Activities at Ashlar House Care Home

Being at home hasn’t stopped the virtual Teams sessions between children and residents, as they have all logged on for a session with Ashlar House from their own homes.

It was recently World Book Day and, as Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Primary Schools decided to celebrate books and reading across the whole week, not just a day! This included a virtual Teams session all about books with the residents

Children chose a book that they particularly loved, find interesting, or would recommend, and are completing various activities throughout the week about that book. Children read out reviews of their book, telling us why it is so good; and read and showed comics strips they had created. 

The residents then told us about some of their favourite books, and many of the children’s faces were in awe as one resident said he loved non-fiction animal books, especially about honey badgers and how deadly they can be (there were lots of open mouths to discover they could take down a lion!). Another resident said he loved every book and is happy as long as he’s got a book, and it showed the children the importance of reading all different genres and styles all through our lives, as we can learn so much from books. We discussed how some of the books we read in class, such as Alice in Wonderland, were around when the residents were children too, so books have no time limit and can be enjoyed for generations. 

The meeting overran as the children then showed the residents various teddies they have – including various characters from books! They then did a quick unplanned quiz where they were naming book characters and trying to persuade residents why they should read their book. It was a lovely lively session to get everyone excited about all things books!

Ashlar House has recently brought a bit of magic to residents by providing a new 'Magic Table' as a way to improve residents’ quality of life.

Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Magic Table 360 uses interactive games to connect residents with staff and with each other, and research shows it improves the well-being of people living with dementia. Using interactive light projections, the Magic Table 360, which can be played independently or in a group, stimulates movement by inviting participants to take part in all sorts of different fun activities such as popping bubbles, playing the piano, colouring in pictures, sweeping leaves or interacting playfully with fish. Games are rich in colour, movement and detail, and allow people of all ages to play in a safe and comfortable environment.

The Magic Table 360 is portable, so it can be used wherever residents feel most comfortable, it can be projected onto the floor, ceiling, walls, a whiteboard or even the bed. The Happiness Programme allows for a range of games that change seasonally and have country-specific versions covering 14 different categories, so there will always be something new for residents to try.

The benefits of the Magic Table 360 has shown to improve mood and behaviours especially across the mid-to-late stages of dementia, greater physical, social and cognitive activity, reduction in withdrawn-like symptoms, weight gain and positive impacts on relationships with care staff, friends and family.

Bingo is still our favourite activity in our care home for residents and staff. Residents were found to be engaging between players and becoming very excited to win.

Despite countrywide restrictions, Ashlar House has been able to continue its inclusion exercises within the local community. As schools are in lock down again, we are fortunate to maintain the connection via virtual classroom session.

Ashlar House would like to give a big thank you to the parents for their time getting their children to join on Zoom to celebrate National Storytelling Week. The turnout has been positive, both from all our residents, as well as the reception children. Our amazing narrator, who was not long ago was rewarded a star and certificate for such wonderful reading from the school, was centre stage, again proving that experience trumps all!

Jigsaw puzzles require full attention; it’s a favourite pastime for our residents and a fantastic way to pass a few relaxing hours—either on your own or with others—away from the distractions of today’s pandemic.

Staff at Ashlar House were delighted to be invited to have the COVID-19 vaccination, which has lifted everyone’s spirits after what has been a very challenging year for everyone.

We’ve had a year like no other and the vaccine feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. Our teams have been magnificent in how they have risen to every challenge during this pandemic and we are proud to play our part in this next phase to ensure the most vulnerable are protected.