Pontefract care home takes residents on a trip down memory lane

Millfields care home devoted five days to promoting dignity and respect through war-time themed reminiscence sessions.

Different reminiscence sessions were held throughout the week including war time songs, food and sharing experiences of war time life.

Activities Coordinator, Victoria Jenkins, said: “I have enjoyed planning a week with the residents to make it as nice as we can for them in the current situation.

“We are all really proud of how they have handled the pandemic and the strength they have shown."

The homes’ elected dignity and respect champions assisted the rest of the staff and residents in coordinating the activities.

Laura Jones, care home manager, and Victoria held some role play sessions with staff around living with dementia, based on research from Bradford University, which offers psychosocial research into living and caring well for people with dementia and their families.

On the last day, there was a sing along of war time songs in the morning, the 1940's theme lunch and then a World War Two themed staff vs residents quiz in the afternoon.

Laura said: “We did these reminiscence sessions last year and it was a huge success.

“All the residents all had a level of involvement in planning, including the food and designing menus.

“For me I would just like you to say that we strive for the service to be as resident-led as possible, theme days bring so much joy to the residents, we enjoy doing them as a team and are passionate about reminiscence for people who are living with dementia.

“I am very proud of both the staff and residents at Millfields.

Also, that all events through the week have been risk assessed with measures in place in line with the current Covid-19 guidance.”