Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Motivation is important for older adult because it can help them maintain their physical and mental health, social connections, and ability to cope with life transitions. Supporting residents to sustain their motivation gives them a sense of purpose, sense of accomplishment, prevents cognitive decline and supports mental health. 

Tyspane Care Home understands that motivation can be more difficult to maintain as people age, however, there are strategies and mindsets that can help older adults over obstacles and stay motivated. Providing meaningful challenges, activities and supporting residents’ interests helps create motivation as well as the hidden bonus of social interactions. 

Vernon (a long-term resident) has embraced this concept and designed non-profitable sweep stakes for residents and staff which has allowed them to share successes and build trust.

Vernon stated, “I love doing sweep stakes, and now I talk to everyone.”

Thank You Vernon for supporting team cohesion and supporting the values of Tyspane Care Home.

If you would like to find out more about our home, please visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/typsane-car-home

Fish and Chips is a popular dish that has a complex history, including its origins. The dish may have originated in Belgium or France in the 17th Century. However, the practice of battering and frying fish is thought to have originated with Sephardic Jews who fled Spain and Portugal in the 15th century. They would fry fish on Fridays to prepare for the Sabbath, and the batter preserved the fish so it could be eaten cold the next day. The dish became popular in London, where it was sold on the streets all day. Joseph Malin, a Jewish refugee, opened the UK’s first fish and chip shop around 1860.

Tyspane Care Home, as we all know is very close to the sea, near Saunton Sands and has one for best fish and chips in North Devon, some would say in the country – Squires. Originally established in 1969, the Squires family have spent over 50 years establishing a reputation for serving award winning fish and chips. Their longevity in Braunton community and the legendary nature of its fish and chips, means Squires is almost synonymous with Braunton.

With this thought in our minds the residents of the monthly “Good Friends Club” requested for their evening event Squires Fish and Chips. The evening went swimming well (excuse the pun) residents, families, friends and staff thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Conversations and laughter could be heard all around the home. 

Peter (Resident) said, “Just like home.”

Betty (Resident) stated, “Lovely evening.”

David (Resident Ambassador), “I very much enjoyed my battered sausage and gherkin.”

Remember food really does bring friends together.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! (Muhammed Ali)

Boxing can be a great stress reliever. In particular, the training process can help you gid rid of stress. Hitting the pad or boxing heavy bag can help one develop strength and explosive power while getting rid of stress. Boxing is also a fun and engaging activity that can keep one motivated and coming back for more. It is a great way to challenge one’s self and achieve personal goals and growth. 

So today, it was wonderful to welcome the first lady in the world to receive a boxing licence the fabulous Babs and her sparring partner Josie. They certainly put residents, families, friends and staff through their paces to show of their skills and what they could achieve with a lot of self-believe. The activities lounge was filled with a combination of anxiety, fear and excitement all at once. Residents found the feeling of “unboxing” a pair of boxing gloves exhilarating, the vibrant colours and sleek exteriors created a sense of excitement, making everyone’s heart beat faster. 

They say a good boxing coach has a number of qualities, including: attention to detail, analytical thinking, experience, certification but most of all encouragement. Yes, this was certainly true of Babs. 

Patricia (Resident) stated, “That was so much fun and a good thrill.”

Angela (Resident) replied, “It surprised me, I didn’t think I could box.”

Tony (Resident), “I used to box, simply a great reminder for me.”

The afternoon was filled with fun and laughter especially watching Babs coach Jacqui (Activities Co-Ordinator) who she described as “Not a natural boxer, more a street fighter!”

For the people living with, or caring for someone with dementia. 

One in three people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their life time, with over one million people expected to be living with dementia by 2040. Dementia is the UK's biggest health and social care crisis (Alzheimer's Society, 2024).

So, to support the Alzheimer’s Society, Tyspane Care Home residents, families, friends and staff participated in a whole home photography session wearing something blue and/or blue ribbons to support World Alzheimer's Day. In addition, Tyspane Gardening Club, Bowling Club and Baking Club walked around Tyspane Care Home gardens followed by afternoon tea and an old-fashioned sing along to offer their support for the Society. 

David (Resident Ambassador) stated, “A very worthy cause, good to be included.”

Angela (Resident) replied, “Yes, so worth it.”

Mary (Resident and Club Member) said, “My favourite colour is blue, such a lovely day.”

Thank You to everyone who supported the campaign it allowed everyone to come together to raise awareness of dementia and to address the stigma and discrimination that still exists around the condition.   

If you would like to find out more about our home, please visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/typsane-care-home

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated with dancing, singing and lots of good food. The colours for the day are of the Mexican flag; red, white and green. Therefore, to support Mexican Independence Day residents, families, friends and staff popped on traditional Mexican sombrero hats in mixed colours, colourful sunglasses and rattled maracas at every given opportunity. Tyspane Care Home Baking Club pulled out all the stops and created a traditional Mexican Lemon Olive Oil cake which was served with creamy hot chocolate, simply delicious. 

Today, in the activities lounge with residents, friends, families and staff I was reminded by Julie (Activities Assistant) that the “Noodle Game,” created at Tyspane Care Home was one of the most socially inclusive activities on the activities time table. Tyspane Care Home is proud to offer social inclusion activities, finding ways to encourage all residents, families and friends to take part in activity programmes which provide opportunities and dignity to people who are facing discrimination and inequality. It is also important that we continue to involve our residents at all levels of service planning and delivery.