Christmas fun for dementia home residents

Residents of a specialist dementia care home in St Budeaux, Plymouth, are keeping fully occupied with a sleigh-full of activities in the run-up to Christmas.

December got off to a great start at Butterfly Lodge with a bauble workshop and competition, producing a supply of new decorations to go on the Christmas tree, plus a wreath-making workshop which provided lots of eye-catching decorations for doors and walls.

Residents enjoyed assisting staff with the putting up of decorations and dressing the tree, and have also been busily engaged with a Christmas card workshop, followed by sessions of card-writing and visits to the postbox.

Care home manager, Clare Sinclair, said: “Our focus is on helping people with dementia live their best lives, and Christmas tends to spark happy memories for our residents.

“They love getting involved in the kind of creative activities they did when they were children and often reinforced with their own children when they were young, and sometimes with their grandchildren too.

“And the traditional elements of Christmas, all the customs and traditions they’ve known over the years, are dear to them so we aim to recreate that familiar magic afresh every year.

“Mind you, there’s room for newer traditions too, such as Elf Day – a nationwide annual fundraiser for people affected by dementia and their families – and dressing up for Christmas Jumper Day.

“And music is always a wonderful way to unlock memories for people with dementia, so carols and Christmas karaoke sessions are well received every year without fail.

“The dementia-friendly carol service at St Paul’s Church in Stonehouse on Wednesday (8 December) was very special.

“We also find there’s always a great reception for a good Christmas movie, a visiting Christmas panto – and of course, a visit from Santa himself.

“We are exercising great caution in the current health climate, but it’s a good time to hunker down and enjoy the cosy atmosphere in the home and the festive treats our amazing catering team produce, and we’re loving working with our residents to give them a really good time over the festive season.”

Butterfly Lodge is run by award-winning specialist dementia care providers, Camelot Care, who also run homes in Bridgwater and Wellington in Somerset. See www.camelotcare.co.uk .

Photo caption: Butterfly Lodge team members Tina Dinham (left) and Paul Hutt with resident Elaine Henry (centre).