Edenmore Nursing Home, Ilfracombe - Fulfilling a Meaningful Wish for Robert Hearn

Robert Hearn has lived at Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe since March 2023 and sadly lives with advanced cancer. In a conversation with one of Edenmore’s care assistants, Carol, Robert wistfully said that a wish before his next journey was a simple one, to have a pint of his favourite cider with his friends in his old local pub The Village Inn in Westward Ho!. 

So Carol and Gayle, Edenmore’s Home Manager, didn’t hesitate to make arrangements! Timing for the 45 minute journey was perfect as the home had recently bought a new car specifically for residents, who are fondly referred to as family members, so this was momentous also as Robert was first to have a run out in it! 

First step was for Gayle to contact Roberts’ closest friend, Peter Mills, who then arranged for other friends of Robert to meet in the pub. As Robert entered The Village Inn,” the sheer emotion was indescribable” says Gayle who went along with Robert and Carol, “literally all of the pub welcomed him, the love shown was just beautiful, the familiarity for Robert, sat at his usual table, with his favourite bird magazine ready to read, and the most important part a pint of cider! 

Carol and Gayle was there to support Robert and also to make memories, “this is why I work in social care, this is my purpose, some call this person-centred care but to me it’s simply about seeing a person and doing what’s in my heart which is simply being compassionate”. Part of the support in the home for Robert is for eating and drinking and Gayle said with a smile on her face “at one point I had to support the pint of cider whilst Robert was drinking, he joked that he thought I was taking it off him and asked if he could have another one, he chuckled for a long time when I said I can’t tell you how many to have, that’s your choice, so he continued with a couple more!”

After a pint (or two) Robert, Gayle and Carol headed down to the promenade for a stroll, again something Robert used to enjoy doing after a pint when living in the area. Gayle continued “I thought walking in to the pub was emotional but the car journey back was another level of emotion, Robert cried for most of the journey but happy emotions, he just kept repeating thank you, thank you, and how overwhelmed he was with his friends turning up to see him.”

The Team at Edenmore are there not only to support Robert to be comfortable and to show nothing but love and compassion during this time leading to his next journey, but to ensure Robert still lives with dignity, encourages independence and to ensure Robert is able to make choices, his choices, not confined to any society norms that may be perceived during this journey, he has lived life and still remains living life until he chooses not to.

The support on the Westward Ho! Community Facebook page has been explosive, just evidencing the love and support this truly remarkable gent is surrounded by.

 Robert and friends at the The Village Inn in Westward Ho!.

Young Robert holding a baby badger and a baby fox

👀👀👀

 To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home please visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties at Ilfracombe Care Home

Edenmore Nursing Home, a leading provider of compassionate elderly care in Ilfracombe recently hosted a vibrant and memorable Burns Night celebration for its team members and residents, who are fondly referred to as family members. The event, held on the 25^th of January brought the spirit of Scotland to the care home with traditional Scottish cuisine and day of togetherness.

Both family members and team members enthusiastically embraced the traditions of Burns Night, delighting in a thoughtfully selected menu showcasing iconic Scottish cuisine. The centerpiece of the festivities was the presentation of the timeless Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties, bought from local Ilfracombe Butcher Mike Turton, served on a dining table adorned with Scottish decorations, accompanied by music and poetry.

The objective of the day was to inspire positive sentiments and emotions while also commemorating the national day for individuals with Scottish ancestry.

Edenmore’s approach to life recognises the values, beliefs and identity of each person. Each person that may need support is unique and by understanding one’s life history, one’s journey in life, by striving to be a true continuation of home, the team at Edenmore create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone

To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home 

please visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Edenmore Nursing Home Fosters Intergenerational Connection

Edenmore Nursing Home Fosters Intergenerational Connection as Students from Ilfracombe Junior School visits

Edenmore Nursing Home, based in Ilfracombe North Devon, invites students into their home as part of their Intergenerational Linking Programme which aims to bring together different generations within the community. Students from Ilfracombe Junior School had the unique opportunity to visit Edenmore, fostering meaningful connections between the young and elderly as part of the homes commitment to community engagement.

During the visit, students engaged in various activities with the Residents, who are fondly referred to as family members, including storytelling, arts and crafts, and even a sing-a-long, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and joy. The interactions were not only enjoyable for the children but also had a positive impact on the family members.

Home Manger Gayle said, “It was so emotional to see the family members engaging with the children and one of the family members even made a little speech to the children thanking them for such an enjoyable time together.”

Edenmore’s intergenerational linking programme aligns with theircommitment to the community and creating an environment that fosters meaningful connections. The collaboration between Edenmore and Ilfracombe Junior School highlights a shared commitment to bridging generational gaps and bringing a sense of unity within our community. The intergenerational linking program not only provides valuable experiences for the students but also enriches the lives of the family members by offering them companionship and shared memories.

 To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

 

EDENMORE NURSING HOME WELCOMES HOME LIBRARY SERVICE

Edenmore Nursing Home are delighted and honoured to partner with Ilfracombe Library to welcome the Home Library Service through their doors and open their residents to the wonderful world of literature.

The Home Library Service is a bespoke book delivery service that is fully funded and available for the residents, fondly referred to as family members by the home, who are no longer able to go to the library for their books of choice.

Volunteer led, books are picked based on the reader’s interests and hand delivered every 4 weeks, giving those who receive them enough time to read through what they have chosen and then exchange for new ones. As the weeks pass, volunteers can befriend family members and bond over the joy of reading.

Not only does the Home Library Service deliver books, but there are also audiobooks and tablets available to borrow, making the service accessible for those with sight loss and granting access to a wide range of books, newspapers, and magazines online.

North Devon MP, Selaine Saxby, commented “Ilfracombe is a wonderful community, and it is great to see their library working with a local care home to provide a fully funded home library service. I do hope that this is a model that can be used elsewhere across North Devon.”

It is widely known that reading can be a great brain exercise, as well as a relaxing outlet to relieve stress levels. Stimulating stories with captivating illustrations can ignite feelings of joy, curiosity, and nostalgia, especially if a person has been an avid reader in their lifetime. The service has exemplified the importance of such communal gatherings in promoting a sense of belonging and shared experiences. The team remain dedicated to crafting more heartwarming experiences that enrich the lives of its residents and bring the community closer together.

Edenmore Nursing Home is based in Ilfracombe, North Devon. It’s approach to life recognises the values, beliefs and identity of each person. Each person that may need support is unique and by understanding one’s life history, one’s journey in life, by striving to be a true continuation of home, the team at Edenmore Nursing Home create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone.

To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home, visit: https://www.edenmorenursinghome.com/