Activities at Magnolia Court Care Home

Some of our residents at Magnolia Court Care Home recently enjoyed stepping out of their comfort zone by taking part in language classes.

Merci beaucoup (thank you!) to 'Speak Like a Native' for a great French lesson when we began with learning the basics (individual words), before going onto learn and speak sentences in French!

Learning a new language has an excellent range of benefits and research has found improvements amongst older adults re. increased levels of attention, verbal fluency and memory, regardless of IQ and often to a greater degree, than with younger learners.

Language learning can also have a positive impact relatively quickly and research has also identified a marked difference in concentration levels after just one week of intensive learning.

Resident Judi said "It's amazing how it all comes back to you. I used to speak French fluently, but lost it when I stopped travelling to France. It brings back so many memories for me and its a great sense of achievement when you learn something new".

Our residents also embraced their creative side during the session by moulding items with playdoh which is incredible for improving general dexterity.

With a whole host of benefits and having fun along the way, we all agreed and said "oui, oui" to having more language classes, regularly at Magnolia Court.

Celebrations were in full swing at Magnolia Court Care Home in Golders Green at the weekend, as one of its residents reached his centenary, milestone birthday in true style.

The Home Management team collaborated with resident Stuart Black’s wife Crystal, to organise a birthday party fit for Royalty and gave a warm welcome to Stuart’s relatives who travelled from as far away as Israel, who joined together with Stuart’s friends, relatives, staff and his fellow residents to celebrate this momentous occasion, when he also received a telegram from King Charles and Queen Camilla in recognition of his landmark birthday. A champagne reception was held at the home in Stuart’s honour and his guests enjoyed a special birthday cake by family, live musical entertainment and refreshments provided by the home’s chef Valentina.

Stuart Black was born in Liverpool. He celebrated with a family party in the gardens of Magnolia Court Nursing Home, with Crystal his wife of 44 years. Family members travelling from many parts of the country and Israel. The King and Queen's card took pride of place amongst the many cards and presents that arrived. It was definitely a day to remember for one and all.

The birthday boy said, ”I am not quite sure how I feel about reaching 100 years old, it is a very advanced age and I am thankful”. Among those relatives attending were Crystal his devoted wife, nieces and nephews, and Richard a long-time friend who played host for the afternoon to lots of guests. Speaking about Stuart, Crystal said it is wonderful to be with him on this very special day to say just how proud he makes us feel.”

Lenie Terrado, General Manager of Barchester Magnolia Court Care Home added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable man as he reaches this amazing milestone. Stuart is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as he breaks into his next century.”

This month, our long-serving (25 years!) Kitchen Assistant who has won some very worthy recognition.

Susan Okolie is key to the smooth running of our kitchen department at Magnolia Court and we are so grateful for the constant hard work and enthusiasm for her job. She work really effectively, day to day, but we have all noticed that she is an integral part to ensuring a high standard of care for Residents, Staff and everyone visiting Magnolia Court.

Susan expressed his gratitude and appreciation on being the Employee of the month, and wants to continue to take on greater responsibilities, above the call of duty.

Well done Susan!

Today, in recognition of 'International Chef's Day' which is observed worldwide, on the 20th October every year - Lenie, General Manager presented Head Chef, Asica with a beautiful flower arrangement to say a BIG "thank you" on behalf of residents, relatives and colleagues.

Magnolia Court residents, relatives and staff were enthralled and entertained, when 'Memory Singing Club' (a registered, local charity) who entertain in the community, and especially at residential homes, day care centres as well as charity events came along to perform for us last week after a period of absence. The performance included well-known songs that our residents sang along to and especially enjoyed the varied repertoire which had everyone singing along, clapping their hands and tapping their feet.

Thank you Valerie and the 'Memory Lane Singing Club' for a wonderfully uplifting afternoon of interactive, musical, entertainment and we all look forward to seeing you again soon!

When Dr Bentley made his weekly visit to check on the health and wellbeing of our Residents, he was invited to join in the celebrations for 'Sukkot' delivered by the Rabbi Yossi who told us all traditional Sukkot story and why we celebrate it. Sukkot is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei.

It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which those Israelites who could were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. In addition to its harvest roots, the holiday also holds spiritual importance with regard to its abandonment of materialism to focus on nationhood, spirituality, and hospitality, this principle underlying the construction of a temporary, almost nomadic, structure of a sukkah.

Everyone was invited by Rabbi Yossi to shake the Lulav - a closed frond of the date palm tree and Etrog - yellow citron or Citrus fruit.

We said "Tod Araba" - which means "thank you" in Jewish culture to our friend Rabbi Yossi and "Sukkot Sameach" to our Jewish friends, residents and their families.