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Weymouth Care Home Residents and Staff Sea Life Centre Sensory Day

Resident’s and Staff at our Weymouth Care Home recently went out to the Weymouth Sea life Centre for their Sensory Day.

They loved seeing all the variety of sea creatures, such as the seals and being in the underwater tunnel where they could see sharks, sting rays, turtles and more. They thoroughly enjoyed choosing their own gifts from the gift shop. The residents and staff cannot wait to do this again soon.

The purpose of our Sea Life sensory day was so that everyone could experience not only a different environment, but different senses such as: sounds (running water, noises from penguins, music), smells (the penguin enclosure, the smell of the food that was there), sight (different sea creatures, bubbles, lights).

Each week our sensory days look at different things which affect different senses. Previous sensory days focusing on touch at Weymouth Care Home have included orbeeze and slime. For sound we have used instruments, and for sight we have used sensory lights. We also use our magic table if they are doing a bubble pop game, we also have our bubble machine on and music in the background.

Sensory days are incredibly important for those who need activities adapted, or who struggle to partake in group activities as it helps keep their brains stimulated, it gives them new opportunities to experience their senses.

We have found that by doing sensory days it has had a positive impact on all residents who have taken part, and it’s nice doing activities that all abilities can partake in.

Care Home Open Day 2019 at Altogether Care

Altogether Care will be taking part in National Care Home Open Day on 28th June.

The nationwide open day event is a chance to celebrate all the different people, cultures and relationships in local areas, and show the community that care homes are friendly, happy and exciting places to be.

All of our care homes – Sherborne House in Yeovil, Steepleton Manor near Dorchester, and Weymouth Care Home will open their doors on Friday 28th June with an array of activities, information and events available.

See below the itineraries for each of our care homes.

Weymouth Care Home

  • Live music will start at 12pm, followed by high tea in the garden from 1pm.
  • We will also have an Art Gallery which will showcase all of our residents work.
  • There will be garden games for all ages, from hook a duck to ring toss.
  • Refreshments will be available, we will have fresh candy floss and a small sweet selection.
  • Find out more here.

Sherborne House

  • Coffee morning & cake tasting with the Yeovil Ukulele ladies in attendance will start at 11am.
  • Elvis will be in the building from 2pm to 3pm! Which will raise the heart beat and the spirits and have staff dancing along.
  • Visiting birds of prey with afternoon tea from 3pm to 4pm. Everyone will be able to handle and stroke the gorgeous array of birds.
  • Find out more here.

Steepleton Manor

  • Join us for Gardening Club from 10:30am to 12pm.
  • Alpaca’s will visit Steepleton from 2pm to 3pm.
  • Alan Knott providing Dorset Folk music entertainment from 3pm to 4pm.
  • Art Club exhibition will be on throughout the day in the main hall.
  • Find out more here.

And much more – so, what are you waiting for? Come along and meet our residents and staff and to find out why we have been supporting the local community for over 30 years.

Weymouth – A Care Home Near the Sea is a Wonderful Place to Be

Thirty years ago, Weymouth became our first care home. As a family-run business, this will always make it a special place for us, once our family home, today it is where our Head Office is still based so we all still have a daily connection with the home, residents and staff. It’s also a special place for the many residents who have stayed with us over that time, and for their families who’ve had the peace of mind of seeing their loved ones well cared for.

We know there are many considerations when people choose a care home. The first of these is to make sure that the home offers the range of care and services you are likely to need. Weymouth care home offers nursing care, holiday or respite care and assisted living.

Above all, a care home has to be inviting, both for potential residents looking for a suitable home and for families and friends when they come to visit. The first impression should always make you feel welcome and at home. Friendly staff and a good standard of both living and communal accommodation are important factors when you make your decision.

Family values still shape our care and the home from home atmosphere we cherish. Each resident has the opportunity to have favourite photos and keep-sakes as a reminder that they are an important part of their own family as well as ours.

Staying Active and Engaged

Our welcoming communal spaces and garden are all about encouraging residents to be as active and engaged as possible. And our location, not far from one of Dorset’s finest beaches and seafronts, is another incentive for people to get out in the fresh air.

Dorset also has a wealth of local places of interest for days out and visits, either on one of our organised trips or with your visitors. Because of our location our residents are never stuck for something to do or somewhere to go.

Weymouth has proved to be an excellent location for a care home. It’s a pleasant place to live with plenty to do. It’s also easy for visitors to get to. We work hard to make sure our home lives up to the rest of the experience. If you would like to find out more about Weymouth Care Home or even spend the day with us, please contact us.

Employees of the Month – January

We are delighted to reveal our Employees of the Month for January for our care homes. Each month, care home managers hand pick team members who demonstrate a passion for their role and go above and beyond to provide an excellent standard of care and support to residents.

Our Employees of the Month for January are:

Sherborne House

Wei Ji Gao

Congratulations to Wei Ji Gao at Sherborne House Care Home who is January’s Employee of the Month. Wei is the chef and cooks a marvellous full English breakfast and is a firm favourite with all the residents and staff.

Steepleton Manor

Tahila Castro Osorio

Congratulations to Tahila Castro Osorio at Steepleton Manor who is January’s Employee of the Month. Tahila is a nursing assistant and is a very thoughtful person who enjoys helping others. She always has a smile and demonstrates great flexibility and commitment whilst working hard at all times.

Weymouth Care Home

Poppy Macnair

Congratulations to Poppy Macnair at Weymouth Care Home who is January’s Employee of the Month.  Poppy demonstrates great commitment to the residents and families alike, so much that a family member wanted her to be considered for Employee of the Month. She goes over and above what is expected of her and has a kind nature meaning nothing is too much trouble.

Congratulations to all employees of the month!

Altogether Rocks find their way around Dorset

Residents at Weymouth Care Home recently had great fun painting rocks and placing them at random locations around Dorset. ‘Altogether Rocks’ is a community event for local people to place and find decorated rocks around their local area.

First, residents paint the rocks and then put them in secret locations for other participants to find. When the rocks are found they can then take a photo of them and hide it in another location for the next person to find. The event has already bought lots of smiles to the faces of residents at Weymouth Care Home who have painted their rocks in a variety of colours and symbols.

Elaine Galliott, Activities Co-ordinator from Weymouth Care Home said, ‘It’s a fun event that appeals to those of all ages. Anyone interested can follow the event at #AltogetherRocks on Twitter.

 

 

Active and Socially Connected – Health and Wellbeing in Later Life

There is a wide body of evidence to show that being physically and socially active in our later years leads to fewer health problems and may well prolong life. Among the many advantages of assisted living is the fact that company is always easy to find, and that leisure and physical activities are easier to access than for many older people.

Activity programmes play an important part at all our Care Homes. And because we know about care so well from 30 years in the sector, it’s easier to provide activities that residents will enjoy and find the most beneficial.

The setting of the home can provide plenty of opportunities. A stroll around the beautiful grounds at Steepleton Manor, for example, is a delight in almost any weather- the Tuesday gardening club is a great time for socialising, as well as the opportunity to do something practical and meaningful. All our homes feature outside spaces for residents to enjoy the fresh air whenever they want.

Physical Activity

Further physical activity is provided through ball games and chair aerobics, with plans to extend the programme further.  Craft and art activities are proven to have emotional and cognitive benefits, and residents can take part in art classes, jewellery making and pottery decoration. There are also guided meditation sessions, which can be beneficial physically and emotionally.

We also have an active film club as well as regular visits from musicians and singers and regular trips out.

For too many older people ageing means increasing isolation and reduced participation, which inevitably impacts on physical and emotional wellbeing. Our aim is to ensure that our residents are able to enjoy and lead a full life in their later years.

We are also keen to ensure that our residents remain connected to the outside world. So we are currently working on increasing community involvement by liaising with the local school and church. This will be very beneficial to all.

At Steepleton Manor and our other care homes, physical and social activity is part of everyday life.

Why not visit us to see for yourself what life at the Manor is really like? Contact us on 01305 300 161.

Stacey wins Long Term Service Award

Congratulations to Stacey Williams at Weymouth Care Home who celebrated a Long Term Service Award with her colleagues recently. Stacey (Head of Care), is sent a big hug from everyone in recognition of her award.

Sweet Treats to Swallow

Residents at Weymouth Care Home held a special event to mark National Swallowing Day and to highlight how Dysphagia can affect people’s lives.

An ice cream flavour challenge took place with the winning team guessing the most flavours. Mocktails were also flavour of the day.

Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties have potentially life-threatening consequences. They can result in choking, pneumonia, chest infections, dehydration, malnutrition and weight loss. They can also make taking medication more difficult and they can lead to a poorer quality of life for the individual and their family. Dysphagia can affect people at any stage of their lives and speech and language therapists support and enable them to eat and drink safely.

November News

Residents at Weymouth Care Home enjoyed a seated Zumba class last month and a visit from the lovely Chloe May who sang lots of favourite songs and, as always, succeeded in getting everyone to sing along!

Special thanks are sent to Martin who made everyone a delicious cream tea.

 

Music to the ears

Residents at Weymouth Care Home enjoyed a musical activity in the library this month and got to play various instruments including drums.

Everyone gets the chance to play whatever instrument takes their fancy and make as much noise as they wish– even in what is normally a quiet place, the library!

The much loved ‘Drumba’ activity takes place every two months.

Weymouth Care Home Wins Prestigious Award

Staff and residents at Weymouth Care Home are celebrating after scooping ‘Best Care Home’ Award at The Dorset Echo Care Awards 2017.

The 2017 Dorset Echo Care Awards took place at Weymouth College on Saturday 11th November and included nine award categories, including ‘Best Care Home’. The Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Councillor Kevin Brookes, was among those attending.

The awards are designed to acknowledge outstanding individuals and organisations in the area who are involved in the care industry.

Mandy Bell, Manager at Weymouth Care Home collected the award on behalf of Dorset based organisation, Altogether Care.

Brian Westlake, Chairman at Altogether Care said, ‘This award is well deserved and reflects the professionalism and commitment of the home’s staff who day on day deliver complex care to very ill and vulnerable people. We are very proud of their achievements and the fact that the award was triggered by relatives and friends of our residents; it came as a complete surprise’.

Altogether Care has three residential care homes and nine Care at Home branches, providing a wide spectrum of care services for those who wish to remain in their own homes.

Photo: Mandy Bell (Manager from Weymouth Care Home) with Dorset Echo’s Editor (Diarmuid MacDonagh)

Activities galore at Weymouth Care Home

Residents at Weymouth Care Home have been enjoying a wide spectrum of activities this month including ‘Chair Zumba’, songs from the accordion and live piano music.

Becky Wells visits every fortnight to take a Zumba class with a difference.  Louise Dukes visits monthly and in addition to being an excellent accordion player, sings a variety of well-known songs.

Mark ‘the piano man’, also a monthly vistor, is very popular with both residents and staff frequently telling a few classic jokes to add humour to the occasion. Joy can be seen having a dance to one of his catchy tunes.

Chloe May at Weymouth Care Home

Local singer Chloe May visited residents at Weymouth Care Home once again to sing, dance and play a variety of songs which encourage everyone to join in and sing along to their favourite tunes.

Chloe is a regular at the home and is familiar with artists such as Vera Lynn and Elvis Presley.

The residents enjoyed Chloe’s performance and look forward to her visiting again soon.

Some recent day to day activities