Activities at Derham House Care Home

This week we welcomed a brand new experience to Derham House. We were all excited but apprehensive at the same time. What would our residents think about this? Or how would they feel?

Benefits of VR:
A fun activity with multiple experiences to choose from, on a wildlife adventure to visiting the 7 wonders of the world.
The VR experience can uplift your mood and reduce feelings of isolation.
Researchers have found that exposing people with dementia to virtual reality environments helped them recall old memories, reduced aggression and improved their interactions and behaviour with their caregivers.

Group interaction:
Multiple people can take part, even family and friends are welcome were welcome to join adding social interaction and new memories.
One family member was amazed how real the experience was “I felt I was actually there”
A resident said “I can see an elephant”
The hand actions and looking all around put smiles on all our faces to see how much they were enjoying the experience.
Bedbound residents had an escape from the daily routine by visiting places they had never seen before from the comfort of their bed.
 

For many seniors, health declines as they get older. For people with dementia, this decline is generally seen in progressive cognitive impairment. However, as reading is exercise for the brain, it can help keep the brain fit. Although the benefits of reading haven’t been widely studied, research shows how it can improve senior health. 

There are also reports that reading can decrease symptoms among people already diagnosed with dementia. 

Reading in groups, such as in book clubs, can build social connections. Discussing books can help people with dementia maintain analytical and verbal skills; this activity also provides the opportunity to talk about any feelings brought up by recent reads. This can be especially useful if seniors are reading about the experiences of other people with dementia. 

What better way to celebrate National Book Day then to visit our local Bookstore, Waterstone’s Lakeside Shopping Centre.

What an array of books to choose from for our 1st visit, crime, autobiography, sport, fiction, what do we pick!!!! Crime was the choice for the day. 

Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective.

Just a little side tracked from the books, what do we see??? Children reading and having fun.

As we come out the bookstore one resident noticed the West ham shop, as her and her family are MASSIVE West ham fans. So we had to go in the shop and have our picture taken.

To finish the morning off you would think they would like a cup of tea, but, NOOOOO, a trip to McDonalds for a great big thick Milkshake.

A great morning was had by all.

Staff at Derham House had a cultural day, celebrating the wonderful nations of our staff.  It was time to show off what culinary delights their country had to offer.

Zimbabwe Oxtail Stew

Indulge in the flavours of South Africa with this exquisite Oxtail Stew. Bursting with tender, succulent pieces of oxtail simmered to perfection in a rich, savoury sauce, this dish is a true delight for the senses. The South African Oxtail Stew is a beloved traditional recipe that showcases the country’s rich culinary heritage. It embodies comfort, warmth, and a celebration of communal meals shared with loved ones.

Whether it’s a cosy family gathering or a special occasion, this Oxtail Stew is sure to impress. The long, slow cooking process allows the flavours to meld together, resulting in a dish that is rich, comforting, and soul-satisfying.

Transport yourself to the heart of South Africa and experience the joy of savouring a bowlful of this hearty and authentic Oxtail Stew. Prepare to be captivated by the flavours and traditions that make this dish a true culinary treasure.

Caribbean Rice and Beans

Caribbean rice and beans, often referred to as “rice and peas” in some regions, is a beloved dish with a rich history. This dish is a staple in Caribbean cuisine and has deep cultural and historical roots.

The origins of Caribbean rice and beans can be traced back to West Africa. The dish typically consists of rice cooked with beans (often red kidney beans or black beans), coconut milk, and a variety of spices.

The dish evolved over time, with each Caribbean Island adding its own unique twist. For example, in Puerto Rico, it’s known as “arroz con gandules” and is made with pigeon peas and often includes pork. In the Dominican Republic, it’s called “moro de habichuelas” and is typically made with red beans.

Caribbean rice and beans is more than just a meal; it’s a symbol of the region’s resilience and cultural fusion.

Romanian Layer Raspberry Jelly Cakes

Romanian raspberry jelly cakes, are a delightful dessert with a rich history. These cakes are typically made from a light, fluffy sponge cake filled with whipped cream, and mascarpone cheese topped with raspberry jelly.

The addition of raspberry jelly gives it a unique twist making it a favourite among many.

Today at Derham house we had our summer fete the morning of the fete was glorious sunshine as with all the big events it takes months of planning, so it was a welcome sight to see the sun.

There was stalls a plenty from crochet and tombola stalls, to Mr Toasties burger van selling burgers and hotdogs to his scrumptious scones and clotted cream which went down an absolute storm pardon the pun.

Making a return for the second year was our Havering classic cars club which are always welcome.

The day was filled with great music from our entertainers in the morning we had the lovely Carly Callaghan who sang songs from musicals and a selection of golden oldies but the highlight was her serenading one of the gents to I’ve had the time of my life from the film dirty dancing leaving the gentleman blushing LOLS in the afternoon we welcomed back the talented Brian Shaw who sang songs from 40s 50s 60s and a few from the 70s.

Also returning was the lovely Luigi who the residents love with his Mr whippy ice creams YUMMY. 

We would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped make this day a great success and to the families who also came to support us.

We look forward to the next one.

This week we enjoyed a special animal therapy session in the form of two adorable pygmy goats!

The home was full of mischief, when the two little pigmy goats came to visit, they showed their cheeky character wondering about the home and garden. Residents enjoyed cuddling and interacting with the goats.

Residents said 'it was wonderful the animals were free to roam amongst us, what a lovely afternoon'

Animal therapy is one of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program and features regularly on our resident-led weekly acitivity planner.

The residents always look forward to animals visiting as it reduces stress.

Care home residents often face various forms of stress, such as adjusting to a new environment, dealing with health issues, or coping with the loss of independence Improves mood and lowers blood pressure and heart rate and reduces feelings of loneliness improves physical health and most importantly brings back happy memories.

The residents had lots of questions regarding the age of Hudson and his origin so we gave them a history lesson on the breed. The breed takes its name from the Swiss canton of Berne, where it was developed as a draught dog, pulling carts for the weavers of that area. They were also used as a general farm dog, herding sheep and cattle and also pulling milk and cheese carts.

The Bernese is one of the four Swiss mountain dogs which carry the rich black and tan colouring with white markings on the chest which some say represents the cross on the Swiss flag.

In Switzerland the breed often takes part in parades, pulling a light cart, with its owners wearing Swiss national costumes: a wonderful sight.

The residents look forward to seeing him again soon.