ProTem Tribune

Activity director Adrienne Lacroix leads

UPDATE FROM PROTEM

TANYA WEATHERBEE : MEMORY CARE COORDINATOR & ADMIN SUPPORT

MIHAELA CALIN : DIRECTOR OF CARE

Dear family members and friends of ProTem Memory Care,

We had a wonderful May at our homes, with lots of outdoor activities, gardening, excursions, exercise and crafts. Our annual Alzheimer’s walk at our home was also a big hit with residents We had a lot of fun decorating, playing games and enjoying some treats. A special thank you to everyone who participated.

Likewise, thank you to everyone who donated to the ProTem Memory Keepers. We had another successful fundraising year and continue to strengthen our relationship with the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick

This month, we look forward to celebrating Father’s Day, a special car show visit, a strawberry social and pet therapy visits

Wishing you all a wonderful June and a great start to the summer season

Sincerely,

- Tanya & Mihaela

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

Residents and team members took part in our annual Alzheimer’s walk on May 24. We enjoyed games, food and time outdoors on a beautiful Friday afternoon.

Andrews, ProTem teams beat Alzheimer Society fundraising goal

Andrews Senior Care and ProTem Memory Care beat fundraising expectations again this year, raising $13,391 for the Alzheimer Society as part of the 2024 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s

The Andrews Rockstars had set a team goal of $5,000 and finished with $5,121 50, which was matched by Andrews Senior Care, bringing the total to $10,243 The ProTem Memory Keepers added another $3,168 in addition to the $5,000 donated as part of ProTem’s sponsorship of the Moncton walk

“It’s an amazing feeling being able to support a cause that’s so close to so many of our residents and their families at both our Andrews Senior Care and ProTem Memory Care homes,” said Mizan Uddin, Group GM. “We have a very dedicated and generous team.”

One home, in particular, went above and beyond this year.

Andrews of Parkhill alone raised $2,816, through a combination of casual day donations, gift basket raffles and team and resident donations. Barb Pye, activity director at Andrews of Parkhill, was the driving force behind the fundraising. Her goal was to beat the home’s 2023 total of $1,370. Barb started fundraising for 2024 the day after the 2023 walk at Parkhill.

“That was our goal, to beat last year, ” she said, adding she would have been happy with $1,371 “But then we really go into it ”

In the final weeks of fundraising, she was overwhelmed by the support from team members and residents

“We had one resident that donated $400,” she said “The people that work here with me, I feel like so much of a team and they supported me so much through this ”

Barb’s passion for the Alzheimer Society grew out of her years working with seniors

“I don’t have anybody (in my family) that has Alzheimer’s,” she said “I can’t explain what it’s like to work here ”

Tanya Weatherbee, Memory Care Coordinator and Admin Support at ProTem Memory Care, agrees

“Seeing the impact Alzheimer’s has on people makes you want to help any way you can, ” she said “You get close to residents and their families and fundraising and taking part in the walk every May is our way of showing our solidarity with them ”

Donations from both Andrews Senior Care and ProTem Memory Care will be presented to the Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward Island and the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick this month

Barb Pye, Andrews of Parkhill activity director, leads residents and team members during the home’s annual Alzheimer’s fundraising walk on May 21, 2024.

Anita Ayers waters a plant inside Andrews of Charlottetown’s activity room. Anita has been an avid gardener for 70 years. “It’s just so close to my heart to see new flowers coming up every spring,” she said of gardening.

‘It’s just so close to my heart’

Andrews, ProTem residents enjoy benefits of gardening

Anita Ayers remembers her first garden

It was 1954, her first home with her husband Lorne Hennessey, and she was thrilled to have her very own plot of soil to tend

At times it was physically challenging work, but Anita didn’t mind She liked being active and outdoors, even it meant chilly afternoons in late fall planting daffodil bulbs

“It’s just so close to my heart to see new flowers coming up every spring,” she said “Anybody that doesn’t love flowers, they’re missing something ” Her passion for gardening stayed with her through five kids and two husbands Seventy years later, she’s still going strong and is one of a number of Andrews Senior Care residents who take part in annual gardening projects at our homes

“I look forward to it,” she said “This year I’ll be planting some more lovely perennials because I want them to come back every year ”

For Anita, digging in the soil, being in the sunshine and seeing the literal fruits of her labour, has a positive impact on her sense of well-being.

“When you ’ re down on your knees and your planting flowers or whatever, you ’ re close to God,” she said. “And I truly believe in that.”

It’s an experience many gardeners share. In fact, recent studies have shown significant health benefits attributed to gardening, especially for seniors.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

In addition to lowered stress levels, research has shown positive impacts in mental alertness, socialization and physical fitness. Likewise, seniors who’d moved from home into a senior care facility found gardening to be a way to form a connection with their new living environment.

Arlene Gallant, resident of Andrews of Summerside, is one such person

Prior to moving into our Summerside home, Arlene lived in New Annan with her husband Fred There, she grew a mix of vegetables and flowers

“We always had a little patch somewhere,” she said “And if we didn’t, Fred would make it for me ”

Now, she and a few other residents put together planter boxes in the courtyard every spring, growing a variety of vegetables and herbs

While it’s not quite as intensive as her gardens in New Annan, it keeps her busy

“If I can get out there and pull weeds or do whatever, I’m gonna go there,” said Arlene “I love it ”

Adrienne Lacroix, activity director at our ProTem Memory Care homes in Moncton, N B , has witnessed the positive impact gardening can have on residents living with dementia

“For people living with dementia, well-being is also tied to the ability to enjoy familiar activities which cultivate a feeling of comfort,” she said “Garden therapy is at the top of the list (of activites )”

At ProTem, residents take part in a variety of gardening activities throughout the year. In the fall, they plant daffodil bulbs, in early winter they help trim holly branches for Christmas decorations and in the spring they plant garden boxes throughout the shared backyard. Residents are also brought on excursions to garden centres to help select what will be planted each year.

“Often, the residents start sharing memories about working with their mothers or their grandmothers in the garden,” she said “You can see the joy light up on their faces ”

Which, is the primary benefit as far as Andrews of Summerside resident Doris DeWolfe is considered

“I just love working in the soil and seeing things grow, ” she said “I enjoy it very much ”

Doris DeWolfe looks over recently potted plants at Andrews of Summerside. Doris is one of a number of residents at Andrews of Summerside who manage the planter boxes every spring.

Team members and residents transplant plants to the outdoor garden boxes at ProTem Memory Care.

ProTem Memory Care boasts a number of flower beds in the shared backyard of the three Gorge Road homes.

ABOVE & BEYOND MAY WINNER

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

KLEU MANIAUL : PROTEM

Kleu was recognized for going above and beyond

Our Above and Beyond winner is Kleu Maniaul Kleu is a hard-working team member, always willing to go the extra mile We are fortunate to them on our ProTem team Congratulations Kleu!

JUNE

MNT RD AM - TAI CHI PM - BINGO

GORGE RD AM - TRIVIA/WORD GAMES PM - MIXED SPORTS GAMES

HAPPYBIRTHDAYJUNE CLOTHIER! SHAVUOT BEGINS

MNT RD AM - CARDIODRUMMING FITNESS PM - ARMCHAIR

GARY-HAWAII THEME (77)

MANDALAS-BEACH THEME

GORGE RD AM - OUTDOOR GAMES AND VISITS PM - ART THERAPY HAPPYBIRTHDAY NANCYCRIPTON!

GORGE RD AM - RESIDENTS BAKE

PM - FATHERS DAY REMINISCENCE AND GAMES EUCHARIST WITH CHARLIE FLAG DAY (US)

MNT RD AM - SPA DAY AND HYMN SING PM - HAWAIIAN THEMED SOCIAL WITH KARAOKEE JUNETEENTH

MNT RD AM - LATIN RYTHMN AND MOVEMENT PM - MIXED SPORTSGAME AND BEDSIDE VISITS

HAPPYBIRTHDAY EDGRAHAM!

GORGE RD AM - OUTDOOR GAMES AND VISITS

WITH CHARLIE

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