A busy care home at Christmas boosts festive reminiscence and combats feelings of loneliness

Christmas is the time of year where people spend time together and many festive traditions are fondly carried out, whether that is decorating a tree or the wrapping and delivering of presents.

However it can also be a time where older people reflect on past Christmases and experience feelings of loneliness when thinking about those no longer alive to be part of celebrations.

It is a care home’s challenge to ensure residents have time to reflect and think about the past as well as create a Christmas atmosphere to involve residents in activities providing happiness and Christmas cheer.

From installing a real Christmas tree every year to welcoming in a pony to visit each resident, care homes have been sharing how they make the most of the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas and create opportunities for residents to reminisce while spending time with family members and staff.

“Christmas brings a mixture of emotions for the older generation.

“It is important to fill the season with festive cheer to lift the mood of those who are feeling down and bring a sense of togetherness into the home, Christmas can seem a very lonely time for some,” explains Latasha Jarrett, administrative assistant and in house trainer at South Downs Care.

“A lot of thought and preparation goes into Christmas and everyone likes to get involved. You can feel the atmosphere changing as soon as the decorations start to go up. The tree is always a big talking point, memories of childhood and children fill the room as everyone shares their family traditions. There is always that special person who likes to put the star or angel on the tree.”

Every year Downs House and Stroud House hold a Christmas party and organise an evening of carol singing with staff and neighbours on Christmas Eve around the tree. Residents, staff and visitors enjoy mulled wine and a warm mince pie together while listening and joining in with the music. The care home finishes the night with some Christmas readings.

Ms Jarrett continues: “Everyone is welcome; it’s a satisfying feeling singing White Christmas with your family and maybe winning a special Christmas bear from the raffle for a great grandchild.”

Residents are encouraged to spend time writing Christmas cards to family and friends and many make decorations to transform the care home. In between pantomime trips residents have visits from the Salvation Army and children from a local nursery.

Mr Cheddar the Pony comes into the home and spends time with every resident. For those who are bed bound Mr Cheddar can use the lift to go directly into bedrooms and provide pet therapy to those who might not be able to enjoy other parts of the celebrations.

Traditional

The power of reminiscence has been found to be particularly noticeable around this time of year by staff at in Tonbridge, Kent. The smell of a fresh Christmas tree sparks memories in residents who might recall time from their childhood and/or days spent with their own children creating Christmas scenes at home.

Nicole Cook, marketing and communications officer for care group , said: “At Woodgate, decorating the tree is a big event within the home. They always have a real tree as the manager has found the smell triggers memories for the residents of the home.

“This year, residents at in Sevenoaks are being visited by a production company who will put on a show called ‘Silver Bells’, they are also having a clothes party which will enable residents to freshen up their wardrobes and shop for gifts.”

While activities and events leading up to Christmas Day vary every year, celebrating the day itself remains a traditional affair. The day is organised to match a normal family Christmas and is full of food, presents, films and even sherry. Residents can invite their own families into the home for food and are encouraged to spend the day sharing stories and memories together.

Festive atmosphere

Christmas is a busy time in Hartford Care Group Ltd homes and residents are active and take part in the variety of events. As much as creating a festive spirit, marketing manager for Hartford Care, Suzi Morgan, knows having things to look forward to distracts residents from feelings of loneliness which can affect their outlook on Christmas.

She said: “We try as far as possible to make Hartford Care homes a real home-from-home environment where residents are supported to continue to live their lives as they would have done in their former homes “Christmas can feel like a lonely time for residents who have lost loved ones (even those living in residential care). It’s a great time for reminiscing about favourite Christmas times in years gone by and it’s also important to keep busy to try to combat any feelings of loneliness.

“Some will receive extra visits from family who perhaps live further away and make an extra visit at Christmas, or more distant relatives who decide to pop in with a card or gift, while others may receive less visitors if family carers who live locally go away for the festive season.”

Traditions are embraced during Christmas and residents are given the opportunity to help chefs bake mince pies and many residents have already created unique presents to give away to family and friends.

Besides the busy atmosphere in the build up to the big day, residents spend time welcoming family members into the home and a special Christmas can be achieved with the care home setting despite initial reservations by older residents.

Talking about the home’s many visitors, Ms Morgan said: “Many of them will attend the Christmas parties, some will stay for lunch on Christmas Day and/or Boxing Day. Staff around the homes really get into the festive spirit and enjoy making Christmas special for the residents in are.

“All homes have a Christmas party, there is plenty of live entertainment, arts and crafts (making cards and decorations), etc., are also planned and residents will help to decorate each home and they will be assisted (as required) to make their own preparations e.g. writing and posting and cards, wrapping gifts, etc.

“All residents receive a Christmas gift from Hartford Care on Christmas Day.

“There will be no shortage of Santa hats, treats and Christmas music in addition to all of the activities that are planned.”