Activities

Stay Safe at Christmas

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Hello to you all,

The staff who have been isolating continue to test negative which is very good news indeed. If they still test negative on Thursday they can return to work from Sunday 19th December. Consequently, the decision has been made to postpone the Resident Christmas Party to Thursday 23rd December. This will enable the full kitchen team to be on deck and ready to create a wonderful Christmas lunch for everyone. Thank you for your understanding.

NSW Health has sent out an advice for arrangements over the Christmas period. Unfortunately, they have not relaxed any of the current restrictions so visiting numbers remain the same. Masks are also still a requirement for staff and visitors within the Village. The restrictions also mean that, sadly, we will be unable to accommodate visitors at the Resident Christmas Party. We do apologise that you won’t be able to attend.

In relation to resident outings over Christmas, the same framework will apply. We would ask all families who are considering taking residents to family functions, that they ensure COVID safe practices are in place – ie. Social distancing, no unvaccinated people etc. We would also strongly suggest that all family members at a function obtain a test prior to the function. Testing will be undertaken for any resident returning from a family gathering.

Lastly, thank you everyone for your patience and understanding over what has been a very challenging year. As the Acting General Manager, I have been heartened to receive many messages of support and encouragement.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from the Board, Management and Staff of Abel Tasman Village.

Margaret Russell,
Acting General MAnager

October Freedom (kind of)

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We’re all looking forward to meeting old and new friends, as the end of the Sydney lock-down is in sight. To celebrate we’re having a Barbie, as you can see in this month’s ATV newsletter!

In other news, the Rembrandt Club is also keen to resume its activities, as you can read in its September newsletter.

We’re currently finalising the details for visiting the Village and will update you as soon as the NSW government and practicalities allow…

August 2021 Newsletter

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Sydney’s disruptive lock-down? Our residents are leading a pretty close to normal life. They follow the Olympic games and make up their own non-olympic games. Lots of excellent photos in our facebook feed and in the monthly newsletter, which you can download now.

And a quick reminder about Employee Day this week. Send a message to our staff. Encouragement goes a long way during this strange and unpredictable time.

What they’re doing…

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With Sydney in lock-down because of the COVID outbreak, here is a peek at what our residents are doing… 

Well… actually, life is pretty normal in the ATV ‘bubble”. While staff wear masks and observe strict protocols, residents experience an environment that is more “normal” than might be expected. Katja Jeffries manages an Activities team which doesn’t just entertain, but provides company and encourages fitness routines.

While, traditionally, resident activities were just held in the Main Hall, now the coffee shop and the media room in the new wing provide additional venues to engage residents, and special sessions are held for residents in dementia care where appropriate.

And one-on-one counselling for individual residents who can’t participate in broader activities is provided by Effie Burgoyne. Yes, we are missing our trusty band of volunteers who supplement our regular staff of Katja, Janina, Nadia & Effie.. However, for a modest size facility like Abel Tasman Village, resident activities are remarkably well resourced.

You can follow Abel Tasman Village on Facebook to connect with activities (or regularly check the Abel Tasman Village social media page for non-Facebook fans).

And as  for our residents… they’re putting COVID aside and are getting behind the Olympics!

And… it’s July!

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Just when you thought that everyone was focussed on vaccines, our activities department put out the usual monthly calendar of activities. Life goes on…

Please be sure to read Margaret’s message in the newsletter. Our residents might have some restrictiction in movement and visitors, but activities come together anyway!

Check out the July newsletter here.

As you know, in Sydney, Aged Care Facilities can’t admit visitors right now. Hopefully that won’t last long. Please read Margaret’s note in the newsletter and of course, you can book a phone or video call with a resident.

June 2021 Newsletter

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We’ve just finished our June newsletter, which you can upload from here.

Apart from the Queen’s Birthday, an activity to highlight this month is our Malta Day on 24th. Lots of things to celebrate!

Oh, and a quick reminder that all visitors need to have had the 2021 Flu vaccination. I know we’ve had other things on our mind this year, but it’s an essential item in the care for our residents.

This category is for any individual who enters the aged care system under the full
regulations of the new program.

This category covers individuals who entered the system during the transition period after the initial announcement but before the new system fully begins.

This category is for those who were already engaged with the existing system prior
to the major legislative changes being announced.