Hello from Te Mahana

December is here and the Festive Season is just around the corner. Our residents went to the movies in Hawera, 12 in all, and they thoroughly enjoyed the outing and the movie. It was something different and the feedback we get sure tells us they will go again.

We had a new resident come in, in November, Elsie Hickford from Waverley. She has really fitted in great; we enjoy having her and we are sure she is enjoying being with us.

We have a very cheerful and cheeky family now; it’s just great to see them all so happy. We have 25% of our clientele coming from Waverley. Seems our happy Waverley-ites have been spreading the good word and that’s just great for Te Mahana.

The Melbourne Cup was a neat night for all our residents and staff, with two sweepstakes going and drinkies, chips and dip to start with. Then at 5pm they had fish and chips in their own packets on their knees for their tea while the race was keenly watched by all, and the noise and laughter was great to see. The winners were really happy too!

A van load of residents went for a ticky-tour to Hawera to see the progress on the Tongahoe Bridge; we did see a little progress but these things take time, or so they tell us anyway. We had a lovely morning tea at McDonalds, which we all thoroughly enjoyed, and most couldn’t eat all their dinner when they got home. We had a drive around the A&P Show and saw the sights ready for the big days Friday and Saturday in November. Also we visited the garden centre in Hawera to get some more plants to pretty up our courtyard.

As another year has almost gone, it’s very hard to believe we have been at Te Mahana now for two years. They say time flies when you’re having fun, well that sure seems to be the case here. Fifteen of our residents went to the Christmas Party for the Masonic Lodge on Wednesday the 26th.

Everyone enjoyed mixing and mingling and getting into the festive season feeling. We would like to thank all the local people who have helped out at Te Mahana over the year. Whether it be entertaining the residents, brining in lovely veggies and fruit, or Meals on Wheels or chatting with our residents.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Te Mahana rest home

Our manager, Judy, had a 10 day break in early September. Although looking after calves and things is what she calls a holiday, lots of us wouldn’t, but the change has done her good, and she enjoyed the time staying in Invercargill with her son.
The Patea Area School children come each Thursday and they do different things with our residents. They are learning from experience – our ressies – both ressies and school children enjoy the time together. One day some of our residents were teaching them to knit, it was lots of fun, and the children enjoyed it too and hopefully remember some of what they were shown. Another time they children were asking how things were done in the ‘old’ days with all enjoying the reminiscing too.
Some of our residents were invited to attend an RSA concert held in the Hawera RSA; they really loved their day there and the afternoon tea.
Our residents were invited to join the Old Folks Association for a fun-filled afternoon of “beetle”. Quite a few ressies went across and thoroughly enjoyed the games and the cuppa and chatter after.
On the 23rd September lots of our residents went to a Fashion Show at the Hawera Bowling Club, put on by the bowlers.  Our manager, Judy, took part in the show, which made it all the more interesting for our residents that attended. It was a lovely day out for them and they enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea too.
The 24th of September saw more residents out and about when they went to Wanganui. Some went and visited family and others had lunch in Wanganui, and they looked round some shops.
All our residents were very happy when Nana Cooney returned home from hospital after quite a long stay there. Everyone was very happy to see her and I’m sure she was happy to be home too.
We have two new residents, Mr Les and Mrs Alva Anderson, from Waverley. We are enjoying having them with us. Also Geoff Peacock has come back for another visit and we also hope he is enjoying his time with us.
You just never know where you will see the Te Mahana van these days; they certainly get around and thoroughly enjoy every minute of it.
We do have other services available which are: Day care – Respite care – Meals on Wheels which are available Monday to Friday. If you are interested in any of the above please feel free to give Judy, our manager, a call on 273 8442.

(from the October 2008 issue)