From. Front Lines. the. Spring/Summer For The Love of Music

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1 From the Spring/Summer 2011 Front Lines It is with great joy that the Capital Care Kipnes Centre for Veterans has recently expanded its music therapy program. This became possible through donations from families and supporters of the Kipnes Centre. The program will continue to operate solely through donations and fundraising initiatives. For information on the extended MT program please contract Deborah at Deborah Melanson For The Love of Music Over the past few years Music Therapy (MT) has grown in recognition as a therapeutic avenue to stimulate response, movement and memories for people suffering with dementia, Alzheimer and recently Parkinson. Research supports MT benefits those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, conditions involving anxiety, strokes and heart conditions by facilitating relaxation and brain stimulation. What does this really mean? Music provides a means to connect with an individual or a group. It has no barriers; bridging generations, languages, abilities and cultures. People are encouraged to move. Often, I hear stories how-- and have seen for myself--an elder without mobility began to sway a foot or hand in time to the music. An Elder who rarely smiles, grins from ear to ear while playing a drum. Whatever the movement, no matter how small, there is a benefit from the physical activity. Research also shows Music Therapy can be linked with Physical Therapy enhancing the treatment and possibly promoting better gains in mobility ranging from movement of a finger to improved gait. MT can facilitate connections between family members where a loved one has memory loss that impairs the relationship. Memories can be stimulated through familiar music bringing the family to a moment in time where everyone remembers. Imagine the joy of a couple together for many years reconnected when they hear the music of their first waltz. In Memory: Mable and Disco passed away this year due to health problems. We will miss them both and appreciate the time they spent with us!

2 From the Front Lines About our Newsletter From the Frontlines is published yearly and in special editions for staff, volunteers, residents, families and our community. It will be filled with interesting facts, exciting events, and anything else you would like to read about! Submissions are welcome. To make a submission, please contact the Editorial Committee at Editorial Committee Thorsten Duebel, Deborah Melanson, Jelena Siv, Renée Volman Our Offices Thorsten Duebel, Administrator Kipnes Reception Kipnes Fax Our Elder Houses Columbia Thompson Fraser Nelson Pembina McKenzie Saskatchewan Athabasca CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans 4470 McCrae Avenue N.W. Edmonton, AB T5E 6M8 Administrator s Message Hi all, I would like to take this opportunity to talk a little bit about my vision for the Kipnes Centre. We are part of CapitalCare and therefore should be guided by our common vision, mission and values. I strongly believe that we are here to meet the needs of our elders first and foremost. We need to provide them with excellent quality of care, but also quality of life. We need to meet both their need for nursing care and for those things that make life worth living, such as companionship, empathy, respect and, yes, some fun too! Before I came here in my new role as administrator, I was aware that the Kipnes Centre strongly believes in the Eden philosophy of elder care, and I whole-heartedly support this approach. We need to make every effort to provide a safe and comfortable home for our elders. I believe we are very fortunate to have some of the key Eden elements in place at this centre, such as the day care, and indoor and outdoor plants and animals. I often hear from visitors, family members and our elders that this place is special in many good ways, and I am committed to playing my part in keeping it that way. We need all of you to be part of this success story as well. The Kipnes Centre is fortunate to receive funding assistance from Veterans Affairs to enhance our therapeutic programs; however, resources are still limited and we need to work as a team to provide the best possible care and services to our Veterans. As they say, good teamwork results in the whole being greater than its individual parts. I look forward to working with you at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans. Let s make the lives of our elders the best they can be no matter what their circumstances. Thorsten Duebel Summer Volunteers and their New Coordinator The CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans welcomes Risa Tonita as our 2011 Summer Youth Volunteer Coordinator. Risa is a third year music student at the University of Ottawa; this year s focus for the youth volunteers will be more hands on interaction with the Veterans. Some of the highlights will include music theatre, art show and an historical exhibit. Deborah Melanson This summer we will be welcoming to our centre sixteen youth volunteers. The excitement of this year s program is that in developing specific programs for the volunteers, our residents will be able to spend more individual, quality time with youth. Residents will have more options of activities throughout their days and as caregivers we can meet their needs and desires more specifically. Building special relationships as well as creating unique experiences for residents as well as volunteers are the main goals for the summer. We hope that the effect is very positive and can be continued in succeeding years. Risa Tonita

3 Our Summer Pets Upcoming Events Rocky Pepper Chilean Dancers July 15 th 2011 First Floor BBQ July 19 th 2011 Pancake Breakfast July 22 nd 2011 Beer Gardens July 27 th 2011 Senior Games August 17 th 2011 Battle of Britain Service September 16 th 2011 Salt Moments in Time The General If you are interested in helping with our summer pets (horse and goat) please contact Tracy Mann (Recreation Therapist) at On the wall of the corridor leading to Frazer and Nelson Houses at Kipnes, a framed portrait gallery hangs. Titled For Valour, it depicts the 16 Canadian Victoria Cross holders of World War II. Each portrait shows the date they were born and the day they died. It tells where they died, where they won their badge of courage, but it does not tell how they died. When we know how, perhaps we will know why they died. I have always been fascinated by these portraits, they speak to me. In fact I pause so often to look at them in passing, I begin to know them: the handsome pilot in his jaunty flying officer cap, the cheerful parachutist in the beret, the highlander in his checkered army kepi, the serious young naval lieutenant. The Victoria Cross is awarded to members of the Commonwealth armed services for a conspicuous act of bravery, and was instituted by Queen Victoria in Sadly, that act of bravery almost always means loss of life, so most medals are awarded posthumously. Following is a thumbnail sketch from the gallery. Squadron Leader Ian W. Bazalgette was born in Calgary, Alberta in In 1940 he joined up, transferring in 1941 to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. In April 1944 he was posted to 635 Squadron with the rank of Squadron Leader. He won a DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) in Italy in July On August 4, 1944, he was detailed to mark an important target in France for the main bomber force. Nearing the target his Lancaster came under heavy fire. Both starboard engines were put out of action and serious fires broke out in the fuselage. As the deputy master bomber had been shot down, Squadron Leader Bazalgette knew he had to press on to the target. This he did, marking and bombing accurately. But by now his plane was almost out of control. He ordered the crew to exit by parachute, bar two wounded on board. His crew all landed successfully. With amazing skill he landed the crippled Lancaster bomber, avoiding a small French village. However, his plane exploded immediately after landing, killing all three. His heroic sacrifice culminated a long career of dangerous and exacting war operations. May we all, young or old, always remember and learn, especially from these valiant and true heroes. Renee Volman 3

4 Giving Back Two Dedicated Run for the Brave Participants share their story of success. Anne and Nigel Forge have been volunteering for the Run for the Brave event for the past 4 years. The event has been a highlight of their summer each year as it gives them an opportunity to give back to those Veterans who fought for our Canadian freedom and supported their home country England. When Anne and Nigel lived in England they often heard the stories of the many times Canadian planes flew overhead protecting their parents and grandparents from the air raids of the enemy. The Run for the Brave event allows them to say Thank you to our Canadian veterans. In committing to this event Anne, the Director of Human Resources for CapitalCare, and her husband Nigel created a goal to work towards. At first the goal of $1000 seemed lofty. But now that is just a drop in the bucket, compared to the $5000 goal they have for the 2011 Run for the Brave. Each year they approach family and friends, colleagues and neighbours, anyone who will listen to why this fundraiser is so important. Once Anne and Nigel share with people who the money is going towards, it just seems to flow. Sometimes, Anne says, the funds come from places that are least expected. If there is a magic bullet to getting friends and colleagues to sponsor you for a worthwhile cause, Anne and Nigel would say that it consists of good information, low pressure and a great cause. It is easy to conjure up a vision of our Veterans, what they gave on our behalf so selflessly and how they sculptured the lives we enjoy today. They like to know that the effort they put in is giving a little back to them to say a huge Thank You on behalf of all of us who know freedom today because of their sacrifice. Last year, Anne and Nigel raised $4,180 dollars; far surpassing their goal of $3,000. They were ecstatic! Their advice for others who are joining them this year is to talk about the event to anyone and everyone. You never know where the money will come from or who will be your next big supporter, says Anne. At the end of the day every little bit adds up and you will be surprised how much you can put towards this very worthwhile cause. 4

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