Resident Sharon Lewis laughs while getting her nails done
UPDATE FROM PROTEM
TANYA WEATHERBEE : MEMORY CARE COORDINATOR & ADMIN SUPPORT
CALIN : DIRECTOR OF CARE
Dear family members and friends of ProTem Memory Care,
We had a great January at our homes.
Our residents experience Chinese New Year, took part in games, spa day, enjoyed live music and tried new crafts and art projects
This month we will be trying some new Valentine themed art projects, doing some baking and enjoying a relaxation station!
We hope your first month of the new year was a good one and we wish you all the best in February Happy Valentine’s Day!
Sincerely,
- Tanya & Mihaela
MIHAELA
A C T I V E A T P R O T E M
Spa day is a favourite with our residents. We put on some soft music, turn down the lights and do their nails, massage their hands and chat about their day. It's a wonderful way to spend a chilly winter afternoon!
A C T I V E A T P R O T E M
Balloon badminton is a favourite pastime for our residents. It’s an accessible and fun way to spend an afternoon!
A
C T I V E A T P R O T E M
Residents took part in Chinese New Year, crafting and live music!
‘I found great treasures in it’
Art therapy and craft classes beneficial for seniors and people living with dementia
Andrews of Stratford resident Sarah MacQuarrie started painting after she had her first child and kept it up for most of her adult life.
“I found great treasures in it,” she said.
Now retired, Sarah doesn’t paint like she used to but instead finds creative release in art classes led by activity director Sharon Woods-Bryenton
“It gives me something to do,” Sarah said “I continue painting, in a sense, but I like to see little things come alive ”
Sarah is far from the only resident who feels this way Residents at all our Andrews and ProTem Memory Care homes find comfort, purpose and belonging in the art therapy classes provided
“Doing something creative can help boost mental health by stimulating different parts of the brain and provide a sense of accomplishment and improve self-esteem,” said Annelize Malan, activity director at Andrews of Summerside
Annelize organizes multiple art and craft projects a month and tries to mix up different mediums to keep residents interested
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Sarah MacQuarrie poses for a photo in front of some of her paintings at her room at Andrews of Stratford.
Annelize Malan instructs residents during a crafting class at Andrews of Summerside.
Komalpreet, activity assistant at Andrews of Summerside, helps residents during a recent craft class.
“Arts and crafts are not just painting a picture, but can be anything from knitting, sewing, painting to coloring,” she said. Most recently, residents worked on creating snowflakes using Q-tips and glue.
Andrews of Summerside resident Adele Gardiner was a professional quilter who ran a successful business selling quilts around the world She’s now a regular at art classes, always willing to try something new or challenge her skills
“I’ve done crafts all my life and I’m always looking for new ideas,” she said
Adele added, the social aspect of art classes is another positive
“I enjoy getting together with all these people,” she said
For Beulah Waite, who also lives at Andrews of Summerside, the classes are a great form of mental stimulation “You got to keep your mind working,” she said
The benefits for people living with dementia can be even more profound A report published in December in Scientific American showed working on an art project can lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels, improve cognition, sleep and mood
“There’s definitely a relaxation component,” said Adrienne Lacroix, activity director at our dementia care homes in Moncton “The after-effects are very beneficial ”
In addition to improvement in mood and overall sense of well-being, the art classes also provide a sense of accomplishment “They feel so proud,” Adrienne said “Just seeing that sense of pride is fantastic ”
Adrienne’s program focuses on learning about an artist first, then showing a documentary on the artwork and then providing an opportunity for the residents to express themselves. She plays classical or relaxing music and emphasizes the creative journey over the end result.
“We have residents who have their masters in art or were artists themselves,” she said. “But even residents who have no art background thoroughly enjoy it.”
Art and craft classes are a part of regular activity programming at all our P.E.I. senior care homes as well as our dementia care homes in Moncton. To see more about what each home has planned this month visit www.andrewsseniorcare.com or www.protem.ca.
ABOVE & BEYOND
JANUARY WINNER
Every month our team and residents recognize one team member for showing exceptional care
BRENDA ARSENAULT : PROTEM JOINED IN 2014
AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR
PM - SOCIAL HOUR
HAPPYBIRTHDAY DIANEJOHNSON
PM - CHINESE NEW YEAR FUN AND ART LESSON 3 CALENDAR PLANNING AND OFFICE DAY
MOUNTAINRD AM - TAI CHI AND MEDIATION
GORGERD AM - VALENTINE CHAIR YOGA PM - LOVING HEARTS SPA DAY AND SING ALONG
MOUNTAINRD AM - VALENTINE CRAFT AND LEARN ABOUT CHOCOLATE
HAPPYBIRTHDAY BLAKEBRIGGS
GORGERD AM - DARTS CLUB
PM - LATIN RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT
GORGE RD
AM - DICE GAMES
PM - CHAIR FITNESS
Brenda was recognized for going above and beyond.
Our Above and Beyond winner for January is Brenda Arsenault Brenda Arsenault has been a ProTem team member for 11 years Before joining ProTem, she worked in human resources as well as the fabric industry But, after helping care for her stepfather when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she shifted her career focus to caregiving
She initially spent time working in a lower care level home before accepting a position at ProTem
“I felt I needed to work in a level 1 or 2 prior to coming here,” she said “To see if this was really something I wanted to do ”
Once she started at ProTem, she was impressed with the care model and the small-home way of operating
“The care is personal,” she said “We get to know (the residents), we get to know their families, their pets, everything and that’s the whole thing ”
In addition to the type of care provided to residents, Brenda appreciates the leadership style at ProTem
“You form these relationships with them,” she said “They come over and they actually talk and listen to us
FEBRUARY
HAPPYBIRTHDAY DAVIDSMITH AM - COFFEE CHATS PM - MOVIE MATINEE 4
PM - MUSIC WITH PETER AND GARY-VALENTINE'S PARTY (77) *VALENTINE ADVICE PHOTOS*
MOUNTAIN RD AM - TABLE TOP GAMES PM - PEDDLE AND STRETCH
GORGERD AM - FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS AND TRIVIA PM - CUPID CHAIR FITNESS
HAPPYBIRTHDAY DOUGMACDONALD
MOUNTAINRD AM - BALLOON BADMINTON
PM - MUSIC WITH PETER AND GARY (71)
HAPPYBIRTHDAY BARBARASTEWART
GORGERD AM - MENTAL AEROBICS AND WORD GAMES
- MUSIC WITH JOHN FOSTER (61)
MOUNTAINRD AM - CUPID CHAIR FITNESS PM - MINI PUTT GOLF AND LOVING RELAXATION STATION
MOUNTAINRD AM - RESIDENTS BAKE VALENTINE COOKIES
PM - VALENTINE'S TRIVIA AND REMINISCENCE AND VALENTINE CHAIR YOGA
MOUNTAINRD AM - BOWLING PM-BINGO
HAPPYBIRTHDAY DAVIDTRIPP
GORGERD AM - LOVING MANDALAS RELAXATION STATION PM - ART THERAPY
HAPPYBIRTHDAY THELMABUSTIN
GORGERD AM - VALENTINES BAKING AND LEARN ABOUT CHOCOLATE MAKING PM - MUSIC WITH THE RELICS VALENTINES PARTY (2069)
SING ALONG
- ARMCHAIR TRAVEL
AM - NEWS AND VIEWS PM - MOVIE MATINEE HOME INSPECTION
GORGERD AM - BOWLING
MOUNTAINRD AM - ARTS AND CRAFTS PM - LATIN RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT
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