carehome.co.uk’s Care Home Idol tackles society’s negative stereotypes about older people

As part of 2013’s Care Home Idol, carehome.co.uk has had a closer look at the lives of some of its stars.

One of the most popular Care Home Idol videos was submitted by care home resident and carer duo Gladys Stephens and Bev Temple from Rose Lodge Care Home. The pair warmed hearts with their rendition of ‘Are you Lonesome Tonight’. Ninety-five-year-old Ms Stephens said “Filming the video was great fun, we are always singing and having fun here." The duo is second place in the competition with 251 votes.

During her time with them, Rose Lodge care home has taken steps to facilitate and encourage Ms Stephen’s love for singing which started from a young age. Born in 1921 she regularly sang at Sunday School as a child. Her music tastes vary dramatically from hymns and chapel music to Elvis Presley.

Karen Frew-McGill, home manager said: “We celebrate our residents’ lives so when new people come into the home we spend time getting to know them and what hobbies and interests are important to them and how we can help them pursue these interests.” Anchor’s Norton House in Westminster similarly takes a strong interest in the past lives of its residents so that their time in a care home feels like a continuation of that life. Norton House’s entry was by Anchor’s handyman Garry Redpath and resident Dennis Warrilow

Mr Redpath has regularly performed with 84-year-old Mr Warrilow for the last five years. Mr Warrilow, who is a former professional pianist said; “I’ve been playing the piano all my life – I’ve played for Norman Wisdom, for Roy Hudd, and on cruise ships. It’s a great feeling to think that at my age I’ve still got something to give. Care Home Idol is a great idea. It promotes the talents that people have, even though they may be advancing in years.”

Mr Redpath said: “Everyone who comes to a care home brings a life with them, and this really helps them share their experiences and interests. It’s a positive thing, and stops them thinking about aches and pains. Everyone’s got an individual talent, and Care Home Idol allows them to show it.”

Care Home Idol is not only about singing but about all aspects of entertainment in care homes; competition organisers at carehome.co.uk were delighted to see a poetic entry by Betty Cole from Valley Lodge Nursing Home in Derbyshire.

Ms Cole’s entry was a recital of her favourite poem; ‘An Autumn Poem’ which starts with the words; “Dear little squirrel sat under a tree, the leaves came falling down.”

Ms Cole first memory is of her mother reading the tongue twisting nursery rhyme to her; ‘Betty Bother’ so naturally her enjoyment of poetry and literature has grown throughout her life. Her first recited poem was at age five at school called; 'The Little Red Squirrel’, which may account for ‘An Autumn Poem’ with its squirrel reference being her favourite.

Rebecca Jones of Ashmere Care Group told carehome.co.uk that their activities co-coordinator Janet Ellison will be reading more poetry with Ms Cole over the coming year; she has asked Ms Cole if she would like to get some large print poetry books from the library. In response to this Ms Cole said: “I would like that very much and I look forward to sitting down and reading them with Janet.”

Care Home Idol videos give an insight into the lives of care home residents and staff alike and subsequently challenges negative stereotypes that surround care homes and older people. Davina Ludlow director of carehome.co.uk said: “We should never take for granted the lives of older people. As important members of our society they should be respected and valued. As care home residents they should be able to continue to enjoy hobbies and interests they have had throughout life and have the opportunity to try new things if they so wish.

“We are delighted to see care homes across the country encouraging and facilitating these interests, as showcased through our Care Home Idol initiative.”

The Winner of Care Home Idol will be announced in March 2014 to view all entries please click here…