Life options enhanced at Jean Sandel
Jean Sandel Retirement Village is undergoing a major extension and continuing to build townhouses and extend services to its residents as the high-end village’s popularity grows.
The extensive complex on New Plymouth’s Barrett Rd now has 350 residents. There are currently 130 townhouses and another 10 will be completed in the next few weeks, village manager Belinda Burke says.
There are also apartments for those who remain independent and serviced apartments for those needing more support. Care options continue with the resthome, the hospital and a special-care facility which is a secure unit for those with dementia.
‘‘The whole idea is that you never need to leave,’’ Belinda says.
The village is not just bricks and mortar. For example, the Engage Programme has been designed to involve residents in meaningful activities. Residents keen to keep active can take part in the Triple A exercise programme which is run by activity coordinators in each area of the village.
‘‘For those in the townhouses and apartments, the independent residents have a qualified instructor taking classes twice a week,’’ Belinda says.
As well as the organised classes, residents can take advantage of the wide range of facilities within the beautifully appointed main building. They can enjoy the indoor swimming pool, spa, gym, beauty room and hairdresser. ‘‘We are very well resourced. It’s an absolute pleasure and privilege to work here. I feel we, the staff, are the invited guests in the residents’ home.’’
Belinda has a background in nursing and established and managed the original Annie Brydon rest home in Hawera. It was named Annie Brydon after her grandmother. ‘‘I’ve been involved in rest homes for 33 years. It’s in my blood. It is a passion.’’
Residents can also take advantage of regular outside visits, such as to Americarna. ‘‘Residents love them.’’
Belinda points out the village’s bus used for the visits has its own dedicated driver.
She is delighted that the residents often tell her that they feel as if they are staying in a very nice hotel or on a cruise ship. ‘‘We want them to feel valued and special.’’
Despite being in the middle of a major rebuilding programme, the village’s allimportant kitchen, which provides up to 200 meals a day, has already rolled out big improvements ahead of time. Named Project Delicious, the new menu was launched last month with a long lunch. ‘‘We’ve employed two extra chefs to help deliver the menu because it is now so extensive,’’ Belinda explains.
Residents will now be offered three main choices. And the meals, which residents order from a menu the week before, will now be fully plated for each resident in the kitchen and delivered directly to them. Previously they received the meal from a servery in the dining room. ‘‘It has revolutionised the meals people will get. We see it as a celebration of all things delicious.’’
The extensive expansion of the main building includes a new kitchen to replace the old serveries. A large new lounge and separate glassed-inn snooker room is also part of the build. It is due to be completed in six months.
Staff have not been forgotten in the efficiencies and improvements.
Administrative staff for the village’s owner Ryman Healthcare – a leader in aged-care technology, says Belinda – recently introduced new software, MyRyman, to streamline the complex rosters required for such a big establishment. ‘‘It’s hugely superior to what we had before. I can now see who’s on, where they are working and what time.’’ Each of the unit co-ordinators can now manage their own roster, she says.
Resident Maureen Donaghey, 76, loves her life within the village since moving in seven years ago after having a heart attack.
The new menu was well-timed in the midst of the extensive re-build, she says. ‘‘Because we’ve got all these new things coming on, it’s coming like a thank you to us.’’
She’s a staunch supporter of the village. ‘‘I love it. I’m the greatest fan. One of the best decisions I ever made was coming here.’’