17

Dec

Santa brings festive fun to families at our Christmas fair!

Santa brought Christmas cheer to young and old when he came to see us on Sunday 9th December.

He took time out from his busy schedule to come to our Christmas fair.  We welcomed families and friends, some of whom drove nearly two hours to spend the afternoon with their loved ones.

Two year old girl with Santa and care home resident
Resident Peggy Hughes with Santa and two year old Amiyah

Two year old Amiyah, whose great-grandmother Sheila Walmsley lives in Churnet Lodge on the site, stole the hearts of many, together with eight month old ‘elf’, Ronnie.

Residents and visitors of every age enjoyed sitting with Santa, sharing their wishes for Christmas and enjoying mince pies.

“It was a fantastic afternoon, and a chance not just for families to get together but the community too,” said activities manager Karen O’Moore.

“We made some new friends in the community.  People from Rocester who didn’t know we were here came to join in.  It was great to introduce ourselves to them.

“We were thrilled to see the families of some of our residents who’ve passed away – they’re never forgotten and are always welcome – and one of our regular entertainers brought his family along.

“I think it says a lot about the home we have here.”

The Christmas fair also included craft and gift stalls hosted by local traders and volunteers from St Michael’s Church in Rocester.

Musical entertainment came from festive singers and the Alton Handbell Ringers.

The Shetland Lollipop ponies, which visit the home regularly offering calming interaction for residents, got into the Christmas spirit too with festive hats and tinsel bridles.

“My little visitor, Phoebe, was so taken with the ponies she asked me if she could have one for Christmas!” said Santa.

“I think she’d be much better off with a reindeer!”

 

22

Mar

“Pimp my Zimmer kids!”

Residents have had their traditionally bland walking frames ‘pimped up’ by their young friends at Abbotsholme School.

The children have been making brightly-coloured pom-poms and sparkly stars in their weekly visits to us.

The decorations have been used to brighten up the grey Zimmer frames many of the residents use.  The youngsters have also been wrapping them in colourful streamers and personalising them with people’s names.

National project

‘Pimp my Zimmer’ is a national initiative started by a care worker in Essex who realised residents often struggled to identify their own walking frame.

The scheme, which began in 2015, is also designed to improve mobility and has helped reduce falls in some homes by 60%.

“This has been fantastic fun for us and the children,” said Barrowhill Hall’s activities coordinator Val Barnes.

“The children visit us every Monday afternoon and they’ve really enjoyed bringing some colour to what is an extremely dull but hugely important piece of equipment.”

The children visit Churnet Lodge which offers residential care and care for people in the early stages of dementia.

“We are yet to see what impact the pimped up frames will have on people’s mobility,” said Val, “but we are seeing a change in people’s mood – the bright colours and the memories of the fun they had decorating them put a smile on their faces and that’s lovely to see.”

“I’m proud of my frame.”

97 year old Peggy Hughes has enjoyed the experience with six year old Rory and four year old Jensen.

“We’ve had such a lot of fun together,” she said.  “Mine is covered in pink and blue pom-poms, I’ve got stickers and pink bows and stars.

“I would never choose to use something grey but walking frames don’t come in any other colours!  I’m proud of it, I want to get up and move so I can show it off!”

 

28

Feb

Soldiers’ visit brings back precious memories for Ian, living with dementia at 53

Soldiers from MOD Stafford brought back precious memories of a Forces career to Ian Burton, who at 50 years old was diagnosed with behaviourial variant fronto-temporal dementia.

The condition can bring about changes in behaviour and personality.  As it progresses can affect the person’s memory and ability to speak.

Now aged 53, Ian lives with us at Churnet Lodge, where soldiers from the 22nd Signal Regiment visited him.

“Ian loved his Army career,” said his wife, Wendy. “He joined aged 21 and served with the Signals, working all over the world including the Falkland Islands and Iraq.

“Because it’s not that long ago since he left, the soldiers who came to Churnet Lodge remembered some of the people he served with.  They loved looking at his old photographs.

“Ian doesn’t have much speech now but you could see how engaged and how happy he was that they were there.”

Ian completed 22 years of service then became a technical support worker for Derbyshire Police.  But as he approached his 50th birthday the signs of his condition began to emerge.

“He was one of their best staff,” remembers Wendy, “but the nature of his type of dementia meant he lost the ability to plan and carry out tasks as he had been doing.  He had to medically retire two years ago.”

Dementia is ‘young onset’ when it affects people under the age of 65.  There are an estimated 42,000 people with the condition in the UK although the actual figure could be higher because it can be difficult to diagnose.

“A pleasure and an honour.”

Captain-Becky-Parkinson-and-Staff-Sergeant-David-Tuck-present-Ian-his-daughter-Sophie-and-wife-Wendy-with-his-remounted-medals
Captain-Becky-Parkinson-and-Staff-Sergeant-David-Tuck-present-Ian-his-daughter-Sophie-and-wife-Wendy-with-his-remounted-medals

Staff Sergeant David Tuck, Captain Becky Parkinson and Corporal Patrick Hearne also spent time talking to residents who’d served in the Navy, the RAF and the Army.

“It was a pleasure and an honour to meet Ian and the other residents,” said Staff Sergeant Tuck.

“Since our visit we’ve been able to identify and contact a number of people who remember Ian and they are making plans to visit him.”

SSgt Tuck also asked if he could take Ian’s medals with him to remount them as their ribbons were showing some wear.  He and his colleagues returned them in pristine condition the next day.

Val Barnes, our activities co-ordinator, helped to organise the visit.  “Active reminiscence is so important for people with dementia.  Ian clearly enjoyed the soldiers being here and the effects of their visit stayed with him all weekend. It had a huge impact on many of our other residents, too.”

Wendy, who works as a dementia advisor for the charity Making Space in Derby, makes a 40 mile round-trip three times a week to see her husband.  Churnet Lodge is one of the few care homes in the area able to cater for people with young onset dementia.

“I spent a year trying to find somewhere suitable for him,” said Wendy.  “Churnet Lodge feels like home to him and to me.”

“Organising visits like this shows how much care they put into making life meaningful for Ian and everyone else who lives here.  I can’t wait to see how rediscovering his friends and colleagues will benefit him.”

16

Oct

Children bring the power of youth to Churnet Lodge

Pre-schoolers are bringing life and laughter to our residents with regular visits, thanks to a relationship with Abbotsholme School in Uttoxeter.

Colouring, jigsaws and sharing biscuits were the activities that brought together eight children aged three, four and five, and residents of Churnet Lodge, on their first visit on Monday 2nd October. Continue reading ““Children bring the power of youth to Churnet Lodge”“

05

Dec

Refreshments, afternoon tea and minced pies at Barrowhill Hall

Every Friday during December we are welcoming you to pop in and visit us at Barrowhill Hall.  There will be refreshments, afternoon tea and minced pies available and an opportunity to meet the management, staff and residents and get into the festive spirit.  If you would like to join us on any Friday, please feel free to give us a call on 01889 591006 and we will look forward to seeing you.