Activities at Elm Bank Care Home

Bookshelves are bulging in the home where book worm residents were keen to get involved in World Book Day.

Staff and residents had a fun packed day, hosting a discussion about the residents’ favourite books, as well a quiz on famous books. Residents were delighted to have children from St Thomas More Catholic Primary School come and join them in reading their favourite books. The children were dressed in their pyjamas, the theme being bedtime stories which put smiles on everyone’s faces.

Tina the Activities Co-ordinator at the home commented: “Many of residents our residents love to read and to discuss their favourite books, so World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity for us all to spend the day with our noses in our favourite books.  We also had a great time testing our knowledge on famous books. All the residents were delighted to see the children in their wonderful costumes reading their favourite stories.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager at the home, said: “It has been a brilliant day and we have all enjoyed swapping our must-reads.  Our residents loved seeing the children in their pyjamas, and having the children read to them was simply amazing.”

We know that intergenerational activity is hugely beneficial to all involved as it encourages communication and social skills. Intergenerational contact also helps to develop language and reading confidence through shared activities, as well as increasing confidence and self-esteem. Lastly it helps children to develop empathy, care and kindness, helping them to understand and talk more positively about ageing and older people.

The staff and residents were flipping pancakes all afternoon in preparation for their annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day celebrations.

The home marked this year’s Pancake Day with pancake flipping and of course, enjoying delicious pancakes!, head chef at the home, flipped more than 100 pancakes, serving them up with sweet and savoury fillings for all the eager residents and staff.

Head Chef said: “My secret to the best pancakes is all in the whipping. Give it some elbow grease when mixing the batter and you’ll get perfect pancakes every time. I enjoy experimenting with the fillings – the residents’ favourites are the good old fashioned lemon and sugar!”

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator at Elm Bank care home, commented: “We absolutely love Pancake Day, it takes the residents back to their childhood when they used to have pancakes and they would wait in turn for ages hoping the batter would stretch to another.  We’ve had so much fun reminiscing and sharing favourite recipes for fillings with all the residents and the pancake flipping was tremendous fun for all.”

The Home here has been hosting the local community dementia café for several months. 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 14:00pm until 16:30pm, guests 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. Since 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 Manor House within the homes grounds, with the sun shining and amazing entertainment from Ollie Corbett – Jazz and Swing Singer. The dementia café was organised with the help of Yvonne Robinson Tingle, a local community figure.

General Manager Marvellous Bindura said: “We’re really pleased with how the café has touched people 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 staff and residents welcomed Jason from Falconry UK for an afternoon learning all about the magnificent birds of prey.

Jason from falconry UK provided a unique experience for all with his extensive range of Birds of Prey including…Vultures, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Owls. The residents were absolutely blown away with the afternoon, not only did Jason provide an interesting educational talk around all the birds, it was an extremely interactive session for all. The residents were captivated with all the facts and for many it was the first time being up close to a bird and having the chance to actually hold a bird was simply spectacular.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator commented: “It is very important for all our residents to experience meaningful activities and to be able to offer these experiences to our residents is vital allowing us to enrich their lives. Jason certainly had everyone engaged, we all learnt so much about the amazing birds, and he provided a fantastic hands on experience for all the residents to actually get up close and handle the magnificent birds. The residents wish to have Jason back in the summer time, which we will do so for an outdoor event in the homes beautiful enclosed grounds.”

This week we opened our doors to Kettering General Hospital to hold their Dementia Champion meeting, which was presented by Senior Dementia Specialist Nurse, Nadia Tobierre.

Nadia, who hosts the champion meetings on a regular basis which are attended by many hospital Multi-Disciplinary team members, including; the Palliative Care Team, KGH Library Services, Therapy Teams, Enhanced Care Team and the Safeguarding Team. Realising the benefits, the meeting brought to all, Nadia, wished to extend the meeting to other professionals, however lacked the space.

Home Services Advisor; Louise Ramage, met with Nadia and offered the space required realising that the meetings offered a great benefit to the wider organisations involved with dementia care. The meeting incentives are to improve dementia care, provide up to date information, news and have guest speakers. The intention is to hold these meetings on a regular basis at the home.

The meeting was attended by many members of the multi-disciplinary team from Kettering General Hospital and for the first time allowed for external professionals to attend, including; Home Instead, Dementia UK, Specsavers Mobile Audiology Services along with the Mobile Ophthalmologist Services, The British Red Cross and Direct Ceremonies along with the General Manager Marvellous Bindura and staff from Elm Bank Care Home. Kettering Mayor, Counsellor Craig Skinner was also invited to attend the meeting being held at Elm Bank Care Home for the first time, his support and presence at the meeting was greatly appreciated by all.

The meeting covered a variety of interesting topics including; ‘John’s Campaign’, which gives loved ones the right to stay and visit their family member who is living with dementia, anytime, day or night, to be with their loved one whilst receiving treatment at hospital.

A presentation covering The Mental Capacity Act 2005, looking at its primary purpose, legal framework for acting and making decisions on behalf of adults who lack capacity, to make particular decisions for themselves. Nadia also delivered a case study that looked at a lived life experience of hospital care.

Nadia Tobierre, Senior Dementia Specialist Nurse stated “It was refreshing to have a champion meeting where our staff could network, share learning and work towards improving dementia care. The team at Elm Bank made the experience even better, providing, exceptional hospitality and warmth.”

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 3rd April 2025, for anyone who is interested in attending please contact myself at louise.ramage@barchester.com.” 

It was a pleasure to host the first of many meetings for North Northants Dementia Friendly Community, who are making significant steps towards supporting those living with dementia.

The meeting brings together a diverse group of professionals dedicated to promoting, understanding and assisting individuals with dementia and their families. These regular meetings are held all over the North Northants area aimed to empower those living with dementia, to live a fulfilling and independent life by providing valuable resources and information to make informed choices.

Through the collective effort the North Northants Dementia Friendly Community aims to raise awareness in the local neighbourhood, businesses and fellow professionals. Working together, they are making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected with dementia, ensuring that services and environments are welcoming and accommodating for all