Doorway bingo and TikTok make care home residents laugh in lockdown

Doorway bingo and TikTok are proving popular amongst the elderly and disabled, as care homes come up with new ways to make residents laugh in lockdown, research by carehome.co.uk shows.

The voice of a care worker announcing the bingo numbers can be heard through multiple care homes' speaker systems as bingo fans sit ready to play in the doorway of their bedrooms.

Care homes have told carehome.co.uk, the coronavirus social distancing game (also known as corridor bingo) is just one example of how they are responding to the challenge of entertaining residents who cannot have visitors or leave the building.

A total of 2,867 care home owners, managers and staff have shared their entertainment ideas in response to a survey by carehome.co.uk.

Car park violinist

The research reveals care homes are rewriting the entertainment rules to prove the show really does go on, with performers belting out tunes at the windows of care homes and musicians live-streaming shows via Skype.

“We had a violinist in the car park so residents could hear, see from their rooms”, one care home worker told carehome.co.uk.

Care homes say residents are also getting in on the act by performing in TikTok videos like those organised by Westhill Park Care home, to show off their own singing and dancing skills to much younger audiences.

Many staff have left their children and partners to move into care homes to keep residents safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Care workers have said they are determined to keep residents smiling.

A care worker responding to the survey said “Many of our staff are multi-faceted and have become jack of all trades. From singing, hairdressing, hand and nail grooming/massaging, bingo and games.”

Although used to playing to a much younger audience (as a singer in a local band) a handyman working for a care home decided to get out his guitar and sing to residents, when entertainers stopped coming.

'Keeps a bit of normality'

When a care home's hairdresser was unable to visit, it was left to activity staff at Barnes Lodge Care Home in Tonbridge to re-open the salon and offer hair washes and blow dries for residents.

Activities coordinators Kay Hawkins and Debbie Long took over the care home’s salon and invited residents in for “a pamper and pick me up” .

Nicky Pett, general manager of Barnes Lodge said: “Most of our residents are regulars with the hairdresser, so they’re all missing her a lot at the moment. Kay and Debbie’s salon has been a huge hit with everyone, and they’ve had plenty of visitors during their first week.

"It keeps a bit of normality and routine for the residents too, which is really important during these difficult and unprecedented times.”

Care home residents are keeping in contact with the public - exchanging letters and artwork with school children and clubs such as local drama groups.

A care home penpal scheme is keeping residents occupied, according to a poll respondent who said: “Our residents are currently writing to other care homes in the area”. Some care home residents have “internal telephone buddies” to give them someone to talk to regularly while they are in their rooms.

Animal visits may have stopped but virtual zoo sessions with webcams mean residents can still see exotic animals like llamas and snakes. Meanwhile, robopets in care homes are busy purring and wagging their tails to give residents a chance to stroke and hug a furry friend sitting on their lap.

Laughter therapy from comedies like Only Fools and Horses

Therapy with dementia residents continues as dementia dolls deliver comfort and old comedy shows such as ‘Only Fools and Horses’ are helping people reminisce while lifting their spirits.

Care homes are also lifting spirits in their in-house pubs which mean residents can relax with a pint of beer or glass of wine.

For people with dementia, Richard Dempslake, activities coordinator at Camelot House and Lodge in Somerset says: "It’s vital to keep boosting the morale of our residents".

He says many are "confused and worried by the need to observe restrictions on visitors or don’t understand why they can’t enjoy going on their usual local outings".

The activities co-ordinator is keen to offer “appropriate opportunities for physical exercise as well, with some great games and activities for all levels of mobility”.

Virtual classes such as chair-based yoga exercises and Joe Wicks fitness sessions are keeping residents minds and bodies active.

Care homes are also delivering exercises outside on care home grounds in small groups of three residents. Wii consoles are another way for residents to exercise and practice their favourite hobby, whether it be boules, darts or table tennis.

Virtual armchair holidays around the world are also possible with virtual reality headsets and tablets. The headsets track head movements, allowing the wearer to explore a 360-degree representation of an environment just by looking around.

Cycling trips in care homes involve exercise bikes being placed in front of screens to let residents explore the outside world while keeping fit.

Pizza nights in pyjamas

Carehome.co.uk has produced a word cloud highlighting the many different ways care homes are keeping residents entertained.

While one care homes is having a 'pizza night in pyjamas', others are hosting quizzes, movie nights as well as art therapy in which residents paint what they see around the care home.

With no family visits allowed inside the home, many care homes say they are working hard to minimise the impact for those residents who enjoy regular visits from family by making sure they can communicate with them via phone calls, Skype calls, social media and emails.

A trend for life-size games, courtesy of some creative thinking by staff, has seen residents play super-sized Kerplunk and Hungry Hippos at Fir Villa care home in Yeovil during lockdown.

But if all a resident really wants is a cup of tea and a chat, care workers in care homes up and down the country say they are determined to stick around, so that residents never feel alone.

click here for more details or to contact Barnes Lodge