Residents and staff at Oakview Lodge Care Home in Welwyn Garden City enjoyed a seaside themed day to mark Dementia Action Week.
Organised by Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Action Week is a national event that sees people coming together to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
Residents at Oakview Lodge Care Home spent a morning reminiscing with staff about seaside holidays they had enjoyed with their families.
Using props and photos they remembered playing on the beach, donkey rides and walking along the pier. The afternoon was spent enjoying seaside games, music and a sing-along. The seaside themed afternoon tea featured seafood to sample, including squid, muscles and rollmops, authentic Mr Whippy ice creams and of course, plenty of tea and cake. Staff joined in the fun by holding a baking competition, there were plenty of impressive seaside-inspired cakes for the residents to judge. The winner was Home Administrator Kezi Charalambous with a jam sponge cake decorated to resemble a beach, complete with sea, sand and deckchairs.
“Our residents thoroughly enjoyed their seaside-themed day,” said Wellbeing Coordinator Rachel Davies. “Many of our residents are living with dementia so we see the impact that this can have on people and their families every day. Holding themed days where we can immerse ourselves in a particular topic is very beneficial for person-centred care and enables us to get to know people better. Our residents are very keen to go on a day trip to the seaside so we thought that this would be the next best thing. We heard all sorts of interesting stories and memories”.
During Dementia Action Week Alzheimer’s Society are encouraging communities, businesses and individuals to get involved to increase awareness of dementia by displaying posters, hosting dementia friends sessions and fundraising.
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