2022…..A year of Change
It has been an incredibly eventful year for North Bay Lodge. After intermittent lockdowns, new Covid variants, etc., 2022 offered more positivity, renewed hope, and bursts of activity. The expectations of “new,” even for our residents, were tangible in the air! Apart from resuming their “normal” lives, they happily embraced new initiatives we introduced. It was a year of “goodbyes – go well” and also sadness from the loss of a loved one. We bade farewell to two beloved staff members who retired after faithfully serving our residents for many years.
2022 was the official retirement year for The Grand Dame of North Bay Lodge, Gloria Fidalgo (August) and Maintenance Manager Brian Wassink (May). The North Bay community hosted a befitting Farewell Party on 16th July for both Gloria and Brian.
We trust they are enjoying a much earned rest and filling their memory banks with precious moments being spent with their loved ones!
Sadly, in April 2022 we lost one of our longest & oldest beloved residents, June Mengel. After protracted illness, she succumbed on 3 April 2022. June will always be lovingly remembered and remain a special part of North Bay’s story.
2022 – Reflections
- Appointment – Maintenance Manager / Driver
Morgan Govender joined our team in April 2022. His background includes working for a large corporate in the Chauffeur Division as well as operating his own maintenance company for a number of years. Morgan is involved in community outreach initiatives through the small church he pastors in his neighbourhood.
- Flu vaccine
Most residents took their annual flu vaccine early May. We arranged with Sparkport to provide this private service on site.
- Special Olympics – KZN Games for Disabled
It was exciting times in May! Our residents matched our enthusiasm to be a part of the Special Olympics KZN
Special advancement games (SOSA).
The response was overwhelming – 17 residents registered for the Regional games, hosted by Ethekweni – Sports Dept in May at the municipal grounds in Montclair. Being a first for North Bay, there was earnest preparation in the form of daily training.
The Council engaged the able services of a Movement Therapist – Paula van Eeden of Imvula Therapy to train our residents for their chosen events – Shot Put & 100 track.
We were beaming with pride that our residents participated competitively and faired really well!
- Special Olympics – Provincial Heats
We were super proud with the overall performance of all our residents. 4 Residents advanced to the Provincial rounds which took place at Kings Park Stadium in June.
Natalie Carosin, Allerece Fray, Jenny Dickinson & Avi Rajbansi participated and faired impressively in the Shot Put event.
We were extremely excited that Allerece achieved first place and advanced to the National Heats This was initially scheduled for latter August in Limpopo but changed to November. Unfortunately Allerece was away at the time and unable to participate.
Annual General Meeting – 16th July
There was a good response and attendance at the AGM
hosted at NBL.
The following Council members were elected:
| Dr Visegan Subrayen | Re-elected Chair |
| Mr Joff Wickens | Treasurer (co-opted) |
| Mr Garth le Roux | Building & Maintenance |
| Mrs Lalitha Kisten | Care & Meals |
| Mrs Carol Hollinshead | Communication / HR |
| Dr Shirin Asmal Moorad | Medical |
The following information and imminent implementation was shared with Grantors at the meeting:
- Medicine Blister Packaging
In keeping with the requirements by Dept of Health, residents medical scripts will be blister packed by Sparkport and administered by NBL staff. Target implementation date Sept 2022.
- Levels of Care – Amended DQ98
Disability Care audits were conducted and scoring applied (Dept of Social Dev – DQ98 used) to establish levels of care. Apart from the Standard Care & High Care, there is also Moderate and Low Care.
- On-site catering
All residents meals will now be prepared and catered for on-site effective 1 August 2022 by the appointed outsource catering company – Ethekweni Caterers. Meals are wholesome and dietician approved.
Celebrating Life… Living not Existing
Our residents love for music and dance is a well known fact! We make sure to enlarge special moments & celebrate as many events as we can . These are just some of the “special” moments we made an event of:
Valentine’s Day
Easter Choc Hunt
Heritage Day
Spring Day
Womens Day
Braai Day
Musical Days – Elvis Presley etc
Birthdays are an extra special time for our residents! They choose to celebrate with their fellow housemates, treating them to cakes, snacks music and dance. We ensure it’s a really special, memorable one with the pomp & ceremony, speeches etc. to make the day stand out!
We have captured these lovely moments.
Games for the Disabled – Imvula Therapy
Residents were offered an alternative to the games hosted by Ethekweni Municpality when Paula van Eeden (our movement therapist) registered her own Games for the Disabled.
Our residents enthusiastically trained with Paula in the months leading up to the maiden game. The event was held on a Saturday morning in November at Golden Hours School. The residents enjoyed a fun filled day competing with each other, in various sporting activities and receiving acknowledgement in the form of medals.
We are grateful for the positive response and support from the families of the participants.
Imvula Games will be hosting these Games every 6 months for disabled in greater Durban area.
Please encourage participation in upcoming events
Occupational Therapy Students
Residents benefited from having 5 OT students from UDW for latter part of 2022 Students field work and practicals included games, arts & crafts, arranging special days, shopping trips.
The neuro psychology student continues to volunteer her professional skill and add value to our residents lives
Baker man… Bake me a cake if you can!
Together with our new catering company Ethekweni, we started a “Baker Man” event day for our residents once in 2 months. Those who are keen (about 18), are banded together in groups of 4. They prepare batter from scratch, mix and send the cup cake batter to bake. They later return before tea time to ice and decorate their individual cup cakes. Apart from proudly eating their own creations, the best cup cake décor earns the resident a prize.
Residents excitedly look forward to these Baker-man days
Resident Activities
Our residents have enjoyed being busy with a variety of activities. Apart from attending Challenge Workshop from Monday to Friday, North Bay has a structured weekly activity programme :
- Walks: Daily with carers (weather permitting)
- Aqua Aerobics: Tuesday & Friday afternoon
- Yoga: Monday & Wednesday mornings
- Church: Monday afternoons
- Knitting/Beading: Monday & Thursdays 4pm
- Sports & Games: Thursday afternoons
Provisions – Pocket Money & Shopping
Thank you to Grantors for responding to our request to ensure residents have their month supply of toiletries, refreshment needs and personal effects.
Despite NBL providing 5 teas/coffees from 8am to 7pm, residents start their refreshment fills from early as 5am. Hence their frequent requests to you for tea, coffee, milk, sugar. Being “confined” to the premises, they tend to find comfort in regular snacking during the course of the day i.e., yoghurt, biscuits, potato crisps etc.
Over the last year, happily residents have become more confident, budget & price conscious when doing their personal shopping! They have been taught how to prepare their own lists and how to choose pay and save during these accompanied shopping trips. Apart from the team assisting with this exercise, the Occupational Therapy students accompanied residents and re-enforced the important elements of shopping behaviour & money management.
Mental Health Disability Walk – 9th Oct
With the usual enthusiasm, our team made an event of this and arranged a memorable day on North Beach. They assisted with the logistics of ferrying residents and carers in a few loads to and from the beach front.
25 Residents did the ”walk” and many participated in the dance and yoga side events on offer. The residents had a most enjoyable day!
We proudly displayed our banner under a tent, got residents meals for the day and a goodie bag for each sponsored by the ICC General Manager.
We are grateful for the Grantors who joined us and lent a hand to make it a resounding success
North Bay Lodge Christmas & Year End Party 
It was indeed a Christmas Extravaganza year end party for our residents and carers! Our biggest event of the year smelt, felt, sounded and resonated of Christmas! – From the large marquee pitched by the poolside, the large decorated Christmas trees inside the tent and around the building, decorated premises inside & out, Christmas themed tables laden with treats, gifts piled around the tree, to the abundant sumptuous lunch – we put the year to rest in a big, happy way for all!
This event also gave us the opportunity to say Thank You & celebrate our dedicated carers & staff. We also acknowledged in Thanks the wonderful, faithful volunteers – St Martin’s Church Dbn North team members Bruce & Jill Watson, Sharon Liebetrau, Helen Evans, Rita Burt, Lesley Volschenk Noleen Jones & Angela St George who spend time weekly, taking care of our residents spiritual life for many years now.
Humble thanks extended also to volunteers Aqua Swimming instructor Barbara Smithard and psychology student Reyna Doolabh.
We acknowledged in gratitude our service providers Priority Cleaning& Carers Michael Naidoo and his team Ashley and Chanel. We are soo grateful for the sponsorship of that beautiful tent! Also, Ethekweni Caterers Denise Nel and her team Ereet, Chefs Siyanda, Nomvelo and Zandile; Sandy Campbell Yoga Instructor; Paula van Eeden movement Therapist and Kimmy of pool services. Your every effort and kindness is noted and appreciated.
Together you all helped us keep the wheel turning and care for our residents, mind, body and soul
We record our sincere, heartfelt appreciation to Grantors who donated, sponsored and gave soo readily to ensure residents and staff enjoyed a special Christmas. Thank you to Council for meeting our needs to make this Christmas extravaganza possible. The provisions helped ensure we had the extraordinary musician Just Eddy, the Christmas menu and Thank You gifts for our carers etc.
The pictures are a small testimony of the beauty in the day.
Thank you to each and every team member, Grantor and Council Member who worked so hard and tirelessly with the prep and on the day, to ensure the day was magical. You are valued!
Dear Grantors / Family/ Relative
I am sure from condensing the last 8 months into these few pages, you will realise it was a busy year and one filled with many changes.
Though thriving, many residents are also aging and becoming frail. We are constantly adjusting and improving to meet the changing needs in our facility.
We are committed to sending you quarterly reports on residents general health (Nurses Report) and well being (Social Workers report) . We know these frequent updates are of some value – the next ones will be sent to you this weekend. Our Newsletters will now continue quarterly.
The next edition will include our initiatives of the last few months into early 2023, news on the kitchen, the new look and feel of North Bay Lodge etc.
The North Bay Team – Morgan, Wendy, Kiran, Sane, Samke, Sli – “Thank You” for YOU! & your contribution to North Bay’s 2022!
Gratitude to EACH who touched North Bay in some way or form – your every contribution is acknowledged and we are looking forward to your continued support.
With Blessings, Sharmaine
Events:
Valentines Day, Easter Egg Hunt, Brian & Gloria’s Farewell Party, AGM, Spring Day, Heritage Day and Elvis Musical Day.
Sporting events:
Special Olympics, Imvula Games and Disability Walk.
Birthdays:
Residents celebrate their birthdays with their fellow house mate with pomp & ceremony. Pictures of some of the resident celebs.
Christmas:
Celebrating Christmas, Ending the Year on a High.
