Singing is a great way to lift our spirits, it’s good for the brain as is reminiscing, and this week we have certainly been doing a lot of singing. We enjoyed music therapy, musical hangman, a craft session using CDs and Gareth singing for us on Thursday, then musical bingo on Saturday. After such a busy week, Sunday was an opportunity for us to sit and enjoy a favourite musical – South Pacific.
Monday 24 April, to start the week Laura, our wonderful music therapist, held a group music therapy session before visiting residents in their rooms for one-to-one time. The sessions are great and we tap out tunes on drums, shake maracas and even create our own rhythms to play along to.
In the afternoon we enjoyed an afternoon tea, and we donned hats to sing the song ‘Where did you Get that Hat?’ which dates back to the music halls and was made famous by Stanley Holloway.
Tuesday 25 April, we took part in exercises with pom poms around the home to the Bill Haley song – Shake Rattle and Roll.
Residents continued planting sunflower seeds, we are going to see who can grow the tallest sunflower in the summer.
The afternoon was very relaxing, we used pictures from The Sound of Music to colour in. It had us all singing ‘The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music’. Tinkerbell visited, and we all got the chance to stroke her.
Our Baking club got together in the afternoon and made delicious scones which we enjoyed with a cup of tea after all our hard work.
Wednesday 26 April, we played a game of Hangman. All the words were songs from our favourite musicals, so we had a great time guessing them and then singing together.
Other residents enjoyed playing dominoes together. It’s a game we have grown up playing and always one of our favourites.
In the afternoon a trolley visited all floors, offering a selection of sweets and chocolates to our residents. With ‘The Candy Man’ song playing our Activity Co-ordinators looked like they had visited Willy Wonka himself to give us some treats.
Thursday 27 April, we gathered in our activities room to get creative. We got our old CDs together and created funny animals, we were all very pleased with. They will be displayed on our art board.
One of our resident’s got the chance to go to the local supermarket to buy some sweets. It’s nice to be able to have these little trips out now the weather is improving.
In the afternoon we were pleased to see one of our favourite singers, Gareth. He sang a varied selection of songs, and we all sang along, some of us even danced as well. A really great way to spend an afternoon at Farnham Mill.
Friday 28 April, we enjoyed hand massages and manicures. What a lovely way to relax.
In the afternoon we enjoyed another afternoon tea.
Saturday 29 April, some of our residents and families got together for our card making group. We love making cards which we sell to raise funds for the charity – Families Supporting Care. There is a selection of birthday, get well and thank you cards so please have a browse when you visit. It’s a great opportunity to chat and have a cup of tea as we make our cards.
In the afternoon we played musical bingo – yet another opportunity to sing along together. There was a wide selection of songs to listen to ranging from Danny Boy, Onward Christian Soldiers and even Jingle Bells. It brought back many memories for us and a great opportunity to reminisce.
Sunday 30 April, while some residents watched the local church service, others enjoyed the books from our library trolley. Books are a conversation starter as we remember our favourite stories and the types of books we like to read. Several residents have requested either books from their much-loved authors or certain subjects and we have been able to facilitate this.
In the afternoon we watched South Pacific. Residents enjoyed singing along to the songs such as ‘There is Nothing Like a Dame’, and ‘Some Enchanted Evening’. Of course we enjoyed popcorn, chocolate and sweets while watching the movie.
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