Tasman Rest Home and Dementia Care

December 2017:

To our dear friends
It's the end of 2017, a time of reflection on the past year. As always, there have been many moments of joy, laughter, peace and wonder: what we call ‘magic moments’. We are full of gratitude and would like to say thank you to you all. Thank you for encouraging us by being part of this online community. Thank you to the people who visit our homes - it is always lovely to see you. Most of all a very big thank you to those of you who share your family member or friend with us. It is a huge privilege to take care of the people who live here with us in their home. They are a wonderful inspiration to us and we love them dearly.
We would also like to say an enormous thank you to each and every member of our staff team. We appreciate you and value you so much. Thank you for everything you do.
We are grateful for the highs and lows, the challenges and opportunities this past year has brought. Thank you for being part of it.

New website for Dementia Care NZ:

WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY ... AND IT WORKS.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT US?

• Our Vision and Values – Are the cornerstone of all we do. We select our staff based upon our vision and values. This means we attract the right people and have a great staff retention. Staff have a high level of job satisfaction and many opportunities to grow which naturally results in best performance and positively impacts upon our residents’ well being.
• Open home – Our families are always welcome. You have an open invitation to share mealtimes with your loved one, at no charge. We want you to have as much special time with your loved one as possible. This benefits us all.
•  Small Homes  – Small homes mean that the environment feels more normalised, and residents orientate to their environment more easily.. There is a family feel. We get to know our residents very well. There are fewer faces to get to know. There is a higher staff ratio than in many larger facilities.
• Open Plan kitchens - Purpose designed kitchens mean that residents and their families have full, assisted and safe access to familiar homely activities. People can help rinse the dishes, make a cup of tea, wipe down the bench, and be part of the running of their home. Baking and cooking activities occur regularly.
• Bedrooms – Are warm and cosy. There is under-floor heating as well as wall unit heating. People are encouraged to bring special things from home, to make their room feel familiar and homely. We provide all of the necessities.
•  Family Support  – Our families have the opportunity to meet monthly with an independent facilitator to share thoughts, feelings and concerns about having a loved one in care. At Levin and Waikanae support is available over the phone.
• Special Programmes for Families - We enjoy having two special courses for our families: ‘Orientation For Families’ and ‘Sharing the Journey’. These courses help people to settle into having a loved one in care, and provide information about dementia and improving the quality of the journey with your loved one in care.
• Our team: Our staff team are hand-picked and are with us because they love working with people who have dementia. They are given many opportunities to grow within the organisation and are supported to be their very best. We provide them with free medical attention and  staff support from ‘Work Place Support’ . They are also given much in the way of Education. We are great believers in the power of education and support for growth.
• Education - We have an Education Coordinator who coordinates , supports, motivates and encourages staff to grow and develop as much as possible.
• Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care training – All our staff attend this training as a part of their comprehensive ‘orientation’ program. It is based on the ground-breaking work of Virginia Bell and David Troxell, and originated in the U.S.A. The main focus is on developing empathy, communication and an understanding of our residents’ needs.
• Non Violent Crisis Intervention – This is an internationally recognised qualification that we encourage all staff members to participate in.  This course supports what is learnt in the Best Friends Approach to Care training.
• Intercultural training – Our staff team have the opportunity to be a part of  comprehensive training around intercultural awareness. This training is designed to help staff understand the varying cultural needs  of our residents, as well as fellow staff members.
• Occupational Therapy – We have a very experienced Occupational Therapist who leads our team of Diversional Therapists.  She is also available for consulting regarding residents’ specific needs and/or behaviours of concern.
• Physiotherapist – Our Physiotherapist visits our home regularly.
• Dietician – Our dietician is on site on a regular basis and is available for advice at anytime.
• Community Care – We have a proactive approach  to education for the wider community around dementia care.
• We speak at both national and international  conferences  on the subject of excellence in person-centred care. Community education, removing the stigma from dementia and increasing the quality of life for people who have dementia are  passions we love to share with others.

PERSON-CENTRED CARE HIGHLIGHTED AT OPENING OF TASMAN REST HOME 17/02/2012

Warmth, community spirit and a focus on the immense value of people with dementia were the hallmarks of the recent opening of Tasman Rest Home and Dementia Care. The official opening of the renewed and renovated facility began with a warmly welcoming Whaikorero (Blessing and Speech of Welcome) by Archdeacon Harvey Ruru QSM, followed by a waiata. Interest in the new facility was intense among those present. Openness and an eagerness to share and be part of the occasion characterised the involvement of the Nelson community, who were excited about what the facility means in terms of the betterment of aged care in the area. The mayor of Nelson, Aldo Miccio, spoke passionately about the importance of catering for specialised needs of the ageing community, and the need to raise public awareness of the challenges the elderly can encounter. He reminded guests that the staff at Tasman are caring for some of the most vulnerable people among us, and need the support of the community in doing this important work. He emphasised the importance of developing understanding and empathy towards people with dementia, and of supporting them to remain an essential part of our community. Tasman director Alison Hume spoke from the heart about the right of people with dementia to a homely, tranquil and loving home where they are accepted, valued and respected. Her short address honoured the staff who have worked under difficult conditions during the year-long renovation process. Guests were invited to consider what makes a house a ‘home’, what positive things happen in their own home, and what each one of us associates with tranquil family times. This is the atmosphere the staff of Tasman are committed to creating for residents, who are supported by the loving and accepting ‘best friends’ approach to care. “We want this to be a place where people can relax and just ‘be’”, Alison Hume said. The opening of facility was hailed as a ‘truly special day’ for residential care in the Nelson area by National Director of Alzheimer’s NZ, Mr Johan Vos. The facility now offers a full continuum of care, which means that people with dementia are able to stay in one place as their needs change. The facility is also the only home in the NMDHB which offers hospital level dementia care. Mr Vos congratulated the management of Tasman, Tanya Tuscano and Andrew Sheard, and the NMDHB for the proactive way in which they have worked together to provide essential services for people with dementia in the area. The important service provided by Alzheimer’s Nelson in the areas of community education, information and support was also acknowledged. It was vital for local Alzheimer’s bodies to continue to work closely with residential care providers such as Tasman, said Mr Vos. Mr Vos commended Tasman Rest Home and Dementia Care on its philosophy of care, which focuses on care in small homes and in so doing, creates an enhanced sense of wellbeing for a person with dementia. The importance of supporting independence, freedom of choice and the ability to continue with familiar and purposeful activities for people with dementia was also highlighted by Mr Vos. “A person with dementia is still a person that has a right to be treated with dignity, respect, love and compassion as we would any other human being.” The occasion was a celebration of the value and dignity of the elderly people in our community, and reflected the importance of providing them with the best possible care in a homely, loving environment.

 (photograph - Operations manager Andrew Sheard and Alzheimers New Zealand Director Johan Vos).

REDEVELOPMENT OF TASMAN REST HOME AND DEMENTIA CARE NOW COMPLETE

After a year of extensive work, the expansion and renewal of Tasman Rest Home and Dementia Care is now complete. It now provides a complete continuum of care.

Tasman offers general rest home care, dementia rest home care, and general hospital level care. It also provides specialised psychogeriatric care.

The refurbished 53-bed facility includes a 15-bed rest home/hospital, two 13-bed dementia homes and a 12-bed hospital specialised dementia home.

We are extremely pleased to now be able to offer 24 hour Registered Nurse coverage to all of our people at Tasman.

Following the redevelopment, there are currently rooms available at all levels of care.

Tasman Rest Home and Dementia Care will be officially opened on February 17 by Alzheimers New Zealand National Director, Johan Vos.

 LEE ANDREWS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, JOINS OUR STAFF

Lee Andrews has recently joined our staff as the Senior Occupational Therapist for the organisation, and as such will be working within, and regularly visiting, all our facilities.

Lee's main role is the provision of an occupational therapy service that enhances the quality of life of our residents. Much of this will be achieved through the ongoing development of, and leadership to, our Diversional Therapy Teams. Because Occupational Therapists specialise in occupational needs for people across the age-spectrum, it is Lee's responsibility to ensure that a balanced, meaningful and respectful programme of activities is offered to all our residents – be it within a group scenario or on an individual basis.

Lee comes to this position with a background in, and passion for, dementia, and will bring inspiration and guidance to all staff working with our residents, in order to enrich their lives.

WE ARE ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR MOVE INTO TASMAN BY WAY OF HELPING TO MOVE FURNITURE, PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM HOME AND WITH LABELING CLOTHING.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW STRESSFULL AND TIME CONSUMING A MOVE INTO CARE CAN BE.