ProTem Tribune

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WALKING FOR MEMORIES

ProTem Memory Care is proud to announce we will once again be a top sponsor of the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. The walk is the Alzheimer’s Society’s largest fundraising event of the year. Money raised goes toward research, education and helping people living with a diagnosis as well as their loved ones. In addition to our sponsorship, we will also be entering a team in the walk. Click here to support the ProTem Memory Keepers.

ABOVE & BEYOND

Check out this month's Above and Beyond winner | p. 10

Check out our photo spread of activities from the past month. | p. 3

RESIDENT RECIPES

This month we feature a decadent butter tart recipe from resident Evelyn Rafuse | p. 4-5

PET THERAPY

ABOVE & BEYOND

Adrienne is this month’s Above and Beyond winner | p. 6 ‘MY WHOLE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN’

Residents and families impacted by Alzheimer’s. | p 4-5

Spending time with animals proven to benefit seniors and people living with dementia | p. 6-7

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 an amazing month at our homes. Our residents enjoyed rhythmic drumming classes, live music, a visit from Party Pets and mindful meditation sessions

This month we will be celebrating Mother’s Day, Victoria Day and fundraising for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. As many of you are already aware, the walk is a major fundraising event for the Alzheimer Society and one we have put a lot of support behind over the years This year will be no different We are again sponsoring the walk and will be walking as the ProTem Memory Keepers. Likewise, we will be holding an in-house walk on Friday, May 24. Families are welcome to join us

Wishing you all a happy Mother’s Day and a wonderful start to May

Sincerely,

- Tanya & Mihaela

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

We recently had a visit from Party Pets, who brought in a number of creatures for our residents to meet! Everyone, including our team members, enjoyed learning about the different animals and getting a chance to pet them. Thanks Party Pets for a wonderful afternoon!

‘My whole world upside down’

Residents and families impacted by Alzheimer’s

The day Bert Wilcox’s wife Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s his “whole world” was turned upside down

“I can’t describe it,” Bert said “It was sad ”

It was 2023 and Bert and Mary had been married more than 60 years The couple met in high school and had built their lives around each other Bert served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Mary devoted her time to her community, volunteering with organizations like Brownies, The Lion’s Club and their church

In the months and weeks leading up to Mary’s diagnosis, her behavior changed She wasn’t cleaning or cooking the way she normally did Then she struggled to recognize people she’d known for years After a conversation with his daughter during one of her visits home from Halifax, Bert decided to have Mary assessed by a doctor

“She had three appointments (with a geriatric specialist) until it was decided she had Alzheimer’s and it was advanced,” Bert said.

In the aftermath of the diagnosis Bert worked hard to manage Mary’s care at home. As her condition deteriorated and she required more care, he brought in additional support.

“We brought in some day care, ” he said. “A couple hours a day on different days. Some respite time for me. But I’d go for an hour then I’d have to go back home. I felt I could do more by being home.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Bert Wilcox holds his wife Mary’s hand while during an afternoon visit at Andrews of Summerside. Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023.

Eventually, she needed full-time care and moved into Andrews of Summerside Bert visits her twice a day, every day Despite the comfort of knowing Mary is well taken care of, Bert still struggles with the gravity of the situation

“(It feels like) the end,” Bert said “There’s no cure for this disease And you don’t know, it could be a year, it could be 10 years It’s the unknown ”

Bert’s experience is not unique Many families with loved ones living at Andrews Senior Care and ProTem Memory Care have faced similar challenges

“It’s a difficult road,” said Tanya Weatherbee, Memory Care Coordinator at ProTem Memory Care “We’ve seen first-hand the toll a diagnosis can have on a resident and their family ”

ProTem Memory Care will again this year be the top-tier sponsor of the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s in Moncton “We are proud supporters of the Alzheimer Society,” said Tanya “The work the Alzheimer Society does through support and education programs as well as research, is so valuable ”

In addition to sponsoring the walk, ProTem will also be entering a team under the name “The ProTem Memory Keepers ” The team will be fundraising throughout May and participating in the walk on Sunday, May 26

“This is a cause close to home for many of our residents and their families,” said Tanya “We want to show them we support them on every step of their journey ”

Likewise, Andrews Senior Care’s team “The Andrews Rockstars” will be participating in the P E I walk on Saturday, May 25 All funds raised by the team will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Andrews Senior Care

“Last year was amazing,” said Barb Pye, activity director at Andrews of Parkhill “We raised the most money I think we ’ ve ever raised Everyone was so generous. It was wonderful.”

In total, Andrews and ProTem donated $13,338 to the Alzheimer Society in 2023. This year, the teams are hoping to beat that record.

“Every year we try to do better,” said Barb. “We have greats teams at our homes and when we work together, we can do anything.”

To donate to The ProTem Memory Keepers click here. To donate to The Andrews Rockstars, click here.

Tanya Weatherbee poses for a photo with resident Nancy while prepping for the Alzheimer walk in 2022.

ABOVE & BEYOND APRIL WINNER

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

ADRIENNE LACROIX : PROTEM JOINED IN 2024

Adrienne was recognized for going above and beyond.

Our Above and Beyond winner for April is Adrienne Lacroix

Adrienne is a dedicated team member, always willing to go the extra mile to create unique and engaging experiences for our residents

Adrienne started working as our activity director in February Prior to joining our team, she worked as a recreation director at personal care homes

For her, the most rewarding aspect of the job is providing joyful experiences for the residents

“I love working with the residents,” she said “I love the environment, the atmosphere and the ability to be creative and provide some joy for everyone ”

In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature, biking, Latin dancing, travel, doing creative projects, yoga and spending time with family and friends

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

MAY

1 AM - MAKING MARACCAS AND FIESTA PREPARATIONS

PM - DICE/CARD GAMES

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR

PM - SOCIAL HOUR

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR

PM - SOCIAL HOUR

HAPPYMOTHER’SDAY

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR

PM - SOCIAL HOUR

AM - TRIVIA AND WORD GAMES

PM - CARDIO DRUMMING FITNESS

AM - CARDIO DRUMMING FITNESS

PM - VAN OUTING DESTINATION TBA

AM - CHAIR EXERCISES AND GAMES

PM - MUSIC WITH PETER AND GARY (71)

AM - CHAIR YOGA

PM - GARDENING/ OUTDOOR VISITS

AM - TABLE TOP GAMES

PM - CARDIO DRUMMING FITNESS

HAPPYVICTORIADAY

AM - FAITH AND SPIRITUAL HOUR

PM - SOCIAL HOUR

AM - DICE/CARD GAMES

PM - MUSIC WITH PETER AND GARY (2069) AM - CRAFT

AM - CHAIR YOGA

NATIONALCHOCOLATE

CHIPDAY

AM - RESIDENTS BAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES OR MUFFINS

230 PM - MUSIC WITH JOHN FOSTER (77) HOME INSPECTION

AM - CHAIR FITNESS

PM - SPA DAY

2 AM - FIESTA CHAIR FITNESS

PM - MEXICAN INSPIRED CRAFTS

- BASKETBALL AND GOLF PM - ARMCHAIR TRAVEL DESTINATION EGYPT

3 AM - RESIDENTS

MAKEMEXICAN CHURROS DESSERT

PM - CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA WITH BINGO!

EUCHARIST WITH CHARLIE

AM - TAI CHI

PM - BUTTER Y GARDEN THEMED MOTHERS DAY TEA PARTY WITH MUSIC GUEST LISE BLAKNEY

AM - COFFEE CHATS

PM - MOVIE MATINEE AM - NEWS AND VIEWS

PM - MOVIE MATINEE AM - COFFEE CHATS

PM - MOVIE MATINEE

- RESIDENTS BAKE BLUE CUPCAKES FOR TOMORROWS WALK (GORGE RD)

EUCHARIST WITH CHARLIE

29 AM - OUTDOOR YARD GAMES

30 AM - PEDDLE AND STRETCH

31 AM - TAI CHI

PM - BINGO

AM - NEWS AND VIEWS

PM - MOVIE MATINEE

PM - LATIN RYTHM AND MOVEMENT

PM - GARDENING/ OUTDOOR VISITS

PM - SPA DAY

PM - BOWLING AND BADMINTON

EUCHARIST WITH CHARLIE

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