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News

Christian Resources Exhibition 15-17 October

30/9/2019

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Come along and say hello to us at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park Racecourse, Tuesday 15 - Thursday 17 October. A fantastic opportunity to find out more about what we do and how you can get involved with Care Home Friends.
You can get a free ticket via our link
: 
https://eventdata.uk/Forms/Form.aspx?FormRef=CREA9Visitor&FormMode=COMP&TrackingCode=CHF19

What is the Christian Resources Exhibition?

The CRE offers fresh ideas, products and suppliers to ordained clergy, lay leaders and anyone who cares about the future of their local church. Find everything you need for your church – all in one place.

Opening Times

Tuesday 15 October 2019 – 10am-5pm
Wednesday 16 October 2019 – 10am-5pm
Thursday 17 October 2019 – 10am-4.30pm

Getting there
Just 15 miles from central London, Sandown Park is easily accessible by rail (25 minutes from London Waterloo to Esher) and road (M25 and A3). Parking is free for exhibitors and visitors. A courtesy bus will be available between Esher railway station and Sandown Park racecourse, during the opening times.
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Right up your Street

9/7/2019

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​Faith Action, as the Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society have recently written a report on how faith based organisations are tackling loneliness. We provided a case study about Care Home Friends. The report can be downloaded here.
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Embracing Older People in Families and the Church

9/7/2019

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​Tina was recently interviewed for a podcast for Together with God, talking about the importance of valuing older people within the church and society, helping different generations relate to one another, and how Christian families and churches can better support older people. Click here to listen
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Across the Generations

3/6/2019

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I was sitting in a restaurant, over 20 years ago, on a date with my hubby, when a group of about a dozen people came in and sat on the tables opposite us. I was fascinated by them, as they were such a mixed bunch – different nationalities, cultures and ages, all having a really great time together.  I wondered what common interest had brought this disparate group together and I said to my husband, “I bet they’re Christians!” And they were.
There is something powerfully distinct about togetherness. Diversity in unity. I was reminded of this restaurant scene recently when considering the question, “What does a church community look like that genuinely loves and appreciates the uniqueness and contribution of all the different generations within it?
We can appreciate this diversity in unity when the apostle Paul speaks of the church as a body – with each member playing a unique role and every part being needed for us to function properly. But this analogy has limitations for an intergenerational perspective – the parts of my body are a similar age!
I think the best example of what it looks like to be a church that values and loves across the generations is family – the most natural multi-generational community on earth! We all know there’s no such thing as a perfect family, but let’s just imagine for a minute how an ideal family might function:
  • They spend time together – whether it’s doing boring stuff, fun activities or just being together.
  • Everyone learns from each other – a child learning to share; being taught by your granny how to knit; children showing grandparents how to use the latest digital devices.
  • They are generous with one another – they love to give. Whether it is a child drawing a picture for an adult family member, or an adult giving a more expensive gift.
I am sure there is much more that could be added to that list. That is what a community that loves and honours across the generations looks like. And the church is a family!
How can each of us encourage this sort of expression of family in the life of the church?
  1. Get involved in a ministry amongst a different age group.
  2. Become part of a small group/life group/home group that has people of different ages in it.
  3. If your church has different services, go along to the one that is not the usual magnet for your age group.
  4. Invite people over for a meal from a different generation.
  5. When you’re at church events don’t just gravitate to the people you would normally hang out with. Young people – go and chat to some seniors. Find out about their lives. And if you’re in the older age group – go and hang out with the youth!
  6. I heard of a church recently who intentionally partner the young people with an older member of their congregation. When my daughter joined a new church at university she was partnered with an older lady as a mentor and it has been a tremendous blessing to her.
We need each other. Our church family needs the richness that all the different age groups bring.

​
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Visiting someone with Advanced Dementia

14/5/2019

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It can be hard to visit someone when it seems like they are slipping further away into their dementia, or losing their ability to communicate verbally. When it feels like you’re not making a difference and your visits aren’t remembered it’s understandable to begin to wonder if it’s even worth visiting at all. It is! Though people living with dementia may soon forget the details of your visit, they will be left with the emotional memory for far longer. The feeling of being loved, cared for, happy.

So how do we try and make our visits those which leave the person feeling loved, cared for and happy? How do we enable someone living with advanced dementia to enjoy the moment? Here are my top tips:

What were the interests and hobbies of the person? Did they like particular music, or art? What smells, tastes, sounds, touch and visual stimulation will bring enjoyment to them? Even people with very advanced dementia can experience enjoyment through the senses and it can create connections.
Sound - favourite music, singing, favourite TV/radio theme tunes. Poetry - old familiar poetry like The Owl and the Pussy Cat. The lady I visit loves Shakespeare’s sonnets. She can’t remember what she was doing half an hour ago but she can join in when I’m reading his sonnets to her. Perhaps it might be favourite verses from the Bible or the Lord's Prayer that brings them comfort and connection, or old hymns and sunday school songs.
Vision - photos of family, old holiday snaps, pictures of anything that the person with dementia would find stimulating. I visited a lady once who had very advanced dementia and it was impossible to hold a coherent conversation with her. But she mentioned to me that she liked a group of artist called the “Canadian Five”. With the help of google I printed off some paintings which I took the following week. We were able to have an amazing conversation as she talked about these pictures.
Smell - lavendar, rosemary, favourite perfumes or aftershaves. Take the person you are visiting for a walk in the care home garden - admire the sights and interact with the smells, especially if there are herbs growing in the garden.
Touch - the importance of caring touch can not be over estimated. You can learn to do a simple hand massage technique that can really bring connection between you are your loved one. Here’s a link.
There are so many other things to touch and feel. I once visited a lady who was bed bound with very advanced dementia and had visual impairment. I learned she used to be a seamstress and made beautiful wedding dresses, so I got some offcuts from our local bridal shop and she would spend ages touching and caressing them. (See photo) And how about bubble wrap? Who doesn’t enjoy a good pop of the bubbles?
Talking of bubbles - they can be a lot of fun - both blowing them and popping them. I spent time with a lady in a sensory session. She wasn’t interacting at all, just watching. She couldn’t even have a hand massage due to a condition of her hands. But when we started blowing bubbles and we put the bubble wand to her lips she blew and created her own bubbles. It was so special.
I’ve mentioned going outside but it’s worth repeating. Many people with dementia are living in a locked unit for the safety of residents. To be able to go outside can be so liberating - the fresh air, the flowers, the birds, the trees.
Art - painting, drawing and colouring. These are great in themselves and particularly good for people who have lost the ability to communicate verbally. I recently learned that the lady I visit used to draw horses so now each week I take in a sketch book and pencils for her to have a go.
A manicure - who doesn’t love a bit of pampering? A manicure isn’t just for ladies either - there are men who liked to be well groomed too. And combine it with a gentle hand massage for the ultimate enjoyment.

I have a bag now which I take to the care home every week. It has a basic manicure kit, a portable speaker, hand cream, a sketch book, photos, pictures and music on my phone. I can then offer different activities depending on the mood and fancy of the lady I visit. There are some weeks it doesn’t go that well, if she is having a particularly bad day, but more often than not it has enabled me to bring her a little enjoyment. Although I have been visiting for nearly two years I still have to introduce myself every week and I know she has no memory of my previous visit. And yet, I do sense that she knows me. At the very least she associates me with good feelings, and that for me, makes all worth while.
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Implications of an Ageing Population for the Church

26/2/2019

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Our population is ageing, fast.

It's a hidden time bomb that no-one in the church is talking about.

In the last 60 years, the number of people aged over 65 has doubled, and the number of people over the age of 85 has tripled.

Kofi Annan, former president of the United Nations, described it as “a revolution that extends well beyond demographics, with major economic, social, cultural, psychological and spiritual implications”. 

An Ageing Population
The proportion of older people in the UK is forecast to dramatically increase over the next two decades.

  • In 1901, only 4.7% of the UK population was aged over 65 years.
  • In 2018, this figure has rose to 18.2% (ONS, 2018a).
  • By 2040, this figure is predicted to rise to 25% (Age UK, 2018).

Those aged 85 and over, are the fastest growing age group in the UK. It’s predicted that 20% people currently in the UK will live to see their centenary (DWP, 2011).

Those over 85 are more likely to experience frailty, ill health and dependence, with 75% of over 85’s suffering from limiting long-standing illnesses.

Whilst the numbers of those in the third age (65-74) is predicted to stay relatively static over the next 12 years, those in the fourth age (75-84) is forecast to grow by 25%, and those aged over 85 by 50%.

Due to the drop in the numbers of young people attending, the church is ageing more acutely than society (Brierley, 2015).
​

  • In 2000, the over 65’s accounted for 25% of church attenders
  • By 2030 it is predicted that 45% of church goers will be over 65

That's a massive change.


In past generations, it has been the church that has led the way on social reform. Think of Cadbury and William Wilberforce who were well ahead of their time.

The church model we now live with was established decades ago. Our outreach programs are often designed for a population that comprised mainly of families with young children or teenagers.

With a changing population, our church models have failed to change and grow with them.

Many churches have youth and children’s workers, but few have anyone assigned to older people, let alone a strategy for mission and discipleship of their older community.

A cursory glance at church movements and websites, shows a glaring hole in any provision for those age 65 and over.

We believe that, as it has through history, the church should be taking the lead on the issue of a changing world around us. It should be the church who seeks to bridge the growing generational divide.  

The ageism that is so prevalent in society can so easily spill over in to the church. Yet, the church should be leading the way in expressing the worth, dignity and value of the older generations to us as a society. 

Jesus told His followers that the world would know us by the love that we have for one another.

The hallmark of the church should be diversity in unity. 'For there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' (Gal 3:28)


There’s a saying that “The young people are the church of tomorrow”. The church needs to stop seeing older people as the church of yesterday and instead show the world that we are all the church of today.

It's time for the church to change the way we view and value older people, both in our churches and our communities.

The church has the chance to be a trailblazer, reaching out to and serving the growing population of older people.

We have the chance to develop and establish ministries and programmes for the retired and the elderly.

We stand on the brink of massive social change. The church has an incredible opportunity to shine the light of the gospel as role models of intergenerational connectedness, enriching the lives of young and old alike.

Will you be part of this revolution?

Where Can I Get Started?​
  • Listen to older people and find out what's on their heart
  • Ask God to show you how you can empower and serve your seniors to live later life in all its fullness
  • Honour older people in your congregation for their commitment and service
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Conversation Starters - Questions to Break the Ice

11/12/2018

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When meeting someone new, it's easy to be worried about running out of things to say.

Talking to older people, especially those living with memory loss, comes with it's own challenges. Asking questions, which require a factual response, can be difficult for the person, if they can't remember.

For example, asking their age, how many children they have or what they had for dinner, might be questions they're unable to answer.

Often it's the recent memories that older people are unable to access, yet they can clearly recall things that happened decades before.


The good news is that there are plenty of questions that you can ask an older person that don't rely on their recent memories, but refer to some of their older memories.

Here's some ideas of open-ended questions that can help to break the ice:
  • how are you?
  • what is your favourite food?
  • what sort of music do you enjoy?
  • what is your favourite holiday memory?
  • what hobbies have you enjoyed?
  • who or what are you most proud of ?
  • what makes you smile?

This type of question allows an older person to share some of their memories with you, without relying on specific memories they may be unable to access right now.

Why not try using one or more of these open-ended questions next time you're chatting to someone?
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101 Things To Do With An Elderly Relative or Friend

18/9/2018

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This started as a somewhat crazy idea at midnight. Thinking about the different ways that I've spent time with my own elderly parents, I wondered if it'd be possible to come up with a list of 101 ideas for ways that we can spend time with older people.

Visiting older people, either in their own homes or in care homes, isn't rocket science. Yet we can feel intimidated. We don't visit because feel as if we don't know what to do.

It's one of my regrets that I didn't go and see my elderly godmother until it was too late.  These regrets helped me prioritise creating many beautiful memories with my dad, who passed away last year.

This list is a work in progress - you'll notice that there's not 101 things on the list ... yet!

​Please can you HELP us build this post by sharing your ideas and experiences. How do you prefer to spend time with elderly relatives?

Help us create an amazing and useful list:
  1. Reminiscing - remembering past events (thanks to Viv for this idea!)
  2. Taking a 'wheelchair walk' outside (this is what Jen enjoyed with her dad)
  3. A stroll in a sensory garden (thanks it4mature on Instagram)
  4. Show them how to use technology such as Skype or FaceTime to connect with family members they haven't seen or spoken to in years (thanks to it4mature on Instagram)
  5. Giving them a gentle hand massage, to share the joy of touch (thanks to Tina for this one)
  6. Create music together - using simple instruments such as thumb pianos, recorders or shakers. It may not hit the UK charts, but it's a fun and memorable experience. For extra fun, record your efforts with a phone or tablet and play back, for hilarious effect! (thanks again to it4mature on Instagram!)
  7. Try something new at a nearby coffee shop! Explore a drink you haven't tried before & chat about preferences! (thanks to LinkingLivesUK on Twitter)
  8. Get some paints and paper and have a go at art with some painting (thanks to abbeyfieldsociety on Instagram)
  9. Grab an adult colouring book and get colouring - it's relaxing and helps the mind (thanks to serenitycareassistedliving on Instagram)
  10. Take your dog to play (as long as it's permitted where they live!) - who doesn't love to stroke a dog? (thanks to abbeyfieldsociety on Instagram)
  11. Look through boxes of old photos or albums. It's a guarantee to start conversations. Find books that contain old photos of the cities they're from, use as a conversation starter or memory jogger (thanks to Tracy on Facebook)
  12. Listening to music from their era useful too, it transports them back to a dance or party they may been to and relates to other events happening at the time. (thanks to Gill on Facebook)
  13. A scrap book of clips/pictures from years ago together with more up to date pictures is quite fun too, maybe do a little quiz? (thanks to Gill)
  14. A magazine of a hobby they love/loved such as gardening or cooking to look through together (thanks to Gill)
  15. Baking - my mother remembered how to make shortcrust pastry even though she forget how to cook. Rubbing fat in to flour is such a tactile thing - it was good therapy and passed the time (thanks to Anne on Facebook)​
  16. Invite them along to a street party to meet everyone in the local community. It's a great way to mix inter-generationally (Marmalade Trust on Instagram)
  17. Find out what's happening at your local community farm of garden (Marmalade Trust on Instagram)
  18. Check out the local U3A activities and take them along (Marmalade Trust on Instagram)
  19. Painting on rocks - it's calming and creative. (thanks to Anglia Care)
  20. Go for a weekly walk, if you haven't got a dog, perhaps you can borrow one! (thanks to Marmalade Trust)
  21. Organise a street party or community get together (thanks to Marmalade_Trust on Instagram)
  22. Doing jigsaw puzzles together - helping each other with the difficult pieces (thanks to Anglia Care on Instagram)
  23. Enjoy a good old-fashioned cup of tea together (thanks to Anglia Care on Instagram)
  24. Ask about their past hobbies. For example, they may have loved flower arranging, dance or Lego. Is there some way that you can help bring their past hobbies alive again - either by doing, reading or watching? ​
  25. A sing-song together. Singing brings elderly people alive, even those with memory problems (thanks to Sharon Noble on Facebook)
  26. Take them along to your knitting or crochet group (e.g. Knit & Natter), or go along to theirs with them (thanks to playingoutcic on Instagram)
  27. Visit beautiful places together (thanks to ChristianActionBristol in Instagram)
  28. Explore nature (thanks to Christian Action Bristol on Twitter)
  29. Ask them if there is anywhere they would have liked to visit, or anything they would liked to have done - maybe you can help them tick something off a bucket list :) (thanks to Lucy Hazell for commenting below)
  30. Invite them to a dinner party - if living alone, many elderly people wouldn't go through the effort of preparing a full home made meal just for themselves - this gives them an excuse to enjoy one :) (Thanks to Lucy Hazell)
  31. Go for a picnic - it gets everyone outside and appreciating the simple things in life.  (Thanks to Lucy Hazell)
  32. Swap hobbies - maybe they know how to do something that you don't and vice versa. So why not swap hobbies and teach each  other?  (Thanks to Lucy Hazell)
  33. The Cinema - my granny loves the cinema, but is afraid of falling in the big dark rooms. So I go with her to watch a film of her choosing. For some people that haven't been to the cinema in a long long time, it will be quite an experience, given how technology has advanced. (thanks again Lucy Hazell!)
  34. Take a drive in the countryside (thanks to Janet Kuntz)
  35. Watch sports with them (thanks Janet!)
  36. Have them over for dinner and ask for their help in either making it or setting the table, to make them feel included (thanks again Janet)
  37. Visit an art gallery (thanks Janet!)
  38. Use the computer together (thanks Ros)
  39. Go out for coffee or ice cream (thanks to Ros!)
  40. Enjoy a bit of simple shopping (thanks Ros)
  41. Bring in young children and play games, say or sing nursery rhymes (thanks to upbeat52 on Instagram)
  42. Talk about names and descriptions of friends (yours and theirs), together with favourite activities and foods (thanks to upbeat52 on Instagram)
  43. Make simple cakes or biscuits (thanks Ros!)
  44. Do manicures together (nice idea Ros!)
  45. Dance together or take them to a dancing or music group (thanks for this idea Rebecca Seymour, Twitter)
  46. Share or read poetry together (thanks to Tina)
  47. Play board games, cards or dominoes (thanks to Tina)
  48. Do crosswords, word searches or word puzzles together - helps keep both of your brains active (thanks Tina)
  49. Show them how to use technology - to communicate with family and friends, for example by showing them how to send an email, or how to play simple games (such as jigsaw) on their phone or ipad (thanks to Jen)
  50. Take an instrument that you play along and play some music (thanks to Tina and the Embracing Age team)
  51. Playing music from the persons favourite era   50's 60's 70's (thanks Grace Wilding on YouTube)
  52. Carpet bowls - works across the generations and even for those in wheels! (Thanks to Jane)
  53. Play dominoes or a card game together (even if the rules might need to be a little flexible)
  54. Listen to a CD with familiar music on it - this could be classical music, hymns or just popular songs
  55. Take in a colouring book and some pens, pencils or markers
  56. Read from the Bible, or say familiar prayers
  57. Share nursery rhymes that they may remember
  58. Watch TV programs or DVD's of gardens, outdoor activities or something beautiful or relaxing (thanks to Dr Jennifer Bute of Glorious Opportunity for this and the last five suggestions)
  59. Read from the Bible, or other faith-based book
  60. Ask about past interests and hobbies - who knows what you'll learn?
  61. Have your own 2-person book club - choose books to read and then have fun discussing them
  62. Share your hobbies with them - do you collect postcards, stamps or art? Involve them in your hobbies - it's never too late for any of us to show an interest or learn.
  63. Glass Jar Decoupage with tissue paper (thanks Matt!)
  64. Creating stained glass with sharpies (from Matt Harris)


Thanks for helping us to reach 64 ideas before Christmas!

Please COMMENT below with your ideas, links to posts or suggestions, which we can then add to the list.

If you prefer, share your idea with us on social media - links below.
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How One Church Is Impacting Older People in their Village

3/9/2018

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One village church in Norfolk, is making a real impact on the elderly in their community.

In a village of just 1489 residents (according to the 2011 census), with 20-30 regularly attending their weekly church services, size (or lack of it) has not deterred the team at St Mary's, Newton Flotman, from making a difference.

Last year they set up a Care Home Friends project, with volunteers going in regularly to visit elderly care home residents.

Volunteers visit weekly, talk about childhood memories, the news or sometimes take individual residents outside for a walk in their wheelchair. Special boxes, full of objects connected to topics they enjoy, help volunteers initiate and engage in conversation.

Once a month, the church baby and toddler group, Church Mice, meets in the care home. Residents and children sit around, talk and do crafts together. Everyone enjoys singing nursery rhymes together.

A small group from the church visit regularly to lead a communion service, which is well-attended by residents. For those unable to join in, the team visit residents in their rooms and are able to share communion and pray with them.

A number of care home residents are picked up and taken to the monthly community lunch in the church room, where they get to meet other village residents, both old and young.

There are occasional outings for the residents, where one of the team drives the minibus, to take residents on a day out. A recent outing to the seaside town of Southwold was well received, with beautiful sunny weather being an unexpected bonus.

With loneliness impacting over 8 million people in the UK, the church is involving older people in their community and creating opportunities for friendships to grow and blossom.

This small local church really seems to believe and act on the quote, that "helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person."

Community outreach worker, Andy Cox, says "We've had highs, such as being shortlisted for an award for our work at the Caring UK Awards. I've also been involved in end of life care for some and been involved in funerals which, although sad, has been a privilege." Andy is hoping to recruit more volunteers from the local area to help reach more older people in their community.

Head of Care at the home, says "We’re so grateful to everyone who makes such a difference to the daily lives of our residents".

What's impressive about what they're doing, is that it's just a handful of volunteers running everything - from the baby and toddler group, to the Care Home Friends project, the monthly communions and the occasional outings.  

St Mary's Church, Newton Flotman, really are showing that the saying, "small is beautiful" is true, at least, for one Norfolk village.
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We welcome John Noble as our Ambassador

31/8/2018

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We're delighted to welcome John Noble as a new ambassador for Embracing Age, our parent charity.

John shared his story with us ...

​Tell us a bit about yourself and your experience of supporting a loved one with dementia.
That’s a challenge without writing a book!

I’ve been in Christian ministry with my lovely wife for almost 60 years! We were married in 1958 and after seeing the folly of some involvement we had in the occult, we soon found the Holy Spirit at work in our lives as we were caught up with the Charismatic Renewal which emerged in the 1960s in a big way.

Alongside bringing our five wonderful children into the world, we planted churches, shared in great conferences like Spring Harvest and developed a team to serve the church here in the UK and around the World.

Having been trained at the Royal Academy, Christine had a passion to see the arts functioning freely in worship and the church’s mission. With her team she pioneered the use of movement, drama and art which, with a strong prophetic element, enriched our gatherings at every level.

Christine was greatly used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and has seen many people delivered, healed and released into ministry. She also did much to gender self-esteem with women and encouraged them to pursue their God-given callings in work, home and church in whichever way the Lord was leading them. 

Together we were a great team and spent many years serving the church from simple tribal village fellowships in Asia and Africa to the city churches of the West and beyond.

In 2011 Christine was diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia and we were faced with the greatest challenge of our long and happy relationship. I was devastated and wanted everyone to know and pray for us, while Christine was inclined to be in a measure of denial. This immediately led to some tension and made it difficult to manage the inevitable adjustments the progression of the disease brought.

Nothing I had been through in life had prepared me for the situation we found ourselves in and so began a massive learning curve for me.

I must admit that I didn’t always handle things very well as the Christine I knew seemed to fade away and a different Christine emerged. It was a Christine who didn’t behave and react the way she had done in the past and left me coming to terms with a disturbing range of emotions from bewilderment and confusion to hurt, anger and sadness.

If it wasn’t for the support of a loving family, praying friends and a few people with experience who listened to my pain and took time to sympathise and gently give some words of counsel, I would not have survived. 

Two days after my 80th birthday Christine was taken into care for a couple of weeks to sort out her medication which wasn’t working too well. It was the worst day of my life and I wept buckets.

During her short stay she was seen to be in an advanced stage of disease and the assessor said that she was amazed that we had managed to cope for so long. So, Christine stayed in the home which was both a relief and a further devastation.

Why are you motivated to see more volunteers in care homes?
I have visited Christine every day for the last 22 months and watched her deteriorate to the point where she is immobile and has all but lost her speech. By God’s grace this experience has softened my heart and changed my understanding of those who have to cope or live with the disease. 

I see the incredible commitment of so many carers, the majority of whom are immigrants. They work long shifts and the pay is not great. Every day they face the challenges of residents, most of whom are confused and concerned or totally dependent on their input and a few can be quite aggressive.

Carers time is taken up with the simple chores of dealing with the basic needs of feeding, washing and watching. Whilst many go the extra mile and try to spend time interacting with residents it is impossible for them to give the attention which would help to make life a little more bearable, especially for those who have no family or friends to visit.

I began to think about the difference a few volunteers, who have received a little training, could make to the lives, not only of the residents, but to the staff as well. I have seen how easy it is to get alongside folk to give them some assurance and a little love which brings light into their darkness and peace in their confusion.

We have made some real friendships with the staff who appreciate us being around and they are interested when we take time to share something of our experiences and faith.

There is another area where I see we can make a difference if we are sensitive. During one of my first visits to see Christine I was distressed and upset. A lady who was visiting her mother took a moment to come over to me and offer kind words of comfort and encouragement. During my daily visits I have had dozens of opportunities to do the same for other visitors who might be facing an emotional challenge with their loved one. 

In our daily lives we find it difficult to engage with people who are busily going about their daily routines. However, when a life is turned upside down by the circumstances which bring them to a care home, they are vulnerable and open to receive a little love and tenderness which a caring volunteer might be able to offer.

When I discovered Embracing Age and all that you are doing, I was delighted and thrilled to know that my growing concern to see an army of volunteers supporting care homes across the UK was already being addressed a professional way. Thanks for the amazing work you have started and more power to your elbow!

​If you could give one piece of advice to the younger generation what would it be?
Over recent years in our society, community life is all but gone. The security and support communities provided has been dissipated. Family life has largely disappeared and people are more and more isolated.

One tragic result of this is an ever-widening generational gap which breeds suspicion, fear and even anger and aggression between the young and old.

My advice to the younger generation which is emerging in this climate is, please take time to consider the long-term effects of perpetuating this situation. One day you will be old and will need love and support.

With all the energy, hopes and aspirations you have, let us, together, find a way to buck the trend and reverse the divisions. Let us rediscover the incredible reservoir of wisdom and energy which reside in the two generations and see how this can be a force for positive change in this troubled world. ​

Thanks John for sharing your story so honestly. We look forward to working with you to supporting many more residents in care homes, with your support! 
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"Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” Psalm  71v9
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Care Home Friends is a project of Embracing Age, Registered Charity No. 1160400                                                                                                                     ©  2019 EMBRACING AGE.
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