Activities at Lochduhar Care Home

Residents of Lochduhar recently enjoyed a morning of games.  Mary and Sally joined together to play a game of dominoes despite Mary saying “she couldn’t remember how to play, but would try!”  As the game started Mary soon remembered and both ladies said how much they had enjoyed it before sitting back to relax with a cup of tea and a slice of delicious home-made cake.

Lochduhar brought 2020 to a close with a special visit from local piper, Jack who entertained the residents from a socially distanced spot at the front of the home, the good old Scottish tunes saw residents raise their hands, tapping their feet as they enjoyed the music from a distance especially as Hogmanay celebrations and traditions are very different for all this year.  The entertainment brought neighbours to their doorsteps to enjoy too.  On behalf of everyone at Lochduhar we wish you a happy and safe 2021.

Residents and staff members at Lochduhar have celebrated the festive period by donating a food hamper to a local charity.

During the pandemic the home have been overwhelmed with community support and wished to give something back as it is a time for families and communities to get together and bring food to the less fortunate and many of whom may have been impacted during this time.

Gillian Ward, General Manager said: “Staff, residents have all donated very generously to the festive hamper and it really is heart-warming to see how much people care about helping others who are less fortunate. Thank you to everyone who contributed."

Residents of Lochduhar were delighted to receive bundles of Christmas cards and decorations made and sent into the home from their community friends,  Laurieknowe School, Northwest Primary School and Holywood Primary School.

Our residents have enjoyed opening the cards and reading the messages from the children and prior to lockdown at the start of the pandemic regularly enjoyed intergenerational visits and are looking forward to the time when they can welcome their friends back for a visit.  The residents enjoyed putting the decorations on the trees throughout the home.

Residents are overjoyed at Lochduhar care home in Dumfries, as Barchester Healthcare has implemented a visiting suite for residents to continue to spend time with their loved ones for the autumn and winter seasons in addition to the outdoor visiting that has been on offer for those able for many months.

Balancing resident wellbeing and safety is at the forefront of Barchester Healthcare’s thinking and they understand how important it is for residents and their family and friends to be able to spend time together in the safest way possible. The home invited Robert Beeton of Queensberry Tractor Parts, Lochmaben to cut the ribbon and officially open the visiting suite as he had kindly provided his marquee tent for several months to facilitate our outdoor visiting. 

There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment by Barchester Healthcare, who run Lochduhar care home. It was welcome news for their residents and family and friends as we enter the colder season meaning catch-ups can continue to take place, instead of, or in addition to, outdoor visiting already offered for those able.

As residents countdown to Christmas there is lots of creative festivities this month from decorating the trees, wreath making and lots of baubles and glitter!

A popular activity has been making star wreaths from wire coat hangers and Yolandes, holy and Christmas lights.  As we showed our creative sides everyone shared what Christmas meant to them over a cup of tea and a delicious mince pie.