resources, education, social group
and individual outings, home visits, individual and group carer support, newsletters, media articles, community
presentations, WanderSearch Tracking Alarm, and Community Awareness events.
Thank you to all those who supported us for our 2018 Memory Walk
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Another fabulous year is drawing quickly to an end. We are already planning our outings for 2019 - can you
believe it!
As usual we have been privileged to visit and meet some amazing people out there in our community who
have supported our Group outings. Without these people and these places to visit we would not be able to
offer such a fantastic range of outings/activities to our members. Another very important thing to remember
is that we certainly couldn’t run our Group outings without the support of our fabulous team of volunteers.
We are truly thankful and grateful to these folk, as well as everyone else we are lucky enough to come into
contact with who support us in various ways.
There have been lots of highlights throughout the year, as usual too many to name them all. Two special
outings that do pop to mind, one saw us fill a 28 bus for a trip to Waiouru Army Museum in October, and the
other we took a small group to Mowhanau Beach for an overnight stay. We have also supported some of
our members to transition into Day Service at residential care facilities and have supported families when
the time has come for a more permanent arrangement and a family member has moved into permanent
care.
In November we had a Pot Luck dinner at Duncan Pavilion, this brought together people who we have quite
a bit to do with as well as those on the peripheral of our organisation. This is a fantastic way for people to
come together, to meet others, and have some fun. People can see that there are others out there in similar
situations, that there is support available and that it’s ok to have fun and most importantly to laugh.
With that in mind I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas that is filled with love, fun and laughter.
Maree Cairns
Diversional Therapist / Community Coordinator
Looking Back there has been some wonderful Group outings to varied and interesting places for both
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Groups, too many to list here.
For the Marton Group their fascination with history has led to visits to the Historical Society, where
discussion was thick and fast about who and what everyone remembered. Lots of reminiscing, comparing
stories and lots of laughs too.
A lovely moment to recall was when a new member was introduced to the Marton Group. Lo and behold
she was related to a Marton Group member and they then had a great catch-up, as their families
intertwined from turn of the century.
When we are driving around visiting various places there is always lots of conversation about the
surrounding area and the changes they’ve observed. Sometimes it’s about their old farm, where they used
to go for dances, what business has gone and what new ones have opened up.
A highlight for the Tui group (predominantly men); was a visit to Elite Engineering, where they enjoyed the
morning in the staff room and wearing protective clothing (hard hats etc.); as the group was hosted and
given a hands on tour throughout the building. It was an opportunity for some of the members to ask
questions, observe the machinery in motion, handle some of the tools made and talk about the equipment
used.
These monthly outings where we are hosted are so beneficial on so many grounds. A big thank you goes to
our hosts for receiving us, always welcoming, keen to accommodate and socialise with members.
So here we are and Christmas is a few weeks away so on that note I extend a Warm Christmas Greeting to
you all and may this time be filled with love, laughter and fun creating even more memories.
Marlene Wallace
Diversional Therapist/Community Support Coordinator
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Excellent Christmas
Present!
If you would like to purchase
a book for $35.00
please phone (06) 345 8833
or email:
admin@alzheimerswhanganui.org.nz
(all proceeds going to
Alzheimers Whanganui)
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Memory loss is the most common symptom of Dementia, especially short-term memory loss. While a
person may not remember what they had for breakfast or what they did an hour ago; they are likely to
remember the school they went to and tell stories about their childhood. Reminiscing enables the person to
contribute and enjoy a great conversation. It’s an opportunity to share thoughts, feelings of one’s
experiences and reflecting on events. Also an excellent way to build relationships and connect with the
person who has dementia.
Benefits of Reminiscing Therapy:
Getting to know the person as they share about their memories and experiences which all contributes
to making them so unique and special.
Preserves family history: Stories they can pass on to the next generation, builds bonds and can bring
families together.
Improves quality of life: Recalling good memories can be uplifting, and boost the person’s mood,
make a person feel happy, smile and laugh.
Positive memories: Reduce stress, increases self-esteem, protects against depression and loneliness.
Social stimulation: Sharing with others provides entertainment, increases the ability to communicate,
thrive on meaningful conversation with others and strengthens friendships.
You can carry out Reminiscing Therapy either on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. Try not to force or
rush conversations, instead make yourself a cuppa and get a nice comfy chair – so you can sit back, relax
and enjoy what the person has to share.
Sometimes you might think to yourself ‘I’ve heard this all before!’ But honestly you will be surprised,
because sometimes out of the blue the person will tell you something that you’ve never heard before. (And
it’s always lovely to hear it.)
Tools to help you reminisce:
Memory Box: Create a small box (decorate it with their favourite wallpaper, fabric and colours). Then
fill it with items that mean a lot to them. E.g. photos, old toys, tools, homely bits and bobs.
Photos: Seeing familiar faces and places prompts memories and stories.
Movies: Select favourite childhood films that they used to enjoy and may be just show little parts of it.
Music: Hearing old familiar songs can be very powerful in bringing back heaps of memories.
Christmas time can trigger a whole lot of fond memories, so how about playing their old favourite music or
playing an old Christmas game they used to play. And of course, there are heaps of questions you can ask
about Christmas:
e.g. When you were little – what did you do at Christmas time? What was your favourite food? What
Christmas treats? What presents to you get? Etc …..
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For those who enjoy walking, either by themselves or with a group: If you are interested in delivering some
of our quarterly newsletters around our suburbs please contact us. This will help save on postage costs.
We send quite a few via email, but no everyone has a computer and many folk much prefer a hard copy.
Our next Alzheimers Whanganui Annual Appeal will be on the 1st March 2019, if anyone is interested in
collecting for us, please contact our office (phone 345 8833).
A Big Thank you!
We wish to acknowledge with gratitude the following organisations that have provided Grants, Donations and/or
Services to Alzheimers Whanganui
• The Lion Foundation - $7,000 Grant towards staff wages
• Whanganui District Council Community Contract 2018/19 - $2,000 towards Whanganui Group operating
expenses.
• Steady As You Go Age Concern – Springvale Group $200 donation
• The JBS Dudding Trust – (Public Trust) $2,000 towards Operating Expenses
• Search & Rescue LAND SAR N.Z. $1,360 costs for WanderSearch (advertising, pamphlets & travel)
• TG Macarthy Trust – (Public Trust) $2,5000 towards Group Outings and administration expenses
• Wanganui East Club who loan us their courtesy club vehicle on Mondays for our Group Outings
• REL Computer Solutions - Quality service and advice with computer problems.
• Riverside Quilters Wanganui – Thank you to all the wonderful ladies from Riverside Quilters Wanganui,
who donated 11 absolutely gorgeous quilts to Alzheimers Whanganui
• Craigs Investment Partners Ltd (Whanganui Office) – Thank you for the kind donation of $1,500
Counter Tins: We wish to thank the following businesses who supported us by having a collection tin:
St Johns Foodmarket; 141 Bakery Coffee Shop; Majestic Square Ice Cream Shop & Dairy
If you would like to support us by having a collection tin; please contact our office.
Alzheimers N.Z. recently held their bi-annual Conference at the end of October with approximately 300
people attending. It was a privilege for four of our members to attend the conference and we wish to the
thank Sisters of St Josephs and A Wheeler Leedstown Trust for contributing funds to make this possible.
Once again Alzheimers N.Z. did an excellent job of organising the conference; delivered a full programme
covering a wide selection of topics presented by professional national and international speakers.
It was made very clear early on in the first plenary session that extensive research regarding medication
is being carried out, but there is no quick fix ‘magic pill’ that will prevent, or abate symptoms of dementia.
Even if they did come up with medication that showed positive signs, it will still take comprehensive tests
over a long span of years to vindicate it safe to consume.
It all goes back to quality life style and ‘what’s good for the heart is good for the brain’ as the best
prevention. Also ‘Person Centred Care’ i.e. providing the best possible quality care specifically designed for
each person’s individual needs.
This did not come as a surprise, as this had been the focus and theme of the previous two conferences.
Catherine Hall (Alzheimers N.Z. Chief Executive) summed it up in her closing statement regarding
changing Government Policy and increasing extra funding towards Dementia:
“Funding is limited in that we are completing against a myriad of other issues that the Government is
dealing with.”
.
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St Laurence’s
Social Services Trust
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Whanganui
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Account Name: Alzheimers Whanganui Inc
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Any questions, please call us on: 0800 004 001
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