Heart-warming Wedding Anniversary celebrations at Heanton Nursing Home

Husband and Wife, Dorothy and Anthony Haynes recently celebrated their remarkable 38th wedding anniversary surrounded by love, joy, and cherished memories. The couple marked this significant milestone with a romantic meal prepared by the team at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple.

Heanton Nursing Home, known for its compassionate and supportive environment, played host to this heart-warming celebration, bringing together Team and family members to honour the couple's heart-warming love story.

The team at Heanton Nursing Home said, "We are honoured to celebrate this amazing milestone with Anthony and his wife Dorothy. Their love story is an inspiration to all of us. It's a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the importance of human connection."

Dorothy expressed her gratitude for the love and support they have received from the team at Heanton by saying, " We were truly spoilt on our 38th Anniversary. They made what I thought would be a different Anniversary into a special memory.” The celebration not only highlighted the enduring love between Anthony and his wife Dorothy but also showcased the importance of creating a supportive and caring home.

Heanton Nursing Home is a nursing home based in Barnstaple, 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 Heanton Nursing Home create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone.

 

Dorothy and Anthony Haynes celebrate their remarkable 38th wedding anniversary

Art Workshop at Heanton Nursing Home Inspires Creativity and Honors Remembrance Day

Residents at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple, who are fondly referred to as family members, engaged in a heartwarming art workshop, organised by the team, as they commemorated Remembrance Day by creating vibrant poppy-shaped paper paintings as part of a mosaic. The workshop, brought joy, creativity, and a sense of shared remembrance to the family members. The poppy-shaped paper paintings served as a unique way of self-expression, allowing family members to explore their creativity while honoring the heartfelt occasion of Remembrance Day.

Art therapy is not about creating masterpieces but rather about the process and the emotional journey it takes our family members on. Through painting, drawing or even sculpting our family members can unlock hidden memories and express their thoughts and feelings.

A team member at Heanton said, "The art workshop was a beautiful and uplifting experience for everyone involved. It provided an opportunity for family members to express themselves artistically"

Heanton Nursing Home is a nursing home based in Barnstaple, 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 Heanton Nursing Home create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone.

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To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home visit www.heantonnursinghome.com

Alan Edward William's Inspirational Journey Through Valor and Service

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Country falls silent. It is a day of reflection, a day where nations pause to remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives. In the silent moments of remembrance, we come together to pay tribute to the heroes who have walked the path of duty and pay tribute to those who are no longer with us today. Their stories are a testament to the strength and courage our nation has and we are honoured to share with you Alan Edward William’s story, a man with such dedication to his service and who now lives at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple, North Devon.

Alan's journey through life had been a remarkable one, born on the 11th June 1928 in the bustling City of Cardiff, his name connected him to great aviators and royalty. On that very day, Alan Cobham a famous aviator and Edward Prince of Wales were visiting Cardiff hence why he was called Alan Edward by his parents. His early years was filled with so much love and joy, growing up with his older sister, Joan.

After leaving school, Alan found himself working at Cardiff Docks as a riveter and as he reached the age of 17, he made the decision to join the First Battalion Welsh Guards in 1946. Alan's military service spanned 22 years, and he cherished every moment of it. He participated in prestigious ceremonial duties, including Trooping the Colour, changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and even lining the route for Winston Churchill's Funeral. He had lived in various locations during his service, from Surrey to Cardiff, London to Malaysia, with a brief stop in Borneo while in Malaya.

Alan’s life took an unexpected turn when he met his wife, Gladys during a holiday in Appledore. They married in 1950 and went on to have four children: David, Teresa, Gwyn, and Ceinwin (known as Kim), each born in different corners of the world. Life abroad had been a rich tapestry of experiences for Alan and his wife Gladys. In Libya and Malaysia, Alan enjoyed swimming and exploring Roman cities, he especially loved savouring new cuisines. In Malaya, he developed a passion for collecting butterflies and mounting them in glass display cases.

After retiring from the army in the early 1990s, Alan took on a new role as a security guard at Llanwern steelworks in Newport, while residing in Chepstow. He remained closely connected to the royal world as a Yeoman of the Guards, participating in events like Charles and Diana's wedding and the opening of Parliament.

As Alan and his beloved wife Gladys embraced retirement, they embarked on numerous adventures together, creating cherished memories around the globe. Alan's pride shone through in his possession of a Royal Victoria Medal, a symbol of his dedication and service.

Alan and Gladys family continued to grow, as they welcomed six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren into their life. Though Alan had faced the loss of his beloved wife, Gladys in December 2020 and the sudden loss of his sight in 2021, his brave spirit remained unwavering.

Alan's life has been full of remarkable experiences and unwavering dedication, and although Alan now lives with Dementia at Heanton Nursing Home, his commitment to his services still shines through. With the support from the team, Alan is able to maintain his disciplined routine, including having a clean shave every day, a practice he has upheld throughout his life. This seemingly simple act of shaving holds great significance, as it was a vital part of his military routine. For someone with Dementia, the familiarity of this daily ritual is crucial, as it provides a sense of continuity and comfort. Each person at Heanton will have different support needs, different life story, and by understanding this life history, we are able to create a home that enables our family members to live a true continuation of life.

For Alan, Heanton is not just a place of residence, but a home where his commitment to his service is remembered and celebrated by everyone around him. Within these memories lies the essence of who Alan is, a testament to a life lived passionately through his years of service for his country.

To find out more about Heanton visit our website at www.heantonnursinghome.com

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Unveiling the Heartbreak of a Dementia Diagnosis with David Shepherd

Alzheimer's is a heart-wrenching disease that inflicts relentless pain and sorrow on both you and your loved one. Witnessing the gradual decline of someone close to you can leave you feeling helpless and devastated. With each passing day, it feels as though you are not only losing a part of them but also a part of you. One of the most agonising parts is the beginning before their diagnosis, when you don’t know that there’s anything wrong and the weight of the unknown bears down on you. I had the privilege of speaking with David Shepherd whose wife lives with a Dementia at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple and he wanted to share his story with you today.

In the two or three years before my wife, Catriona’s, diagnosis it was challenging. Initially, I didn't think there was anything medically wrong and I still carry enormous guilt that I didn’t realise sooner. I found I often got angry and frustrated when Catriona forgot things, I just thought she wasn’t concentrating but needless did I know she was already struggling, and my reactions must have made things even scarier for her. One day she drove to the supermarket and couldn’t park the car, I really didn’t understand why, but it became more apparent that there was an underlying issue. The struggle was in getting her to admit it and accept that she needed to see the doctor. It took over 6 months of gentle persuasion to take Catriona to her first appointment. 

Catriona was finally diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2014 after a long and tortuous process. When we received the diagnosis, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotions. I was filled with what felt like a torrential downpour of desperation mingled with a glimmer of relief. The desperation I felt within me came with floods of tears, as I knew that this cruel illness would relentlessly steal away the person I love and cherish. Catriona never really accepted that she had the illness and so life continued to be a struggle and I felt that I was walking on eggshells every time we came close to talking about it.

Everything changes when your partner has Alzheimer’s. Eventually, you become a full-time carer – and that really does mean 24 hours a day. It’s exhausting but I had no choice, Catriona wasn’t safe to be left on her own for a moment. By that point, you can’t go out because they can’t go out. My world became as small as hers – just our four walls.

We were fortunate that the diagnosis took place at the National Hospital for Neurosurgery in London, as they are the experts in dementia. After the diagnosis, we had some time with a nurse, who gave us guidance on what to expect, where to go for support and answered any questions we had, it was very comprehensive. We had twice-a-year appointments at the hospital, and visits from various people from the local Memory Clinic, to monitor the progress of the condition, and Catriona even got involved in some research projects. We were directed to a local charity that specialised in young people living with a Dementia, which provided a helpful support group along with activities for Catriona.

When we embarked on our journey to move to Devon in 2015, the level of support drastically changed. My heart sank as we walked into the office of our new GP, with hope filling our hearts for a similar level of help. We poured out our worries and concerns, seeking assistance, but the words that came from the GP struck us with devastation, leaving us shattered and disheartened. The GP said there was nothing he could do to help other than signpost us to the Alzheimer's Society. So, life continued on, taking each day as they came trying to live as normal life as we possibly could.

In the summer of 2020, I made the heartbreaking decision to move Catriona into a Care Home which was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make. It came to a point, the place we had called home for many years, a place full of love and memories, our sanctuary, was no longer the safest place for her. Due to her increasing mobility and balance issues, I knew that I had to find a home to keep her safe, but this was at the height of the COVID-19 Lockdown. It meant that I couldn't visit the home beforehand to see what it was like, but, far worse, it meant that once she was led away from me, from the garden at Heanton Nursing Home, I would not be seeing her again for many, many weeks. That remains engraved in my memory as the saddest, toughest day of my life.

The team at Heanton arranged video calls that offered a glimpse into her world, but in truth, those virtual encounters could never replace the warmth of her presence, the touch of her hand and the comfort of being by her side. I would sometimes find myself by the river in Bideford, looking up and across in the direction of Heanton and thinking about her, wondering how she was and what she was doing.

Once visits were possible, that definitely helped me deal with the transition, as it started to lift some of the guilt that I was feeling about having sent her off to live in a care home. The recent relaxation on the rules about having to wear a mask has really helped - Catriona was able to see my face again for the first time in over 2 years, and that helped her recognise me, I hope, and certainly led to more of her warm smiles.

Navigating the journey of caring for a loved one living with a dementia is undeniably challenging. Despite the heart-wrenching moments and the profound changes that Alzheimer's brings, we cherish the memories and the unwavering strength human connection can bring to us.

Heanton Nursing Home, wholeheartedly understands the immense struggles that Alzheimer's disease brings to the lives of those affected and their loved ones. David visits Catriona most days, sometimes bringing his band to play music which brings solace and joy to her and other family members within the home. At Heanton, our commitment extends beyond our family members; we embrace the opportunity to be a guiding light for their loved ones, offering unwavering support as they navigate the complex and emotional journey Alzheimer’s brings.

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To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home 

visit www.heantonnursinghome.com

Heanton Nursing Home, Heanton, Barnstaple EX31 4DJ - Tel: 01271 813744

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HEANTON NURSING HOME IN BARNSTAPLE TAKE RESIDENT FOR A GAME OF BADMINTON

John Miles who is fondly referred to as Rex from Heanton Nursing Home, enjoyed a game of Badminton along with team members during a recent outing. The game began with Rex taking the first drop shot and he enjoyed some smashes with his opponent.

Noufal, one of the Team Members accompanying described the moment as being simply amazing “Rex didn't take his eyes off the game, and he even told me to be quiet as he was not able to focus! He was impressed by the quality of his fellow players.”

Being involved within the local community and encouraging the continuation of past interests is part of the ethos at the North Devon nursing home. Creating shared experiences that bring together companionship, laughter, and a deeper sense of connection for individuals living with a Dementia.

Occupational activities are not just pastimes they are pathways to joy, fulfilment, and bring a sense of purpose to family members, living at the nursing home to create a true sense of continuation of life. These activities encompass a wide range of interests, from arts and crafts to gardening, music, games, and so much more. They promote engagement, stimulate cognitive abilities, and foster social connections, creating an environment full of personalities and Individuality. 

To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home 

visit www.heantonnursinghome.com

Heanton Nursing Home, Heanton, Barnstaple EX31 4DJ - Tel: 01271 813744

 Website - Facebook