This week Hill House has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland with residents at the heart of the festive celebrations. They handcrafted stunning tree decorations as well as fluffing and arranging over 13 Christmas trees across the home. The week was full of reminiscing activities from vintage toys and classic Christmas Carols.
Monday, we worked together to decorate the home and get fully emersed in the Christmas spirit. We fluffed tree branches, unstrung lights, and hung decorations and lights on over all the Christmas trees. With mince pies, cups of tea and carols playing, it was lovely seeing everyone join in the fun.
Traditions can be an important part of any family holiday season. They remind us of our childhood or help us make new, positive memories with those we love. The benefits of traditions and the happiness they bring are vital to the emotional health and mental wellbeing of our residents. Monday was brimming with stories about traditions and Christmas activities. The whole home was filled with merriment and joyful stories.
Tuesday morning, we played skittles in gardenview lounge with ladies competing to knock down the most skittles.
In our day lounge, as the decorating for Christmas continued, Allan played Christmas carols on the Piano while our helper elves wrapped boxes for a stunning parcel archway planned to surround the front entrance. We told the activities team that the front of the home needed something other than a tree and we came up with a plan and got busy.
Sadly, the arch didn’t make it all the way over this year but we had so much watching the staff try really hard to implement our vision and that alone was worth it.
A very special lady celebrated her birthday surrounded by loved ones.
That afternoon we had saved the best tree until last, with just fairy lights to hung it was time for us to make stunning handmade decorations as part of our arts and crafts activities.
Creative activities have been shown to have a positive effect on both physical and mental health. Research has found that creative expression gives seniors a sense of purpose, maintains their coordination and concentration, and improves their mental health.
Wednesday morning, we welcomed our PAT dog Tinkerbell into the lounge as she continues to show us how well she is doing in her training. We always reward her with lots of love and fuss. We also took the morning to listen to Christmas Jazz and completed Scottish themed brain training activities from word searches to crosswords in honour of St Andrews Day.
We had a looked through a book of Surrey. It was the perfect morning reminiscing about the county we love.
Our gardenview lounges engaged in a morning of sensory activities, we solved problem puzzles and used and re arranged our rummage dresser.
That afternoon we made traditional Scottish shortbread in the day lounge. Baking allows us to expel our stress, calm our minds, and improve our overall mood. Making and baking, be it cakes or biscuits is a fantastic activity, we love.
Thursday, Christmas arts and crafts saw us colour and paint images of Christmas. Therapeutic colouring is important for seniors to strengthen motor skills as much as possible and colouring is a great way to do so.
One to one activity provides a boost to our individuality and confidence. Our busy boards are full of fun engaging activities we can complete independently.
The home was bursting with beautiful flowers on Thursday afternoon, our floristry club gathered to arrange this week’s stunning flowers into vases.
We were overjoyed with our Traditional Christmas Toy reminiscing morning on Friday. We came together to look at vintage tin toys that brought back such fond memories of Christmas day as a child.
Innovative 1940s children’s toys include the Slinky, the Magic 8 Ball, Circus Sam the Balancing Man, Silly Putty, and Shoot the Moon. The 1940s decade brought beloved games for all ages as well as, Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Scrabble, Rummikub and Clue, to name a few.
We welcomed Singer Jimmy back to Hill House as we celebrated national Elf Day with great music and friendly dancing elves.
Saturday morning, across the home we prepared for Christmas making more decorations for the home and paperchains.
Sunday morning and as part of several community engagement events being organised at Hill House, we were delighted to welcome the lovely Gracie and Preston in for a fun filled morning of toys and games. The children made themselves very much at home and confidently played and chatted bringing so much joy and happiness. We cannot wait to welcome Gracie and Preston back for another play date, hopefully they will bring more friends with them.
