We are excited to launch the first of our quarterly newsletters! It is North Bay’s way of keeping in touch with our grantors and sharing news, general information, and events related to the North Bay Lodge community.
2021 NORTH BAY LODGE COUNCIL
At the last AGM held on 24 July 2021, the following new Council members were elected: Chair – Dr. Visegan Subrayan, Members: Carol Hollinshead, Lalitha Kisten, Garth Le Roux, and Dr Shirin Asmal.
The Council paid homage and recorded its gratitude to Mrs. Anne Hollinshead for her contribution and service to North Bay Lodge and its residents over the many years.
The Council also acknowledged and thanked immediate past Council member Mark Lawrence.
COVID19 OUTBREAK
After successfully keeping our residents safe for 16 months, North Bay Lodge unfortunately had its first and serious COVID-19 outbreak at the end of July 2021.
Sixteen residents and one staff member tested positive. Through close medical management from Dr. Shirin Asmal, Dr. Visegan Subrayan, Sr. Val Venter, and the North Bay Lodge staff, thankfully our residents recovered well. Our interventions included converting our home into a “clinic type” setup, isolating our residents and quarantining where necessary, tracking vital signs around the clock, frequent intervals of on-site lab testing, serving meals and medications in residents’ rooms, etc.
Tragically, we lost two of our beloved residents during this time, one to the pandemic and the other from natural causes. We are grateful to all who assisted NBL during this challenging time: to our carers who attended to our residents with great care and compassion, our management team, and the laboratory that came out whenever we needed them.
MEMORIUM
The North Bay Lodge community lost two of its beloved residents, Edgar Nicol and Gillian Korevaar, during this time.
We send out our heartfelt condolences to the Nicol and Korevaar families. May God grant you all the strength to bear this loss.
Gillian and Edgar are greatly missed, and residents will be setting up a ‘Garden of Remembrance’ in their honor soon.
COVID-19 VACCINES
We are pleased to share that our North Bay Lodge residents & Staff have all received their Covid19 Vaccinations. Our Carers maintain strict Covid protocols as an established standard in our facility.
In an effort to keep our vulnerable residents safe, our carers continue to stay at North Bay Lodge for the duration of their shifts. North Bay Lodge recently purchased much awaited sleeping quarters for the Carers.
CARER ACCOMODATION
The two new Wendy houses have been installed in the rear paved gated area close to the residents bedrooms. In our quest to make the units comfortable, they have been fitted with bunk beds.
The carers were excited and grateful to receive their own private space.
RESIDENT ACTIVITIES
Residents were excited to resume their recreational activities from October.
- Shopping: Whilst they do not leave the Lodge unaccompanied, residents are now able to do their own shopping (accompanied by Gloria), off peak times, at the nearby supermarkets at least twice a month.
- Walks: The morning walks around the block thrice a week (Mon, Wed & Fri) are not only enjoyed by the residents but also yielding some weight loss.
- Yoga: There is a renewed interest and greater participation in the Yoga lessons scheduled every Tuesday & Thursday.
The residents are pleased to have the Church ladies group back doing their weekly prayer sessions. The ladies promised to resume the once a month Crafts Saturday.
The courtyard is vibrant again with residents challenging each other to a game of Scrabble or Checkers whilst the ladies complete puzzles or knit.
VISITATION POLICY
The NBL Visitation policy has been updated in October 2021 and circulated to Grantors. In summary, under Lockdown Level 1, residents will no longer be required to have antigen or PCR tests or be isolated upon return. However, NBL will monitor residents temp etc. for 5 days when they return to NBL Visits with residents will be allowed at the poolside.
Please refer to the Visitation Policy for full information.
WORKSHOP
The Durban Mental Health Challenge Workshop in Uitsig Road (next door to NBL) has re-opened after being closed for 1.5 years. Our residents have been invited to return when we are ready. The Workshop follows strict COVID protocols and will implement additional measures to keep our residents safe viz: separate work areas, restricting public from attending on days our residents work etc.
Please send us an email on northbaylodge@telkomsa.net to indicate if you would like your loved one to return to the Workshop mid January 2022
Christmas Party: Sat, 11th Dec, 2021 
It has been an incredibly tough year for our residents, with the Covid outbreak and being confined to NBL for months on end. We want to treat our residents to a joyous & celebratory year end party on Saturday 11th December 2021.
We appeal to our North Bay Lodge community to assist in making this a wonderful celebration for our residents.
Our Christmas Party List is a long one and includes : * treats(chips, cool-drinks, chocolates) * Christmas décor * Christmas crackers * Christmas lights * Gift wrap/bags * Trinkets & gifts for residents * Prizes for games played on the day * Music * Gazebos * Goodies; cakes, biscuits etc. * Camera/photographer * Spoils for carers
We will greatly appreciate sponsorship of any of the above items so we are able to give our residents a memorable event. Please email northbaylodge@telkomsa.net with any sponsorship you may have . Thanking you in advance for your kindness. Kind regards, The Christmas Party Committee
Dear North Bay Lodge Community,
2021 was a challenging year for myself and many others I am sure. We are so grateful that we survived the catastrophe of the Covid outbreak and our residents are well and themselves again. We are so thankful for the many who helped us during the riots and during this year.
To all our Residents, Carers, Grantors, our Suppliers and professional Staff, we wish you good health and a blessed 2022.
Best wishes, Gloria and the NBL Team
