ProTem Tribune

UPDATE FROM PROTEM

TANYA WEATHERBEE : MEMORY CARE COORDINATOR & ADMIN SUPPORT

MIHAELA CALIN : DIRECTOR OF CARE

Dear family members and friends of ProTem Memory Care, March was a fun month at our homes. We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, took part in fun exercises classes, spa day and art therapy

This month we are looking forward to a visit from some animal friends, a guided mediation session, live music, exercise and hopefully some outdoor time, if the weather cooperates.

Wishing you all a wonderful start to April!

Sincerely,

Tanya & Mihaela

A C T I V E A T P R O T E M

Residents enjoyed taking part in St. Patrick’s Day music and dancing. Pictured at right is activity director Adrienne Lacroix and Rita dancing.

Sheron dishes out bowls of homemade chicken noodle soup during a recent lunch.

Left: Resident Kay shows of her nails during a recent spa day. Centre: Residents take part in cardio drumming as part of our regular fitness classes. During cardio drumming, residents keep beat on a yoga ball at varying rhythms and tempos. It’s a great workout for anyone, regardless of mobility.

Right: Resident June paints water-lillies during a recent art therapy class.

‘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

ERICA PITMAN : PROTEM JOINED IN 2023

Erica was recognized for going above and beyond.

Our above and beyond winner for March is Erica Pitman

Erica is a kind and respectful personal support worker, who is passionate about helping residents

She started working at Protem nine months ago Prior to joining Andrews, she was a licensed practical nurse in Ontario and also a personal support worker for many years in Halifax

For her, supporting seniors and make them feel in a family environment is what she loves most about her role

“I really enjoy the residents, I really enjoy the staff, I feel like this is their home and we should act kindly and respectfully,” she said The most rewarding part for her is being able to brighten up residents' days in any way she can

“If someone is having a bad day, you’ll be there for them ”

In her free time, Erica enjoys walking on trails, camping in nature and reading

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

APRIL

1 AM - MONTHLY GAZZETTE AND APRIL TRIVIA AND WORD GAMES PM - VAN RIDE OUTING

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR

PM - SOCIAL HOUR

AND MOVEMENT

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR PM - SOCIAL HOUR

AM - CHAIR EXERCISES AND GAMES

PM - VAN RIDE OUTING

2

- ARMCHAIR TRAVEL TO SCOTLAND

3

- PEDDLE AND STRETCH

- SPA DAY

PM - MIXED SPORTS GAMES

AM - SENSORY ACTIVITY AND STORY

PM - MUSIC WITH PETER AND GARY (77)

AM - TABLE TOP GAMES

PM - QUILTING CRAFT

4 AM - CHAIR FITNESS

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS AND REMINISCENCE

5 AM - ART THERAPYINSPIRED BY GEORGIA OKEEFE

PM - BINGO

EUCHARISTWITHCHARLIE

AM - COFFEE CHATS PM - MOVIE MATINEE

AM - NEWS AND VIEWS

PM - MOVIE MATINEE

HAPPYBIRTHDAY JACQUELINEJACKSON

AM - COFFEE CHATS

PM - MOVIE MATINEE

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR

AM - EARTH DAY DISCUSSION AND ACTIVITY

PM - SOCIAL HOUR

PM - LATIN RYTHM AND MOVEMENT

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR

PM - SOCIAL HOUR

AM - CRAFTS PM - LATIN RYTHMN AND MOVEMENT

AM - PAINTING BIRD HOUSES

PM - MUSIC WITH PETER AND GARY (2166)

AM - NEWS AND VIEWS

PM - MOVIE MATINEE

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