Care home life's a beach as seaside arrives in heatwave to keep residents cool

Octopuses, sandcastles and a few seagulls arrived at a Dorset care home to recreate a seaside experience for residents who cannot always go to a beach nearby.

While there are regular summer trips from Brook View care home, situated north of Bournemouth, to local coastal spots, staff decided to bring the sand, water and ice-cream to residents.

During the heatwave, staff delivered the seaside to the care home by transforming its lounge into a beachscape, complete with sand, cooling rockpools, ice creams and a candy floss machine.

The summer has so far seen record-breaking temperatures and a heatwave affecting the UK over the last week has led to an official drought being declared in parts of England on Friday 12 August.

Care homes across the country have been looking at creative ways to keep their residents cool during a summer of heatwaves. Instead of swimming in the sea like many beachgoers during hot weather, residents made balloons in the shape of sea creatures including octopuses and took part in competitions involving rockpool fishing and building sandcastles.

Resident Daphne ‘I really enjoyed the day, especially making sandcastles’

Sarah Moule, the care home’s companionship team leader, said: “We thought it would be a great idea to host a beach-themed day here at the home as not everyone can always get out to the seaside.

“Also, we did it in response to a request from one of the regulars on our minibus trips, Daphne Simpson.

“When we go to the coast, Daphne always wants to get her feet wet. It’s the same with the New Forest, she will want to find a pool to go paddling in.

“Seaside holidays tend to give us some of our happiest memories - and the same goes for our residents including Daphne.”

Resident Daphne Simpson said: “I really enjoyed the day, especially when we were making sandcastles. It was just like a good old-fashioned day at the seaside, full of fun and games.”

Colten Care operates 21 care homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex. Seven of its homes are rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

Referring to the care home’s residents, Ms Moule said: “Most of them spent time enjoying beaches and coastal trips in their youth and so having the seaside brought to Brook View was a lovely experience for them.

“It generated a lot of discussions about holidays in years gone by.”

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