HC-One care homes across the UK are celebrating International Cat Day on August 8 by highlighting the benefits and joy that their beloved cats who reside at HC-One care homes bring to residents and colleagues.
International Cat Day was first created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare to raise awareness for cats and to learn about the way to help and protect them.
Having a pet cat residing in a care home can offer many benefits to the elderly, including enhancing therapeutic care and providing companionship. Residents can also improve their wellbeing by engaging with their pet cats and they can help facilitate better social interaction.
Brookdale View Care Home in Newton Heath, Manchester, are celebrating International Cat Day by paying tribute to their much-loved special cat called Dillon who is a 16-year-old tabby cat that has been living in the home for several years.
Dillon enjoys interacting with residents, particularly those who give him attention as he brings much-needed support to the lives of residents and their loved ones every day.
Amanda Healey, Wellbeing Coordinator at Brookdale View Care Home, said:
“Our residents love Dillon, he sits on residents’ beds, and residents enjoy stroking him. Dillon loves the attention he gets from residents, colleagues, and visitors.
“When the weather is nice, he loves to sit outside in the garden enjoying the sunshine and rolling around.”
Diane Cannon, resident at Brookdale View Care Home, commented:
“Dillon makes me happy; he is great company and very lovable.”
At
Worsley Lodge Care Home in Worsley, Manchester, Felix, a black and white cat who has lived at the home for nearly six years, has been making residents smile. Felix moved into the home upon a resident’s request following losing their cat and requesting if Felix could come live at the home, much to the delight of residents.
Felix was a very shy cat to begin with but soon came out of his shell once he became familiar with his new surroundings and company. Felix loves sitting with residents and getting fussed over, he enjoys the attention and getting stroked.
He enjoys lounging in the garden area in the sunshine and watching people pass by. Residents love Felix and make sure he is well looked after and cared for.
Residents even have a photo of Felix in their rooms at the home. Colleagues working at Worsley Lodge also love Felix and state that he has made such a difference to the atmosphere of the home, as he is a lovely friendly cat who is much loved and looked after by all.
Resident Joan Brown at Worsley Lodge Care Home, commented:
“I love waking up in the morning to see little Felix’s face. It makes me so happy. I love him and he likes me making a fuss over him.”
At
St Peter’s Court Care Home in Redcar and Cleveland, colleagues and residents have been paying tribute to their double trouble pair of cats who are brother and sister who reside at the home called Rosie and Jim.
The pair of cats are named after the characters of the much-loved 1990s children’s TV show. Rosie and Jim who are aged two and a half years old have lived at St Peter’s Court since February 2022 and are much loved by residents and colleagues at the home, who enjoy their company and the entertainment they bring. Rosie and Jim enjoy visiting residents and lounging with them on their beds, particularly Jim who is the master of catnaps.
They also enjoy spending time in the communal areas with residents to join in with activities or being outside in the courtyard enjoying the sunshine with residents. Rosie also enjoys helping around the home and helps the home admin team with checking that the photocopier is working.
Beverley Kitching, Wellbeing Coordinator at St Peter’s Court Care Home, stated:
“Rosie and Jim offer so many benefits to the lives of residents and colleagues at St Peter’s Court. They provide residents and colleagues with wellbeing benefits including providing comfort, social interaction and reducing stress.
“They are much loved by everyone here at St Peter’s Court and are always up to mischief together.”