Activities for Residents
The activities are incorporated into the residents’ daily life in a way that ensures their independence, choice, and dignity on one hand, whilst nourishing and sustaining their physical and mental capabilities. The Activity Coordinator, Ammara Hashmi, designs daily activities according to the preferences, abilities, and needs of the residents.
The activity plan for residents is flexible, rather than a strict timetable, as individuals with advanced stage dementia often have fluctuating needs. Activities are modified so that, for each resident, it becomes a meaningful experience. A typical day at Vale House includes following activities:
Display Boards
We begin a day with displaying boards in the communal area, which are updated daily and feature important historical events, birthdays of famous personalities, and inspirational quotes. Linked with the information on the boards, we play music and show films and tv programmes.
Arts and Crafts
We offer multiple activities; painting, drawing and other crafts, including bird feeding, decorations, or object-making for a special theme.
A trainee art therapist also visits Vale House on various days and we have had residents artwork featured in an exhibition on the Southbank.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy currently takes place at Vale House from Monday to Friday, and there are plans to extend provision of the service to include one day of the weekend in the future. Two fully qualified, HCPC-registered music therapists – Will Draper and Sharon Warnes – provide both individual and group music therapy sessions at Vale House, and every resident in the Home receives at least one session each week, with many residents accessing multiple sessions.
Groups are run on an ‘open’ basis meaning that ambulant residents are able to come and go as they please, accessing the music therapy for as little or as long as they wish; hand-held percussion instruments are provided for residents to play if they so choose; singing, moving and dancing is encouraged! The music therapists take their cue from the residents and sing a mixture of well-known and improvised songs as well as playing pieces on guitar, violin and saxophone. The aims of group sessions include providing opportunities for self-expression, communication, reminiscence, and meaningful occupation through the medium of communal, live music-making, and help to reduce feelings of isolation, loneliness and/or depression through the multiple social interactions that occur in each session. In very hot weather, group sessions can be held outside in the safety of the shaded courtyard garden.
Individual sessions take place mostly in residents’ rooms, and are invaluable for those residents who, for a variety of reasons, are less able to access group sessions. Sessions are tailored to meet the needs and reflect the musical preferences of each resident. Sessions are generally 30 minutes long but can be shorter or longer dependent upon need. Some of the most effective music therapy interactions occur sporadically – in corridors, or smaller communal areas where there are sofas and seats - and are fleeting, but impactful. For example, a resident who is walking along the corridor in a state of agitation or distress might be offered company: a hand to hold, someone to walk with them, listen to them, sing with them, acknowledging their feelings and giving their words and/or the rhythm of their walking a musical context. Very often, the distress or agitation dissipates or disappears. Visits from external musicians - choirs, ensembles and individuals have taken place outdoors during Covid, giving residents the chance to access and enjoy live music from a safe, social distance.
Physical Activities
A variety of physical activities is part of a usual day at Vale House. There are many physical activities performed in Vale house such as skittles, armchair exercises, sedentary exercises, and bike and beach ball - the last being the most popular!
Residents often go outside for a walk with a member of staff, weather permitting. A guided walk with identification of things and communication of sorts is an alternative for walking indoors and has found to be a mood enhancer.
Reading and Writing
The daily activity plan of Vale House includes one or two reading activities. Reading not only stimulates imagination and memories but also helps residents calm down and deal with anxiety, agitation, confusion, and disorientation. Sometimes, residents are encouraged to read themselves, which contributes to their sense of achievement. Reading activity is performed in groups as well as with individuals depending upon the mood and requirement of the residents.
Some residents are still able to write, and may be helped to write a letter to their loved one, which is appreciated by both parties.
Reminiscence Activities
Reminiscence activities can work well with some residents and gives them a chance to talk about meaningful events from their life. An elevated mood is almost always observed after a reminiscence activity. This may involve just a conversation, or looking at an old photo album together, making or painting, or doing something that has a historical importance for residents, e.g. reading past diaries/letters.
Social Activities
Vale House celebrates social and cultural events with significant activities for residents. The residents and staff together decorate Vale House at Christmas and Easter, and there are indoor and outdoor parties, feasts, and celebrations. In addition, seasonal events are also arranged such as an ice cream party in the garden on a sunny day or a mocktail dance party on world cocktail day. Every Friday residents particularly enjoy a special afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream and we always celebrate residents’ birthdays.
Partnerpac
We are part of a research project for people living with dementia, involving touch and music to create a structured communication between two people. This comprises six person-centred activities and each activity has specific music to accompany the tactile feeling. Relatives have been involved in this and are using it with their loved ones living at Vale House. It provides an opportunity for residents to experience a sense of interaction and communication, through a carefully designed tactile, visual and listening experience.
