New Developments
Newsletter September 2010
Welcome to the Rodwell Farm newsletter keeping you fully up to date with news and events.
Activity Update
Our annual Garden Party held in July proved to be a great success. We had bunting and flags galore in the garden with a Punch and Judy show and a unicyclist showing off his skills. In keeping with the VE theme we had bunkers, tables laid out in street party style, a vintage car, pork pies and spam and of course jelly and ice-cream. Many thanks to all of those who attended and particularly those who made an extra effort and wore fancy dress!
Our French Bistro Evening was very well attended in August, although due to the weather we had to move inside. The French style menu included deep fried camembert, coq au vin and lyonnaise potatoes, with a delicious tarte tatin for dessert. The evenings entertainment was provided by an accordionist playing french style café music.
The biggest event in August by far was the celebration of Ken’s 60th Birthday. The home was adorned with banners of birthday wishes on the big day. A wonderful birthday tea was provided by the family including Ken’s favourite dishes accompanied by glasses of champagne. A singing Elvis entertained us with a medley of songs whilst a magician delighted the residents with close up magic ticks.
An absolute must for your diary is our forthcoming Firework Party on 5th November. Details of our annual Christmas party will be posted on the notice board within the next few weeks.
Life History Books
We have now completed a number of Life History Books which document main events and achievements throughout a resident’s life. Hazel has been working with families and friends to collate an album of photographs and mementoes for each resident, which can be used during interactions throughout each day to help revive and stimulate lifelong memories.
The Life History Books prompt memory recall and provide an opportunity to opens discussions between the residents and carers. The residents participate in putting together the albums with Hazel and this helps to promote a sense of achievement. The books are an ongoing aid and can be updated regularly with the help of family and friends. If you are interested in starting a Life History Book for your relative please contact Hazel.
Profiling Glenys Stark – Activities Co ordinator
Glenys joined the team at Rodwell in 1999 and was the first full time Activities Co-ordinator to be appointed at the home. Glenys had previously worked with the elderly as a day care assistant and was looking for a more challenging role when the position at Rodwell was advertised. As the role at Rodwell was new Glenys was able to structure her working day in accordance with the needs of the residents and try out various activities and events to see what was most beneficial to the residents at that particular time. “My aim has always been to create a friendly atmosphere where residents feel comfortable and create a home from home environment.” said Glenys.
Over the years Glenys flexibility within the role has enabled her to adapt and evolve the social activities at the home to suit individual residents. Treating residents as individuals is important to Glenys and wherever possible she will arrange specific activities such as swimming or massage therapy.
Glenys is always keen to try new ways of providing stimulation for the residents and Rodwell currently runs a full and varied programme of activities. A number of successful activities include a massage therapist who visits the home once a week providing hand massages and a reflexologist who comes in once a month for some of the residents. The art classes run by a qualified teacher who specialises in water colours has proved to be very popular. The pictures can be made into Christmas Cards or framed as gifts and give a sense of pride and focus to those who participate. The standard of artwork has reached such heights that a number of pictures have been entered into local competitions.
“Each day is different and I thrive on the spontaneity that my role allows, if we have an event planned one day and the sun suddenly starts to shine and our residents decide that a BBQ would be a better idea, than that’s what we do. My role is to be guided by what the residents want to do and not stick to a rigid timetable of events.”