Mercy Parkland Updates

9 September 2022

To all families, friends, and whanau of residents in care 

Welcome to our first Spring addition

Government COVID Update

The government is reportedly considering dropping most mandates and the traffic light system will be reviewed in the next fortnight.  While winter is ending, it’s worth remembering that New Zealand’s highest case numbers came during the Omicron surge last summer. At the moment the virus does not need winter to spread!  It can spread in any season very effectively.

It is anticipated that mask wearing will still be required in many health settings, especially in aged care due to the number of vulnerable people.  The requirements to self-isolate if you test positive will remain as going out socialising will affect other people.

As to the booster, it will be likely we will be needing a yearly COVID-19 booster of some kind in the coming years.

So the annual shot is for two reasons:

1) the virus is changing, and the vaccine needs to be reformulated and

2) as with flu, your immunity wanes, so you need to get the annual top-up.

We have a social responsibility to keep ourselves and our most vulnerable safe and well.  We are conscious of the next lot of school holidays from 1 October to 16 October 2022.

While we are still in ORANGE there is no change to our Visiting Times.  We have however, modified our children visiting guidelines.

Visiting Times

• Our open visiting times are between 10am-3.30pm.  Please restrict your visitor numbers to two people at a time. After hours is via manager approval.
• A RAT check test prior to visit is required
• N95 mask wearing a must
• Sign in and out at the kiosk

Children Visiting

• Vaccinated and unvaccinated children – including children of all ages, can come in to visit
• RAT prior to visit is applicable apart from very young children (under 5 is a good guide)
• A medical mask should be worn if this is achievable
• When children are visiting Mercy Parklands, please visit directly with your loved one in their room.

Staff Testing

• We are continuing to Rapid Antigen Test all staff before starting their shifts.

Second Booster Update

• We undertook a second session for the second-booster vaccinations last week, capturing the residents and staff who had COVID-19 earlier in the year.
• We are planning another session some time in October to capture more Residents and Staff.  This is taking longer due to having to wait 3 months after a COVID-19 infection.

Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care – September is Mercy Month

Grateful for small things, big things and everything in between

On 24 September 1827, Catherine McAuley opened the first house of Mercy in Dublin.   The purpose of the house was to house and educate poor women. Today, Mercy Parklands continues to be involved in aspects of the works of Mercy which were close to Catherine’s heart.

It is a tradition that September is traditionally known as Mercy month.   It is a time for us to give thanks for the legacy Catherine left us and for the opportunity to be of service to the residents in our care.

Plans are underway to mark Mercy Day on Friday 23 September at Mercy Parklands.   There will be a display in the chapel, and we hope to have Mass in the chapel.   Other activities are being organized and further details will be available as we finalize them.

Staff Noticeboard

Suzana one of our front-line Receptionist and Sarah our Executive Assistant to our Clinical Manager have tendered their resignations effective from mid-October.  Both feel a change is needed in their lives.  On behalf of Mercy Parklands, we thank you both for your great efforts during your time with us for always going the extra mile in these pandemic times.  Mercy Blessings to you both.

We welcome back Monika who returns from 15 months parental leave in early October.

Updates from key Activities for staff and residents

Last week Mercy Parklands celebrated Random Act of Kindness on Thursday and Father’s Day on Sunday.  This was celebrated with an entertainer last Friday.  Our ‘Young @ Heart’ club celebrated spring with freesias, boysenberry cheesecake and coconut key lime pie.

Finally, let’s start each day with a grateful heart, there is always something to be thankful for.

With warm regards

Mercy Parklands Management Team