21st September
Arts in Care Homes and the National Day of Arts in Care Homes is an initiative by NAPA and funded for five years by The Baring Foundation and The Rayne Foundation. Now in its third year, it acts as a central hub for delivery of arts and creative activities in care homes.
Art and music often go hand in hand and music is an excellent way to bring art to life and create a stimulating experience for residents.
Recommended activities such as gardening is a multi-sensory activity. Being outdoors, is stimulating as we all know as we age, we spend more time indoors. A simple action as picking up a trowel opens a whole array or smells, sights and sounds and memories.
Encouraging residents to participate in activities can be challenging. We share information about the activities on a weekly basis, through our activity schedule which is delivered to all residents at the beginning of each week. We talk about the session beforehand which hopefully encourages them to participate. Talking about an object or activity promotes conversation and can also help reduce anxiety. We must also remember that as we age, our sight ad hearing can change so its important to account for any changes in our residents so we can support their needs. Our activities team understand the likes and dislikes of all our residents so they can introduce topics to please all. Some residents may find a new talent and learn to enjoy something new, with a little encouragement.
Being creative, from a sensory point of view, it is so important to carry out art activities that engage the thought process, this may include using their hands. Arts and Crafts allow us to express our inner feelings and create some amazing pieces of art.
Ann Marie and Jeanette provide opportunities on a weekly basis ranging from poetry, crafts, musicians, dancing, singing and much more. Read on to explore the activities available:
Swarthmore Singers – a recently formed choir with the direction of Jeanette. They are currently working on several songs which we will all hopefully have the pleasure of listening to soon. Singing allows us to increase your immunity and gives the brain and lungs a good workout.
Arts and Crafts – range from soft clay modelling. The residents have recently produced some beautiful autumn leaves which have now been painted. Creative artwork using recycled products to create some beautiful pictures. Pompom art – we all love creating little furry creatures. Our residents have created pompom sheep and hedgehogs. We have also explored sand art which is very popular and again we have some great artwork on display throughout the home.
Pottery and knitting are beneficial for the elderly research shows that they have a lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment. Crafts are a great way to keep your brain stimulated and enhance cognitive abilities.
Poetry – our residents have recently written a poem, which is displayed in the home. We have poetry classes on a weekly basis which is kindly read by one of our volunteer’s Erica. Activities recently sat with the residents so they could write their own poem and here it is 'Its Raining Again', (A framed version is displayed in the home)
It's raining again
And where shall we go?
We planned to go shopping and take in a show
Let's first have a coffee and plan what to do
We could order onlline and buy something new.
We need to take brollies to save getting wet
I've just had my hair done .........., a shampoo and set
Come on lets brave it, the forecast says 'good'
We could take a shortcut, around the edge of the wood.
We may see a red fox, a squirrel or two
gathering acorns, It's just what they do!
At last theres the station, and we're just in time
to catch the next train, as it comes down the line
After our lunch and a jolly good show
We've had a great day and home we go.
Back through the woods and down the lane
Low and behold, its sunny again!
Days out – visit to a garden centre, exploring all the different colours, textures and smells of plants. This environment creates a huge talking point, triggers memories of what plants one had in their garden. Likes and dislikes and its just nice to get out, I am sure we can all agree with this!
Musicians – harpist and pianist and singers have recently performed at the home. Andrew our pianist always seems to strike a chord, which naturally inspires our residents to dance and sing. Our harpist creates a different experience of relaxation and appreciate the sounds.
Cookery – afternoons making desserts such as cheesecake and eton mess. Of course, the best part is eating the homemade desserts.
Gardening – planting bulbs, watching them grow and appreciating the beauty of the result. We are very fortunate to have such beautiful grounds with plants, trees and shrubs that were planted for the seasons.
iPad Technology - live streaming arts – ballets, virtual tours of countries, shows and singalongs. For example, the lounge was turned into a London bus for the afternoon whilst we toured the streets of London admiring all the sights, during lockdown. It didn’t stop our residents from experiencing a day out! It even ended with a cream tea.
Flower arranging – arranging vases for the home. Flowers around the home help concentration and increase cognitive performance. Residents can feel and smell the flowers as they arrange the flowers to suit their mood. They can also view the flowers as they move around the home during the day, appreciating their displays. The home looks beautiful …………..
Cultures – exploring traditional dress, language and tasting food.
Art takes on many forms, our care team step in whilst carrying out day to day care, so this can be on a one-to-one basis, they all have different qualities to share. Agatha and Carmelina are our dancing queens; a particular resident and carer will always spring into dance whenever music is in the room. Stepping into a resident’s room can also open up a different type of art, this can involve a trip down memory lane whilst looking at photographs. Every image provokes a question, every image will elicit an emotion, each picture has a story to tell!
Everyone who works within the home is involved in everything we do to create inspiration and thought and hopefully bring out the creative side in everyone. Let us help unleash your imagination and inspire confidence. A simple example – take a piece of art – say Van Gogh, Sunflowers – place a sunflower in a loved one’s hand so they can feel the texture of the flower, a sense of smell, and a place a sunflower seed to see where it all started. You will be surprised where the conversation leads! Bring out the paints, pencils, and paper. Inspiration is all you need to enjoy the time you have with someone. – exploring traditional dress, language and tasting food. Art takes on many forms, our care team step in whilst carrying out day to day care, so this can be on a one-to-one basis, they all have different qualities to share. Agatha and Carmelina are our dancing queens; a particular resident and carer will always spring into dance whenever music is in the room. Stepping into a resident’s room can also open up a different type of art, this can involve a trip down memory lane whilst looking at photographs. Every image provokes a question, every image will elicit an emotion, each picture has a story to tell!
Everyone working within the home is involved in everything we do to create inspiration and thought and hopefully bring out the creative side in everyone. Let us help unleash your imagination and inspire confidence. A simple example – take a piece of art – say Van Gogh, Sunflowers – place a sunflower in a loved one’s hand so they can feel the texture of the flower, a sense of smell, and maybe a sunflower seed in the other hand to see where it all started. You will be surprised where the conversation leads! Bring out the paints, pencils, and paper. Inspiration is all you need to enjoy the time you have with someone.
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