Activities at Oaklands Care Home

Father’s day was a massive success for us here at Oaklands as we tried something a little different and from the feedback from residents and families we will be doing this kind of activity again, we took residents to meet their loved ones for a drink at the local community sports and social club who welcomed us with open arms, the sun shone for us which was  an added bonus, we enjoyed real beer in a pint glass or two and chatted and laughed and everyone made memories and came away very happy and maybe a little tipsy!!

We certainly slept well that evening.

We had the absolute pleasure of attending Cambridge united football clubs memory café where we joined other families and carers to share a cuppa and a chat. Jake the host was extremely welcoming. The session had a theme of music so the topic of conversation was around our favourite music and it resulted in a little sing song at the end of the session singing the clubs anthem of “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts” which we all found a real tongue twister and laughed about lots. We look forward to going again to this café which is held once a month.

What a fabulous time we have had this week celebrating Cadbury’s 200th Anniversary in conjunction with Dementia action week.

We have enjoyed reminisce with the old packaging and posters that we received in the memory car box ,also a taste of a variety of Cadburys bars some tasting a boost for the very first time. We held a quiz all about Cadburys learning lots of fun facts and enjoying some laughs along the way with Jude asking “what’s inside a double decker?” and Judy replying “a bus”.

We were amazed at the amount of money that Britons spend on chocolate a year being over £3 Billion!!

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.