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no.289 • £4.75 incorporating
November 2020
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Home adapts game to help its residents A BESPOKE care home has adapted an ice breaker game to help residents with dementia. Staff at Mansfield Care’s Belhaven House care home in Troon, South Ayrshire, have introduced ‘conversation balls’ to help encourage better social interaction and mental exercise with residents. Random questions are attached to each ball which are designed to spark a memory or share a fond experience with other members of the activity group. According to the development, 85 per cent of the residents are taking part in the activity which has seen a positive reaction from both engaged staff and residents. The activity can also be conducted as a one-to-one session with a dedicated and highly skilled member of staff. Manager Fiona Hunter said: “It can be a comfort to those who have dementia as it encourages them to reminisce and maybe focus on different things that day. “The activity also helps spark conversations with other residents who have similar thoughts and experiences and build relationships with others within the home. “In the past we would’ve had large groups maybe 10-12 at a time, however during these last few months it’s been one to one
with staff. Currently 85% of our residents are taking part in the sessions which shows what an impact it has had.” The activity is not only helpful to residents, but also to staff members who find it useful to learn about each resident and to develop long-term relationships. Fiona added: “We look to ensure the activities are led by the wishes of the residents. “Not only does the Conversation Balls develop cognitive behaviour, but it also helps our residents get some physical exercise. “The balls are thrown to each resident and they are encouraged to catch the balls, before standing up and throwing them to the next resident. “Other methods we use to help our residents are memory boxes and this also links with our use of music to help jog the memories of our residents. We find all of these activities are intertwined in making their experience at our home more comforting for them. “One of our residents Sadie said when she arrived at Belhaven House she didn’t know anyone, but the ball helped her start conversations and allowed her to be herself.” Belhaven House is one of 11 bespoke care homes run by Mansfield Care.
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Celebration postponed until 2021
A resident at an Eastbourne care home has been stunning fellow residents and staff with his talent for art with the production of more than 60 paintings. Artist John Martin, 81, moved to Sovereign Lodge in July and has recently rekindled his passion for art, having taken a break from the hobby due to the impacts of Parkinson’s Disease. Now, having found solace and relaxation in painting once again, he has created more than 60 canvas paintings since moving to the home, with the support of activities coordinator Tracy Wenham.
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PLANS to celebrate all the heroes who care for older and vulnerable people across North Yorkshire have been postponed. The Celebrate Social Care event will now hopefully be held in Autumn 2021 after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic prevented this year’s gathering. Organiser Mike Padgham said: “This week we should have been putting the finishing touches to preparations for this year’s event but instead we are planning for next year. “We are sad, but the amazing job social care workers are doing in the fight against Covid-19 has inspired us to create an even better event next year.” The first Celebrate Social Care was held in October last year and was a great success, attracting around 500 people from social care to Scarborough Spa for an inspiring evening. The organisers had hoped to repeat that success and had booked the Spa for another party. Mike added: “It is out of our control but we will make sure that next year’s will be a fantastic event, truly honouring those amazing people in social care who, alongside their colleagues in the NHS, have performed miracles helping the country to fight Covid19.” North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to be the principal supporter of next October’s event, which will again be held at Scarborough Spa.
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