Park West Tribune

Andrews of Stratford residents Geraldine MacDonald, Audrey Doherty and Anne Kells chat following a presentation by Dianne Porter, author, lecturer and women’s rights advocate in celebration of International Women’s Day. Photo by Valeria Mandujano

UPDATE FROM PARK WEST

Dear family members and friends of Andrews of Park West,

March was a great month at our home. Our residents celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and visited Andrews of Stratford for a presentation by local author Dianne Porter for International Women’s Day

This month we are looking forward to Earth Day, an indoor scavenger hunt, pet therapy visits and more live music!

I hope you all have a great April

Sincerely, - Karen

Team member Laura MacArthur, an LPN, and resident Anna Doucette share a laugh while walking to lunch at Andrews of Summerside

Residents at our Charlottetown and Stratford homes were entertained by members of the P.E.I. symphony recently.

Members performed a series of string and piano pieces for our Charlottetown residents while our Stratford home enjoyed a number of trump selections.

We are always thrilled to host the P.E.I. Symphony at our homes and we sincerely appreciate their performances. Our residents always leave with a smile on their faces!

Photo by Valeria Mandujano

Photo by Valeria Mandujano

B O O Z E & T A T T O O S

Residents at Andrews of Summerside celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style with tattoos, festive food and drinks. It was a great afternoon of Irish tunes and laughter. Photos by Valeria Mandujano

C E L E B R A T I N G W O M E

We recently hosted two speakers in celebration of International Women’s Day. Dianne Porter, author and women’s rights advocate, spoke to our Stratford and Charlottetown area residents while Summerside councillor Norma McColeman spoke to residents at Andrews of Summerside.

Our residents enjoyed hearing about the women’s rights movement in P.E.I. and the importance of women in goverment. Thank you to Norma and Dianne for volunteering their time!

Photos by Valeria Mandujano and Annelize Malan

A C T I V E A T A N D R E W S

Andrews of Summerside residents took part in a group art project recently, creating what could be called a canvas quilt. Fifteen individual canvases were painted and framed together to create the piece.

Pictured are Joan DeNoon, Norma Paynter, Valerie Waite and Kaye Ferguson.

Andrews of Stratford residents bought tulips as part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s annual fundraisier. In total, residents donated $240 to the QEH Foundation.

Andrews residents enjoyed traditional Irish meals the week of St. Patrick’s Day.

Pictured below are a classic Irish stew created by our Andrews of Summerside cooks and a corned beef dinner, prepared at Andrews of Stratford.

Photos by Valeria Mandujano

‘Different nutritional attention’

Weight maintenance, loss of muscle and energy common issues facing seniors

When Camilla MacPhee was hospitalized with COVID for the second time in 2022, her weight was the last thing on her mind.

However, after weeks in the hospital with a reduced appetite, the numbers on the scale were beginning to become a problem. Within roughly a month she’d lost 25 pounds.

She was concerned, but at the time, she had bigger issues to contend with. In addition to contracting COVID, she’d also recently suffered a heart attack. The series of health setbacks convinced her and her daughters to move Camilla into a senior care home.

She moved into Andrews of Stratford in December 2022 While her family’s worries about access to care were settled, she continued to struggle with maintaining weight She was 106 pounds when Andrews Senior Care’s dietitian Hamid Ferdowsi began working with her

Immediately he started her on a regimen of protein shakes and before long Camilla saw improvements

“My appetite increased,” Camilla said “Before, I didn’t even want to eat and then my appetite got better so I started to gain a bit And now I’m up to 118 pounds which is pretty good ”

While eating healthy is important at any age, proper nutrition is especially important for seniors when weight maintenance, loss of muscle and fatigue can become chronic issues Having access to a dietitian like Hamid can be a game-changer for someone struggling with their nutrition

“When we get older our body will be a bit different,” Hamid said “Our body will need different nutritional attention ”

Team members at our homes took part in a series of nutrition information sessions hosted by our dietitian Hamid Ferdowsi, pictured above left, as part of Nutrition Month in March. Photo by Valeria Mandujano

As we age, he recommends prioritizing eating more protein, fibre and consuming enough liquids. Residents’ meals are built around the pillars of the Canada Food Guide.

“Over 50 our body will lose muscle,” Hamid said. “That’s why we have to get more protein. Also, our organs ' functions would be declining, and there are some changes in thirst or not being hungry as you used to be.”

While proper nutrition is the primary input for most of the residents Hamid works with, staying active is also important.

“Being physically active is key,” he said “Healthy eating and being physically active, both work together and can maintain the level of independence of the residents ”

In addition to working with residents one-on-one, Hamid consults with our dietary teams and chefs to ensure all our residents are eating balanced, healthy meals every day

“It’s amazing having a resource like Hamid on our team,” said Terry Butler, chef at Andrews of Stratford

The menu at Andrews rotates every week and foods are specialized for all residents if they have any dietary needs

“It is called a four-cycle menu, ” said Hamid “We have a rotation every month I provide the nutritional information sheets for the kitchen, and they could see each resident, what kind of diet they are supposed to get, if they have any allergies, any intolerances or likes and dislikes ”

For Camilla, that means lots of healthy, nutrient-dense foods as well as the occasional treat

“I like the pies, and I’m not really a fan of sweets as I used to be,” she said “But a good pie that’s a treat I used to have snacks in my room, I would go out and get things like avocado and bananas Here we get meat or fish every day. And fruit, a lot of fruit and vegetables.”

Before, I didn’t even want to eat and then my appetite got better so I started to gain a bit. And now I’m up to 118 pounds which is pretty good.”

Eating enough fruits and vegetables is key to maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.

Photo by Valeria Mandujano Camilla MacPhee pictured shortly after moving into Andrews of Stratford.

Chef Terry Butler slices peppers while prepping a meal at Andrews of Stratford.

ABOVE & BEYOND MARCH WINNER

Every month our team and residents recognize one team member for showing exceptional care

NAIDA BAWAY : PARK WEST JOINED IN 2023

Naida was recognized for going above and beyond

Our above and beyond winner for March is Naida Baway

Naida started working at Andrews six months ago Prior to working as administrative support at Park West, she had a position at Andrews of Charlottetown

She loves chatting with residents during her breaks or free time “I’m at the room on the first floor, so there are residents who stay there to hang out and whenever I’m with them we chat about what they enjoy about their day or the food,” she said

For her, the most rewarding part is getting to know more about the homes and the people around her “They appreciate what I’m doing, so I think that’s the best part of it ” In her spare time, Naida enjoys walking outside when there’s nice weather

Take a look at some of our activities planned for this month!

APRIL

GAMES

Sudoku

The object of the puzzle is to fill the remaining squares, using all the numbers 1–9 exactly once in each row, column, and the nine 3 × 3 subgrids

Community Cash 50/50

Weekly 50/50 draw in support of support not for profit groups including Murphy s Pharmacies Community Centre and the Holland College Athletics Department Anyone can play for just $2/week