A Better Quality of Life

How carefully planned activities transforms' lives

Everyone has an inbuilt need to participate in activity and doing so can improve overall well-being and thereby quality of life.
At our specialist dementia home here in Tunbridge Wells, and in our four care homes in Eastbourne, Bexhill and Maidstone, investment has been made into our residents’ well-being by providing at least one full-time activity coordinator at each of our homes who work closely with the Care Team.

Providing appropriate resident activities.

                       
 
Our activity coordinators try to satisfy five important components into their activity planning.

Physical – can be as diverse as kneading bread, craft work which also stimulates the brain. It will also include more structured exercise routines which in their simplest form can be ball play
Sensory – ranges from scented arm and hand massage, interaction with animals through to cooking which to many can provide an enjoyable emotional and physical experience
Cognition – or the process of thought includes quizzes, crosswords, daily newspaper reviews and commentary
Emotional - can be experienced in one-to-one or group sessions reminiscing and life history profiling. Music is a very evocative stimulator which works on so many levels
Social – can be a one-to-one conversation, an organised entertainment activity where social interaction between residents, carers and family members takes place
The most crucial aspect of any activity co-ordination is to know the person you’re working with and ‘rolling with their world’. What they enjoyed many years ago may not be what they’d enjoy now! All groups – resident, carer and relative – thrive from the positive outcomes brought about by activities.

 Residents enjoy being offered a variety of events and gain a lot from voluntary social interaction and an increased sense of community within the home. For carers and relatives, residents appear happier and more content in their home and communication is improved.