December 15th, 2022

Christmas Newsletter
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It's Christmas time again and the rush doesn't get any better with the years

The team at Therapy Professionals Ltd

​hope you have a lovely break of Christmas and the New Year

​Christmas and New Year Treats
 
If you're catering for someone with a swallowing problem during the festive season, it can be hard to know what you can give them or even to remember these treats are food. 
 
Here are some ideas:
 
Pureed diet (smooth and uniform texture)

• chocolate sauce
• flavoured toppings eg caramel, strawberry
• melted chocolate – try adding a little whipped cream to help slow the resetting time
• chocolate mousse

 
Minced and Moist diet: (needs to be very finely cut or mashed)
 
All options suggested for a pureed diet plus:

• finely grated chocolate
• mashed cake or muffin with cream or yoghurt
• trifle, tiramisu (with custard, cream or ice cream)

 
Easy to Chew diet: (must be able to be easily and cleanly cut with the side of a fork)
 
All of the options in “pureed” and “minced and moist” plus:

• chocolate fudge
• Russian fudge
• some soft centred caramels
• muffins or cake with cream or yoghurt

• softened chocolate (placed in microwave until soft)
• Turkish delight (made with jelly and icing sugar)

• Some soft lollies like ‘explorers’ and ‘bananas’ (test first, if left out on the shelf too long they become hard)

https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/can_people_on_modified_diets_have_food_treats_.pdf

Enable Equipment 
 
Repairs and Maintenance
The client or residential provider to contact one of the subcontractors listed below: 
Keep this information by your phone
 
More Mobility/ Mobytech Ltd 
 113 Blenheim Road, Christchurch 8041
Phone:   (03) 348 3460 Option 2 or 027 516 2340                   
Email:    [email protected]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Website: http://www.moremobility.co.nz

 Personal Mobility Systems (Wheelchair Services (SI) Ltd)  (not generally a mobile service)    
  29 Shakespeare Road, Christchurch 8240 
 Phone:        (03) 366 8815 or 0275 383 584 
Email:           [email protected] 
Website        www.mobilitysystems.co.nz
 
Rehab Enterprises, mobile workshop.
Contact Owen Henwood on 
phone: 027 230 5974 or email: [email protected] 
 
It is recommended repairs should be pre-arranged. A phone call will ensure a prompt and efficient service. 

Alteration or Modification of Equipment

If you wish to have a piece of equipment altered or modified this is not a repair or maintenance. Call the therapist. 
 
Returning Enable equipment

• Phone 0800 ENABLE (0800 362 253), Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 5pm.

Or follow this link to email
https://www.enable.co.nz/services/equipment-for-disabled-people/equipment-returns/request-equipment-collection/

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​Christmas gift Ideas for older people
 
It’s often hard to find useful presents for older relatives because they’ve got everything! Here are some ideas: 

• a gift voucher for some therapy time these can be purchased, see our website

           https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/gift-vouchers.html

• a comfy chair, follow this link on choosing a chair https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/choosing_a_comfy_armchair__.pdf

 

• useful gadgets eg tap turners, can and jar openers, adapted garden equipment and plug pullers. These can be found at More Mobility and the Aspire Canterbury shop.

​Handy Information
 
Should you have time on your hands over the holiday season have a look at the Information page on our website http://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz
 
Our therapists regularly prepare these information sheets for use by our clients.

Holiday period hours

Therapy Professionals office will be closed 12.30 pm 23 December and we reopen on 4 January 2023.
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Between Christmas and New Year on the working days there will be an office person available by phone on 027 435 8970 for urgent enquiries.  
Some therapists will be on call over the Christmas period, should there be any urgent need.