Aged care common them at latest meeting

Club members were privileged to have two guest speakers at the May meeting with the first speaker being Don Mckay, a director of Maungaturoto Residential Care Ltd accompanied by Tracy Chapman (manager, Maungaturoto Rest Home).

Don delivered an informed overview of the Riverview Rest Home and Village covering its establishment and development over the last 20 years. The present day complex comprises the original 16-bed rest home, an adjacent residential area offering 13 rental units, 14 own-your-own units, and a medical centre operated by Coast to Coast Health.

He went on to explain how the Maungaturoto Community Charitable Trust Inc would like to put into effect a staged development plan to meet the future needs of the community.

Of particular note was the rise in numbers of people needing residential dementia care, hence the provision of an 8-bed dementia unit being the first stage of the proposed development plan.

Well-documented also is the demand for respite care.

Overall, the challenge is to raise funds and this continues as the determining factor in the progress of the proposed development. Further information available at maungaturotoresthome.co.nz.

Caring with Kindness and Humour reads the handout provided by Pauline Wilson who presented as the second speaker. In partnership with Shelley Rogers, Pauline recently set up The Companion Company, a small business operating within the Mangawhai community and structured to provide support to those who may have issues with the diverse aspects of keeping up with life.

The company comprises a team of five with varied skills, but comparable ones in addressing personal situations with genuine care, competence and, most importantly, confidentiality.

Hours of service are totally flexible (day and night) as are the activities that might be appropriate: time-out for family, regular home visits, companionable conversation, shopping, a casual outing or stroll.

Find out more at thecompanioncompany.co.nz.

■ Mangawhai Rebus Club meets every third Thursday in the month at the Senior Citizens Hall, Fagan Place, Mangawhai at 2pm. Visitors and new members are welcome. Contact 431 5777.