Activities at Elm Bank Care Home

Residents at Elm Bank care home in Kettering are embracing the great outdoors, while the weather is nice trips to ‘The Green Patch Community Garden’ based in Kettering are a must.

The day started with a lovely look around the fabulous 2.5 acre site, a meditation and yoga session along with Tai Chi were underway, with people of all abilities joining in.  The residents picked fresh blackberries and were thrilled to be a part of the community garden session, the sunflowers were out in full bloom and were a huge hit with the residents. The poly tunnels were bursting with home grown produce that got the residents talking and fully engaged in learning about the different varieties of vegetables. A walk around the Harmony Garden was delightful with the beautiful sights, sounds and smells of nature, it certainly touched all senses. The chickens reminded residents of times past and so to be up close and spend quality time with the chickens was very important for all.

Resident Pat said, “I love being outside in the fresh air, seeing everyone out, the chickens, the sunflowers, it is so nice to get out and stay active, keeps the mind going, I just love it.”

Celebrations have been in full swing at Elm bank as one of our residents reaches her centenary in style.

Heather was joined by residents and staff, as she ventured out on a trip to West Lodge Rural Centre in Desborough. The trip had been organised as Heather herself grew up on a farm, with her love for animals it was a fitting day out.  Heather certainly had a fun packed day and was still full of energy at the end of the day with reading her telegram from the King in recognition of her landmark birthday. Heather also enjoyed a special chocolate birthday cake made by the home’s talented chefs, as chocolate is Heathers favourite.

We have been hosting the local community dementia café for 3 months in our beautiful home gardens. The numbers attending the amazing café have increased, with guests being treated to complimentary tea, coffee, sandwiches and delicious cakes.

Taking place every fourth Tuesday of the month, starting at 14:30pm until 16:30pm, guests will have a chance to meet other carers supporting others living with dementia. Free to all, the dementia café at the home provides small respite and social support for all that are touched by dementia. In its third month of being hosted at Elm Bank, the café has gained many more attendees and it has simply gone from strength to strength in numbers attending.

During the monthly get together at the Dementia Cafe, guests will enjoy live entertainment and refreshments, and also have a chance to meet the team at the home, to discuss any questions they might have about care that is available. This month’s Dementia Café was held in the lavish home gardens, with the sun shining and amazing entertainment from Emily and Nick from mini concerts. The dementia café was organised with the help of Yvonne Robinson Tingle, a local community figure.

Residents are embracing ‘National Allotment Week’, which called for a trip to ‘The Green Patch Community Garden’ based in Kettering.

Founded by the National Allotment Society in 2002, National Allotment Week is a way of raising awareness about allotments and the role they play in helping people to live healthier lifestyles, grow their own food, develop friendships and bolster communities. The day started with a lovely look around the fabulous 2.5 acre site, a meditation and yoga session along with Tai Chi were underway, with people of all abilities joining in.  The residents were thrilled to be a part of the community garden session, tending to the garden and the animals. The poly tunnels were bursting with home grown produce that got the residents talking and fully engaged in learning about the different varieties of vegetables. A walk around the Harmony Garden was a hit with the beautiful sights, sounds and smells of nature, it certainly touched all senses. The morning ended with a delicious home cooked lunch, provided by the volunteers that certainly tantalised the taste buds.

Fiona said, “I love being here, seeing everyone out, it is just so peaceful, the space and the animals, the smells, you know it is just lovely. Everybody is so nice, the chickens, well I used to have chickens back in the day, just lovely.”

Elm Bank care home, in Kettering have invited members of the local community to join their monthly dementia café.

Taking place every fourth Tuesday of the month, starting at 14:30pm until 16:30pm, guests will have a chance to meet other carers supporting others living with dementia. Free to all, the dementia café at the home provides small respite and social support for all that are touched by dementia.

During the monthly get together at the Dementia Cafe, guests will enjoy live entertainment and refreshments, and also have a chance to meet the team at the home, to discuss any questions they might have about care that is available. This month’s Dementia Café was held in the lavish home gardens, with the sun shining and amazing entertainment from Neil Richardson. The dementia café was organised with the help of Yvonne Robinson Tingle, a local community figure.

General Manager Marvellous Bindura said: “We’re really looking forward to making more friends in our local community. The condition itself can be quite lonely and frightening, and the more support we can provide to each other, the better. If anyone is unable to make it on the day of the monthly café, but would like to pop in for a tour and a cup of tea, our doors are always open to all, and we will welcome you in anytime.”

The residents at Elm Bank got themselves ready and geared up for an afternoon of keeping fit with ‘Tom G Fitness’.

We all understand the importance of life enriching activities that help keep our mind and our bodies active. All of the residents at Elm Bank care home enjoy the wonderful outdoor garden space the home has to offer, and it is simply a joy to be outside in the beautiful surroundings of the home. The sun was out, the birds were singing and the garden parasols were up, and the residents were ready for an afternoon of keep fit. Tom is a fantastic instructor that comes to Elm Bank care home every fortnight, ensuring that the residents are keeping fit and active with specially adapted exercises.

Betty, a resident at Elm Bank said, “We all enjoy being outside in the warm sun in our beautiful gardens, I enjoy keeping fit, it is important”.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “It is lovely to see our residents enjoying activities that enrich their lives. The sun has been out and the birds singing, it was just nice to be out in the fresh air surrounded with the smell of beautiful flowers that the residents had planted up earlier. The exercise that Tom provides to our residents every time he comes to the home is crucial to ensure we are help maintain the fitness of all, with exercises that are adapted to suit varying abilities. The residents enjoy the fortnightly visits and they also enjoy Tom, he is a very polite man who understands our residents very well".