ORANA GARDENS P: (02) 6841 4100 F: (02) 6841 4166 www.oranagardens.com.au Newsletter - OCTOBER EDITION Clinical Department—Oral Health Spring is finally here! This me of the year is a great reminder to change our residents’ toothbrushes in order to maintain their oral health that is integral to general health. Poor oral health compromises healthy aging as it impacts on an elderly resident’s quality of life and general heath. For instance, poor oral health can cause pain, dry mouth, poor oral intake that would increase the risks of malnutrion and other potenal health problems. The mouth acts as a portal for disease sharing links with diabetes, heart, brain and lung diseases. Based on the published research, poor oral health also can increase the likelihood of avoidable hospitalisaon from condions such as aspiraon pneumonia. Our residents need to eat and talk comfortably, to feel happy with their appearance, to stay pain free, to maintain self-esteem and to maintain habits /standards of hygiene and care that they have had throughout their lives. Thus, at Orana Gardens, all residents’ toothbrushes are changed every 3 months as recommended. All residents are scheduled and reviewed by the denst at a yearly basis at our site. To those residents who have cognive or physical impairment, staff will also ensure the necessary oral care will carry out, e.g. brush tooth twice, soak the dentures at night etc. As part of professional connuing development, there will be compulsory oral health educaon held at Orana Gardens this me. The me will be at 2:30pm on October 30th 2019, or 2:30pm on November 12 th for all staff in order to enhance staff’ knowledge when providing oral care to the residents. Quality and Risk Manager—Connuous Improvement I have hit the ground running as the recently appointed Quality & Risk Manager for Orana Gardens. It has been an absolute delight to meet and get to know our fabulous residents and many of their families, along with our dedicated staff. One of the highlights of my role within Orana Gardens has been to provide assistance to our residents and Recreaonal Acvies Officers (RAOs) in the area of feasibility & risk assessment of various recreaonal acvies to be conducted both within the home and out in the community. The most pleasing aspect of the proposed acvies is that they have largely come at the request of the residents themselves. I look forward to working closely with the residents and staff to ensure that we connuously improve on the services we offer thus adding value to our home. Kind Regards, Michelle Graham P: (02) 6841 4100 F: (02) 6841 4166 www.oranagardens.com.au NRL Tipping Compeon This year at Orana Gardens, staff and residents parcipated in a pping compeon that ran over a 25 week period. Each week, residents had to guess which teams would win each game and would accumulate points with each win. Even though some people didn't watch or follow NRL, they sll had a go and loved seeing their results each week! Congratulaons to our winners: 1st Place - Amanda Higgs 2nd Place - Kathleen Doick 3rd Place - Russell Grant Fight for Cancer Foundaon - Footy Colours Day On the 19th of September, Orana Gardens held a “Footy Colours Day” where staff and residents were encouraged to dress up in their favourite team colours to support children living with cancer. Every dollar raised supports the Fight Cancer Foundaon’s educaon programs to help kids with cancer connue with their educaon during treatment and recovery. The day was full of friendly compeon between jersey’s and it was a great success! Over the day, raffle ckets, 100 club and a BBQ were offered to be purchased throughout the facility and around the Rerement Village. We are very grateful to all staff, residents and others who made an effort to dress up and donate to this amazing foundaon. Over the day we raised $905!! A huge thank you to the following business that donated items to be raffled off: The Garden Hotel, Blue’s Meats, Orana Mall Pharmacy, Freechoice Tobacconist & Pam Monk Hair Dressing!
Spring is finally here! This time of the year is a great reminder to change our residents’ toothbrushes in order to maintain their oral health that is integral to general health.
Poor oral health compromises healthy aging as it impacts on an elderly resident’s quality of life and general heath. For instance, poor oral health can cause pain, dry mouth, poor oral intake that would increase the risks of malnutrition and other potential health problems. The mouth acts as a portal for disease sharing links with diabetes, heart, brain and lung diseases.
Based on the published research, poor oral health also can increase the likelihood of avoidable hospitalisation from conditions such as aspiration pneumonia.
Our residents need to eat and talk comfortably, to feel happy with their appearance, to stay pain free, to maintain self-esteem and to maintain habits /standards of hygiene and care that they have had throughout their lives. Thus, at Orana Gardens, all residents’ toothbrushes are changed every 3 months as recommended. All residents are scheduled and reviewed by the dentist at a yearly basis at our site. To those residents who have cognitive or physical impairment, staff will also ensure the necessary oral care will carry out, e.g. brush tooth twice, soak the dentures at night etc.
As part of professional continuing development, there will be compulsory oral health education held at Orana Gardens this time. The time will be at 2:30pm on October 30th 2019, or 2:30pm on November 12th for all staff in order to enhance staff’ knowledge when providing oral care to the residents.
Quality and Risk Manager—Continuous Improvement
I have hit the ground running as the recently appointed Quality & Risk Manager for Orana Gardens. It has been an absolute delight to meet and get to know our fabulous residents and many of their families, along with our dedicated staff. One of the highlights of my role within Orana Gardens has been to provide assistance to our residents and Recreational Activities Officers (RAOs) in the area of feasibility & risk assessment of various recreational activities to be conducted both within the home and out in the community. The most pleasing aspect of the proposed activities is that they have largely come at the request of the residents themselves. I look forward to working closely with the residents and staff to ensure that we continuously improve on the services we offer thus adding value to our home.
Recreational Activities Officers (RAO) - John Whittle House, Special Care Unit & Lodge
September was and is a busy time— “Spring has Sprung”. The residents enjoyed our monthly
visits from Matthew Dickerson reciting poetry, such as “The Man from Snowy River” and
“Clancy of the Overflow”. Also Mathew recites some of his own compositions—some are very
humorous!
Peppercorn Day Care visits us once a month and we all love having them! The children sang for us all,
greeted us and gave artwork to each resident! We ended the morning program with each resident,
child and teacher having an ice cream cone. Yummy!
The bus trips to the Dubbo Baptist Church for “A Time for Friends” also happens once a month with
resident’s enjoying a chance to socialise with others, playing board games and enjoying a lovely morn-
ing tea. The Golden Years continue to perform and we received many compliments from residents re-
garding this concert.
Friday Sing-A-Longs are still continuing in The Lodge until the Kitchen in JWH is complete. Residents
from all areas make their way there to watch and join in. There are two guitarists, duets and solos, plus
a group of singers and the lovely Rhonda on piano. The residents look forward to this very much each
week.!
The Café Lodge still continues every Wednesday, this is a time for residents from all areas to catch up
and have a cuppa! Some resident’s have their coffee from the van and others are served by the RAO’s.
Much laughing and reminiscing takes place along with a delicious morning tea!
Residents had a visit from Old People’s Mental Health to talk about our residents wellbeing as we were
celebrating “Bright Pink Lipstick Day and “Liptember”. Afternoon tea followed!
Bingo runs on Mondays and Wednesdays in the afternoon, and many residents say that it is their
favourite activity of the week!
Resident’s in The Lodge have started to go on weekly outings, to places such as bowling, the Japanese
Gardens and the mall for coffee.
We at Orana Gardens are a big happy family together—residents, families, friends, management and
staff!
Until next time—RAO’s.
Do you have a concern? If you have any concerns please contact Rebecca McDonald, Facility Manager on (02) 6841 4100 or the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission.
