Activities at Meadowbeck Care Home

Who doesn’t love a little chocolate!  Residents enjoyed National Chocolate Cake day by taking part in decorating cupcakes. It was a lovely afternoon as they shared special childhood memories of cakes their Mother’s made and of baking days with their grandchildren.  We even had a little fun naming all our favourite chocolate treats from Rowntree’s and Terry’s.

Residents enjoyed a Chinese evening meal as they celebrated the Chinese New Year and bringing in the Year of the Ox. The evening was a success as they tried a variety of mouth-watering dishes especially prepared by the homes Chef.  It was a very social evening as they enjoyed dishes which they had not tried before, accompanied by a glass of their favourite tipple!

Residents at Meadowbeck enjoyed Valentine’s Day visits with loved ones in our visiting suite as well as video calls with each other leaving a little treat bag for them to take away with them .  For one happy couple, Edith and Raymond who have been happily married for 69 years say how their love for one another is still as strong after all these years. They tell us the secret to a happy marriage is about give and take, compromising and listening to one another

The Meadowbeck Care Home in York has recently brought a bit of magic to residents by providing a new ‘Magic Table 360 and the Happiness Programme’ as a way to improve residents’ quality of life.

Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Magic Table 360 uses interactive games to connect residents with staff and with each other, and research shows it improves the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Using interactive light projections, the Magic Table 360, which can be played independently or in a group, stimulates movement by inviting participants to take part in all sorts of different fun activities such as popping bubbles, playing the piano, colouring in pictures, sweeping leaves or interacting playfully with fish. Games are rich in colour, movement and detail, and allow people of all ages to play in a safe and comfortable environment.

The Magic Table 360 is portable so it can be used wherever residents feel most comfortable, it can be projected onto the floor, ceiling, walls, a whiteboard or even the bed. The Happiness Programme allows for a range of games that change seasonally and have country-specific versions covering 14 different categories, so there will always be something new for residents to try.

Congratulations to Hilary Atkinson, a RGN here at Meadowbeck who has received a prestigious 20 Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 20 years. Hilary Atkinson, now Unit Manager, started at Barchester in February 2001 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.

Rebekka Richardson, General Manager said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 20 years of loyal service with Hilary. He has demonstrated his dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Meadowbeck Care Home when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Hilary"

Residents and team members helped celebrate Vera’s 96th years young and ensuring the birthday girl was made special for the day. Vera said “she had a lovely day feeling special with lots of beautiful presents , cards and beautiful flower arrangements”.  The highlight of the celebrations was a visit from her grand-daughter in the homes designated visitor suite which completed her day.  Celebrations continued with a little afternoon tea in the homes dining room where everyone wished Vera a very happy birthday before enjoying a slice of delicious homemade birthday cake.