Care home resident celebrates 'growing old disgracefully' at annual awards

The National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) has been recognising the variety of activities organised within care homes for residents throughout the country.

The positive impact activities have on the quality of life for older people in care homes was recognised in a number of award categories, ranging from the ‘Best Activity Coordinator Award’ to the ‘Best use of Outdoor Space Award’ for care homes.

As well as rewarding care home staff keen to organise activities, a number of residents received awards for their pursuit of fun and adventurous activities.

Janet Owens, an 83 year old resident from Carebase care home Bramley Court has been named as a winner of the ‘Grow Old Disgracefully Award,’ winning £250 towards future activities for her care home.

Sylvie Silver, director of NAPA said: “We were inspired to set up this Award by a generous donation from a lady who belongs to the Growing Old Disgracefully network. We knew there were residents out there who would fit the bill and we had great fun reading all the entries. The first prize was shared by Ms Owens and her wonderful commitment to carry on swimming and a lady living with dementia who wanted a tattoo! In both cases the care homes went to great lengths to help these ladies Grow Old Disgracefully.”

Ms Owens, who regularly swims in her local swimming pool, recently enjoyed a trip to the seaside which was arranged so she could swim in the sea and enjoy reliving her youth.

She said: “It is fantastic to be awarded first prize at this year’s awards and is a testament to just some of the activities arranged for us. If bravely swimming outdoors in the English sea and reliving my youth on a bouncy castle is me growing old disgracefully then long may it continue.”

Other awards included the ‘Best use of IT Award’ and the ‘Hair and Care Award’. An award ceremony will be taking place on 17 September as part of NAPA’s annual gala.