Wellbeing


This has been seen at Sunrise of Eastbourne, where a resident called David was touched by the tenderness and compassion of the community’s team members and wanted to do his bit to contribute. David regularly meets with the family and friends of those looking to move into the home, and in a similar way to Beryl, conveys his unique resident perspective of life in the community. He also helps residents to settle in once they have arrived and frequently visits the reminiscence neighbourhood of the community, which is a dedicated environment for residents with dementia. Here he can draw on his previous research work on the condition. David talks to prospective residents about the opportunities on offer at the home, given the active role he has had since joining the community. As former managing director of a newspaper group, David writes regular articles for the home’s Scoop newsletter, which generates a great deal of discussion after each new issue is published. He often contributes up to four out of the 12 pages included and his active involvement is a great example of a resident being given the opportunity to develop existing talents in a care community setting. As well as entertaining the home’s team members and residents with his


engaging written pieces, David also gains great fulfilment from the role himself. In a video about his ambassadorial work, David explains how, in his view, human life is about much more than wealth and goods, with true satisfaction coming through helping others and developing one’s skills and talents. David has certainly showcased this way of life, providing immense benefits to the community as a whole and enhancing his own wellbeing and happiness. David’s contribution is reflective of a wider ethos at Sunrise care communities, which emphasises continual interaction between residents, resident family members and team members, and the important role of all three in creating an enjoyable living and working environment. This can be seen through various other initiatives and activities that promote resident involvement. From 11am until 12pm every day, the community opens its post office store, which is run by residents Diana, May and Mary, and provides a range of food and drink items, toiletries, make up and postcards that residents can send to their loved ones via a replica post box. Running the shop gives Diana, May and Mary something to look forward to and provides a sense of purpose and responsibility. The role also helps to keep their minds active and enhances their memory and numerical skills, while they have even mastered the use of the old fashioned electronic till. In addition to running the post office store, Diana, May and Mary have also set up a fundraising initiative baking dog biscuits, which are sold in local vets and dog grooming parlours to raise money for a local animal welfare charity. This is another example of ambassadorial roles within a care environment inspiring residents to reach out to the wider community.


Sunrise of Eastbourne resident, David 30


Sunrise of Eastbourne also enjoys the contribution made by ‘The Ladies of Reminiscence’, who produce flower arrangements for communal spaces, such as the dining room and reception and talk to residents so that they can provide flowers for their personal rooms. The group showcases the way in which care community activities can build on existing talents and provides a space for residents to learn new skills and take up new hobbies. It also generates healthy discussion between residents about the type of flower arrangements that are desired throughout the community. A big part of encouraging active resident involvement within care communities is enabling them to take control and lead the way on projects.


Eastbourne shop


Sunrise of Eastbourne’s ‘Reminiscence Ramblers’ group, for example, is run by resident Pat, who decides which route the group will take around the community’s gardens each week. While the group is formed of a certain number of committed residents, Pat also has a key role in organising a memory walk in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society, which brings the whole Sunrise community together and sees widespread participation.


Honouring residents At Sunrise of Southbourne, the community’s team members have been quick to recognise the importance of residents’ contributions. A resident called Liz has been taking a lead role in the creation of a celebratory 10th anniversary quilt, which incorporates squares produced by all residents, reflecting their past and current


A big part of encouraging active resident


involvement within care communities is enabling them to take control and lead the way on projects


www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • January 2018


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48