At Hire a Daugther, Maxine and her team are able to help with shopping trips, appointments, we now help with cleaning homes around the Manawatū. We are a companion driving service but we offer so much more! We stay with you the whole time from pick up to return trip home.

Give us a call on 02041441004 to discuss how we can help you.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER - 

We are offering 5% off the Gyenno Bravo Twist and our INMU Range just enter the code  "ELDERNET5" at checkout.  This offer is only valid till the 30th April.  

https://www.sensorycorner.co.nz/discount/ELDERNET5

The Gyenno Bravo Twist Spoon is a thoughtfully designed, smart utensil that brings comfort and ease to individuals with hand tremors, including those living with Parkinson’s disease. Its innovative self-stabilizing technology helps reduce the impact of tremors, making mealtime a more manageable and enjoyable experience. For both those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers, this portable, versatile spoon is the perfect solution to foster independence at the dinner table, providing a greater sense of dignity and confidence. Whether you're at home or on the go, the Gyenno Bravo Twist Spoon is an invaluable tool to help maintain autonomy and comfort during meals.  Click HERE to see the Gyenno Bravo Twist Spoon / Fork 

Feel free to contact us on 0800 34 34 38 for further information or sales@sensorycorner.co.nz.

The Gyenno Bravo Twist is a specially designed utensil that reduces the impact of tremors. Here’s how it can help:

1. **Tremor Stabilization**: The Bravo Twist features technology that stabilizes the utensil, counteracting the effects of hand tremors. This helps the person maintain better control and reduces spills, allowing for a more dignified dining experience.
2.  **Ergonomic Design**: The utensil is ergonomically shaped, making it more comfortable for people with Parkinson's to hold. The grip helps reduce the effort required to hold it steady, which can reduce strain on the hand and wrist.
3.  **Restores Independence**: By improving the ability to eat independently, the Bravo Twist helps restore a sense of autonomy. This can improve confidence and quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s.
4. **Improved Social Interaction**: Being able to eat more comfortably and with less assistance can improve social interactions, allowing individuals to feel more included in mealtime conversations and gatherings. 
5. **Dignity and Respect**: For many people with Parkinson’s, the challenges of eating can be an emotional hurdle. The Gyenno Bravo Twist helps restore dignity during mealtimes by enabling individuals to eat more effectively, reducing reliance on caregivers If you're supporting a loved one with Parkinson's, this type of aid can truly transform the mealtime experience, not just in terms of ease and practicality, but also in terms of emotional well-being and independence. 

Need assistance to downsize, declutter or estate clear?

We are friendly and professional home organisers who provide downsizing, decluttering and estate clearance services in the greater Wellington area.  We're here to help people who don't have the time, strength or support to get these jobs done.  These jobs can be hard to start, so we offer a non-judgmental, personalised service to help you get them underway and completed.  That frees you up to do whatever you have to do next.

Call 021 227 3345 for a Free half hour consultation.

Find out more about our services at www.sortoutservice.co.nz

Peter and Judy's experience with Dementia

Peter and Judy Davies spent three years navigating Judy’s Dementia diagnosis before connecting with Dementia Canterbury. They say the support they have received has brought much-needed positivity to their experience. Originally a nurse, and then a teacher, Judy wanted to learn everything she could about her diagnosis. “I found out what I could online and it wasn’t good news." However, after joining the Living Well with Dementia course, Judy says she felt more encouraged about what was to come. “Lee (the Educator) made it fun, was matter of fact and we had lots of jokes. I felt better after getting all the information.”

While Judy was in her course, Peter was next door taking part in education for carers. He says this helped him understand how the disease might progress for Judy and gave him useful, practical techniques for coping. “It was reassuring to be with other people coping with similar, after managing on our own for so long."

Peter and Judy agree that the best part about Dementia Canterbury's support is the positivity. “It’s a pretty awful disease and it was so overwhelming for Judy, and for me as a husband and carer. It’s very important to stay positive and focus on the things Judy can do.” Their advice to others coping with a diagnosis is to access support early and to know that there are many other people on the journey with you.

3 years Certification awarded April 2024

$30 off your Enduring Power of Attorney with a Gold Card at Public Trust.

Create Your Will Today – A Simple Step, A Lasting Legacy. 

As you enter this new chapter, ensuring you have an up-to-date, written Will is an important step for you and your loved ones. cbm’s partnership with Safewill allows you to create a valid Will in just 20 minutes using a secure, easy-to-use online platform.

Take advantage of this opportunity - write your Will between 17 - 31 March 2025 for FREE (the regular price is $160) - and secure peace of mind.

While making provisions for your family, would you consider leaving a gift to cbm New Zealand (Christian Blind Mission). Even a percentage of your estate will be a great blessing for children and adults with disabilities in the world’s poorest places, creating a brighter future for those who need it most.

By writing your Will you will secure your family’s future and also leave a lasting legacy for people with disabilities most in need.  

If you have questions about leaving a bequest to cbm, contact Mirella Soratroi at 021 140 9325 or msoratroi@cbmnz.org.nz

Learn more…

How can a pharmacist help you?

What's Happening ...

• Library Visit- fortnightly 1^st and 3^rd week
• Weekly Communion- Saturday morning [Catholic]
• Shopping – fortnightly 2^nd week and 4^th week
• Pastoral Visits-
• 3^rd Thursday of the month- at 2pm in Upland Library [Anglican]
• 4th Thursday of the month -at 2pm in Upland Library [Catholic]
• Drum Fit Class- 4^th Wednesday of the month- in the Atrium
• Daily exercise class - chair yoga 

The lounge located on the ground floor is a popular destination for our residents to come together for various activities and social events; as shared but one of our residents, " the common areas are particularly well planned , luxurious and enjoyable places to relax and to meet up with other residents.’ 

Do you suffer from pain, arthritis or skin problems?
Experience the healing power of light!

Each wavelength contained in BIOPTRON® Hyperlight is absorbed by different biomolecules, cells and living tissues improving cell metabolism and triggering specific biological and cellular reactions. The induced biological response is called photo-biostimulation.

When diffuse light (emitted by a halogen bulb), collides/ interacts with the Brewster's optical unit, it reflects and becomes a Vertically Linearly Polarized Light (VLPL).

When such VLPL passes through the Hyperlight Optics®, it interacts with C60 (integrated in the optics), which twists at a near-inconceivable 18 billion times per second. C60 reflects from each other without friction (paramagnetic and diamagnetic properties). As a result of VLPL interactions with twisting C60, VLPL photons change their orientation: a. the 20 hexagons in C60 obtain the Faraday’s effect (the plane of photon polarization rotate in hexagons), and b. the 12 pentagons in C60 obtain the Fibonacci-sequential effect (the plane of photon polarization rotates and twists in all directions in pentagons). Thus, the photons’ electrical plane of polarization changes position step-by-step, from Vertically Linearly Polarized Light (VLPL) into Hyperpolarized Light that has circular left and right polarization and Linearly Vertical and Horizontal polarization (“sunflower photons pattern”). This unprecedented, perfectly-ordered Hyperpolarized Light, called Quantum Hyperlight, with its unique photon pattern, arranged by the Fibonacci Law, is the ideal energy-structure/symmetry that is fully compatible with our biostructures.

Purchase a gift voucher for your loved one to experience our service! In a world that rushes by too fast, we like to focus on creating experiences with our clients. It's important to take time to appreciate the journey and savor the simple things in life that help us all to feel good. We aim to leave a smile on every client's face after a trip. Pre-bookings required. 

Purchase a gift voucher for your loved one to experience our service! In a world that rushes by too fast, we like to focus on creating experiences with our clients. It's important to take time to appreciate the journey and savour the simple things in life that help us all to feel good. We aim to leave a smile on every client's face after a trip. Pre-bookings required. 

This month we are celebrating World Hearing Day 2025 at Hearing Auckland. Every year on March 3rd, hearing professionals around the world celebrate World Hearing Day. The theme of World Hearing Day this year is “Empower Yourself”, encouraging us all to take steps to take care of our own hearing.

Being empowered to look after your own hearing includes preventing hearing loss, checking your hearing regularly, and using appropriate tools to manage hearing loss. Read on to see how we’re celebrating World Hearing Day at Hearing Auckland.

Preventing Hearing Loss

Exposure to loud sounds can impact your hearing. The World Health Organisation has lots of tips for protecting your hearing and preventing hearing loss. These include wearing earplugs in noisy environments. Musicians and those who regularly attend live events may benefit from custom earplugs. At Hearing Auckland we offer ear plugs which are custom-made to your ear impression and fitted with noise filters at the level of your choosing. High quality custom earplugs can make listening to concerts or playing music in a group safer and more comfortable, without sacrificing sound quality. If you’re interested in custom ear plugs, give us a call or book an ear-impression appointment.

Checking Your Hearing Regularly

Even when we’re not celebrating World Hearing Day, we always encourage checking your hearing regularly. Getting regular hearing tests is the best way to know if your hearing has changed. If your hearing has changed, our audiologists at Hearing Auckland can guide you in the next-steps for how to look after your hearing. Have you had your hearing tested before? Come to see us for a Hearing Review to review your hearing. If you’ve never had your hearing tested before, come to see us for a Hearing Screening (it’s free!).

Managing Hearing Loss

If you have a hearing loss, your audiologist may advise you to get Hearing Aids. One of the most common ways of managing hearing loss, hearing aids come in a wide variety of styles and a wide variety of price points. As an independent clinic, Hearing Auckland are able to supply hearing aids from all major brands including Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, Signia, Widex, and GN. Get in touch with us today if you’re interested in hearing aids. We are happy to provide more information and answer any questions you have. If you already have hearing aids from another clinic, you are still able to come to see us for adjustments and maintenance.

World Hearing Day

We are celebrating World Hearing Day and the theme of “Empower Yourself”. Our services for preventing hearing loss, checking your hearing regularly, and managing hearing loss are available all year round.

For more information, give us a call or book an appointment.

(09) 524 9847

info@hearingauckland.org.nz

Introducing In-Home Care to Aging Parents

Opening the Door to Home Care: Talking to Your Aging Parents

Talking to your aging parents about the possibility of needing in-home care can be a delicate and emotionally charged conversation. It's crucial to approach the topic with sensitivity, understanding, and respect for their independence and autonomy. Given that a study published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology found that open and honest communication between caregivers and care recipients is crucial for maintaining a positive caregiving experience and minimizing caregiver burden, we have created some tools to help you navigate this discussion.

Here are some tips to help you navigate these difficult conversations:

1. Choose the Right Time and Place:

• Find a comfortable and private setting: Choose a quiet and comfortable setting where you and your parents can talk openly and honestly without distractions. Generally, this is best done after a bonding activity such as sharing a meal because their mood will be positive and relaxed.

2. Start with a Gentle Approach:

• Focus on their needs and desires:
  • Instead of: "Mom, I think it's time we got some help around the house."
  • Try: "Mom, I've noticed you've been having a harder time getting around lately. How are you feeling about things like grocery shopping and cooking? Are there ways we can make things easier for you?"

This approach focuses on your parent's experience and allows them to express their own needs and concerns.

• Use "we" language:
  • Instead of: "I think it's time we hired a caregiver to help you."
  • Try: "We can explore some options to help you stay safe and comfortable at home. Would you be open to learning more about home care services? At first, we can just look on the internet to get ideas about what is on offer near by. "

Seeing that using "we" language emphasizes that you are working together to find the best solution and that you are in this together, it is a popular tactic to use.

3. Be Patient and Understanding:

• Acknowledge their feelings:
  • If your parent says: "I don't want to be a burden to anyone."
  • You could respond: "I understand that you're concerned about becoming a burden, and I want to assure you that's not how I feel at all. Moreover, I just want to make sure you're safe and happy at home."

Acknowledging their feelings shows empathy and validates their concerns.

4. Focus on Maintaining Independence and Quality of Life:

• Involve them in the decision-making process:
  • Instead of: "I've scheduled a consultation with Home Support North for next week."
  • Try: "I've been looking into some home care agencies, and I found one called Home Support North that seems to have a good reputation. Would you be interested in learning more about them?"

Involving your parents in the decision-making process undoubtedly empowers them and reinforces their autonomy.

5. Utilize Resources:

• Gather information: Research reputable home care agencies in your area, such as Home Support North, and gather information about the services they offer.
• Schedule a consultation: Schedule a consultation with a home care agency to learn more about their services and ask any questions you may have. This can help you make informed decisions and address any concerns your parents may have.

6. Be Prepared for Resistance:

• Expect resistance: Obviously, it's natural for your parents to resist the idea of needing assistance.
• Be patient and persistent: Gently and respectfully address their concerns and continue the conversation over time.
  • If your parent says: "I don't need any help! I can still take care of myself."
  • You could respond: "I know you're very independent, and I admire that. However, I'm also concerned about your safety and well-being since you had a recent fall. Perhaps we could start with a small trial period with a caregiver to see how it goes?"

Acknowledging their resistance and offering a compromise can help to ease their concerns and unquestionably open the door for further discussion.

7. Celebrate Small Victories:

• Acknowledge and celebrate their progress: Acknowledge and celebrate any steps they take towards accepting assistance, such as agreeing to a home care assessment or meeting with a potential caregiver.
• Focus on the positive: Emphasize the benefits of in-home care, such as improved safety, increased social interaction, and greater peace of mind for both of you.

8. Lastly, Seek Support for Yourself:

• Remember to prioritize your own well-being: Caring for aging parents can be emotionally and physically demanding.
• Seek support from family, friends, or support groups: Connect with other caregivers who understand your challenges and can offer support and guidance.
• Likewise, consider professional counseling: If you are experiencing significant stress or emotional distress, consider seeking professional counseling or therapy.

To summarize, difficult conservations that follow the tips above can create a positive outcome for you and your parents.

Easter is coming as I saw the chocolate eggs in the shops!  We will be working over the holiday weekend so if you need a car and driver to help you get out and about give us a call on 03 341 5057.  We're busy on Good Friday as we are honored to be taking Eldernet's resident of the year to the Crusaders game.

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

Cambridge Resthaven celebrates!

Cambridge Resthaven have been recognised for its performance at the 2013 Waipa Networks Business Awards, by receiving the Supreme Overall Winner and also the Excellence in Business Social Enterprise awards.

“Cambridge Resthaven demonstrated excellence across the 9 areas examined, with exceptional performance in the area of community and industry contribution and environmental sustainability” the Business Excellence Awards Judges from the Waikato Management School said.  “They have made some very proud achievements in the business”.

Excitement is mounting at The Sterling, Kaiapoi as construction officially begins on the highly anticipated amenities building; an essential step toward completing the thriving North Canterbury retirement village.

Designed to be the heart of The Sterling, Kaiapoi community, the new amenities building will house the village’s reception, a clubhouse, lounge, cinema, café, restaurant, bar, library, and a state-of-the-art wellness centre. The surrounding grounds will feature a community vegetable garden, glasshouse, putting green, multi-use pavilion, children’s playground, BBQ area, and facilities for lawn bowls, pétanque, and croquet.

Village General Manager Suzi Cadigan says the project is generating immense excitement among residents.

“The anticipation around this development is electric,” says Suzi. “Residents are eager to enjoy their brand-new swimming pool, spa, sauna, and gym – not to mention the luxury of having a cinema, café, and a permanent clubhouse right at their doorstep.”

Beyond enhancing village life, the amenities building will also provide a boost to the local economy, creating new jobs and welcoming the public to enjoy the café and outdoor areas.

“The Sterling, Kaiapoi has always been envisioned as an inclusive, intergenerational community,” explains Suzi. “By opening our café to the public, and employing local talent, we’re not just building a retirement village – we’re fostering a vibrant hub for the wider Silverstream community.”

Since construction began in 2021 as part of the Silverstream Estate development by Lime Developments, The Sterling, Kaiapoi has rapidly expanded. The first stage saw the establishment of the village offices and temporary clubhouse, followed by architecturally-designed retirement villas. Today, 113 residents call The Sterling, Kaiapoi home, with 76 villas already completed.

“The demand for our villas has been incredible,” says Sales Manager Michelle Allan. “We’ve just released our Stage Seven villas, including the milestone 100th villa to go on sale. With 184 homes planned altogether, and the amenities building taking shape, we’ve now passed the halfway point in our development.”

The Sterling, Kaiapoi’s final development stages will include a care home, dedicated memory care suites, and a selection of modern retirement townhouses.

“With the amenities building on the way, The Sterling, Kaiapoi is truly becoming the vibrant, modern, and welcoming retirement destination we envisioned from the start,” says Suzi.

 Discover Our Affordable Lease Program 

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With our convenient lease program, you can easily access state-of-the-art devices like video magnifiers and CCTVs, tailored specifically for your needs.

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Visit our website at  https://bit.ly/48Cnrpk or call 03 376 5071 for more details and to check out our current inventory.

Publication of the book: 'Excellence in Care: a guide for managers and nurses'

Tracey Martin (CEO, Aged Care Association NZ) in reference to this book states, “The book ‘Excellence in Care’ is the only resource of its kind in New Zealand, and we are very pleased to recommend it.  It will be an invaluable tool for the future we must create”. 

Regan Gilchrist, (Clinical manager, Ross Home, Enliven - Presbyterian Support) also noted, "Your first book was an absolute life saver for me when I entered my first clinical manager position.  The book was incredibly helpful for me coming from an acute role to aged care.  I often refer to it as a refresher and would recommend this to anyone new - clinical or facility manager!  I very much look forward to this second book." 

A worldwide shortage in nurses has resulted in early promotion into senior roles, often without the necessary training or support.  It is for those personnel in particular this book was written.  Aged Care is a specialty area unlike any other and needs specialised skills and knowledge to achieve excellence in care. This book addresses such issues as governance and management, leadership, communication, diversity equity and inclusiveness, recruitment and performance management, rostering and team member retention, clinical theory to practice, care planning, teams, time management, adverse events, quality, risk and audit.

We had a lovely time helping Margaret move from her Villa to a serviced apartment at Pacific Coast Village in Papamoa.

One of the things our client's love to tell us is that they have so much FUN with us.  Our team are all mature professionals who are hard working but always make sure to have some fun with our clients.  Margaret loved having us around to help her with her move recently. We helped her make decisions about what she really needed to take, packed everything up, organised the move,  unpacked and put everything away!

Get in touch today for a FREE, no obligation, initial chat to discuss how TaskMasters can help you!

Contact: Jane on 027 562 7006

TaskMasters - your premium professional organisers!

Our hearing aids come in a wide range of technology levels, making it easy to find the right ones to help you hear the sounds that are important to you. 

In August 2024 we celebrated our staff who have been working at Ali's, providing exceptional care and support to our clients. We celebrated with an afternoon tea for our 36 long-term employees. We enjoyed a relaxed afternoon chatting with colleagues, our Founders, and Kelly our current owner. Followed by presentations for staff who have served 5, 10 and 15 years with us. Thank you all have been so dedicated.

More recently we have implemented a new staff benefit where every staff goes into a draw to win petrol vouchers for time worked on a particular day, just one more way to show your carers how valued they are.

At Ali's, we CARE.  We not only pride ourselves on looking after our clients but also our staff and this year we introduced Ali's CARE Penapena Friendly Society.  This is like a Christmas savings club for the staff.  It means they will have support from the society for emergencies and enable them to save through the year.

Penapena is a Māori word meaning, to cherish, look after, save up, and store.  I believe this means we will be able to support ourselves and our whanau better in the coming years with the potential recession going to affect us all in different ways.

This is just some of the ways Ali's makes a difference.

Auditory Rehabilitation/Auditory Training

Auditory Rehabilitation refers to the process of restoring and improving hearing and communication abilities for individuals with hearing impairments. This involves a combination of therapies, strategies, and technologies aimed at helping individuals with hearing loss to adapt to and overcome challenges associated with their hearing deficits.

The goal is to improve their quality of life by enhancing their ability to understand speech, engage in conversations, and interact with their environment.

Auditory Rehabilitation involves: Hearing aids and assistive device; Auditory Training and communication strategies. 

Speech perception training involves exercises to help individuals improve their ability to recognize and understand speech sounds.  Similar to working a body part to gain muscle or running regularly to keep fitness; we must exercise our ears and brain to help improve its ability to recognize and understand speech sounds.

Communication strategies involve teaching individuals with hearing loss techniques for effective communication, such as asking people to speak clearly, facing them directly, reducing background noise, and using written or visual aids.

For a limited time, Tasman Serviced Apartments offers you an amazing opportunity to claim a generous $20,000 cashback upon settlement to spend as you please — whether it's for fees, furnishing your new home, or even treating yourself to a holiday. The choice is yours! Don't let this fabulous chance to elevate your living experience pass you by! Contact us for full Terms and Conditions.

The Value of a Funeral and Pre-planning

Throughout our lives we mark milestones.  We celebrate birthdays, graduations, weddings and anniversaries.  A funeral is a chance to mark a major milestone in the life of a family.

Everyone has a story to tell, and even those who appear, on the surface, to have lived an ‘ordinary 'life, have things that make them unique.

Ferdi Bosch, General Manager of Seddon Park Funeral Home says his team is very aware of the need to mark the milestone of death.

“Some people tell us they don’t want a funeral because they don’t want to put their family through the stress of having to organise things at a difficult time.  But funerals are not just for the person who has passed away, they are very much for the living,” says Ferdi.

Funerals serve a greater purpose than simply saying goodbye.  They are often the spark that brings family members together.  They help to smooth conflict and reaffirm the importance of family connections in day-to-day life.  Funerals provide healing and are a good start on the journey of grief.  They provide an opportunity to express feelings without having to hide away.

Ferdi says funeral’s don’t have to be grand events.  They can be very simple.  He sees them as a chance for friends to show their support, and many families welcome hearing stories about things they might not have known about their loved ones.

“One of the best things about funerals now is that they can be done to suit the needs of the families who want to hold services in a garden, sport clubs or even in the back yard”

“Some people think that not having a funeral will shield them away from the pain of grief, but we find it actually makes it harder,” says Ferdi

“More people are choosing to write down their wishes, and this is very important.  It means they can choose their own music, venue for the service, and even things like flowers they want”

He says this takes the pressure off a family at a very difficult time because they have fewer decisions to make, and they know they’re following the wishes of their loved one.

Without doubt funerals are emotionally difficult, but they can also be a wonderful time for sharing great memories.  They can be a celebration of a good life, and a celebration of family ties.

“We encourage people to think carefully before saying they don’t want a funeral.  Today’s funerals are not the sombre affairs of days gone by, and that’s a very good thing.”

Request our free pre plan funeral booklet “a time such as this”.  This will give you the chance to put down your funeral wishes.  email us at info@seddonpark.co.nz or call us on 07 846 1561 

Feel at home with our quality nursing care. 

The Nurse Maude Care Home is more thank just a place to live. It's a place where residents enjoy a sense of purpose, meaning and dignity in a vibrant and caring community. 

To learn more about the care we're renowned for, which focuses on the whole person and their unique needs, contact us today. 

Getting out and about! 

Engaging in the community promotes a sense of purpose and fulfilment, physical activity, cognitive stimulation, enhancing overall quality of life. 

Our vans make it easy for all residents to get out. Recently residents from our Demetia Wing were treated to hot chocolates on the wharf.  

At Clare House we offer a range of care options including Rest Home, Dementia Care and Hospital Level Care. 

We invite you to come in, meet the team and we can discuss what we can do to support you loved one.