A local care home has been running a series of activities to raise awareness of dementia during Dementia Action Week.
HC-One’s Dovedale Court, located just outside Wednesbury, provides residential dementia care alongside nursing care.
They were visited on Monday, 20th May, by pupils from Holyhead Primary School. The children enjoyed an arts and craft afternoon with the care home residents where they designed and created tissue-paper forget-me-not flowers – the symbol of dementia care and awareness. They also decorated home-baked biscuits with icing in the shape of the forget-me-not flower, which were all enjoyed at snack time.
Pupils and residents went on to discuss what the forget-me-not flower represents in relation to dementia awareness, helping encourage a better understanding of the condition in young people.
Dovedale Court resident Vera Ellis, who took part in the activity, said:
“I think it’s lovely when the children visit us each week, I really look forward to it. They bring so much life into our home!”
Later in the week, the care home held a dementia-awareness coffee morning with help from the kitchen team who baked delicious forget-me-not cupcakes for residents and visitors. Residents with dementia were encouraged to take part in reminiscing activities, which can help evoke memories, stimulate mental activity and improve well-being.
And finally, one of the residents, Val Bunce, knitted forget-me-not brooches that are being sold in the care home’s reception area for £1. The money being raised is going towards supporting dementia charities and providing dementia resources for residents in the home.
Laura Squires, Wellbeing Coordinator at Dovedale Court care home, said:
“It has been a lovely week at Dovedale Court, enjoyed by all.
We particularly enjoyed welcoming pupils from Holyhead Primary School and helping educate the younger generation about dementia and why it’s important to promote dementia awareness.”
Dawn Allen, Home Manager at Dovedale Court, said:
“Dementia Action Week is a really great opportunity to raise awareness of dementia, and we’re pleased to have been able to engage with Holyhead Primary School to help their pupils understand dementia better.”