Thinking of retiring to the Caribbean?  Keep The Faith Magazine recently featured Ken Health Care’s Lyn Kennedy-McKenzie for an interview on retirement and the implications for those who are aged and their famillies.

Click on the link Keep the Faith April to read the article. We’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the issues the article raises so please use the comment box beneath the article to tell us what you think. We hope that each person reading the article finds it helpful and food for thought. Happy reading!

This week, I had cause to review an article in the Gleaner on the plight of the nation’s seniors, some of whom are simply dumped by relatives in nursing homes. Written just two years ago in 2008, the article brought into stark focus the fact that many elders are regarded as surplus to requirement by family members and are consequently deprived of loving care and attention by their own kin.

Avia Collinder wrote in the article: ‘Many of the nation’s elderly, placed in the care of nursing homes, are living very lonely lives. In many cases their relatives have completely passed on the burden of care to others. The monthly fees are paid, but there are no visits, letters, cards or phone calls. In fact, the less money the home costs, the less the care and interest shown by relatives.’

What a sad indictment on our society that while we honour active and good fathers, there is a pervasive attitude of forgetfulness and dismissiveness towards the seniors of the nation – the elder generation of fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, many of whom have been the cornerstones of our extended family units, upon whose shoulders we stand.

At Ken Health Care, I’m glad to say that most of our residents have loving families who do all they can to let their relative know that they are not alone, even if visitation is not possible because of distance and time.  We also ensure that our home is sociable, with fun, stimulating and social activities and visits from members of our surrounding community and of course, our clients have the loving care and 1-2-1 attention from our staff team. The interaction is invaluable – daily socialisation is a necessary antidote to combat loneliness but nothing beats the glow of satisfaction on a client’s face when he or she receives a birthday telephone greeting, a Father’s or Mother’s Day card or a letter from a family member.  It’s heartbreaking when this doesn’t happen.

As Father’s Day 2010 is marked in Jamaica and throughout the world, we at Ken Health Care salute those fathers who have made contributions and in many cases sacrifices for the benefit of their families and or society.  It is a blessing and a privilege to be able to care for our senior male residents, some of whom are fathers. But even if they are not, we still regard them as respected elders and we wish them a ‘Happy Father’s Day!’

One of the things that KHC founder, Lyn Kennedy-McKenzie finds particularly rewarding is her role as ‘head gardener’.  She says:

“I’ve always  seen beauty in flowers and natural fauna and to a certain extent I wanted to bring with me a little of my English country garden to this place, which I have done. ”

Kennedy-McKenzie points out that most of the landscaping and planting of the majestic fruit trees from saplings was done by Robert Kennedy Snr, her father.  He built the White House and resides there with wife his wife of 60+ years, Mary.

“ The cooler Manchester climate combined with flowers, shrubs and trees that are native to the Caribbean means that our gardens are a riot of colour and texture – nearly all year round.  The planting has been fun but hard work.  More importantly, some of our more able residents can get involved with their own planting which is tremendously therapeutic for them.  They simply love to plant, to water and then take in the views.”

The gardens have entertained many from the community for various events including the annual Ken Health Care Mother’s Day Breakfast.  Anthums mingle with walled roses and woodland flowers.  The majestic ackee tree sits among cacti, ground ivy and bright honeysuckle.

Kennedy-McKenzie says: “Our gardener, George trims, cultivates and breathes life into the grounds.  And every time I look out of my office window, I think how blessed I am to be able to appreciate this view.”

So, do pop by to admire and ’smell the roses’!

We hope you find all that you’re looking for on our new-look website to learn about Ken Health Care and our quality client care. With regular news, photos and opinion pieces, we hope you’ll enjoy checking in with Ken Health Care online from time to time.

But more than that, we would really like you to tell us what you think about the website or to comment on any opinion articles you see. Please do spread the word about the new website.
The KHC Team

I hope that here my Aunt will find peace and comfort. I appreciate all that the staff is doing to ease her pain and give her dignity. S Richards, April, 2010

I appreciate all that the staff is doing. I am so pleased. May the good Lord bless and keep you all. Andrea Nelson, April 2010 

To see my aunt was a joy. God bless all the  shepherds who toil to make these wonderful seniors happy in their golden years. I had an enlightening visit and plan to return by the grace of God. All my love to all of you wonderful people. Vinette, New York City, 23 April 2010  

Certainly the presence of God is in this facility. It is so clean and refreshing with a warm, friendly and caring atmosphere. God’s blessing to you all. Delores Pitter, February 2010 

I spent some time visiting with my dad. I was impressed by the love and cleanliness of this facility. May God really bless your ministry – it is truly a ministry. Claudette L Giscombe, February 2009 

It has been so refreshing visiting this facility… The residents seem quite relaxed and comfortable and the whole atmosphere breathes a caring loving spirit. 3ABN channel was being aired and patients and visitors were spiritually nourished – a God blessed place. Thank God for you Lyn.  Beatrice Morris-Hines, February 2009 

I visited with the patients and it was a blessing being here. May God continue to bless the nurses who care. Olive Valentine, February 2009

Calm, warm, clean & friendly atmosphere. A rare find in today’s health care service.  S. C. C, February 2008

This is a beautiful place and much needed in Manchester.’ H. O’C. & N.W, May 2007

Wonderful opportunities will continue to open up for you just like this lovely place – when you continue to share your love for life and people. God bless.’ M. L. 16/8/07

This is a beautiful setting where God’s presence resides. L. & A. N, June 2007

Mrs. Allen noted that our seniors are “the pillars on which we are now resting” and the elders should not be forgotten. She’s absolutely right of course and having ourselves hosted Mrs. Allen at Ken Health Care, I am immediately empathetic to her plea and to how deeply she cares for the aged. 

Ken Health Care has recently become the proud recipient of accreditation in First Aid by the Jamaica Red Cross with every single KHC staff member now fully certified to give first aid.

Staff at every level have completed 14 hours of intensive basic training spread across several modules with practical exercises on recognising and responding to emergency situations and determining safe response.

Lyn Kennedy-McKenzie said: “Although it’s not mandatory for care homes in Jamaica to have first aid trained staff our senior staff members were already trained. However, making sure that all the staff are certified First Aiders was important as it’s a tremendously valuable skill.  It means that in an emergency situation, any of our staff members – even support staff – can appropriately and confidently respond until the paramedics arrive.”

The training itself was challenging but the staff have received maximum benefit and enjoyment from doing it. The Jamaica Red Cross is one of the leading organizations for disaster response in Jamaica. First aid and CPR training, relief services and distribution, disaster management, water safety training and community based disaster preparedness are just some of the services offered by the Red Cross. Mrs Kennedy-McKenzie continued: “We’re unusual in the care home sector as most homes do not have first aiders let alone an entire staff team who can administer first aid.  But if it saves a life, it’s well worth it and we will continue to invest in this type of training for our staff.”

Since dominos was introduced as a regular feature in Ken Health Care’s monthly social calendar between residents, staff and visitors, KHC’s matches have become hotly contested…

The latest instalment in May resulted in a surprise (but welcome) win for Keith, one of KHC’s longstanding residents who won hands down against other seasoned veterans! The exciting and energetic game was not without its upsets but with cunning and stealthy skill, Keith won hands down, fair and square! However watch out, Keith! Vincent is looking forward to declaring victory during June’s match so watch this space…

Ken Health Care resident, Perseus celebrated his 2nd birthday in April!

Daily stalking the grounds to survey his kingdom, Perseus is a much loved addition to life at KHC although he has little time for some of the humans and simply disdains Knock Patrick district’s other cats. But to celebrate his coming of age, KHC’s graceful feline was given a special treat of dried roast chicken pieces and a new toy mouse.

He loved the chicken but in true “terrible two’s” toddler style, he’s destroyed the toy in favour of playing with residents’ belongings! We’ll be sure to keep you up to date with our favourite feline’s adventures!