Activities at Oaklands Care Home

We welcomed Bambi into the home this week and she did not disappoint, with her glittery purple hooves.Bambi is a local pony from Chippenham who is very well trained and a fantastic form of pet therapy.

Our residents ,family and staff loved her visit and it was a great sensory experience from the touch to even the smell!!!

Residents were engaged with Bambi owners Linda and Kevin as they reminisced of times as children and playing with pony’s or seeing them in the fields, they asked about their care needs too and generally how her visit had lifted their moods.

One resident was brought to tears as Bambi entered her bedroom, these were tears of joy and excitement and she proceeded to  stroke Bambi saying “how wonderful can she stay forever”

The great benefit of pet therapy  like Bambi is not only can she visit our communal areas she is able to go into our rooms and see our residents that are cared for in bed, as you can see Michael enjoyed a tickle from Bambi as she sniffed his neck, we can’t wait to welcome Bambi back into the home.

We enjoyed celebrating Eid with Ifte our resident who has lived with us for over 15 years and some of his fellow residents. We had made stain glass window decorations the day before in preparations and we decorated the dining room beautifully with golds and silvers and lots of bright colours. Residents enjoyed an array of delicious sweet treats a favourite being the baklava which provoked conversation’s about how you make it and that we might like to try in our cooking group. Malcolm who loves to read ,gave us all the facts and stories from our Oomph newsletters and we all listened on with interest. We then had the chance to listen to traditional music which made some of us feel like dancing with our colourful scarfs even Pater the maintenance man got dragged in for a little performance. Jazz a member of staff then took the time to design some henna tattoos on those that wished to have them with flowers butterfly’s and creative patterns being drawn. Ifte was extremely happy with the afternoons celebration’s and shook everyone’s hands and gave kisses to all the ladies.

Patricia has lived in a Barchester home for 17  Years starting at Hilton park and then later moving over to Oaklands. Patricia turned 103 on April 13th and although Patricia isn’t living life in the same way as she started with us due to her health she still loves a sing song and a sherry from time to time so we could not disappoint on her birthday. As Patricia couldn’t come to the party as such we took the party to her and residents all joined in her room with staff to sing her some songs and later enjoyed cake together. Who knew sherry in a chocolate mousse was a thing well Patricia thoroughly enjoyed hers.

Later in the day Patricia was joined by family from various generations although we think the sherry mousse may have helped Patricia to enjoy a birthday snooze

Here at Oaklands we try to ensure all residents can be included in celebration’s and everyday life enrichment no matter what health conditions you have, there is always a way to adapt and enjoy.

We like to support our local amenities and we are so fortunate to have Bottisham air museum just a stone’s throw away.Daivd and Robert have shown interest in aircraft and learning new things through various conversations so we took the opportunity to visit and it really didn’t disappoint. The gentleman had smiles on their faces the whole way round and were beaming when we headed back asking to go again another day. We had a pause in our visit to enjoy some refreshments in the flying tractor café where there is more to see and do with models hanging above our heads and interactive computer games. When walking outside they play music which just sets the scene and gives a great opportunity for a little sing song, all in all this was a fabulous morning out and we look forward to visiting again soon.

Hoy is a fun simple card game giving resident the chance to compete against each other in a friendly way.Hoy gives residents and visitors the opportunity to connect and share fun story’s about other card games they used to play because it allows for pauses in the game for communication . Marjorie loved the game so much she has asked to play it again the following few days even though she didn’t win.

Anyone can join in and anyone can win which makes it easily accessible to all our residents

We enjoyed a paint and plonk evening to celebrate St David’s day using the famous welsh symbol the Daffodil as our subject matter.

We have a paint and plonk once a month usually enjoying a glass of wine a natter and some painting takes place!!

The activity is a group activity primarily but we can adapt for those resident cared for in their rooms so no one is left out .

Edna loves her painting sessions and is so proud of her pictures and loves that she can be included whilst maintain her comfort of her bed.