Seaside Visit Evokes Reminiscence for North Devon Care Home Residents

Family members (residents) Harry and John, from Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, recently spent the afternoon enjoying everything Ilfracombe Harbour has to offer, from watching the boats to visiting the funfair and enjoying an ice cream by the sea.

Accompanied by Home Manager Gayle and Home Administrator Emma, the pair made the short journey to the seafront in the home’s car. On arriving, Harry proudly helped push John's wheelchair along the harbourside as they watched the boats and explored the local shops together.

After browsing, they stopped for an ice cream, and each picked which flavour they would like. Harry's daughter later shared that he and his late wife, Eileen, used to visit the ice cream shop almost every day!

John, who has always loved boats and had a special visit to the RNLI last year, enjoyed watching the fishing boats come and go, while Harry's face lit up as they wandered through the funfair. He even took a turn on the teacup ride before stopping to watch the Ferris wheel turn.

As they stood together, Harry gently took Gayle's arm and smiled, saying, 'Let's watch this, Eileen,' as he looked up at the wheel with a smile from ear to ear.

For many people, particularly those living with a Dementia or on a cognitive journey, places such as the seaside, harbour or funfair can evoke feelings of familiarity and comfort. They may represent childhood holidays, family outings or special moments shared with loved ones, helping them reconnect with positive emotions and things that have always been meaningful to them.

On the journey home, John became emotional as he thanked Gayle and Emma for the day. Holding Gayle's hand, he told them how beautiful the day had been and asked if he could have printed copies of the photographs to keep in his room. Before arriving back at the home, he was already planning the next visit, promising that next time he would treat everyone to fish and chips!

Staying connected with the local community continues to be an important part of life at Edenmore Nursing Home. Whether it's enjoying days out around Ilfracombe or welcoming visitors, such as pupils from Ilfracombe Junior School, into the home, there are plenty of opportunities to stay connected. On less sunny days, family members can still enjoy the sea views from many of the home's lounges and bedrooms.

 

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Creative Mojo Workshops Flourish at Nursing Home near Okehampton

Family members (residents) at Hatherleigh Nursing Home near Okehampton, Devon have been enjoying regular Creative Mojo sessions, where art provides opportunities for self-expression, conversation and shared experiences.

Led by Devon-based creative arts facilitator and artist Sandra Caldeira-Dunkerley, the sessions explore a range of techniques including painting, collage, printing and mark-making. Inspired by nature and the local community where many of the nursing home's family members come from, each workshop encourages everyone to take part in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The sessions have become a popular part of life at the West Devon Nursing Home, bringing people together from different households across the home and even relatives through shared creativity. As Hatherleigh Nursing Home supports a variety of people such as those living with a Dementia or complex needs, each session is thoughtfully adapted to the individual, ensuring everyone feels welcomed, encouraged and able to take part in a way that suits them.

Sandra shared: "Creative Mojo is about so much more than making art. It's about creating a space where people feel comfortable to explore, connect with one another and enjoy the process of being creative. Seeing people grow in confidence, share conversations and take pride in what they've created is always incredibly rewarding."

The home, which offers 24-hour nursing care, residential care, respite care and complex care, continues to support the people who live there through personalised activities, opportunities for social interaction, meaningful experiences and celebrations that create a true home-from-home environment while promoting a continuation of life.

 

If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit: https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/lifes-journey-continued-2/

True Compassion: Carole’s Career in Care

A member of the care team at Edenmore Nursing Home has shared how a career in social care helped her discover a passion for homemaking, creating a warm, welcoming environment where people feel comfortable, cared for and at home.

Social care offers a wide range of career opportunities, from Carers and Care Practitioners to Domestics, Maintenance Team Members, Nurses, Chefs, Cooks, House Leads, Administrators and Home Managers.

It is a sector where people often discover new interests, develop new skills and grow into different roles over time. For many, it is a career path they never fully understood until they experienced it for themselves.

Carole joined Edenmore Nursing Home almost seven years ago after looking for a role where she could make a positive difference within her local community. What began as a position as a Carer soon evolved into a role that perfectly matched her lifelong love of cooking, hospitality and caring for others.

Originally from France, Carole grew up on a family farm in Normandy before moving to England in her twenties. After working as a personal assistant, raising a family and later retraining as a special needs teaching assistant, she eventually found herself searching for a career where she could build lasting relationships and support older people.

Reflecting on her decision to join Edenmore, Carole said, 'I was looking for a permanent role where I could stay within the local community and make a positive difference to people's lives. I have always enjoyed caring for children, but I also became aware of the many older people in my neighbourhood living alone and often feeling isolated.'

Today, Carole is best known in the home for her homemaker role. From preparing welcoming living spaces and supporting mealtimes to sharing conversations over a cup of tea, painting nails, listening to music and simply sitting alongside someone who enjoys company, her focus is on creating an environment where everyday life continues in a way that feels familiar and meaningful.

She said, 'Every day is different, but my aim is always the same; to make everyone feel comfortable, loved, cared for and at home.'

Over the years, Carole has built close relationships with the family members (residents), including greeting one former French teacher each morning in French.

She shared, 'It has become our secret language. It is lovely to see her smile and laugh every time we do this, and it makes my day.  It is a simple event but reminds me how small connections can make a difference.’

For Carole, these relationships are what make working in care so rewarding. When leaving the home at the end of the day, she has a special routine she follows.

‘At the end of each shift at 7pm, I don’t say goodbye.  The reason for this is because it can upset some of the family members.  Instead, I simply say, “My friends, I am tired now and I need a rest.  I will see you in the morning.  Keep well.”

To read Carole's full story, including her journey from rural France to North Devon, her daily life as Edenmore's homemaker, the special relationships she has built with family members, and the story behind her famous apron collection, visit: 

True Compassion: Carole’s Career in Care

Edenmore Nursing Home provides 24-hour nursing and residential care in Ilfracombe, North Devon.