SOMERSET care home residents have got their hands dirty in a move hoping to open up conversations.
A caregiver at a Wellington dementia care home who is on a mission to spark conversations and reminiscing among residents has been encouraging them to get involved with a 'mini chocolate car wash'.
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Harriet Burraston, activities co-ordinator at Camelot House and Lodge, said: “I’ve been trying to think outside the box and introduce some more unusual activities.
“It’s so important to keep our residents engaged, and the more fun they’re having, the better they like it."
Harriet added: “Our mini chocolate car-wash involved them in cleaning toy cars that we’d covered in melted chocolate in tubs of warm water using nail brushes.
“Not only was this a brilliant sensory activity but it got the residents talking about what cars they used to have and telling us about their favourite places to go on a drive.
“It’s so interesting listening to their stories and continually getting to know them better and understand what makes them tick.
“This feeds into the relationships with have with them and has a positive effect on the quality of the care we provide – and we want that to be the best possible.”
Harriet and her team have a whole raft of different activities planned for the spring and summer, including creative activities plus musical and exercise opportunities, as part of a wide and varied programme designed to entertain their residents.
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