Activities at West Abbey Care Home

For some residents at West Abbey, the long awaited reunion with family and friends became a reality recently, as limited garden visits have now been allowed to commence at the home.

It was welcome news to so many residents, family, and friends, who were kept apart for so long following strict government guidance. Residents and their relatives enjoyed getting together in the home’s garden, and the garden was fully of joy and chatter.

Patricia was joined by staff and other residents as she received a telegram from the Queen in recognition of her landmark 100th birthday. A celebration was held at the home and guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s Head Chef, Andrew Pippard.

Patsy was born in Grimsby and spent many years working as a secretary before coming to West Abbey, where she is enjoying a new chapter of her life and bringing smiles to all she meets. Patsy brings joy to all those around her and staff were more than happy to do all they could to try and make sure it was an unforgettable day.

We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reached this amazing milestone. Patsy is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as she breaks into her next century.

Residents at West Abbey recently enjoyed an afternoon celebrating one of the nation's favourite traditions: National Fish and Chips Day! Residents got to feel like they were having a day down by the beach with fish and chips in newspaper, a bit of Cliff Richard playing and even a little sunshine!

Activities Coordinators supported the residents at the home by making sure as many as possible got to relive their memories of being by the beach, with conversations about seaside trips and holidays aplenty.

In these unprecedented times, providing a range of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities for our residents is more important than ever. Our residents really enjoyed being able to relive these memories with fish and chips the way they used to do. Our varied life enrichment programme for residents includes ways to stay in contact with relatives digitally, such as Skype, and we have new ways to keep residents active, whilst ensuring that the group activities are smaller and adhere to social distancing advice.

Tea and biscuits is a quintessentially British treat, and it was the perfect excuse to come together and have a bit of fun. Not that anyone needed too much persuasion! We are continually adapting and finding new ways to make sure every effort is focused on creating an enjoyable environment for all of our residents, whilst adhering to social distancing advice.

Residents at West Abbey Care Centre recently enjoyed an afternoon of hard fought bingo, with prizes galore to be won. Activities Coordinators at the home supported the residents at the home by ensuring as many people could take part as possible from safe distances.

Helen Colaço, General Manager, said: “In these unprecedented times, providing a range of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities for our residents is more important than ever. Our residents really enjoyed their bingo afternoon. Our varied life enrichment programme for residents includes ways to stay in contact with relatives digitally, such as Skype, and we have new ways to keep residents active, whilst ensuring that the group activities are smaller, adhering to social distancing advice”

Sheila, a resident at the home was able to enjoy the bingo. Sheila said “I haven’t tried bingo before, though after giving it a go and winning a prize I can see why people playing it so much. I can’t wait for next time!”

Coinciding with the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, International Nurses Day, held on Tuesday 12th May, is a day to celebrate nurses and care staff around the world. Residents and staff at West Abbey were happy to get involved by hosting a much-deserved celebration of the excellent nurses at West Abbey.

This year, the World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the first ever global Year of the Nurse and Midwife, because it will also mark the bicentennial of Nightingale’s birth. This theme is even more relevant in this unprecedented time, when we are hugely indebted to all our care staff, and we are incredibly proud to applaud their extraordinary efforts and commitment, on this special day of recognition. It is a day to recognise the important work and dedication of care givers everywhere, who often go above and beyond the call of duty.

At West Abbey, our nurses and staff are hard-working, dedicated, and passionate about caring for others, and that compassion and commitment has shone through even more these past few weeks. They continue to work tirelessly, and everyone is proud of the professionalism and duty of care they uphold. All their efforts are focused on creating an enjoyable environment for our residents, so it’s nice to take this time to show our appreciation in return.