Heanton Nursing Home Gets into the 80s Groove

Leg warmers, neon tutus, oversized hair and inflatable guitars took over Heanton Nursing Home as residents (who the home fondly refers to as family members) and team members turned back the clock for a day inspired by the 1980s.

But the transformation had actually begun the night before.

While family members slept, Heanton’s night team got to work transforming the home, so that by morning everyone woke up to colourful decorations, cassette tapes, disco-inspired displays, balloons and a ‘Back to the 80s’ photo booth ready for the day ahead.

Team members threw themselves into the theme too, arriving in everything from neon beads and fingerless gloves to shell suits, wigs, leg warmers and tutus.

The day included an 80s-themed Zumba session, music, dressing up and plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved. Inflatable guitars, microphones, saxophones and boom boxes quickly became part of the outfits, while the photo booth captured some of the more elaborate looks.

One of the day’s best throwbacks, however, came from one of Heanton’s Maintenance team, Ian. He arrived sporting a long blonde wig for the occasion before producing a photograph of himself from the 1980s, revealing that his real hair back then looked remarkably similar.

Home manager Abigail Denford said: “It was incredible to see the whole home come together. Our night team put so much thought into transforming everything while family members were asleep, so they genuinely woke up in the 80s. Seeing their reactions that morning, and then watching family members and team members dancing, dressing up and enjoying the music together, was really special. These are the days that make Heanton feel like a family.”

For Heanton, days like this are less about putting on an activity and more about creating a home where the people living and working alongside one another can share experiences, be themselves and have some fun together. With music playing, family members reaching for the inflatable guitars and team members embracing some questionable 80s fashion choices, Heanton spent the day firmly back in the decade of big hair, bright colours and even bigger accessories.

Heanton Nursing Home, based in Heanton Punchardon near Barnstaple, supports people living with a Dementia and other complex needs, with an approach centred around understanding the person beyond a diagnosis and creating a place that feels like home. 

 

For more information, please visit  Dementia, Complex, Respite, and Residential Care in Devon