This week, residents at Hill House explored the theme of Transport. This led to many conversations about their first cars, where they would take the train to visit. Taking on quizzes, trivia and brain training games along with an orient express experience.
Monday morning, we gathered for a fun game of car bingo as we kick started our transport themed week.
In our day lounge we took on our car themed digital quiz before a fabulous group conversation about cars from the 1950s.
The positive feelings gained from sharing pleasant memories can decrease stress, boost mood, reduce agitation, and minimize challenging behaviours like wandering, anger and more in those living with dementia.
That afternoon, we opened our Rummage dresser outside one of our garden view lounges, it is filled with everyday items such as doilies, napkins, rollers, coloured socks, scarves, tea towels and other items. We loved sorting and organizing our own Vanity dresser all afternoon.
Sensory activities are used to strategically activate one or more of the senses to help people living with dementia connect with the world around them.
Our arts and crafts club joined in the day lounge for some paper origami paper folding, to make boats. After lots of laughter and some funny shaped boats, we raced them across our man-made puddle in the lounge we used straws to blow them from one side to the other.
Tuesday morning, we had so many fun activities on offer it was hard to choose, we spent time learning about Matchbox cars and the history of the company, others opted to take on a boat themed word finder or crafted stunning greeting cards for other residents in the home for their birthdays.
In the afternoon our cooking club gathered to decorate traffic light inspired biscuits. We mixed up brightly coloured icing and got busy decorating our shortbreads.
Baking stimulates the senses, the feel of the flour, the smell of bakes, watching the frosting go on; all help to stimulate the senses and build up a healthy appetite.
Wednesday morning it was time to explore a very English mode of transport as we took a trip down memory lane with the iconic London Bus. One of our fellow residents has a great collection of model buses which he was very pleased for us to show them off to everyone.
Others opted for a morning of therapeutic painting using water colours.
Our garden view lounge had a fun morning, looking through vintage cars. This lead on to us chatting about our first cars as we found pictures of them on the iPad.
We also reignited old hobbies with a spot of knitting in our garden view lounge. Knitting is good for the brain, but it can be good for your body too. Many seniors have trouble with hand-eye coordination as they age. When you knit regularly, you force your brain and your hands to work together, maintaining your fine motor skills.
We are actively encouraged to maintain our independence and take part in activities of daily life, so after a light spillage we were so happy to help and mop the floor.
The afternoon rolled around and our Aqua art boards were out, aqua paints give a lovely balance of creative touch, sense of achievement and pure joy for people with dementia. Simply brush the ‘white’ sheets of paper with water and watch as the beautiful pictures magically appear.
A fun skittles competition took place in the day lounge.
We spent the afternoon at our DIY club as we gathered to help our maintenance man Tom, fix and replace the old handles on our rummage dresser. We used a dongle, a thingamajig and wacker. A great team effort.
Thursday morning, we gathered in the lounges to arrange this week’s stunning floral arrangements. The home smelt of fresh flowers all day long.
That afternoon, we made paper planes and raced them in the garden and lounge.
The perfect afternoon in the sunshine for a very special birthday lady.
Friday morning, we enjoyed playing car bingo in the day lounge.
The afternoon we took on an A to Z quiz of modes of transport. Brain exercises provide a simple way to improve your memory and problem-solving skills. There are several factors that make certain games ideal for older adults: Formats.
We were delighted to welcome Norma back in for an afternoon of dog sitting as she made herself at home with us. Lots of love and fuss made her very happy dog. We walked her in the garden and around the lounge before a hot drink and a slice of cake.
Saturday morning, we read our daily paper in the lounge, others played a giant floor car game. Racing around the board, we threw the dice before we could move. As everyone got to join in, the lounge was a buzz with excitement.
Our garden view lounge played a similar smaller version of the same game.
This led to a fun game of table top car races.
The afternoon we premiered the ELVIS Movie in the day lounge, everyone from across the home came together to watch it, we were so excited and loved every minute of the movie.
Our interval cart rolled around offering Elvis-shakes, cakes and treats.
Others spent time painting and playing board games across the home. Afterwards working together in our garden view lounge to clear down and set up the table ready for lunch, it was a great team effort.
Sunday service was streamed in the home while others opted for tea and cakes and a good social chat.
We boarded the Virtual Orient Express Experience Sunday afternoon. With the finest waiter service throughout the journey. We were greeted on arrival with welcome drinks, this was the perfect opportunity to share stories about trips on steam trains (courting bloomed into a very happy marriage for one lucky lady, who remembers many times travelling down south on a train to visit her future husband).
Following on, a short documentary was shown capturing a short history of the original train line before everyone enjoyed a fine afternoon tea with cakes and pastries from across the train’s original journeys. Pastries from France, Viennese cakes, and Turkish delights. All while a chugging of a steam engine whistled away in the background.
