Spring Newsletter 2023
Dear Fergusson Home families
I hope this newsletter finds you in good health as we welcome spring. It has been a challenging winter at Fergusson Home with a number of viruses in circulation. However, we have come through relatively well thanks to the infection prevention and control practices adhered to by our wonderful staff.
STAFF UPDATES
We are pleased to introduce you to our new staff members Merina Duwal, Ashish Malik, Darshna Joshi and Judy Barong. They are employed as Heathcare Assistants and bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our team.
Unfortunately our Receptionist Deb Young has resigned; we are currently recruiting to the receptionist role.
We have welcomed Christine Mutlow as the Operations Manager (part time), she will be supporting my role and working on various improvement projects. Christine has a strong background in health after working in various roles at Te Whatu Ora - Lakes for the past 20 years.
VILLAGE RESIDENTS
Unfortunately the village residents have been excluded from the Fergusson Rest Home activities during the COVID restrictions. We are endeavouring to include more activities for them. Our wonderful Maintenance person, Ian, has started taking the village residents out to a café of their choice monthly, and Nicky (Activities Therapist) is hosting monthly activities for village residents.
We always welcome any other suggestions that you may have.
NICKY’S ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Matariki was celebrated throughout the month of July at Fergusson: with crafts, a virtual tour of Whakarewarewa Village and Māori music and singing.
Our residents and staff enjoyed celebrating Daffodil Day with lots of yellow clothes; including tutus being worn for the day. It was really nice to see the number of residents who were wearing yellow for the day.
We have welcomed some fish to the facility! The tank is at reception and provides a quiet place to sit and watch the fish go about their antics.
Currently we are following the Rugby World Cup with residents drawing a country from the competition and supposedly supporting that team – some of the residents find it quite challenging to change their allegiance from the All Blacks!
We are very fortunate to have two amazing ladies bringing their dogs to Fergusson as part of the Canine Friends Pet Therapy. The delight these dogs bring to some of our residents is beyond measure.
Outings continue to be a juggling act of weather, keeping within our COVID safe practices and appropriate access and safety standards.
In the blink of an eye we will be preparing the facility for a certain event that occurs late every December! We know this summer is expected to be hot and windy, which will hopefully dry out our sodden land and help my tomatoes grow 😊.
Nicky
COVID PRECAUTIONS
As we learn to live with COVID and adjust to renewed freedoms, to help protect the health and safety of our residents, as per Te Whatu Ora’s guidelines for aged care facilities, it is still a requirement that staff and visitors continue to wear masks.
REMINDERS
Don't forget to update your contact information with our front desk if there have been any changes.
We encourage family visits; however please remember to adhere to our visiting guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
CONTACT INFO
Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact our administration office: reception@fergussonhome.co.nz or myself: Lou@fergussonhome.co.nz and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can.
Thank you for being a part of the Fergusson Home community.
Regards Lou