Activities at Orchard House Care Home

During this unprecedented heat wave, we have been taking extra measures to keep our residents cool.

Doors and windows throughout the home are open, which does provide some breezes through, and curtains are kept closed. They have cool bedding – sheets rather than duvets (unless they choose to have the duvet). We are ensuring that all the jugs in their rooms are filled with ice water and keep replenishing when emptied, and offering plenty of juice and squash. We are making sure that those that need assistance to drink are being offered fluids more often.  Their meals are lighter and include yoghurts, ice cream, arctic roll (a firm favourite), and fresh fruit. They are offered fresh fruit throughout the day. They have been having ice lollies to help keep their hydration levels up. They have been enjoying choc ices. On National Ice Cream Day residents enjoyed delicious ice creams. Our Memory Lane residents are very lucky and have air conditioning in their communal areas. If the residents choose to sit in the garden we are ensuring they have hats and plenty of sun cream, and we have provided lots of umbrellas for shade for them. We are also looking after our staff. They have regular breaks, many of which are taken outside in the shade. The Home is providing juices and squashes for them. They are also enjoying the icy treats. Staff are also wearing cool t shirts and tops and cropped trousers instead of the usual uniform to help keep them cool, as they work extremely hard.

Orchard House on the Isle of Wight, passed a recent Care Quality Commission inspection with an overall “Good” rating after being praised for a responsive, safe, effective, caring and well-led service.

The CQC inspected the home and rated the home, run by Barchester Healthcare, as “Good” overall.  The inspectors could not find any areas within the home that caused them any concerns. They said that staff and residents had lovely relationships. The Management Team are so proud of everyone at the home, as they have all contributed to such a great result.

We are very lucky to have our local Vicar, Stephen Sutcliffe, visit us every month and hold a Communion for our residents. Stephen is so cheerful and positive, and his message is always one of peace and hope and love. The residents love his visits, and as word gets around the home, more and more residents are joining in.

He makes the sermons fun, and adores hearing our residents sing with joy in their hearts. It is certainly a high point every month.

Residents at Orchard House care home really got into the swing of things and celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style. They watched the Trooping of the Colour whilst creating some lovely red, white and blue floral arrangements for our party tables.  The flowers looked stunning and each arrangement housed a union flag, residents were very pleased with their results. They went on to create lovely photo collage boards depicting each decade the Queen has been on the throne. They loved sharing memories that the photo’s evoked, such as the colour of the Queen’s dress in the black and white photos. They joined together to watch the Service of Thanksgiving and sang along to the national anthem. In the afternoon they sat outside in the garden and created some beautiful ribbon wreaths. The celebrations culminated in a Jubilee Party for residents and their families. They were entertained by David Plummer, who played the saxophone brilliantly. The residents enjoyed singing along to the tunes and ended by singing the national Anthem. This was followed by a delicious Afternoon Tea made by our Head Chef, Claire Daffern.  Residents had shared memories about what was on their party tables for the Silver Jubilee, and Claire had incorporated these.

Back in January residents were asked for a special wish for something they would like to do during the year. These wishes were written down on golden stars and displayed for all to see.  As the year is going on, these wishes are being granted, much to the delight of the residents. Some residents had requested particular places that they would like to go, such as a farm or the beach, with a Mr Whippy of course.  A trip to the beach with a Mr Whippy went down very well with Sheila, and Ann loved visiting a farm. Others chose an experience that they would like, such as stroking a parrot or a donkey. We welcomed Isle of Wight Parrot rescue into our home for Lillian to meet and stroke the parrots. John was taken to the Donkey Sanctuary where he stroked a donkey.

Then there were the residents that wanted to share some special time with their loved ones and go on a “date”.  A private dining experience at lunch time was organised, compete with roses and heart confetti. Both Malcolm and John really appreciated this special time, and so did their loved ones as they have requested to do this again!

Residents of Orchard House care home have been extremely happy to be enjoying the sunshine on their recent trips to the Donkey Sanctuary.  As the sun shone down residents interacted with the donkeys by talking to them, stroking them and watching them.

For some it brought back memories of when they lived on a farm and they gained pleasure from telling us all about it. For others it reminded them of when they had their own donkeys when they were younger. However, for all of them, it was time spent outside in the fresh air, with a lovely change of scenery and, of course, eating an ice cream!  They all agreed it was a lovely time out.