Residents living with dementia at HC-One’s
Victoria Manor in Whitley, Coventry, have taken a special day trip to Skegness.
A group of four residents at the care home - Mary MacGregor, Jean Jackson, Betty Garett and Norman East - had expressed their keen wish to visit the seaside after a number of years away, so Deputy Manager Alyisha Campbell and Well-being Coordinator Katie Becker sat down and planned a way to make it happen. A small amount of fundraising was undertaken to cover the costs, and a minibus hired to facilitate the trip.
During their away-day, residents were able to smell the unique fresh sea air, enjoy delicious fish and chips and ice cream by the sea front, play in the amusement arcades, and even relax with a pint of beer in the pub. The trip helped bring back residents’ memories of their childhood trips to the seaside and, later on, taking their own children.
The residents all said how much they enjoyed their day out; Betty Garett said, “I had a wonderful time, I couldn’t believe it was real”, while Jean Jackson said “It’s been a lovely day”.
The trip took place during World Alzheimer’s Month, and Home Manager Tina Booton discussed why experiences like this can be so important for people living with dementia:
“People with dementia may struggle to recall firm memories, but trips like this can help evoke feelings of happiness and be catalysts for conversations about lived experiences. In turn, people can feel less isolated and more connected to the world around them.
We were very pleased to be able to facilitate this activity as part of our commitment to people-centred care, especially World Alzheimer’s Month.”