Activities at Vecta House Care Home

At Vecta House Care Home, we believe that every moment matters, and we're passionate about enriching the lives of our residents, especially those living with dementia. We understand the importance of creating a calming and stimulating environment, and that's why we've embraced multi-sensory approaches within our residents' own rooms.

Imagine a gentle, warm light filtering through the room, reminiscent of a peaceful sunrise. This is just one aspect of our Namaste Care approach. We understand that as dementia progresses, the world can become confusing and overwhelming. Namaste, meaning "to honour the spirit within," focusses on creating moments of connection and peace through sensory stimulation.

We tailor each resident's experience to their individual needs and preferences. For some, it might be the soothing scent of lavender wafting gently through the air, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. 
For others, it could be the comforting feel of soft textures, like a plush blanket or a favourite knitted toy, bringing a sense of familiarity and security.

Taste plays a vital role too. We offer a variety of familiar and comforting tastes, carefully prepared to stimulate the appetite and evoke positive memories. Perhaps a taste of freshly baked bread, or a spoonful of their favourite jam can transport them back to cherished moments. Music is another powerful tool. We incorporate personalised playlists featuring familiar songs that resonate with each resident, sparking joy and encouraging reminiscence. The gentle rhythm and familiar melodies can be incredibly soothing and help to reduce agitation.

Touch is perhaps the most fundamental sense of all. Gentle hand massages with fragrant oils, or the simple act of holding a hand, can provide comfort, reassurance, and a sense of connection. These small gestures can speak volumes when words become difficult. We know that dementia affects everyone differently. That's why our dedicated team takes the time to get to know each resident, understanding their unique life story, preferences, and needs. This allows us to personalise their sensory experiences, creating moments of joy, comfort, and connection that truly enrich their lives in the later stages of their dementia journey. At Vecta House, we're not just providing care; we're creating a home filled with warmth, compassion, and meaningful moments. We believe in celebrating individuality and ensuring that every residents feel valued, respected, and loved.  

Happy Chinese New Year from everyone at Vecta House! We've had a fantastic day celebrating the Year of the Snake!

Our residents kicked off the festivities by transforming our dining rooms into a vibrant Chinese New Year wonderland, complete with lanterns, balloons, dragons, and festive table decorations. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make it so special!

Our talented Head Chef Chris created a truly delicious Chinese feast. We started with a choice of Chinese noodle soup or egg rolls with soya sauce, followed by mouth-watering Egg Foo Young or sweet and sour chicken for the main course. And for dessert? A delectable Ma Lai Go Chinese steamed cake!  
The atmosphere in the dining room was buzzing with excitement as we enjoyed the delicious food and traditional Chinese music. Everyone loved revealing their fortunes on the scratch cards – lots of laughs were shared!

In the afternoon, we delved into the fascinating traditions of Chinese New Year. We learnt about the significance of the colour red (the luckiest colour!) and even discovered our own birth year animals in the Chinese zodiac.  What's yours? Check out some photos from our celebrations! 

Burns Night was a roaring success at Vecta House! Our amazing residents got involved in the preparations, helping to set the tables and decorate the home with tartan touches.

Chef, Chris, cooked up a storm with a traditional Scottish feast of Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties, followed by delicious Dundee Cake and Cranachan for dessert.

The celebrations continued with the lively sounds of the bagpipes! John Brodie entertained us with a fantastic selection of traditional Scottish tunes. The residents danced along merrily, and everyone enjoyed having their photo taken with John in his full Scottish attire.

It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, music, and delicious food. Happy Burns Night from all of us at Vecta House!

The Vecta House residents were thrilled to welcome back Summerfield’s Primary School children after the Christmas holidays! This time, they were joined by the enthusiastic Year 3 class. The children brought a wonderful selection of books to share, and everyone enjoyed listening to the captivating stories. One highlight was when a child read a book about a farm to resident Ian. Ian then delighted the children with tales of his own childhood, sharing memories of working on a farm and his beloved horses.

Di, another resident, generously helped the children with some tricky words, while Eve truly shone, reading aloud to the children with great enthusiasm. The residents were having such a wonderful time that they were sad to see the children leave! They waved goodbye with warm smiles as the children headed back to school. Afterwards, the residents gathered for delightful tea and cake, reminiscing about their own school days.

This intergenerational book club is a wonderful way for the residents to connect with the younger generation and share their valuable life experiences. Intergenerational book clubs are a wonderful way to bring people together and share a love of reading. They can also provide many benefits for both residents and the children involved.

For residents, participating in a book club can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, as well as improve their cognitive function and mood. It can also give them a sense of purpose and belonging.
For children, book clubs can help to improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary, as well as their communication and social skills. They can also learn about different cultures and perspectives, and develop a lifelong love of reading.

What a fantastic morning out for the residents of Vecta House!

First, we enjoyed a delightful trip to Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop, where we picked up some delicious cakes to savour with our afternoon coffee back at the house. Afterwards, we ventured to the charming Hare and Hounds Isle of Wight. Though it was a bit chilly outside, the pub was warm and inviting. John enjoyed coffee, and Eve indulged in a glass of wine. We spent some time delving into local history, admiring the display of Michelle Morey and the legend of the skull. As we left, we were treated to a surprise visit from the stunning local peacocks!

The fun continued back at Vecta House as we celebrated what would have been Elvis Presley's 90th birthday. With live music from Chris Sinatra, everyone was rocking and rolling to some classic tunes. It was a truly memorable day filled with laughter, good company, and wonderful music!

Christmas Eve was truly special as we celebrated the birthday of our wonderful resident, Eve! Her family joined her for a special morning of celebration. We enjoyed sparkling prosecco, a delicious fruit platter, and, of course, many lovely gifts.

Eve was absolutely thrilled to see all her loved ones gathered to celebrate with her. There was plenty of laughter, good conversation, and wonderful memories made.

To top it off, we all enjoyed a delicious birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Eve. It was a truly heart-warming occasion.