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NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER 1111ststststFebruary 2019February 2019February 2019February 2019 ––––30th30th30th30th AprilAprilAprilApril 2012012012019999

Dear Friends,

February arrived with record breaking temperatures, in complete contrast to last year’s

Beast from the East! Residents made the most of the fine days - getting out and about,

enjoying the sunshine.

Here in Elder Homes we never need an excuse to have a treat, but are delighted when

they come along and in February, it was Valentine’s Day with chocolate hearts, pink fizz

and - let’s not forget - a single red rose for the lucky residents in Chamberlain. March

began with the residents of Cluny and Chamberlain enjoying another tradition; on Shrove

Tuesday, Liz Swarbrick (retired Senior Unit Manager) spent the whole afternoon at Cluny

Lodge making pancakes. The homemade pancakes were served with lashings of fresh

cream, strawberries & maple syrup. She made 100 more than last year in a bid not to

have anyone miss out - the pancakes were made fresh to order, in front of an audience of

residents, family and friends.

Throughout the month of March we were entertained by some wonderful musicians and

someone new to us - ‘Magic Gareth’ - who entertained the residents with his magic tricks

and balloon twisting, accompanied by a little comedy. This was followed with the arrival

of spring being officially announced by the clocks changing at the end of March, and it’s

certainly nice to see the brighter and longer days, making the loss of an hour in bed a

little more bearable. The gardens of Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain are coming to life with

a wonderful array of spring flowers, complemented by the iconic image of cherry blossom

trees awash with perfect pink and white blossom adorning the surrounding

neighborhoods.

April has brought with it the arrival of the long Easter weekend and glorious sunshine; we

hope you all had a peaceful and enjoyable time and – no doubt – ate as much chocolate

as possible. Most staff members did anyway.....

Let’s have a look at what is happening around Chamberlain and Cluny Lodge;

The more discerning of you may already have noticed this award logo on our website and

we are very pleased and proud to show it off. It is from carehome.co.uk and the award

highlights the most recommended Care Homes in the UK; the awards are based on over

120,000 reviews from care home residents as well as their family and friends.

The awards have already generated a lot of discussion around Cluny and Chamberlain

with Cluny’s award currently on display at reception and Chamberlain’s in their main

entrance.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has already given a review

and to remind everyone else that the review cards are easily accessible in all units!

Staff News

Firstly, please join me in welcoming on to the Elder Homes team, Carol MacLeod as the

company’s new HR adviser, and RN Tess Spitaels (Argyll Suite).

Gabi Alexa (staff nurse at Chamberlain) will take up a 6 month secondment to night duty;

Elder Homes would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new staff and wish Gabi

well in her new post.

We also had three student nurses from Napier University on placement with us for eight

weeks - Ashlyn Orr (Argyll Suite), Gemma Hamilton (Balmoral suite) and Zara Wilson

(Chamberlain), as well as three HNC students - from Edinburgh College - who are all

completing an access to professional health care course.

We are very pleased and proud to say that not only are we a recognised placement for

student nurses, plus HNC students and social work students but we are also now hosting

Speech and Language therapy students - helping them to gain as much knowledge and

understanding of care of the elderly and the daily challenges they face. Presently on a 10

week placement at Cluny Lodge, we have Erin Maxxin; Erin is a 1st year post graduate

social work student at Edinburgh University. We would like to take this opportunity to

welcome her to Elder Homes and we wish her well.

Our Very Own Infection Control Gurus

Kasia Prazak (team leader) and Cheryl Henderson (Education co-ordinator) were asked to

speak to a group of participants going through the Train the Trainer course, for infection

control with NHS Education for Scotland. This is a bespoke course to enable this

important subject to be taught in care homes. Kasia and Cheryl had attended this

previously.

Sarah Freeman, Principal Educator for NHS Education for Scotland wrote:

“Cheryl and Kasia have done great work in training their colleagues in infection

prevention and control. Their approach to training has been innovative and engaging. I

am grateful they were able to share their work at NHS Education for Scotland training

event”.

For those of you who are not aware of Cheryl Henderson’s role within Elder Homes, she

is our Dementia and Education co-ordinator, who would be more than happy to speak to

you about dementia and the training staff receive, at any time. Either ask reception to

contact her when you come in or email c.henderson@elder-homes.co.uk

Best Wishes On Your Retirement.

The Directors and staff of Elder Homes bids a farewell to Barbara Bankier (carer & team

leader, Argyll suite) they would like to take this opportunity to thank Barbara for her

dedication and caring ways over the past 24years.

“Your commitment will be missed your spirit will never be matched. Relax, have fun,

enjoy this time knowing as we do the difference you made to those you cared for and

those you worked with”.

Building Alterations & Decorating

Cluny Lodge

The second phase of the landscaping of the front garden at Cluny Lodge has restarted this

week, and we plan to have the east side of the garden finished by mid May. The final

phase will begin will towards the end of May and this will entail replacing all the slabs at

the front of Cluny Lodge, making the area more user friendly especially for those of you

using wheelchairs; this will take about 6-7 weeks which will take us into early July.

Chamberlain

Peace and quiet in Chamberlain - just the garden getting titivated for the spring/summer

with the planting of window boxes and bedding plants.

Dates for your diary

May - June Residents Meeting

Cluny Lodge Residents Meeting – Tuesday 21st May, at 2.00pm

Chamberlain Residents Meeting – Tuesday 28th May, at 2.00pm

…

V. I. P. Visit (Cluny Lodge) – Morning of 23rd May 2019

…

June 3rd

-9th

is National Dementia Awareness week

Dementia Awareness Week takes place every June in Scotland. Over the 7 days, its aim is

to highlight the importance of dementia research and the impact of dementia on

individuals and their families.

As part of this Alzheimer's Scotland initiative, Elder Homes will have a library table of

information about dementia, all week, at both Cluny and Chamberlain.

There will also be the chance to experience the world through the eyes of someone living

with dementia. This will be at Cluny Lodge:

Wed 5th @ 13.00, 14.00 or 15.00

Thur 6th @ 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00 or 18.00

These sessions will last just under an hour and we hope, would help everyone understand

dementia just a little bit better

Dine around The world Evening ----PolandPolandPolandPoland is our destination for June 2019. Confirmation of dates will be advertised, nearer the time.

As always, family and friends are welcome.

Welcome to All New Residents at Cluny Lodge & Chamberlain

February 2019 - April 2019

Mrs. Margaret Macleod - (Balmoral)

Mrs. Ailsa Rowe - (Balmoral)

Mrs. Elspeth Donaldson - (Balmoral)

Mrs. Anne McCullough (Chamberlain)

Happy Birthday to the following who celebrated birthdays during

February 2019 – April 2019

Argyll Residents

Mrs. Isobel (Izzy) Winnington – Ingram

Mrs. Elizabeth (Libby) Porteous

Mr. Cliston (Cliff) Porteous

Mrs. Patricia (Pat) Millar

Balmoral Residents

Mrs. Ruth Butlin

Mrs. Beatrice Gow

Mrs. Nancy Gill

Mrs. Frieda De Beaux

Dr Derek Sneddon

Mr. John (Ian) Bertram

Mrs. Mairi Mitchell (99)

Mrs. Fortune Rooke

Chamberlain Residents

Mrs. Isobel Tait

Dr Janet Smith

Mrs. Agnes Pierce

Miss Kathleen Laing

Mrs. Audrey Henshall

For all the latest information on what is going on within Elder Homes, you can visit our

website www.elder-homes.co.uk which is kept up to date with new photographs and

information by Cheryl Henderson, our Education and dementia co- coordinator.

Our fortnightly Social and Leisure Programmes are available on the site, allowing

residents and relatives to view them and plan ahead for any activities they wish to take

part in. This element is password protected; please ask the Nurse in charge of the Unit, or

Receptionist at Cluny for further details on how to access.

Complaints Procedure

Our procedure is posted in the entry vestibules at both Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain

Care Homes with copies also available in every resident’s room, should it be required.

Please remember, Elder Homes operates an “open door” policy, and if any issues do arise,

we would actively encourage you to contact the appropriate Unit Manager in the first

instance, to allow us the opportunity to address the issue.

If, however there was an issue you felt unable to raise it directly with us, there are

independent bodies for you to contact and they would approach us on your behalf: for

example www.earsadvocacy.org.uk is a free, confidential, independent advocacy service

which is based locally.

Recently passed away

Mr. Leonard Stuckey (Balmoral Suite)

Mrs. Avril Gordon (Balmoral Suite)

Mrs. Sheva Lurie (Balmoral Suite)

Mr. George Bertram (Balmoral Suite)

To the families and friends of these residents, we would like to express our sincere

condolences, and we thank you for allowing us to be part of their lives.

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