Valentine’s is a big part of most people’s lives now, but for a lot of our residents it is a relatively new occasion, celebrated now with gifts and cards, the bottom-line being LOVE. We have spent the week celebrating love in many forms, love for a person, love for animals, food, friends, hobbies and interests.
Monday morning, we started our week with a fun game of floor darts, this is a great game, we love to play as it sparks some friendly competition.
Tuesday morning, and to kick start our Valentine’s Day, our cooking club gathered in the day lounge to make chocolate truffles. We broke up chocolates, heated cream before combining to form a chocolaty paste. These were rolled into balls and dusted in coco powder.
It was in 1861 that an inspired candy-maker named Richard Cadbury thought to sell chocolates for Valentine’s Day. He packaged them in heart-shaped boxes decorated with rosebuds and Cupids, which were already popular symbols of romance among the Victorians. Thus, a new Valentine’s Day tradition was born.
An incredible lunch at Hill House as we celebrated love and all things Valentine.
A special menu was created and the tables were decorated, big beams from ear to ear when everyone saw the beautifully decorated dining room.
That afternoon our very own Queen of Hearts rolled her Valentine’s cart around the home, handing out stunning Red Roses (even if they had been painted red) this brought big smiles and a few happy tears, the perfect gift to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Our floristry club met in the day lounge, this group of ladies pruned and trimmed these stunningly bright flowers into a giant heart shaped floral Oasis.
Attending our floristry club engages the senses, provides cognitive and sensory stimulation, improves motor skills, and instils a sense of independence and accomplishment.
Wednesday morning, Rev Tara visited to hold our monthly church service and communion. We enjoy her visits, it’s a time for reflection and prayer joined with singing hymns.
It is lovely getting the homes CofE residents together for these services.
Others opted for small group activities such as jigsaw puzzles, board games and visits from families and friends.
That afternoon we were delighted to welcome Hillbrow to join us for an afternoon of classical piano playing.
With toes tapping, fingers twinkling in the air to the beat of the music, it was a calming relaxing atmosphere.
Our new wooden puzzle boards have been keeping us entertained, we keep trying this one in particular and nobody has cracked it yet. We watch on as we all attempt it throughout the week and know it won’t be long until its solved.
Thursday morning, we spent time with the hairdresser, chatting with friends, flicking through magazines while under the dryer.
Our flower arranging group met in the Garden view lounges to arrange this week’s stunning floral displays.
Flower arranging is a great activity for seniors with dementia.
We have so many fun activities on offer, including the hairdresser, flower arranging, group quiz and morning newspaper social. Our sewing club gathered in the day lounge and we hand stitched mini-Valentines heart cushions in keeping with this week’s theme of love.
Sewing keeps your brain active and concentrated, which might even boost your memory! The act of constantly trying something different or learning new tricks, patterns, and methods opens many brain doors.
That afternoon, we took a fabulous bus trip to Ellisfield to see the Snowdrops in full bloom.
Art and crafts in the day lounge as we celebrated National Wine Day, we decorated cork drink mats with acrylic paints.
Painting classes enable our residents to make new friends and use their social skills in a very relaxed, no pressure atmosphere. Painting forces people to use both sides of their brain simultaneously, this helps creativity and increases cognitive function. Learning a new skill increases brain activity without struggle.
Friday morning, we rummaged through our wedding reminiscing photos/pictures, looking at famous marriages, we chatted about what we were up to at those times in our lives when Diana got married or marrying the same year as Elvis, this sparked so many happy memories.
That afternoon we played a game of dominoes before lunch. Others took on a spot the difference brain training challenge.
Saturday morning, we played mini games of connect four in the day lounge. Connect four requires players to remember the positions of the discs in the board and plan their moves accordingly. This helps to improve memory function as well as the feeling of having fun.
Sunday morning, we spent time sewing felt hearts in our garden view lounge. As well as exploring jewellery from our rummage dresser.
Others spent the morning watching religious services on TV across the home. We painted stunning nature scene’s, while chatting with friends.
That afternoon, we gathered to play Valentine themed bingo in the day lounge. The winner won a chocolate heart and there were mini hearts for everyone who played.
