We have spent time visiting some of our residents that aren’t very mobile with our Magic Table 360 from Social-Ability, giving them the opportunity to explore the games that support a broad range of cognitive capabilities and enhancing /improving relaxation, sociability, well-being and agitation. We are able to display these images and games on tables, floors, beds, walls and ceilings allowing us to create a suitable space and environment for all residents to enjoy and participate. Some of the games available support residents with movement, motor skills, cognitive and social stimulation, competition, mindfulness, calming and reminiscing. 

We recently had a visit from Jess from ZooLab and it was a brilliant afternoon shared by many residents in the home and we can’t thank her enough for the amazing information she shared and then bringing the animals around everyone. Some residents were brave enough to hold or at least touch some of them. We met a Giant African Land Snail, a Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, an Australian Green Tree Frog, a Royal Python and a couple of Rats. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed seeing and learning about these animal friends and we would recommend organising a visit but we look forward to them returning. 

Over the Easter period, residents, family, friends and colleagues enjoyed our new arrival of chicks with the help from Incredible Eggs. We shared pictures and videos of their new adventure into the world and tamed them with physical interaction and getting them to eat and drink over the course of a week. Residents and staff enjoyed some pet therapy with the chicks and it was lovely to see so many people pop past their cage during their visits to our home, especially over the busy Easter weekend. 

The 13th April is the day that Alfred Mosher Butts was born, the inventor of Scrabble. The game that is played across the world full of strategy by using double letters, double words or more importantly triple words to create the highest score! Our residents enjoyed a Scrabble Competition where each team played for 15 minutes then changed over to continue building their individual scores. It was lovely to get so many involved and we ended with scores ranging between 179 to 77. Some residents got a real mix of letters so it was brilliant to see them creating words and scoring points, no matter how small. We have decided this type of game play will be nice to do regularly but with 30 minute time slots to give residents a little more time to warm into the game. 

We decided to raise some awareness about Brain Tumours and the research done by Brain Tumour Research. We talked about how brain tumours can affect any person at any age especially those under the age of 40, including children. It is a devastating disease which affects the whole family including friends and there is a lack of funds for brain tumour research. It is really important to be aware of the symptoms but these can also be related to other conditions. We also discovered that some residents family/friends have suffered with this disease. We incorporated some history and learning about different types of hats through the decades which was interesting especially the facts behind some styles and helping to reminisce about the days when hats were worn more often when out and about. Our residents ask everyone to remain focused, aware and in the beautiful sunshine remember to wear your hats! 

We really hope everyone enjoyed their celebrations for St Patrick’s Day. Residents got creative making Irish paper chains, rainbow paper plates with a pot of gold and the masterpiece where many residents contributed to the collaborative mindfulness shamrock which is on display in the home. We even travelled to Ireland in our Travel Club, learning about and exploring Ireland and/or reminiscing for those that have been lucky to visit before. Some really beautiful landscapes and places to see. There’s even been some St Patrick’s Day themed bingo to finish off the celebrations and residents will be enjoying some Guinness.