MFC mementoes help residents with dementia reminisce
THE BORO Foundation has been sending out memorabilia boxes to care homes to help residents with dementia reminisce. The boxes containing old programmes, tickets and photos, among other items from past Middlesbrough FC games, have been the centre of activities run at the homes. Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road, in Thornaby, was one of those benefitting from the scheme. The home works closely with the Middlesbrough FC Foundation’s National Citizenship Service (NCS), offering teenage volunteers opportunities to work with elderly residents. Kelly Daley, the Foundation’s NCS lead, said: “The club has delivered a number of dementia tours at the Riverside Stadium and the feedback was overwhelming. “All participants really enjoyed it and it had a positive impact upon all of them. “As a result, we thought it would be an idea to take the tour to the care homes that we work alongside across a number of our projects.” Kelly and her colleague Claire Streeter delivered two memory boxes to Mandale House Care Home, alongside a cake for residents and staff. Two of the home’s residents and Boro fans, Billy James and Ted Leckenby, also received shirts from the 2017/18 season. Billy, one of Hill Care’s dementia sufferers said: “I love my Boro shirt.” Kelly added: “From my viewpoint, I think with the personal experience of Alzheimer’s within my family, I have witnessed the heart-breaking effects it can have on the families as well as the patients. “From them not remembering who you are through to not even being able to hold a conversation anymore. “The most heart-breaking thing for me is the fact that, in the early stages of the diagnosis, you witness them trying to find the words but can see in their eyes the struggle it’s proving to be. “I think the ideas behind the memory boxes allow families and patients to engage in a conversation that can be lost and it provides a little joy when patients do recognise memorabilia. So I think they’re a fantastic idea and something that we are happy to support.” Jacqueline Ball, administrator at Mandale House Care Home, said: “It was such a kind thing for the MFC Foundation to do. “The residents loved the memory boxes and Boro kit and those who aren’t really into football really enjoyed the cake. “Our partnership with the Foundation has been fantastic for both our residents and the young NCS volunteers and we look forward to our ongoing work together.” Mandale House Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Poppy gown created by care home in tribute to veterans
A POPPY gown has been created by a Sandiacre care home residents to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. The elaborate frock has been covered in handmade poppies of different sizes and is adorned with the phrase: “Lest we forget”. Residents at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, on Longmoor Lane, came up with the idea after informing care home staff they wanted to do something special for the centenary. Treetops Hospice charity shop, on Derby Road, loaned a manikin to the care home for the project. Residents then painted paper plates and cut them into poppy shapes before attaching them to the gown. The final design has been on show in the care home lounge in the week running up to Remembrance Day. Julie Mulvany, home manager at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, said: “The residents, staff and visitors have all loved seeing the dress and we’ve had some lovely comments. “Everyone enjoyed taking part in making it. The dress is our tribute to the service men and women who have given so much for our country.” Alongside related activities in the home, residents were taken to the Stapleford Remembrance Day service to pay their respects. One resident in particular, Ray Winfield, enjoyed chatting with police officers on duty and calling into the pub on the way back to the home. Longmoor Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Care home’s remembrance ceremony for former resident Jill
Loving husband Peter Stapleton donated a bench to a Chesterfield care home in memory of his wife. Jill Stapleton lived at Barnfield Care Home, on Heath Road, Holmewood, for over four years, until February 2018. A remembrance ceremony was held at the home with Peter, Jill’s friends, fellow residents, family members and care home staff. After donating the bench, Peter said: “I wanted the home to have something to remember her by.” Those at the ceremony were invited to write messages to loved ones lost, which were attached to balloons and let off in the home’s garden. Joanne Clark, home manager at Barnfield Care Home, said: “Jill was loved by everyone at Barnfield Care Home. “We held a beautiful remembrance ceremony in the garden with her husband, Peter, whose kind donation is very gratefully received.” Barnfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Baby yoga classes held at Teesside care home
BABIES and elderly care home residents are taking part in yoga sessions together at a Stockton-on-Tees care home. The Kalma Baby sessions are held at Ingleby Care Home, Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, with residents and visitors with young children all invited to participate. Staff, residents’ families and members of the community with babies and toddlers have all been taking part. Bringing the two generations together provides benefits for both groups, explained Jessica Jolly, who runs the sessions. Jessica, who works as a mental health nurse, said: “The session at Ingleby Care Home went down really well. “I was so impressed at how the residents reacted to it and there are so many benefits for the babies and parents.” Resident Moira Hall, 78, said: “I really enjoy the children coming in. Especially at this age, as it takes me back to when my son, Grant, was that small.” Resident Margaret Salmon, 92, added: “I didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to go to baby yoga but as soon as I saw all the little babies my heart melted. I absolutely loved it.” Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Jessica contacted us as she was looking for a space to run the Kalma Baby sessions and thought our residents would be interested in taking part. “We regularly have nursery groups and school children visit the residents and they always light up when they see the young ones. It brings so much energy and enthusiasm into the home. “So we jumped at the chance to host the baby yoga sessions and the first was a huge success. Everyone is really looking forward to the next one.” The next Kalma Baby session takes place at 11am, Thursday, 6th December, at Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Jessica Jolly on 07453171709 or email jessica@stockton.kalmababy.co.uk. Kalma Baby provides yoga classes primarily across the North East for parents and children aged from six weeks to 18 years. The sessions help with babies’ digestive system, promotes body awareness and confidence, helps build muscle strength, promotes healthier, deeper sleeping patterns, improves coordination and motor skills, and promotes bonding between parent and infant, according to the Kalma Baby website.
WW1 centenary marked with 100 poppies at care home
100 POPPIES were created by Barnsley care home residents to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. Marion Batty, Joan White and Annie Oakley, all living at Deangate Care Home, on Towngate, Mapplewell, created the memorial. They made poppy wreaths and a canvas of finger-painted poppies surrounding a silhouette of a First World War soldier and the words “We Remember”. Nicola Smith, activities coordinator at Deangate Care Home, said: “As it has been 100 years since the First World War ended, we thought it would be nice to make a memorial. “The activity was to remember all the people who fought for us and to talk about what the war meant to our residents. “We made 100 poppies and these have been placed all around the home.” Deangate Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Teesside care homes hold Halloween celebrations
A FRIGHTFUL autumn fayre was held at a Teesside care home to mark Halloween. Ghouls and ghosts walked the corridors of The Beeches Care Home, in Stockton-on-Tees, as staff dressed for the occasion. Bats and pumpkin decorations hung from the walls and ceiling and a wide range of Halloween activities were available for residents and visitors. Apple bobbing, a tombola, tin can alley, slime pit, raffle and a stall selling themed cakes all helped raise over £660. The money will go into the residents’ fund to pay for Christmas activities and a pantomime for residents. Helen Wood, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, said: “The staff did an amazing job with their costumes and the decorations for our Halloween autumn fair. “I’d like to say thank you to all those who came along and donated to the residents’ fund. We raised an amazing amount, which will all go towards Christmas events and activities for the residents.” Fellow Teesside care homes, Briarwood Care Home, in Eston, Middlesbrough, and Mandale House Care Home, in Thornaby, also held Halloween events. Staff and residents at both homes, all part of the Hill Care Group, dressed as a range of scary characters for young family members who visited the home to trick or treat. The Beeches, Briarwood and Mandale House care homes are all part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Mamma Mia 2 has elderly dancing in cinema aisles
A CINEMA turned into a dance hall for elderly care home residents during a dementia friendly screening of hit musical Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Residents from Waverley Lodge Care Home, in Lemington, leapt out of their seats during one of the film’s climactic hits to strut their stuff in the aisles. The screening specifically for those with dementia was the first of its kind at the Metrocentre, in Gateshead. Michelle Park, activities coordinator at Waverley Lodge Care Home, said: “Our residents were dancing in the aisles to Dancing Queen – they absolutely loved it. “They sang Abba songs on the bus all the way home, entertaining the other passengers, and then continued to sing for their fellow residents while having their supper – so I’d say it was a massive success. “Everything at the cinema was so well organised so everyone felt relaxed and able to express themselves. It was a delight to see so many happy faces.” The special screening included a 15-minute break, no adverts and reduced sound levels. Resident Pat Vasey, said: “What a fantastic trip out, I really enjoyed Mamma Mia 2.” Waverley Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
