Residents at Hill House had an absolutely amazing week as they fully embraced the vibrant Hindu festival of Holi. Holi, celebrated in various South Asian countries including India and Nepal, it is a significant event for Hindus known as the festival of colour. The residents had a blast participating in art classes where they explored their creativity with various vivid paints. They enthusiastically engaged in the traditional Holi colour fight, immersing themselves in a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
The week kicked off with a lively marble painting session in our garden view lounges, where residents tried their hand at this enjoyable craft throughout the day, discovering the beautiful colour combinations created as the balls rolled across the paper.
In another part of the house, we kicked off our morning with a round of Holi bingo, featuring symbolic images associated with the Hindu festival. As we played, we discovered the significance behind each item.
After the rain ceased in the afternoon, we took the opportunity to venture into the garden, relishing the fresh air and indulging in delightful conversations.
The watercolour painting group met in the sunny lounge, where we painted vibrant artworks inspired by the Holi festival.
Tuesday morning, the exquisite “Chef it up” event unfolded in the elegant garden view lounge. This unique and tailored cooking experience, designed specifically for individuals with dementia, aims to reignite their passion for culinary arts.
We were invited to select a delectable menu, skilfully prepare the ingredients, and create a truly sensational feast. With utmost care, the table was set, creating an inviting ambiance that enticed our cherished friends to savour a homemade Chicken Tikka masala.
On Tuesday morning, we had an amazing game of Scrabble where we all gathered to play on our oversized whiteboard.
Hillbrow truly came alive this afternoon as the residents from Hill House, Farnham Mill, and Hillbrow gathered for an extraordinary choir session. Voices harmonized beautifully, singing captivating tunes that stirred up positivity and pure bliss within the group.
Our weekly group physio sessions have become a huge hit, and we’re facing a space crunch due to the overwhelming attendance. It’s truly delightful to witness the enthusiasm and enjoyment as friends come together to exercise and have a great time.
We headed off in the sunshine to Squires Garden Centre Wednesday morning. After enjoying coffee and cake in the cafe, we went for a wander around the garden centre, marvelling at the array of beautiful colours in the plant section then heading to the pet’s department to watch the fish and see if we could spot the lizards and tortoises hiding in their terrarium tanks.
Rev. Tara was warmly greeted as she entered the house for a special Easter-themed church service and sing-along on Wednesday morning. It was a joyous occasion filled with music and worship.
Wednesday afternoon brought us a truly magical experience during our weekly music therapy session in the garden view lounges.
Music therapy has been shown to improve thinking, feeling, perception, mood and behaviour.
The party at Hill House on Wednesday afternoon brought everyone together for a lively celebration filled with singing and dancing to the amazing live music.
Our flower arranging club every Thursday, led by the talented Louise. This enchanting gathering allows us to come together with friends and create stunning floral arrangements that will leave you amazed. Uncovering the beauty of different flowers, we swap stories about tending to our garden plants.
The drying process of our flowers was something we recently checked on, and it’s truly remarkable how the bright colours continue to be visible. It’s amazing to see the flowers maintain their vibrancy throughout the drying process.
We embarked on a virtual journey Thursday afternoon as we explored a vibrant Holi festival in India and Nepal through our interactive armchair flight. Engaged with informative videos, participated in a fun Holi-themed Quiz, and enjoyed the festival experience with our dedicated staff.
In a true celebration of Holi, we concluded our armchair journey by joyfully splashing vivid paint. This lively tradition holds a significant purpose as the vibrant colours represent the essence of equality. Holi, also referred to as the ‘festival of colours’, pays homage to the lively shades of spring, where the vibrant powders and colour-infused waters not only symbolize flames but also carry a profound message behind the act of smearing each other with pigmented ‘abir’ powder and ‘gulal’ paste.
On Friday morning, Tinkerbelle, our cherished companion, graced us with her presence. Her serene demeanour and laid-back nature brought immense happiness to all of us. As we nestled into our armchairs, she effortlessly ensured our comfort, occasionally dozing off for extended periods of time.
In our garden view lounge, we had a blast playing Holi bingo. The morning was all about matching pictures to our game board, and we couldn’t help but celebrate our victories with tasty prizes.
We kicked off Friday fabulously as we merged our Holi Festival marble painting session with a touch of Easter, transforming our vibrant marble artworks into beautiful Easter cards.
We explored unique methods to manoeuvre the marbles through the paint, showcasing our creativity. Despite limitations in our arm movements, we utilized our feet to craft beautiful painted designs.
What an extraordinary birthday tea party it was at Hill House today! The room was adorned with vibrant balloons, creating a festive atmosphere. The table was elegantly set with delicate bone china tea cups, adding a touch of sophistication. This delightful lady joyfully celebrated her special day alongside her loving daughters, indulging in scrumptious cake and sipping on fragrant tea.
We were the venue for yet another incredible lady’s birthday celebration. Surrounded by her loved ones, she indulged in a luxurious tea party, making it a truly memorable day.
We spent a lively afternoon at Hill House, playing a range of board games like Dominoes and Scrabble. It was a fun-filled time filled with friendly competition and laughter.
On Saturday morning, we kicked off the day by tackling a massive crossword puzzle in the lounge, collaborating to unravel the tricky clues.
A diverse array of person-cantered activities made the afternoon truly special. From vibrant Holi colouring sessions to leisurely walks in the garden, and heartfelt one-to-one chats filled with nostalgic reminiscing, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Some chose to spend their afternoon viewing the Women’s 6 Nations rugby on the big screen.
The Sunday dementia church service started with a lively group singing cherished hymns, then continued with a sentimental trip down memory lane with popular songs from past decades.
Hill House was the setting for a delightful celebration on Sunday, as a birthday tea party was thrown for a beloved lady, who cherished every moment spent with her loved ones.
Nestled amidst our vibrant Easter decorations, the setting provided an idyllic backdrop for an enchanting lunch for this couple. Serene and tranquil, it created the perfect ambiance for delightful conversations to flow effortlessly.
