Memory Books Class for Residents
Many of the residents have joined in a “Memory Books” class, where they are creating book about their lives. They have been so enthusiastic about the books they are creating. 
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Fun Party…..
Some more pictures and videos from a another fun party day at Vicarage Court care home.
Cyclothon for Yorkshire Ambulance
Staff raised many for Yorkshire Ambulance by having a 12 hour Cyclothon. Below are some pictures from the day.
Sing YourSelf Happy!!
On 29th July, the residents had a large Sing Yourself Happy day….
From the videos below, you can see it was enjoyed by all…..
Summer Fair & Celebrity Singer
On 3rd August, the care home hosted its summer fair. Many residents and families came for the day.
The event had celebrity X factor star Alan Turner who is very liked by residents and families.
BT Phone line fault.
Dear families,
During the dates of 25th July to 26th July, many families had problems when phoning the care home. This was due to a BT line fault. It was fixed within 48 hours.
We apologise of any inconvenience.
Christmas Carol Service
On Thursday 10th December, we had the first of 3 scheduled carol services over the festive period.
Residents Visit to Local School
On the 6th December, some our residents and staff visited a local school.
2nd Christmas Carol Service
Our Local Primary School came to the care home on the 11th December to sing Christmas Carols for the residents… Videos and Pictures are below….
Forget Me Not Unit Xmas party
The Residents and Staff had a lot of fun at the special Xmas party for the Forget me Not Unit. Videos are below…..
3rd Xmas Carol Service
We have had a number of Xmas events at the care home courtesy of Janet, our activities co-ordinator. Below are a video and pictures from the 3rd Xmas Carol Service.
Xmas Events
We have many events over the Xmas period in addition to our normal classes. Below is a list…
Monday 5th December – 10am – Church service
Wednesday 7th December – 3pm – 5pm – St Wilfred Xmas Meal
Friday 9th December – 1pm – 3pm – Big Xmas Fair
Monday 12th December – 1.45pm – North Featherstone School Carol Service
Tuesday 13th December – 2pm – Forget Me Not Unit Xmas Party ( Special guest Singer Kevin Kitchen)
Friday 16th December – 2pm- Xmas Sing-a-long with mulled wine and mince pies
Saturday 17th December – Midday- Xmas Relatives Dinner (tickets only)
Monday 19th December – 2pm – Big Xmas Party ( Special Guest Singer – Alan Turner from X- factor)
Friday 23rd December – 2pm – Special Event – Liquorice Singers
Friday 30th December – 1.45pm – New years Sing-a-long
These events are in addition to the regular classes such as Tai Chi, Gardening, Memory Books, Dance and holistic therapies.
Vicarage Court featured in HealthWatch video
Health watch is a government backed organisation to help families get good quality care.
They have just produced a video featuring two ladies with different experiences of care. One is positive and the other is negative.
Theresa who had the positive experience mentions our care home and how accommodating and excellent the staff are.
This video is going national through the health watch website. The link is below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_zeXgBwQXhEMHA1OXlOc2oySTA/view
Upcoming Events
We have a number of events for residents at the care home in March. This email is just to make you aware of them so that you can help inform families so that more of them attend these events.
Monday 7th March – 10am – Church Service
Monday 14th March – 2pm – North Featherstone Junior Infants school choir
Friday 18th March – 10am – Residents & Family meeting
Friday 18th March – 1.30pm – Tom & Billy Folk group for St Patricks Day
Wednesday 23rd March – 1.30pm – Easter Fair
Friday 25th March – 1.30pm – Alan Turner Entertainer with Buffet Tea
This is in addition to the following weekly schedule:
Monday – Bingo and various activities
Tuesday morning – Gardening
Tuesday afternoon – Dance (Alternative weeks)
Wednesday morning – Dance
Wednesday Afternoon – Memory Books
Thursday morning – Tai Chi
Thursday afternoon – Sing yourself happy
Friday – Coffee mornings
7 Stages of Alzheimers Disease
http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/2013/01/7-stages-of-alzheimers.html
7 Stages of Alzheimer’s
The seven stages of Alzheimer’s are helpful in finding the words to discuss Alzheimer’s. Caregivers find them particularly useful in support groups, as well as in conversations with doctors and other professionals.
Although the progression of Alzheimer’s disease can be slowed down today thanks to today’s medications, it cannot as of yet be stopped. The process is described in general terms as going through 3 steps:
Mild Alzheimer’s
Moderate Alzheimer’s
Severe Alzheimer’s.
For more meaningful terms between professionals, caregivers and patients, a more detailed process has been characterized in seven stages. The seven stages are based on a system developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D., clinical director of the New York University School of Medicine’s Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center.
STAGE 1 – NORMAL
This system calls a mentally healthy person at any age “Stage 1”.
No memory problems
No problems with orientation
person – your name, who you are;
place – what country, state, city you live in, where you are;
time – what day, date, season it is
No problems with judgment
No difficulties with communication skills
No problems with daily activities
STAGE 2 – NORMAL AGED FORGETFULNESS
More than half of all people ages 65 and older complain of cognitive difficulties. This is considered a normal part of aging.
Occasional lapses in memory, usually undetectable to family and friends
Slight cognitive problems, also undetectable to friends and family, might also not be visible on medical exam
STAGE 3 – MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
At this point, there are mild changes in memory, communication skills and/or behavior, noticeable to family members and friends. Symptoms might be picked up by an alert physician. Many people will not decline further than this point. Notwithstanding, a majority do progress to Mild Alzheimer’s within two to four years.
Problems remembering names, words for objects
Difficulties functioning at work and in social settings
Problems remembering newly-read material
Misplacing important items with increasing frequency
Decline in organizational skills and the ability to plan
Repeating questions and evident anxiety
STAGE 4 – MILD ALZHEIMER’S
Cognitive symptoms are more obvious now. A neurologist can confidently diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and treat it with medications that have been proven effective in slowing it down.
Difficulty remembering personal details, recent events
Some confusion possible (ie: might put towel in fridge)
Impaired mathematical ability, financial management (trouble managing a checkbook – for those who did not have trouble managing one before)
Social withdrawal
Moodiness, depression
STAGE 5 – MODERATE ALZHEIMER’S
This is the stage at which it is not possible for a person with Alzheimer’s to live alone.
Severe memory loss, e.g., may not remember basic personal contact information such as current address or phone number
Disorientation (not knowing the day/date/season, and/or location/country/state/city)
No longer safe to cook, even if the sufferer can manage or remember the logistics of the process, due to severe short-term memory difficulties and confusion
Wandering risk; might get lost once leaving the home
Decreased personal hygiene skills
Increased desire to sleep is common
STAGE 6 – MODERATELY SEVERE ALZHEIMER’S
It is at this stage that family members often suffer the most, because the loved one with Alzheimer’s loses much of the ability to recognize those around him or her, even a spouse, sibling, parent or child. Personality changes are common as well.
Severe memory loss continues to intensify
Withdrawal from surroundings
Wandering
Reduced awareness of recent events
Problems recognizing loved ones, although it is still possible to differentiate between those who are familiar and those who are not
“Sundowning”, if it has not yet begun, makes its appearance at this point – this is the phenomenon of increased restlessness and agitation toward sundown (hence the name), in the late afternoon and evening hours
Bathroom management becomes difficult; at this stage it often is necessary to switch to diapers due to incontinence, wetting and other such problems using the bathroom independently
Paranoia, suspiciousness
Shadowing, extreme anxiety, following a loved one around the house due to fears of being alone
Repetitive, compulsive behavior (verbal and/or nonverbal)
STAGE 7 – SEVERE ALZHEIMER’S
This is the final stage of Alzheimer’s disease, at which the long goodbye comes to an end. Even though the Alzheimer’s person may somewhere inside really hear and understand what is being said, he or she can no longer respond, other than possibly to speak a word or phrase.
Communication is very limited
Physical systems begin to deteriorate
Gross motor coordination shuts down, may not be able to sit
Swallowing may become difficult, choking is a risk
The last stage of Alzheimer’s disease, as with any other illness, is a very individual matter and no two journeys end the same way. People with Alzheimer’s seem to experience little physical pain. What is certain, however, is that every Alzheimer’s journey ends – as does every other. May they all be peaceful and pain free.
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
For a new, insight-filled perspective on the stages of Alzheimer’s, check out the video:
Teepa Snow Illustrates Alzheimer’s Stages
In this video, Teepa Snow shows what to expect, while keeping the focus on the person, not the disease.
Gods Love……
“God’s Love: Naomi Feil, a Jewish woman, sings Christian hymns for Gladys, who has Alzheimer’s and was unable to speak. Watch what happens at the end, when Mrs. Feil opens her heart and gives Ms. Gladys what she needs so deeply.”
Xmas Fayre
We held a Xmas fayre on 3rd December which had many stalls. The residents enjoyed the day sampling the offers from all the stores.
Xmas Puppet Show 2015
The residents enjoyed a special Xmas puppet show. It is something different but fun for residents. Below are many videos of the event. Then pictures of residents interacting with the puppets.
Carol Singing by local schoolchildren
As part of the Xmas festivities, earlier last week, we have local school children coming into the Vicarage Court Care home to sing to the residents. It was a nice experience for residents, families and schoolchildren.
Fundraising for Macmillian Nurses on Friday 25th September
Staff and residents are fundraising for MacMillian Nurses on Friday 25th September at 10am. Unit manager Sally Ann Bryan will be dressing up as a male, and family member Geoff will be dressing up as a woman. They will then be doing a walk in Vicarage Gardens. Both are being sponsored by staff and families members.
We will also be doing cake competition with a prize for winning cake. If anyone wishes to enter the cake competition then please contact Janet.
Our hairdresser kate will be doing manicures and staff have a non-uniform day, but they will be wearing pink for cancer.
Sing Your Self Happy!!
New classes have now started in the units at the care home. These include the favourites such as Tai Chi, Gardening Club, Dance Class and Memory Book. However we have a new class called Sing Your Self Happy.
New Schedule :-
Monday morning – Church Service (monthly)
Monday afternoon – Gardening Club
Tuesday morning- Dance Class
Tuesday afternoon- Holistic therapies
Wednesday morning – Dance Class
Wednesday afternoon- Memory Book
Thursday morning- Tai Chi
Thursday afternoon – Sing Myself Happy
Friday morning – Residents Meeting or Coffee Morning ( Monthly)
Friday afternoon – Various Mixed Activities
Nearly three-quarters of residents feel happier and less isolated after moving to a care home
Nearly three-quarters of residents feel happier and less isolated after moving to a care home
27-Jul-15
Article By: Sue Learner, News Editor
Seventy-four per cent of residents feel happier or just as happy and experience less isolation after moving to a care home, according to a new survey.
The research carried out by Hallmark Care Homes found 89 per cent of residents take part in a social activity at least once a week compared to before joining the care home.
Twenty-three per cent of people surveyed said that their relative or friend lived with a partner before they moved into a care home. Fifty-nine per cent had been living alone for over five years prior to their move.
Avnish Goyal, managing director for Hallmark Care Homes and chair of Care England said: “It is widely recognised that social isolation is a growing issue among older people. This is a problem which is likely to develop as time goes by given our aging population and the constraints on the social care budget.
“Our research shows that those living within our communities of care benefit from regular social interaction and take the opportunity to join planned activities, thereby enhancing their quality of life and increasing their levels of happiness.”
He added: “However, it is important to stress that the approach to social activity should be centred on the individual resident and their preferences which is why we make great efforts to find out as much about our residents as we can prior to moving in using our ‘About Me’ booklet which gives us insight into the social activities that they might enjoy.”
Children in Need
Staff raised money for Children in Need at Vicarage Court Care home. Staff came in dressed in pyjamas and did numerous activities with residents.
Staff and residents had a fun day……
Vicarage Court Care Home`s Blog 
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