Care home residents tell the world to keep smiling

"Smile a lot", phone a friend when you feel down and "support each other" - that’s the message from care home residents who are keen to give advice on how to keep calm in a crisis.

The coronavirus may be threatening the lives of people outside as well as inside care homes but many of the over 65s have some choice words of advice for the public.

Nancy is among the residents at Bosworth Court care home in Nuneaton, who has lived through a war and she’s game when it comes to sharing with the outside world her advice.

'If you're feeling down give a friend a ring'

Nancy’s generation know how to get through tough times with rationing and the loss of loved ones during the second world war and in response to panic-buying at the start of the lockdown, she wanted everyone to know they should "Support each other and share what you’ve got!"

With members of the public struggling to cope with life in lockdown, resident Pam holds up a sign with the words: "Try and keep healthy, exercise, work together and share everything!"

Jean says: "If you’re feeling down, give a friend a ring on the phone".

Iris says "Take a deep breath and pull yourself together!"

Fellow resident Alan keeps it simple with his motivational message with the words “Just get on with things”.

Residents at Ladydale Residential and Dementia care home have posted their own words of encouragement on TikTok alongside the well-known song ‘When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)‘ playing.

'Behave yourself'

Sophie Willis Dixon, care home manager at Ladydale Residential and Dementia care home said: "There's so much negative stuff about care homes at the moment.

"We know care homes are having a tough time. We wanted to post something on social media to give everyone a lift and spread some positivity and happiness."

Irene Moran, aged 95, advises people not to drink too much while in lockdown with the words "Look after your lungs and liver".

Velma Swiercz, aged 92, simply tells everyone "Behave yourself".

In a separate video, people living at Royal Hampton - Ponteland care home in Newcastle Upon Tyne, can be seen holding up the words while the same classic song plays in the background.

Midway through the Royal Hampton video, a woman holds a sign saying "Stay home. Stay safe. Keep washing your hands."

A spokesman for Crown Care UK, which runs Royal Hampton care home, said: "Our amazing residents at Royal Hampton Ponteland have made this short video encouraging everyone to keep smiling, stay home and stay safe.

"We have amazing residents & staff who are trying to bring a bit of happiness and send an important message during this time of doom and gloom."

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