This week residents have loved exploring all the different types and styles of music from the swinging Sixties to classical composers. We also looked at songs from world famous musicals. We have danced and sung to Steve, played Bananagram, enjoyed a drum circle in the sunshine, but most importantly it has been amazing to hear from everyone just how much music has helped or how it ignites so many memories.
We kick started Music week with a Monday morning of reminiscing. Gathering to listen to vinyl records on a wind-up Gramophone before comparing the sounds to a modern electric record player. We loved winding up the old Gramophone but preferred the clean sound of the electric record player. We sharing many stories about the first Vinyl we brought or where given.
In our garden view lounge, we started the day with a brain training exercise of musical instrument word searches. The brain loves a challenge and when you open your mind to new ideas the mental exercises can be fun.
Monday afternoon we welcomed a very famous celebrity for the afternoon. Our activities coordinator Julie donned her Elvis Presley costume, we spent the afternoon playing musical bingo. Afterwards we had a quiz all about Elvis.
Others opted for an afternoon of therapeutic colouring while listening to Classical music.
Drums are among the oldest forms of musical instruments. Every culture has a history of drums to accompany war cries, manhood rituals, solstice gatherings, marriage ceremonies, harvest, and more. Tuesday morning, we gathered in the garden to enjoy the beat of the drum, following the rhythm set by the person next to us until a tune was formed, it was most amusing and everyone had fun.
This was followed by games in the garden and Pet therapy session indoors as we welcomed pebble the dog back for some fuss and attention.
In our courtyard garden we played musical instruments and sang along to songs we have loved throughout the decades, followed by a Motown music Quiz and reminiscing.
We spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying great conversation as a group in the garden.
Wednesday morning everyone enjoyed a variety of Music themed Quizzes in the morning sunshine. Studies show that elderly adults might see benefits such as improvements in performing daily tasks and increased memory ability thanks to certain brain training games.
Others opted for a game of pool indoors.
Our Hobbies Conversation Game ignited lively conversation and debate around the topic of our hobbies and interests. It is a fun way to share stories and get to know one another. Inspired by cognitive stimulation therapy for dementia, this game challenges players to share differences, commonalities, and opinions across well-recognised hobbies.
We took on brain training word searches and played Bananagram a fun word game with a hot drink. We loved being able to complete these activities at leisure.
Students from Lord Wandsworth College in Hook visited us at Hill House on Wednesday afternoon to perform a music recital. These extremely talented students asked their teachers if they could put together this special performance just for us, we loved listening to them play and sing and can’t wait to see their new friends again soon.
Afterwards we all gathered in the garden for conversations and reminiscing with the students. Sharing our own stories about how much music means to us and what instruments we can play.
Thursdays afternoon tea trolley was bursting at the seems with Sensational hand made Chocolate eclairs as we celebrated Chocolate Éclair day! They tasted incredible.
Thursday, we started our day with plenty of stunning fresh flowers, when residents got together as part of our flower arranging club for a spot of flower arranging.
Equipped with roses and sunflowers in various colours, as well as gypsophila and an array of foliage, the artistic residents spent a morning creating their very own beautiful bouquets, which they used to adorn the home and their bedrooms once complete.
We love our weekly visits to our hairdresser for a spot of pampering and a good chinwag.
Tinkerbell also popped in to see us for some cuddles and to check out what was going on.
On garden view lounge we had a fabulous morning, playing floor bowels as part of our fun exercise programme. Playing bowls helps move your joints and muscles in the upper body insuring a varied workout.
Loving her Birthday celebrations with loved ones in the garden.
That afternoon we danced through the decades with our live singer Steve who performed songs from musicals and much more.
Research carried out by the Institute of Public Health found: Dance is particularly beneficial for improving balance, mobility, strength, flexibility, physical activity, as well as improving cognitive function. Music and singing can provide improvements in cognitive function and improved emotions.
Friday morning, we were delighted to welcome our therapy goats back into the home. Their hooves clicking smartly down the corridors and around the lounges ready to greet us. We find them very amusing and always comment on the texture of their hair and the size of their tummies.
Some physical or mental conditions make it difficult for people to express themselves verbally. Therapy goats offer opportunities to communicate non-verbally. A chance many affected residents seize wholeheartedly — and which, happily, often leads to increased verbal communication. The entertaining nature of goats is among the qualities that makes them excellent therapy animals. Their playfulness can bring people out of their shell, lift their spirits and even lower blood pressure.
Special Birthday celebrations in the garden with family and friends.
We spent our afternoon singing along to sixties music and playing skittles in the day lounge.
Saturday morning was full of exploring with garden walks and sensory bags being explored, in our garden view lounge. We also explored the vintage toy bag and chatted about all the toy our children had or wanted.
A game of chess between staff and this lovely gentleman. Chess has been known to have a lot of benefits to the elderly including improving cognition and it is mentally stimulating.
Sunday afternoon we played card games in the day lounge in small groups while others soaked up the sunshine in the garden while listening to songs from musicals.
Tinkerbelle was back for another visit and her lovable puppy nature had us all in fits of laughter. We can’t wait to see her grow up she is going to be a right character .
