Care home creates traditional pub for residents to enjoy

Bupa care home, Craigbank in Glasgow has devised a way for residents living with dementia to spend time reminiscing and socialising in a traditional pub environment.

Though the pub is not licensed to serve alcohol, residents can visit The Doncaster and participate in social activities including darts and table football. The pub features beer mats and pint glasses for residents to use and enjoy with drinks, donated by residents and their family members.

Manager of Craigbank care home, Alan Twigg, said: “The Doncaster is delivering a creative form of therapy for residents with dementia. By providing a mock pub, we have created a comfortable and familiar social setting for our residents which really helps to makes them feel more at ease within their surroundings.”

Mr Twigg added: “While it is open to all residents, we have found it has a particular appeal to male residents, allowing them to reconnect with their traditional notion of ‘going for a pint with your pals.’ The pub has been a complete success with the residents and has become so popular we now use it for events, celebrations and birthdays. We want our residents to have the best care possible and that means developing new ideas to improve their quality of life.”

The Doncaster has also benefitted from a beer garden which allows residents to enjoy their drinks outside and socialise in a safe and secure environment similar to that found in their local community.

Dementia can leave people living with the condition feeling isolated and confused, The Doncaster provides a familiar setting for residents to spend time with loved ones as research has suggested that reminiscing happy memories has a positive effect.

Clinical services manager at Craigbank care home, Pauline Hunter, said: “This concept undoubtedly, in my view, improves the living experience for residents in the unit by providing cognitive stimulation which inevitably improves the mood and general well-being of the residents.

“Families can also benefit from spending time in an enjoyable setting which enhances the visit to their relative or friend – helping to create a friendly, relaxing atmosphere for all parties. The facility can also improve co-ordination – even if this just involves a resident raising a pint glass.

“We are already seeing male residents responding positively to the pub environment, and have even noticed the social situation has meant they are opening up more to each other which is a positive thing to see.”

Bupa Care Services in Scotland provide care for more than 2,400 residents across almost 30 homes using a recognised ‘Person First, Dementia Second’ approach to care.