Music therapy and reflexology on display as care home throws open doors

A Coventry dementia care home is throwing its doors open to the public this Friday (30 October) to showcase the benefits of its music therapy and reflexology services.

Social care professionals and members of the public are coming to Charnwood House on Beake Avenue, which recently upgraded its capacity from 57 private en suite rooms to 60.

Charnwood House is part of MHA, the national charity providing accommodation, care and support to 16,000 older people nationwide. Music therapy and reflexology are funded by charitable income and provided free of charge to residents.

Home Manager Dawn Hancox said, “Music therapy gives people with dementia a way to communicate and express themselves, even if they can’t speak, and our in-house reflexologist makes sure all residents get quiet, relaxing one-to-one time. We really see how much calmer and more relaxed residents are when they have been having these alternative therapies.”

Research carried out by MHA within some of its dementia care homes indicates that music therapy has demonstrable wellbeing benefits for people with dementia. There is also growing belief that it can reduce dependence on medication.

Charnwood House also has a specialised chair that enables all residents to receive reflexology, even if they have mobility issues.

Guests at the open day will be able to see how music therapy and reflexology work. There will also be an opportunity to meet the home’s Chaplain, Heather Norman, who is available to provide spiritual support to residents, relatives and staff if they wish it, whether through a faith or otherwise.

As well as 60 private en suite bedrooms, Charnwood House also has an on-site hair salon and landscaped gardens. A new dining room and communal lounge have recently been added to one of its wings.

Charnwood House was the first care home to be accredited under the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust’s React to Red campaign, to prevent pressure ulcers.

Dawn added, “It’s all about the person at Charnwood House. We take time to get to know each resident, their likes and dislikes, and tailor all our care to what each individual will find the most beneficial. Music therapy and reflexology are part of that.

“We also like to make celebratory cakes in our kitchen for special occasions, and we have a number of rooms available for when families want to come in and celebrate birthdays!”

Charnwood House’s Open Day will run from 1.30 to 3.30 and is an open house event where people are welcome to drop in. Refreshments will be available.

For more information about residency or volunteering opportunities at Charnwood House, please call 02476 601404 or email home.COV@mha.org.uk. To find out more about how music therapy helps people, visit www.mha.org.uk.

click here for more details or to contact Charnwood House