What's New

Naming our Homes

Those of you who visit us regularly will notice that our small homes at Millvale House have recently been renamed.

The names have been inspired by native birds often found in the gardens of the home, which bring peace and pleasure to so many of our residents:

 The home previously known as the South Wing is now

Tui

The home previously known as the South Wing is now

Kereru (Wood Pigeon)

Introducing Lee Andrews, Senior Occupational Therapist 

Greetings everyone! I feel very privileged to have been asked to introduce myself to you. Based at Admatha in Christchurch, I am employed as a Senior Occupational Therapist for the organization. As such, I will be working within, and regularly visiting, all our facilities.

My main role is in development of, and leadership to, the Diversional Therapy Teams throughout the organisation , together with providing an occupational therapy service that enhances the quality of life of our residents. I know that Diversional Therapy staff already play an integral part in the day to day happenings in each of our facilities, and are valued for their efforts in organising a range of appropriate activities. My task is to support them in their role, in whatever way is appropriate for their individual level of experience. Because I come to this position with a background in, and passion for, dementia, I hope to be able to bring inspiration and guidance to all staff working with our residents, in order to increase ‘rich moments’.

I have been working as a Registered Occupational Therapist for 30+ years, having most recently spent four years at the Memory Assessment Clinic at The Princess Margaret Hospital here in Christchurch, contributing to the processes of assessment, early diagnosis and supporting families at the beginning of their ‘dementia journey’.

As well as working in the Health Sector, I enjoyed seven years within Tertiary Education employed as a lecturer at the School of Occupational Therapy at Otago Polytechnic, and latterly as an International Student Advisor at the University of Otago. Since returning to Christchurch in 2004, I have been privileged to participate on the Executive Committee Member of Alzheimers Canterbury.

Given time, I hope I have the opportunity to meet many of you during my visits to each facility. In the meantime, I wish you all a safe and peaceful festive season.

2011 Diversional Therapy Conference

This report is from Marlene Cairns, who represented Millvale House at the recent National Diversional Therapy Conference in Nelson.

There is nothing like the excited buzz from a collective of creative people all waiting in anticipation, all full of curiosity, all eager to be impressed and all looking around the room and wondering. I wondered too. I was one of them and to be in that buzz was fantastic. I was at the National DT Conference in Nelson with 129 others.

This was the beginning of a three day locomotive ride of inspiration.

It is early Friday and ahead is a full day listening to Jane Verity present the outstanding world -acclaimed philosophical “Spark of Life” approach to communication in the field of dementia. The model is a tried and tested debunking of traditional models of thinking and practice in the care industry, and challenges us all to embrace a commitment to ensure that a change for the better takes place within this industry. Not just in the work place but in the home environment, this is a recognition and celebration of the true life force we show and share.

Here is a “Spark” from Jane’s opening speech:

‘The NILE Concept’

N is for nurture – to nourish, foster and grow

I is for inspire – to breathe new life into another person

L is for love – to look behind the disease, the difficulties and disabilities without judgement

E is for education – to bring forth potential

The “Spark of Life” approach is a philosophy which sits akin with my own personal philosophy, so the day’s information flowed easily into me like warm comfort food.

I humbly acknowledge the enormity of this work and celebrate the potential impact it will have on us all.

On to Saturday, and a day of workshops to boost the imagination and share ideas and processes. It was a great day for socialising and catching up with others in the field. An evening dinner followed, with graduations for those that had put in the study time.

Sunday saw guest speakers share their knowledge and experiences, with delightful entertainment from rest home residents called ‘The Skiffle Band’.

We were served gorgeous food morning, noon and afternoon. There was a variety of craft tables to purchase from, Career Force representatives to chat with, enormous raffles to take part in and wonderful company. A truly enjoyable weekend.

IT IS NOT WHAT WE SAY, IT IS HOW WE SAY IT.

IT IS NOT WHAT WE DO, IT IS HOW WE DO IT.

Marlene shows off the colourful cube knitted by one of our residents
which won 2^nd Prize in the Decorated Cube Competition