Last week we celebrated Father’s Day week. It was a fabulous week with lots of sunshine and Father’s Day themed activities.
Garden walks were a popular activity this week and the residents indulged their senses in the beauty of our surroundings at Farnham Mill.
The ice cream trolley went on its usual weekly round on Saturday. Delicious!
We ended the week with a gift to all the male residents, celebrating those that had not only been fathers, but those who had had fathers, uncles, or brothers.
Monday, 12th June – In the morning residents gathered in the activities room for music therapy. The residents were creative in producing their own sounds with the musical instruments. This brought them so much joy. Others tapped their feet and clapped their hands to the beat of the hand drum. Others reminisced and sang along with tunes that the therapist played on her guitar.
After the session the music therapist visited several residents in their rooms and sang their favourite songs to them.
In the afternoon we held a transport themed Garden Tea Party.
Lovely Susie put a Father’s Day quiz together, it got the gray matter working. It led to an afternoon of sharing experiences of different transport modes. A lot of laughs and fun was had by everyone.
Tuesday, 13th June – Residents spent the morning creating a Father’s Day photograph frame.
Other residents enjoyed a morning session of mindful painting. While painting, they had tea and biscuits and chatted away about daily activities.
In the activities room several residents designed ties.
In the afternoon we held a special Men’s Baking Club. The fathers baked scones with whiskey-soaked raisins. There was a lot of fun and laughter, with a tasting of “whiskey and water” to go with their hard work. One of the male residents called the club “Joys for Boys”. They later enjoyed scones fresh out of the oven with jam and cream.
While the men were enjoying their baking club, the ladies were having fun making their scrapbooks.
Wednesday, 14th June – The residents had a busy morning enjoying Father’s Day word games. These brain training games are not only fun but improve memory and overall mental health.
Residents went on garden walks which gave them the opportunity to enjoy the glorious sunshine, appreciate the beautiful gardens and feed the birds, as well as see the pond with the ducks and their ducklings.
Several residents participated in sensory games.
On Wednesday afternoon there was a Gentleman’s trip to the pub. They had enjoyed going to the pub so much the previous week that they asked to go again.
Cheers! A resident enjoying his cold beer on a very hot and sunny day!
Thursday, 15 June – Residents gathered to enjoy another Father’s Day quiz and exercise their minds.
Dominoes was offered as an alternative game.
Art Club was held on the second floor. We used this week’s theme as an inspiration to paint. Painting is both therapeutic and creative.
In the afternoon our flower arranging club gathered together on the balcony to arrange this week’s stunning flower arrangements.
Friday, 16th June – The Arts and Crafts Club gathered in the Activities Room to use their creative skills to paint, build and assemble wooden craft kits.
Friday afternoon Terry Owen performed for the residents. They enjoyed singing along and tapping their feet to old tunes. This performance triggered wonderful memories for the residents.
The Physiotherapist worked with several of the residents on Friday afternoon.
Saturday, 17th June – This morning residents enjoyed garden walks in the sunshine, indulging in social conversations.
Residents had a great time playing skittles on the balcony. Not only is it a bit of fun, but it is also good exercise.
In the afternoon we kept cool with our delicious ice cream trolley.
Sunday, 18th June – While several residents were taken to church, other residents watched the weekly live streamed church service.
We put scrapbooks together. It is a great one-to-one activity and an opportunity to reminisce on things we get up to in Farnham Mill.
In the afternoon we celebrated Father’s Day with gifts and homemade beer. The residents had made the beer during “Beer Week”.
As this resident put it, “The homemade beer is very good. Very good indeed!”
What a lovely way to end the week.