This week Hill House engaged in a jam-packed week of activities all leading up to the Queens Birthday tea party at the weekend. Residents crafted crown inspired party hats, played games outside in the garden. There has been some light hearted rivalry about as three of the home nations are in this year’s Euro Football tournament (England, Wales and Scotland.
Monday morning, we collected our monthly pictures to create a photo collage on our lounge notice board, seeing all the activities we have been involved in sparks conversation and chance to reminisce.
Others played a group game of skittle or participated in morning exercises using the parachute and ball games.
With the beautiful summer sunshine shinning down on us this afternoon we took our game of floor bowls outdoors, taking in the fresh air.
A large group of us met in the lounge to take on this weeks giant crossword puzzle, followed by Mr whippy ice-creams.
Our Brain training games and puzzles serve as mental exercise and are tailored to our residents’ personal interests.
So on Tuesday morning we played hangman to warm up our brains before completing a royal themed quiz.
Tending to our sensory garden helps lowers stress-producing cortisol levels and raises serotonin; a calming chemical in the brain that puts you in a good mood.
That afternoon we spent time up at the fish pond feeding the fish and watching the dragon-fly’s dance over the pond, we spent time engaged in therapeutic colouring and painting, inspired by the summer months and our surrounds we created pictures of summer gardens, safari animals and summer florals.
Our cooking club met in our garden view lounge, we baked and constructed a Battenberg cake, its royal connection fitted in perfectly with this week’s Queen theme.
The first Battenberg cake was baked in 1884 to celebrate Prince Louis of Battenberg marrying Princess Victoria, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter and Prince Philip’s grandmother.
Wednesday morning our garden view lounge played a mixture of different board games including dominoes.
Others helped get ready for lunch by laying the table in the dining area.
Our Omi interactive activity centre was the star of the show on Wednesday morning a large group gathered around as we played target games, answered multiple choice questions on its quizzes and played guess the shadow.
After lunch we made crowns fit for our upcoming royal tea party at the weekend. Creating something through arts and crafts can give you a sense of competence and greater self-esteem.
Our garden group met in the glorious sunshine, the flower pots around Hill House have never looked better, we have been working hard on potting new plants and taking care of the exciting potted plants during these hot days with plenty of watering.
Thursday morning our sensory Aqua boards depicted seaside inspired images once painted with water, we have great laughs trying to guess the images from their outlines before we start. We find this activity calming and relaxing with a positive outcome that boosts our mood.
The summer seaside theme continued as we completed a group jigsaw puzzle.
Thursday afternoon our floristry group was split in two as we arranged this weeks stunning floral displays.
That afternoon we also celebrated a very special birthday in our visiting room with loved ones around him staff joined to sing happy birthday with carrot cake, a favourite of the birthday boy!
After a cup of tea and a game of dominoes a tower building competition was declared, we had the same amount of block and we wanted to see how tall we could build them with out them falling, we had such a laugh taking part.
Friday morning we join a group social discussion about the royal family through the last 69 years of her Majesty’s rein. We shared our stories and looked through old photographs of the Royal as well as the new additions to the Royal family in resent years.
Other’s choice to partaking in independent activities of their choosing like: daily newspapers, ludo, picture pairs games.
After lunch on garden view lounge we created another stunning photo collage to be displayed in the home, we spent time sorting and organising the pictures we like before arranging them in place.
This was followed by a table tennis games. Table tennis is actually a highly competitive sport in many parts of the world and can be a really fun way to get in some exercise. The nature of the game makes it especially great for us to play with staff or with one and other.
The weekend was fun filled, with the start of the euro football competition and celebrating the Queen’s birthday with a spectacular Queens Tea Party in the court yard gardens.
Our amazing kitchen team pulled out all the stops with tea and cakes, we sung along to British war time songs in the garden; White cliffs of dover, run rabbit and many more.
Sunday morning, we attended our weekly Church services via video link. And after a stunning roast dinner we couldn’t wait for England to play their opening football match, we sat with cold drinks and snacks while watching England win 1-0.
Others spent time in the garden or with families who came to visit.
