STAYING ACTIVE AND INVOLVED

Understanding that activity helps sustain physical and mental health is a key aspect of care. At the Willows we do our best to ensure that residents spend time doing things that are meaningful and enjoyable to them. We have found pre-planned social activities very rarely tend to happen, due to many factors such as residents not willing to take part or staff being too busy at that moment. For some people, it sounds a little too regimented. So, we try to be flexible in supporting our residents’ interests and hobbies and spontaneous in offering activities. To that end we employ a full-time Lifestyle and Wellbeing co-ordinator.

Our co-ordinator spends all her time with the residents, and plans activities daily and sometimes on the spot, focussing on trying to suit individual interests and preferences.

Activities are carried on in all the communal areas. The large orangery and the Bistro are dual hubs of the home. Painting, flower arranging, and baking have proved very popular amongst our residents, and most like to participate. Families are invited to join in. They can make use of our Bistro Day room and help themselves to refreshments. Our sample Activities Planner is situated in the reception area of the home. Social activities for older people do not have to be complicated, just simple and enjoyable.