Newsletters

Newsletter 2023 – Edition 4

Posted on by NBL Management
20
Jul

Despite the intense warm days that characterized our first few months in the year, we were busy, both staff and residents alike. In easy speak, it was an active nice, fun busy! Though ‘sticky’ moments at times, literally and figuratively, we did and created new things!
We are excited to share some of the wonderful happenings this last few months.

Brand adjustment  –  Our “new look”

We enlisted the help of a digital creative to design a new logo and corporate identity for North Bay Lodge. You probably noticed this new branding in our  various correspondence of late.

After thoughtful deliberation, the Council approved a lovely new logo and amended our  tag line to  “Residential Home for Persons in need of Special Care”.

The new logo beautifully embodies what North Bay represents – a Home with “Heart” that is at  the epicenter of all we do and Hands that care, help & tend our residents and facility.

Our Hyundai bus also got “the touch” and is looking snazzy with the new personalized decal!

www.northbaylodge.co.za Our website is live!

We are super excited that North Bay Lodge’s interactive website is live since March!   It is professional, with varied content that allows for a good glimpse into life in our comfortable home.

Prospective resident’s applications can now be completed online. We have provided sufficient information, criteria etc. to streamline the initial application process for all.

Our archive even has a library that includes our Newsletters if you missed any!  Please do visit our website!

A touch of “fresh” and “fun” on the inside

We embarked on bringing a fun and fresh new look with some creative painting. Pillars and walls in common community spaces got a makeover in a vibrant green, and some murals to add character to the space. This area is used to maximum on a daily basis when residents engage in various extramural activities.

Now that it is winter, this space forms a lovely backdrop for yoga classes every Monday and Wednesday morning at 7am. It’s also a calming spot where the group gathers for church or to knit blankets on a Monday afternoon.

It’s alive with chatting and laughter during daily puzzle building or word search exercises, bingo and card games the carers schedule and participate in with residents. These lovely spaces supports our adage NBL residents “live” and not just “exist”

Celebrating Life

The “Wall of Birthdays” highlighting each residents birthday per month probably gets the most attention at NBL! It has sparked a light in our residents to celebrate life and look forward to tomorrows with excitement. Lots of plotting & planning happens in front of this now famous wall on a regular basis! Its also that wall that gets discussed with you for weeks prior to “the” event!

These dates are then turned into Events! You can hear our different resident celebrating every few weeks!
Music, Singing, Speeches rings through the corridors bearing testimony of residents enjoyment, not forgetting their short indulgence in sugary treats which they dance off afterwards at Tigger’s Diner!

The Tigger Story

He wandered in one day, years ago! Though this new “resident” hesitantly made friends, he was instantly embraced by all. With all the swooning, he wisely decided to stay. He has run of the home, prances around like royalty and receives the best treats from Richard & Natalie who have assumed guardians.

North Bay Lodge’s Furry Mascot Tigger has been given the pride of place by having the dining hall, the room with the lovely large mural of Durban beach as a backdrop, the place where healthy meal-times happen, named after him.

– TIGGER’S DINER!

Baker Man, Baker mam bake me a cookie if you can!

Our onsite caterers have helped to enhance the quality of our residents life, not only with their interesting , healthy menu options but also in partnering with us to engage residents on a creative level. Together with Ethekweni Caterers , we plan special events where residents bake muffins , cookies etc. They have such fun in their groups sifting ingredients, mixing, rolling , cutting, icing and decorating when baking muffins or biscuits. The chef plans a special event every month – residents excitedly look forward to eating their own products at afternoon tea.

Bunnies & the Easter Eggs!

On Saturday 8th April, residents enjoyed dashing around the yard picking a stash of easter eggs & hot cross buns! Their Easter weekend was made eventful unwrapping their finds and indulging some tasty choccies!

Thank You to the Families & Grantors who kindly contributed Easter goodies! You helped make it a memorable & happy time for our residents!

Dear All,

The last few months has seen residents, staff & the facility as a whole evolve!
This evolution is evident in our conscious efforts in all aspects of the health and lifestyle of our residents.

Ethekweni Caterers dietician based variable menus, our close management of residents snacking habits, interesting activities that encourage involvement of all residents, mindful empowering of our residents etc etc. is yielding some visible & tangible improvements

We trust the Quarterly Medical reports & Social Worker Report on your family member/ward compiled by our nurse, Sr Wendy Robinson and Social Worker Kiran Govindasamy gives you a broad, fair insight on their development for that specific period .

I am sure our Newsletter which shares interesting snippets and pictures of life in the facility helps fills in the gaps!

It is heartening that our Maintenance Manager shows his passion for the facility and residents alike in keeping the facility primped, licked with paint, scrubbed and fixed constantly to present a home we are proud of daily.

Thank you to Grantors for ensuring residents have their personal needs, toiletries, snacks, clothing, bedding etc. This helps ensure a contented resident at best.

I hope you enjoyed the read – My team will continue to serve and grow North Bay with heart and soul.

Warm Regards , Sharmaine

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