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Shirmin and Nicole started their journey working at Swarthmore on the same day, 10 years ago. Shirmin - "I started working as a carer and was promoted within no time at all to become a Senior Carer. It wasn’t my intention to become a Senior Carer. I was approached by Agata/Claire, Deputy and Home Manager as a position became available. I am very passionate about giving care to the elderly. My focus is immediate as soon as I walk through the door. My morning shifts consist of making sure everyone is washed, dressed, receive their medication and a nourishing breakfast is served. Its important to make sure that the residents are happy and well cared for, this is my passion"'. Shirmin also enjoys working as a team with her colleagues; ensuring the day goes as smooth as possible. Nicole always had a passion for care. Her sister needed care from a young age, so she naturally grew up where everyone helped to provide love and care for her over the years. Unfortunately her sister passed away and Nicole felt she wanted to continue caring for people. Swarthmore felt like home from home and that’s why she continues to work in care. “When you work in one place for a long time you naturally become part of resident’s family. I feel privileged to care for our residents; a familiar face is important to anyone receiving care”. I believe it helps the transition for anyone moving to a care home. Building relationships helps people settle. As a care team we work well together, there are times when things become difficult, but we pull together to make situations as smooth as possible. …
29th Mar
Find Out About the Experience We Provide for Residents At Swarthmore, each day is about providing the very best person-centered care to our residents. As an independent care home, we have a unique approach to maintaining an excellent quality of life for everyone living under our roof. It’s not easy to communicate the energy and flow of everyday life here, but in this article, we’ll do our best to give you a flavour of Swarthmore residential care home. Our Home First and foremost, we want our residents to feel that Swarthmore is a comfortable home. It’s a period property with features such as bay windows, a grand oak staircase, oak beams and original fireplaces in the communal areas. We have retained the period character of the house whilst incorporating all the modern features of a residential care home. Our Accommodation We offer three types of bedrooms to our residents. They are all renovated to very high standards, with wi-fi in every room, and many offer views of the gardens and nearby countryside: Standard rooms offer pleasant accommodation with a vanity sink area. Bathrooms designed to suit all needs, are close by to the rooms.Classic rooms are larger than standard rooms, and they are furnished with partial or full ensuite Premium Rooms are slightly larger and have a full ensuite. Some have direct access to the garden via a patio door. 4 Self Contained Studio flats for people who are fully mobile and able to live independently. Swarthmore can accommodate up to 40 residents. Our Location We enjoy the best of both worlds at Swarthmore. The house itself is located in extensive landscaped gardens fully stocked with flowers and evergreens for enjoyment all year round. A feature residents particularly enjoy is the sensory garden, laid out with plants, herbs and flowers that provide a rich and heady experience of nature. Step out of the tranquil gardens, and just a short walk or drive away is Gerrards Cross town centre buzzing with cafes, shops, and restaurants. There is also a train station which has routes into London and Birmingham and other nearby locations. Daily Life at Swarthmore Residential Care Home We’re lucky to have a wonderful chef at Swarthmore, so the food we enjoy is tasty, varied, healthily prepared and nutritious. If a resident has dietary requirements, we’ll take care to cater for them. All meals are served in our dining room and most residents choose to make eating a sociable event. There is always, though, the option to eat in your room. With food this delicious, we need a regular diet of activities to work it off. We offer activities twice a day, morning, and afternoon. These often involve visitors offering skills, pet therapy, or exercise workshops. There are trips out, crafting opportunities and literary or film events to enjoy. Residents have the option to keep busy at Swarthmore! Our Care We have grown our in-house team of carers over the years. This means that our caring staff are very much a part of the Swarthmore family, and they’re valued by our residents. Some of our carers arrive with qualifications, but others have started out by being trained in-house, gaining an NVQ, and then being promoted to positions of authority. We provide residential care, end-of-life care, and respite care. Our Ethos Swarthmore was purchased by London Quakers in 1946 in order to house Friends who had been displaced during the war. All faiths are equally welcome in our home which is run according to the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship of the natural world. Would you like to speak to someone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home about residential care? For an informal chat, or to arrange a visit, call us today on 01753 885663, Option 1…
15th Mar
Quality of life is notoriously difficult to define. Everyone’s needs are different and can be challenging at times. This is where care homes derived from, the need for extra help when required. If you are reaching a stage in your life where you need to enhance the ‘quality’ of each day, its maybe time to discuss the following: • What areas do you need support with? • What contributes to the difficulties in your day at present? • What are your individual priorities? • Are there areas missing that would benefit by being around others during the day? • Do you have a balanced diet? Quality of life can be confused with quality of care! Quality of care is very important of course. When the standard of care is high, it promotes and supports the quality of life. The emotional side of our life impacts the quality of life. The transition to Residential Care. The first month of moving in to a residential home is probably one of the most emotional times you may experience. Leaving your home life with so many memories behind you, can be very emotional. Take your memories with you, make your room as homely as possible, it’s a new beginning. It’s a place where you can feel safe and hopefully have no worries. You will have people around you 24/7 to help you carry out the tasks that have become difficult over the past months. A nutritional diet will be provided. A place to relax and make new friends. Family and friends can visit you as often as possible, you can still go out and enjoy family time too. Activities offer new opportunities where you may have thought that your health may not allow anymore. Working on tasks together with other residents allows people to continue a hobby. Swarthmore provides person centered care to everyone moving into the home. The care team learn to understand what matters to each individual, which helps you settle into a new home. Tailoring your care allows us to respect your wishes. It’s an emotional process working alongside any individual. It goes without saying everyone needs a purpose in life, being involved in activities in the home allows new beginnings. Activities offers poetry sessions, art classes, a walk in to town, visit to National Trust locations, a yearly boat trip in Henley. Just a few options that you can integrate into your day which can make a huge difference, whilst enjoying with your fellow residents. A boost to your day can make significant changes to your health which may have a positive outcome. A home from home. Starting point of helping residents regain some quality and purpose in life. Its important we get to know each other and your family/friends. Swarthmore Residential Care Home is a characterful home, it has a homely welcoming feel. We like to think we will become an extension to residents’ family. A community that everyone will hopefully enjoy being part of. Feel free to call and discuss your concerns of moving into a care home. It may be helpful to try a couple of weeks with respite care. We look forward to hearing from you. Call Sally on 01753 885 663, Option 1.…
8th Mar
The moment when a family should begin to think about residential care is always difficult to judge; it can also be difficult to start talking about. Adult children may fear that their parent will be upset or offended by such a discussion. The parent in question may worry that children see it as a rejection of their care. It’s a conversation, however, that’s best had before the need becomes acute. When is it Time to Consider a Care Home? Concern for elderly relatives’ creeps up gradually. For decades they can seem invincible until, little-by-little there are worries about leaving an ageing loved one alone for more than a day or two, or their care needs can no longer be met adequately by family members. There are some clear signs to look out for when you feel concerned about a loved one: • They are having difficulty preparing meals• They talk about their home ‘being too much for them • There’s an anxiety about being on their own • They’ve experienced a fall and find it more difficult to get about Is Residential Care the Right Option? For many older people considering a move to a care home, there is no specific condition that needs to be cared for; they have simply arrived at a stage in their lives when they need to be looked after in a friendly and homely environment. This means having regular food cooked, no cleaning to worry about, and skilled carers on hand if they require assistance, medical care, or reassurance. The Added Value Offered by Residential Care The care offered to residents in residential care is tailored to their individual needs. There is 24 hour care and security, and the environment is both comfortable and safe for residents. Swarthmore residential care home offers a range of daily activities in addition to 24/7 care. For many of our residents, increasing isolation or loneliness will have been a deciding factor in choosing a care home. We know that many of the people living with us have had active and busy lives and are now eager to take up new hobbies or activities. Which is why we offer a busy schedule to our residents at Swarthmore; here’s a taster of the kinds of activities we regularly provide: • Exercise classes • A variety of games, such as skittles, darts, dominoes • Crafts sessions, such as flower arranging • Pet therapy – visits from Thula our PAT dog • Gardening, indoors and outdoors How Will we Know if Residential Care is the Right Choice? We usually suggest that people considering Swarthmore for their care, try a month’s respite care with us to see how they settle in and enjoy living here. The first two weeks offer a period of adjustment to living in a different environment with new people. By the second two weeks, the vast majority of guests are starting to enjoy and relax into their new home. About Swarthmore Residential Care HomeThe caring staff at Swarthmore ensure that residents feel nurtured and individually cared for. For over 75 years, our independent care home in Gerrards Cross has been recognised as offering the highest standards of long-term residential care. Swarthmore is a period property, set in landscaped gardens, just a short walk away from the town centre. The staff at Swarthmore care deeply about creating a welcoming environment. If you are thinking about residential or respite care, come and experience the special atmosphere at Swarthmore. Would you like to speak to someone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home about residential care? For an informal chat, or to arrange a visit, call us today on 01753 885663, Option 1 new care enquiries. …
22nd Feb
Moving into a care home is a major change in your life and can be a challenging one, as you adapt to a different lifestyle. Whether it’s a lifelong decision due to loneliness, ill health or an accident that has left you requiring more assistance.Care homes provide a connection with people. Swarthmore has a home-like environment and a caring practice. Communal areas which allow residents to make new friends and enjoy being part of a larger family. The hardest part is maybe acceptance and adaption to a new environment. Knowing that you can ask for help at any time; no need to feel lonely. A piece of mind that comes from living in a safe and supportive environment with like-minded people. Positive experience helps form quality of life, for example one of our residents said she wouldn’t laugh again. She said she probably wouldn’t want to join in with activities as she likes her own space. Hence, she joins in with most of the activities with lots of laughter. How nice is that! Routines are important for everyone; this gives purpose and helps our sense of control. We encourage residents to engage in activities as it’s a way of improving social skills. Getting to know residents is equally as important so we can help them maintain areas that are important to them. It’s the little things that make a difference, finding out what puts a tick in someone’s box ….. a box of chocolates on a Friday, baileys before you go to bed…………Each situation is different, remember to maintain as much of your routine as possible, whatever decision you take! Did you take a brief walk each afternoon? If so, ask someone if it’s safe to go for a walk and maybe they can accompany you. If its not safe or the weather doesn’t permit, maybe try an exercises class. An option to try something new! Social contact, self-expression and belonging will hopefully be something you will regain in the right environment. Swarthmore has the potential to influence residents lives socially, physically and psychologically. Areas to focus on to help you settle in a new environment such as a care home: • Interaction with others • Accept help when needed • Joining in with activities and days out • Having a cuppa and a chat at the spare of a moment • Enjoying the space and not having to worry about things • Having a balanced diet – not worrying about having to cook for yourself • Someone to look after you if you are unwell • Make new friends and learn a new hobby Our staff understand and share our values which go hand in hand with care. Compassion shows a commitment to delivering outstanding care within the home. An integral part of our culture is treating people with respect and ensuring everyone has a sense of belonging. Placing people at the heart of everything we do is essential, but also listening and hearing their voices is vital. Swarthmore has delivered care since 1946, we are privileged for the role we play in making a difference to those we support. If you are considering care and would like to discuss your current situation, please feel free to give Sally a call on 01753 885663, Option 1. We can arrange a viewing around the home if you are considering residential care.…
17th Feb
Mr Marvel otherwise known as Adam performs for our residents. Scamp and Mr Marvel made everyone laugh and interact during their performance. Punch and Judy put in an appearance later in the afternoon. This particular scene brought back lots of memories for our residents. Punch and Judy often put on shows at seaside resorts, mainly on the beach where children loved to play during holidays. Edna, Trixie and Barbara remember taking their children to watch shows whilst on holiday. Its amazing that one scene can prompt so many memories which inject a reflection from someone's past. Prompting conversation about happy times, keeping our minds alive. We all had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, thanks to Adam. You can see a short version of his act with Scamp - see below …
14th Feb
Kitty is a remarkable lady who celebrates her 109th birthday on the 5th Feb. Born in 1934, one of 5 children they lived in Kensington, London moving to Stoke Poges during the War. She remembers the blackouts when she was a child. As a family they played games during this time when they could, other times it would have to be spent in a room in complete darkness. She remembers spending some of her youth going to dances with friends. Her family later moved to Gerrards Cross where she met her husband and married at 20 years. She raised 3 children one boy and two girls. Kitty was a housemaid in grand houses during her younger years. As she settled into family life, she also had a job working in the local Woolworths. The family spent holidays in a caravan in Swanage with fond memories of fish and chips on the seafront. If you ask Kitty what the secret is to a long healthy life, she doesn’t really know what she has done differently to any other person. She said she always cooked fresh food, had a healthy diet, and rode a bicycle everywhere for many years. She also enjoyed the occasional glass of Guinness. She has so many fond memories of living in Gerrards Cross, cycling herself around carrying her fresh ingredients from all the independent shops years ago. She loved to cook from basics, especially remembering ‘Fish Friday’ when she would collect fish from the local fishmonger. So, maybe the moral behind the story is eat healthy and ride a bike around town into your ‘90’s’! Kitty has 4 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Birthday celebrations will begin at Swarthmore Residential Care home where staff and residents will enjoy afternoon tea together on Friday. Her family are planning to take her out and spend some time together over the weekend. Wishing you a very happy birthday from Everyone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home …
4th Feb
Often things don’t go the way we want them to, a sense of purpose helps us to put things in perspective. Retaining a sense of purpose is an area that worries most people considering a move to a care home. Activities is one area that helps retain skills from your earlier life. Swarthmore Residential Care offers person centered care so activities are able to support individual needs which allows everyone to take part in some kind of social activity. We offer days out when the weather allows, exercise classes, art, poetry and much more. Residential care allows you to use your social skills; maybe you have been living alone for some time or maybe unable to get out as much as you used to. Loss of functions can also hinder your option to continue some hobbies or lifelong wishes. Meeting new people allows a group of people to help each other. This allows social skills to come together and enjoy an activity together. Making new friends is also a skill set that opens closed doors. Social time becomes fun again. A care plan outlines your likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests. Structure helps everyone gain a sense of purpose. At the beginning of each week we present each resident with an activity schedule. Lots of interesting options to choose from.Leading a happy, healthier life gives a strong sense of purpose. Motivation plays a big part to ensure we continue to give structure to our lives especially as we become older. Here are a few areas to help you work towards: • Look after your physical health – continue to garden, play with grandchildren, a short walk each day • Continue your hobbies to the best of your ability or try something new • Meet people or join a local club so you don’t lose your social skills • Maintain a healthy diet, drinks lots of juice or water to stay hydrated If you are thinking of a short respite break, Swarthmore Residential Care can help you gain confidence. Respite care will allow you to take a break and recuperate whilst our care team take care of you. We have refurbished rooms which are ideal for respite care. Call to arrange a viewing 01753 885663, Option 1, we look forward to hearing from you. …
25th Jan
Shirmin and Nicole started their journey working at Swarthmore on the same day, 10 years ago. Shirmin - "I started working as a carer and was promoted within no time at all to become a Senior Carer. It wasn’t my intention to become a Senior Carer. I was approached by Agata/Claire, Deputy and Home Manager as a position became available. I am very passionate about giving care to the elderly. My focus is immediate as soon as I walk through the door. My morning shifts consist of making sure everyone is washed, dressed, receive their medication and a nourishing breakfast is served. Its important to make sure that the residents are happy and well cared for, this is my passion"'. Shirmin also enjoys working as a team with her colleagues; ensuring the day goes as smooth as possible. Nicole always had a passion for care. Her sister needed care from a young age, so she naturally grew up where everyone helped to provide love and care for her over the years. Unfortunately her sister passed away and Nicole felt she wanted to continue caring for people. Swarthmore felt like home from home and that’s why she continues to work in care. “When you work in one place for a long time you naturally become part of resident’s family. I feel privileged to care for our residents; a familiar face is important to anyone receiving care”. I believe it helps the transition for anyone moving to a care home. Building relationships helps people settle. As a care team we work well together, there are times when things become difficult, but we pull together to make situations as smooth as possible. …
29th March
Find Out About the Experience We Provide for Residents At Swarthmore, each day is about providing the very best person-centered care to our residents. As an independent care home, we have a unique approach to maintaining an excellent quality of life for everyone living under our roof. It’s not easy to communicate the energy and flow of everyday life here, but in this article, we’ll do our best to give you a flavour of Swarthmore residential care home. Our Home First and foremost, we want our residents to feel that Swarthmore is a comfortable home. It’s a period property with features such as bay windows, a grand oak staircase, oak beams and original fireplaces in the communal areas. We have retained the period character of the house whilst incorporating all the modern features of a residential care home. Our Accommodation We offer three types of bedrooms to our residents. They are all renovated to very high standards, with wi-fi in every room, and many offer views of the gardens and nearby countryside: Standard rooms offer pleasant accommodation with a vanity sink area. Bathrooms designed to suit all needs, are close by to the rooms.Classic rooms are larger than standard rooms, and they are furnished with partial or full ensuite Premium Rooms are slightly larger and have a full ensuite. Some have direct access to the garden via a patio door. 4 Self Contained Studio flats for people who are fully mobile and able to live independently. Swarthmore can accommodate up to 40 residents. Our Location We enjoy the best of both worlds at Swarthmore. The house itself is located in extensive landscaped gardens fully stocked with flowers and evergreens for enjoyment all year round. A feature residents particularly enjoy is the sensory garden, laid out with plants, herbs and flowers that provide a rich and heady experience of nature. Step out of the tranquil gardens, and just a short walk or drive away is Gerrards Cross town centre buzzing with cafes, shops, and restaurants. There is also a train station which has routes into London and Birmingham and other nearby locations. Daily Life at Swarthmore Residential Care Home We’re lucky to have a wonderful chef at Swarthmore, so the food we enjoy is tasty, varied, healthily prepared and nutritious. If a resident has dietary requirements, we’ll take care to cater for them. All meals are served in our dining room and most residents choose to make eating a sociable event. There is always, though, the option to eat in your room. With food this delicious, we need a regular diet of activities to work it off. We offer activities twice a day, morning, and afternoon. These often involve visitors offering skills, pet therapy, or exercise workshops. There are trips out, crafting opportunities and literary or film events to enjoy. Residents have the option to keep busy at Swarthmore! Our Care We have grown our in-house team of carers over the years. This means that our caring staff are very much a part of the Swarthmore family, and they’re valued by our residents. Some of our carers arrive with qualifications, but others have started out by being trained in-house, gaining an NVQ, and then being promoted to positions of authority. We provide residential care, end-of-life care, and respite care. Our Ethos Swarthmore was purchased by London Quakers in 1946 in order to house Friends who had been displaced during the war. All faiths are equally welcome in our home which is run according to the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship of the natural world. Would you like to speak to someone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home about residential care? For an informal chat, or to arrange a visit, call us today on 01753 885663, Option 1…
15th March
Quality of life is notoriously difficult to define. Everyone’s needs are different and can be challenging at times. This is where care homes derived from, the need for extra help when required. If you are reaching a stage in your life where you need to enhance the ‘quality’ of each day, its maybe time to discuss the following: • What areas do you need support with? • What contributes to the difficulties in your day at present? • What are your individual priorities? • Are there areas missing that would benefit by being around others during the day? • Do you have a balanced diet? Quality of life can be confused with quality of care! Quality of care is very important of course. When the standard of care is high, it promotes and supports the quality of life. The emotional side of our life impacts the quality of life. The transition to Residential Care. The first month of moving in to a residential home is probably one of the most emotional times you may experience. Leaving your home life with so many memories behind you, can be very emotional. Take your memories with you, make your room as homely as possible, it’s a new beginning. It’s a place where you can feel safe and hopefully have no worries. You will have people around you 24/7 to help you carry out the tasks that have become difficult over the past months. A nutritional diet will be provided. A place to relax and make new friends. Family and friends can visit you as often as possible, you can still go out and enjoy family time too. Activities offer new opportunities where you may have thought that your health may not allow anymore. Working on tasks together with other residents allows people to continue a hobby. Swarthmore provides person centered care to everyone moving into the home. The care team learn to understand what matters to each individual, which helps you settle into a new home. Tailoring your care allows us to respect your wishes. It’s an emotional process working alongside any individual. It goes without saying everyone needs a purpose in life, being involved in activities in the home allows new beginnings. Activities offers poetry sessions, art classes, a walk in to town, visit to National Trust locations, a yearly boat trip in Henley. Just a few options that you can integrate into your day which can make a huge difference, whilst enjoying with your fellow residents. A boost to your day can make significant changes to your health which may have a positive outcome. A home from home. Starting point of helping residents regain some quality and purpose in life. Its important we get to know each other and your family/friends. Swarthmore Residential Care Home is a characterful home, it has a homely welcoming feel. We like to think we will become an extension to residents’ family. A community that everyone will hopefully enjoy being part of. Feel free to call and discuss your concerns of moving into a care home. It may be helpful to try a couple of weeks with respite care. We look forward to hearing from you. Call Sally on 01753 885 663, Option 1.…
8th March
The moment when a family should begin to think about residential care is always difficult to judge; it can also be difficult to start talking about. Adult children may fear that their parent will be upset or offended by such a discussion. The parent in question may worry that children see it as a rejection of their care. It’s a conversation, however, that’s best had before the need becomes acute. When is it Time to Consider a Care Home? Concern for elderly relatives’ creeps up gradually. For decades they can seem invincible until, little-by-little there are worries about leaving an ageing loved one alone for more than a day or two, or their care needs can no longer be met adequately by family members. There are some clear signs to look out for when you feel concerned about a loved one: • They are having difficulty preparing meals• They talk about their home ‘being too much for them • There’s an anxiety about being on their own • They’ve experienced a fall and find it more difficult to get about Is Residential Care the Right Option? For many older people considering a move to a care home, there is no specific condition that needs to be cared for; they have simply arrived at a stage in their lives when they need to be looked after in a friendly and homely environment. This means having regular food cooked, no cleaning to worry about, and skilled carers on hand if they require assistance, medical care, or reassurance. The Added Value Offered by Residential Care The care offered to residents in residential care is tailored to their individual needs. There is 24 hour care and security, and the environment is both comfortable and safe for residents. Swarthmore residential care home offers a range of daily activities in addition to 24/7 care. For many of our residents, increasing isolation or loneliness will have been a deciding factor in choosing a care home. We know that many of the people living with us have had active and busy lives and are now eager to take up new hobbies or activities. Which is why we offer a busy schedule to our residents at Swarthmore; here’s a taster of the kinds of activities we regularly provide: • Exercise classes • A variety of games, such as skittles, darts, dominoes • Crafts sessions, such as flower arranging • Pet therapy – visits from Thula our PAT dog • Gardening, indoors and outdoors How Will we Know if Residential Care is the Right Choice? We usually suggest that people considering Swarthmore for their care, try a month’s respite care with us to see how they settle in and enjoy living here. The first two weeks offer a period of adjustment to living in a different environment with new people. By the second two weeks, the vast majority of guests are starting to enjoy and relax into their new home. About Swarthmore Residential Care HomeThe caring staff at Swarthmore ensure that residents feel nurtured and individually cared for. For over 75 years, our independent care home in Gerrards Cross has been recognised as offering the highest standards of long-term residential care. Swarthmore is a period property, set in landscaped gardens, just a short walk away from the town centre. The staff at Swarthmore care deeply about creating a welcoming environment. If you are thinking about residential or respite care, come and experience the special atmosphere at Swarthmore. Would you like to speak to someone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home about residential care? For an informal chat, or to arrange a visit, call us today on 01753 885663, Option 1 new care enquiries. …
22nd February
Moving into a care home is a major change in your life and can be a challenging one, as you adapt to a different lifestyle. Whether it’s a lifelong decision due to loneliness, ill health or an accident that has left you requiring more assistance.Care homes provide a connection with people. Swarthmore has a home-like environment and a caring practice. Communal areas which allow residents to make new friends and enjoy being part of a larger family. The hardest part is maybe acceptance and adaption to a new environment. Knowing that you can ask for help at any time; no need to feel lonely. A piece of mind that comes from living in a safe and supportive environment with like-minded people. Positive experience helps form quality of life, for example one of our residents said she wouldn’t laugh again. She said she probably wouldn’t want to join in with activities as she likes her own space. Hence, she joins in with most of the activities with lots of laughter. How nice is that! Routines are important for everyone; this gives purpose and helps our sense of control. We encourage residents to engage in activities as it’s a way of improving social skills. Getting to know residents is equally as important so we can help them maintain areas that are important to them. It’s the little things that make a difference, finding out what puts a tick in someone’s box ….. a box of chocolates on a Friday, baileys before you go to bed…………Each situation is different, remember to maintain as much of your routine as possible, whatever decision you take! Did you take a brief walk each afternoon? If so, ask someone if it’s safe to go for a walk and maybe they can accompany you. If its not safe or the weather doesn’t permit, maybe try an exercises class. An option to try something new! Social contact, self-expression and belonging will hopefully be something you will regain in the right environment. Swarthmore has the potential to influence residents lives socially, physically and psychologically. Areas to focus on to help you settle in a new environment such as a care home: • Interaction with others • Accept help when needed • Joining in with activities and days out • Having a cuppa and a chat at the spare of a moment • Enjoying the space and not having to worry about things • Having a balanced diet – not worrying about having to cook for yourself • Someone to look after you if you are unwell • Make new friends and learn a new hobby Our staff understand and share our values which go hand in hand with care. Compassion shows a commitment to delivering outstanding care within the home. An integral part of our culture is treating people with respect and ensuring everyone has a sense of belonging. Placing people at the heart of everything we do is essential, but also listening and hearing their voices is vital. Swarthmore has delivered care since 1946, we are privileged for the role we play in making a difference to those we support. If you are considering care and would like to discuss your current situation, please feel free to give Sally a call on 01753 885663, Option 1. We can arrange a viewing around the home if you are considering residential care.…
17th February
Mr Marvel otherwise known as Adam performs for our residents. Scamp and Mr Marvel made everyone laugh and interact during their performance. Punch and Judy put in an appearance later in the afternoon. This particular scene brought back lots of memories for our residents. Punch and Judy often put on shows at seaside resorts, mainly on the beach where children loved to play during holidays. Edna, Trixie and Barbara remember taking their children to watch shows whilst on holiday. Its amazing that one scene can prompt so many memories which inject a reflection from someone's past. Prompting conversation about happy times, keeping our minds alive. We all had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, thanks to Adam. You can see a short version of his act with Scamp - see below …
14th February
Kitty is a remarkable lady who celebrates her 109th birthday on the 5th Feb. Born in 1934, one of 5 children they lived in Kensington, London moving to Stoke Poges during the War. She remembers the blackouts when she was a child. As a family they played games during this time when they could, other times it would have to be spent in a room in complete darkness. She remembers spending some of her youth going to dances with friends. Her family later moved to Gerrards Cross where she met her husband and married at 20 years. She raised 3 children one boy and two girls. Kitty was a housemaid in grand houses during her younger years. As she settled into family life, she also had a job working in the local Woolworths. The family spent holidays in a caravan in Swanage with fond memories of fish and chips on the seafront. If you ask Kitty what the secret is to a long healthy life, she doesn’t really know what she has done differently to any other person. She said she always cooked fresh food, had a healthy diet, and rode a bicycle everywhere for many years. She also enjoyed the occasional glass of Guinness. She has so many fond memories of living in Gerrards Cross, cycling herself around carrying her fresh ingredients from all the independent shops years ago. She loved to cook from basics, especially remembering ‘Fish Friday’ when she would collect fish from the local fishmonger. So, maybe the moral behind the story is eat healthy and ride a bike around town into your ‘90’s’! Kitty has 4 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Birthday celebrations will begin at Swarthmore Residential Care home where staff and residents will enjoy afternoon tea together on Friday. Her family are planning to take her out and spend some time together over the weekend. Wishing you a very happy birthday from Everyone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home …
4th February
Often things don’t go the way we want them to, a sense of purpose helps us to put things in perspective. Retaining a sense of purpose is an area that worries most people considering a move to a care home. Activities is one area that helps retain skills from your earlier life. Swarthmore Residential Care offers person centered care so activities are able to support individual needs which allows everyone to take part in some kind of social activity. We offer days out when the weather allows, exercise classes, art, poetry and much more. Residential care allows you to use your social skills; maybe you have been living alone for some time or maybe unable to get out as much as you used to. Loss of functions can also hinder your option to continue some hobbies or lifelong wishes. Meeting new people allows a group of people to help each other. This allows social skills to come together and enjoy an activity together. Making new friends is also a skill set that opens closed doors. Social time becomes fun again. A care plan outlines your likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests. Structure helps everyone gain a sense of purpose. At the beginning of each week we present each resident with an activity schedule. Lots of interesting options to choose from.Leading a happy, healthier life gives a strong sense of purpose. Motivation plays a big part to ensure we continue to give structure to our lives especially as we become older. Here are a few areas to help you work towards: • Look after your physical health – continue to garden, play with grandchildren, a short walk each day • Continue your hobbies to the best of your ability or try something new • Meet people or join a local club so you don’t lose your social skills • Maintain a healthy diet, drinks lots of juice or water to stay hydrated If you are thinking of a short respite break, Swarthmore Residential Care can help you gain confidence. Respite care will allow you to take a break and recuperate whilst our care team take care of you. We have refurbished rooms which are ideal for respite care. Call to arrange a viewing 01753 885663, Option 1, we look forward to hearing from you. …
25th January
Shirmin and Nicole started their journey working at Swarthmore on the same day, 10 years ago. Shirmin - "I started working as a carer and was promoted within no time at all to become a Senior Carer. It wasn’t my intention to become a Senior Carer. I was approached by Agata/Claire, Deputy and Home Manager as a position became available. I am very passionate about giving care to the elderly. My focus is immediate as soon as I walk through the door. My morning shifts consist of making sure everyone is washed, dressed, receive their medication and a nourishing breakfast is served. Its important to make sure that the residents are happy and well cared for, this is my passion"'. Shirmin also enjoys working as a team with her colleagues; ensuring the day goes as smooth as possible. Nicole always had a passion for care. Her sister needed care from a young age, so she naturally grew up where everyone helped to provide love and care for her over the years. Unfortunately her sister passed away and Nicole felt she wanted to continue caring for people. Swarthmore felt like home from home and that’s why she continues to work in care. “When you work in one place for a long time you naturally become part of resident’s family. I feel privileged to care for our residents; a familiar face is important to anyone receiving care”. I believe it helps the transition for anyone moving to a care home. Building relationships helps people settle. As a care team we work well together, there are times when things become difficult, but we pull together to make situations as smooth as possible. …
29th March
Find Out About the Experience We Provide for Residents At Swarthmore, each day is about providing the very best person-centered care to our residents. As an independent care home, we have a unique approach to maintaining an excellent quality of life for everyone living under our roof. It’s not easy to communicate the energy and flow of everyday life here, but in this article, we’ll do our best to give you a flavour of Swarthmore residential care home. Our Home First and foremost, we want our residents to feel that Swarthmore is a comfortable home. It’s a period property with features such as bay windows, a grand oak staircase, oak beams and original fireplaces in the communal areas. We have retained the period character of the house whilst incorporating all the modern features of a residential care home. Our Accommodation We offer three types of bedrooms to our residents. They are all renovated to very high standards, with wi-fi in every room, and many offer views of the gardens and nearby countryside: Standard rooms offer pleasant accommodation with a vanity sink area. Bathrooms designed to suit all needs, are close by to the rooms.Classic rooms are larger than standard rooms, and they are furnished with partial or full ensuite Premium Rooms are slightly larger and have a full ensuite. Some have direct access to the garden via a patio door. 4 Self Contained Studio flats for people who are fully mobile and able to live independently. Swarthmore can accommodate up to 40 residents. Our Location We enjoy the best of both worlds at Swarthmore. The house itself is located in extensive landscaped gardens fully stocked with flowers and evergreens for enjoyment all year round. A feature residents particularly enjoy is the sensory garden, laid out with plants, herbs and flowers that provide a rich and heady experience of nature. Step out of the tranquil gardens, and just a short walk or drive away is Gerrards Cross town centre buzzing with cafes, shops, and restaurants. There is also a train station which has routes into London and Birmingham and other nearby locations. Daily Life at Swarthmore Residential Care Home We’re lucky to have a wonderful chef at Swarthmore, so the food we enjoy is tasty, varied, healthily prepared and nutritious. If a resident has dietary requirements, we’ll take care to cater for them. All meals are served in our dining room and most residents choose to make eating a sociable event. There is always, though, the option to eat in your room. With food this delicious, we need a regular diet of activities to work it off. We offer activities twice a day, morning, and afternoon. These often involve visitors offering skills, pet therapy, or exercise workshops. There are trips out, crafting opportunities and literary or film events to enjoy. Residents have the option to keep busy at Swarthmore! Our Care We have grown our in-house team of carers over the years. This means that our caring staff are very much a part of the Swarthmore family, and they’re valued by our residents. Some of our carers arrive with qualifications, but others have started out by being trained in-house, gaining an NVQ, and then being promoted to positions of authority. We provide residential care, end-of-life care, and respite care. Our Ethos Swarthmore was purchased by London Quakers in 1946 in order to house Friends who had been displaced during the war. All faiths are equally welcome in our home which is run according to the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship of the natural world. Would you like to speak to someone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home about residential care? For an informal chat, or to arrange a visit, call us today on 01753 885663, Option 1…
15th March
Quality of life is notoriously difficult to define. Everyone’s needs are different and can be challenging at times. This is where care homes derived from, the need for extra help when required. If you are reaching a stage in your life where you need to enhance the ‘quality’ of each day, its maybe time to discuss the following: • What areas do you need support with? • What contributes to the difficulties in your day at present? • What are your individual priorities? • Are there areas missing that would benefit by being around others during the day? • Do you have a balanced diet? Quality of life can be confused with quality of care! Quality of care is very important of course. When the standard of care is high, it promotes and supports the quality of life. The emotional side of our life impacts the quality of life. The transition to Residential Care. The first month of moving in to a residential home is probably one of the most emotional times you may experience. Leaving your home life with so many memories behind you, can be very emotional. Take your memories with you, make your room as homely as possible, it’s a new beginning. It’s a place where you can feel safe and hopefully have no worries. You will have people around you 24/7 to help you carry out the tasks that have become difficult over the past months. A nutritional diet will be provided. A place to relax and make new friends. Family and friends can visit you as often as possible, you can still go out and enjoy family time too. Activities offer new opportunities where you may have thought that your health may not allow anymore. Working on tasks together with other residents allows people to continue a hobby. Swarthmore provides person centered care to everyone moving into the home. The care team learn to understand what matters to each individual, which helps you settle into a new home. Tailoring your care allows us to respect your wishes. It’s an emotional process working alongside any individual. It goes without saying everyone needs a purpose in life, being involved in activities in the home allows new beginnings. Activities offers poetry sessions, art classes, a walk in to town, visit to National Trust locations, a yearly boat trip in Henley. Just a few options that you can integrate into your day which can make a huge difference, whilst enjoying with your fellow residents. A boost to your day can make significant changes to your health which may have a positive outcome. A home from home. Starting point of helping residents regain some quality and purpose in life. Its important we get to know each other and your family/friends. Swarthmore Residential Care Home is a characterful home, it has a homely welcoming feel. We like to think we will become an extension to residents’ family. A community that everyone will hopefully enjoy being part of. Feel free to call and discuss your concerns of moving into a care home. It may be helpful to try a couple of weeks with respite care. We look forward to hearing from you. Call Sally on 01753 885 663, Option 1.…
8th March
The moment when a family should begin to think about residential care is always difficult to judge; it can also be difficult to start talking about. Adult children may fear that their parent will be upset or offended by such a discussion. The parent in question may worry that children see it as a rejection of their care. It’s a conversation, however, that’s best had before the need becomes acute. When is it Time to Consider a Care Home? Concern for elderly relatives’ creeps up gradually. For decades they can seem invincible until, little-by-little there are worries about leaving an ageing loved one alone for more than a day or two, or their care needs can no longer be met adequately by family members. There are some clear signs to look out for when you feel concerned about a loved one: • They are having difficulty preparing meals• They talk about their home ‘being too much for them • There’s an anxiety about being on their own • They’ve experienced a fall and find it more difficult to get about Is Residential Care the Right Option? For many older people considering a move to a care home, there is no specific condition that needs to be cared for; they have simply arrived at a stage in their lives when they need to be looked after in a friendly and homely environment. This means having regular food cooked, no cleaning to worry about, and skilled carers on hand if they require assistance, medical care, or reassurance. The Added Value Offered by Residential Care The care offered to residents in residential care is tailored to their individual needs. There is 24 hour care and security, and the environment is both comfortable and safe for residents. Swarthmore residential care home offers a range of daily activities in addition to 24/7 care. For many of our residents, increasing isolation or loneliness will have been a deciding factor in choosing a care home. We know that many of the people living with us have had active and busy lives and are now eager to take up new hobbies or activities. Which is why we offer a busy schedule to our residents at Swarthmore; here’s a taster of the kinds of activities we regularly provide: • Exercise classes • A variety of games, such as skittles, darts, dominoes • Crafts sessions, such as flower arranging • Pet therapy – visits from Thula our PAT dog • Gardening, indoors and outdoors How Will we Know if Residential Care is the Right Choice? We usually suggest that people considering Swarthmore for their care, try a month’s respite care with us to see how they settle in and enjoy living here. The first two weeks offer a period of adjustment to living in a different environment with new people. By the second two weeks, the vast majority of guests are starting to enjoy and relax into their new home. About Swarthmore Residential Care HomeThe caring staff at Swarthmore ensure that residents feel nurtured and individually cared for. For over 75 years, our independent care home in Gerrards Cross has been recognised as offering the highest standards of long-term residential care. Swarthmore is a period property, set in landscaped gardens, just a short walk away from the town centre. The staff at Swarthmore care deeply about creating a welcoming environment. If you are thinking about residential or respite care, come and experience the special atmosphere at Swarthmore. Would you like to speak to someone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home about residential care? For an informal chat, or to arrange a visit, call us today on 01753 885663, Option 1 new care enquiries. …
22nd February
Moving into a care home is a major change in your life and can be a challenging one, as you adapt to a different lifestyle. Whether it’s a lifelong decision due to loneliness, ill health or an accident that has left you requiring more assistance.Care homes provide a connection with people. Swarthmore has a home-like environment and a caring practice. Communal areas which allow residents to make new friends and enjoy being part of a larger family. The hardest part is maybe acceptance and adaption to a new environment. Knowing that you can ask for help at any time; no need to feel lonely. A piece of mind that comes from living in a safe and supportive environment with like-minded people. Positive experience helps form quality of life, for example one of our residents said she wouldn’t laugh again. She said she probably wouldn’t want to join in with activities as she likes her own space. Hence, she joins in with most of the activities with lots of laughter. How nice is that! Routines are important for everyone; this gives purpose and helps our sense of control. We encourage residents to engage in activities as it’s a way of improving social skills. Getting to know residents is equally as important so we can help them maintain areas that are important to them. It’s the little things that make a difference, finding out what puts a tick in someone’s box ….. a box of chocolates on a Friday, baileys before you go to bed…………Each situation is different, remember to maintain as much of your routine as possible, whatever decision you take! Did you take a brief walk each afternoon? If so, ask someone if it’s safe to go for a walk and maybe they can accompany you. If its not safe or the weather doesn’t permit, maybe try an exercises class. An option to try something new! Social contact, self-expression and belonging will hopefully be something you will regain in the right environment. Swarthmore has the potential to influence residents lives socially, physically and psychologically. Areas to focus on to help you settle in a new environment such as a care home: • Interaction with others • Accept help when needed • Joining in with activities and days out • Having a cuppa and a chat at the spare of a moment • Enjoying the space and not having to worry about things • Having a balanced diet – not worrying about having to cook for yourself • Someone to look after you if you are unwell • Make new friends and learn a new hobby Our staff understand and share our values which go hand in hand with care. Compassion shows a commitment to delivering outstanding care within the home. An integral part of our culture is treating people with respect and ensuring everyone has a sense of belonging. Placing people at the heart of everything we do is essential, but also listening and hearing their voices is vital. Swarthmore has delivered care since 1946, we are privileged for the role we play in making a difference to those we support. If you are considering care and would like to discuss your current situation, please feel free to give Sally a call on 01753 885663, Option 1. We can arrange a viewing around the home if you are considering residential care.…
17th February
Mr Marvel otherwise known as Adam performs for our residents. Scamp and Mr Marvel made everyone laugh and interact during their performance. Punch and Judy put in an appearance later in the afternoon. This particular scene brought back lots of memories for our residents. Punch and Judy often put on shows at seaside resorts, mainly on the beach where children loved to play during holidays. Edna, Trixie and Barbara remember taking their children to watch shows whilst on holiday. Its amazing that one scene can prompt so many memories which inject a reflection from someone's past. Prompting conversation about happy times, keeping our minds alive. We all had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, thanks to Adam. You can see a short version of his act with Scamp - see below …
14th February
Kitty is a remarkable lady who celebrates her 109th birthday on the 5th Feb. Born in 1934, one of 5 children they lived in Kensington, London moving to Stoke Poges during the War. She remembers the blackouts when she was a child. As a family they played games during this time when they could, other times it would have to be spent in a room in complete darkness. She remembers spending some of her youth going to dances with friends. Her family later moved to Gerrards Cross where she met her husband and married at 20 years. She raised 3 children one boy and two girls. Kitty was a housemaid in grand houses during her younger years. As she settled into family life, she also had a job working in the local Woolworths. The family spent holidays in a caravan in Swanage with fond memories of fish and chips on the seafront. If you ask Kitty what the secret is to a long healthy life, she doesn’t really know what she has done differently to any other person. She said she always cooked fresh food, had a healthy diet, and rode a bicycle everywhere for many years. She also enjoyed the occasional glass of Guinness. She has so many fond memories of living in Gerrards Cross, cycling herself around carrying her fresh ingredients from all the independent shops years ago. She loved to cook from basics, especially remembering ‘Fish Friday’ when she would collect fish from the local fishmonger. So, maybe the moral behind the story is eat healthy and ride a bike around town into your ‘90’s’! Kitty has 4 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Birthday celebrations will begin at Swarthmore Residential Care home where staff and residents will enjoy afternoon tea together on Friday. Her family are planning to take her out and spend some time together over the weekend. Wishing you a very happy birthday from Everyone at Swarthmore Residential Care Home …
4th February
Often things don’t go the way we want them to, a sense of purpose helps us to put things in perspective. Retaining a sense of purpose is an area that worries most people considering a move to a care home. Activities is one area that helps retain skills from your earlier life. Swarthmore Residential Care offers person centered care so activities are able to support individual needs which allows everyone to take part in some kind of social activity. We offer days out when the weather allows, exercise classes, art, poetry and much more. Residential care allows you to use your social skills; maybe you have been living alone for some time or maybe unable to get out as much as you used to. Loss of functions can also hinder your option to continue some hobbies or lifelong wishes. Meeting new people allows a group of people to help each other. This allows social skills to come together and enjoy an activity together. Making new friends is also a skill set that opens closed doors. Social time becomes fun again. A care plan outlines your likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests. Structure helps everyone gain a sense of purpose. At the beginning of each week we present each resident with an activity schedule. Lots of interesting options to choose from.Leading a happy, healthier life gives a strong sense of purpose. Motivation plays a big part to ensure we continue to give structure to our lives especially as we become older. Here are a few areas to help you work towards: • Look after your physical health – continue to garden, play with grandchildren, a short walk each day • Continue your hobbies to the best of your ability or try something new • Meet people or join a local club so you don’t lose your social skills • Maintain a healthy diet, drinks lots of juice or water to stay hydrated If you are thinking of a short respite break, Swarthmore Residential Care can help you gain confidence. Respite care will allow you to take a break and recuperate whilst our care team take care of you. We have refurbished rooms which are ideal for respite care. Call to arrange a viewing 01753 885663, Option 1, we look forward to hearing from you. …
25th January