Clients at Friends of the Elderly’s day care services in Wallington, Kidderminster and Malvern, have been sharing their thoughts and love of visiting and attending their day care centres and enjoying all the varied activities, meaningful interactions and, of course, each other’s company.
The Charity’s Day Care teams started the New Year on a loving note, getting the clients engaged in creating and designing pretty paper hearts for individual, very special, heart-felt messages. The clients were asked a question – ‘Why Do You Love Your Day Care?’ and the answers to this special question were then written on their beautifully crafted paper hearts.
All of Friends of the Elderly’s Day Care Services care for older people with a range of age related conditions, including short-term memory loss and dementia. To keep their clients engaged and motivated, the care teams design and host a diverse range of meaningful activities. “Like our care homes, we tailor our daily activities to meet our clients’ needs, based on their favourite pastimes, preferences, hobbies and things they enjoy taking part in,” said Shirley Bradley, Head of Day Care Services at Friends of the Elderly
“Our meaningful activities include our popular arts and craft sessions which are fun ways for our clients to get creative. They are also great activities to get our clients chatting and, sometimes, sharing their memories, funny life stories or even reminiscing about doing arts and crafts as children. This is a wonderful as it gives us another opportunity to find out and learn even more about them.”
The heart messages were carefully thought through and written with care and love. “Each day I look forward to coming to the day care centre and seeing people that I now call friends,” said Chris Lloyd who has been visiting Wallington Day Care since 2 June 2021. “The staff make me feel special and always give their help and time without question.”
“It’s a happy place,” wrote Pauline Gorman, who is a client at Malvern Day Care. “Everyone is kind and nothing is too much trouble. If I have a problem, you will help me sort it out. It’s that nice I don’t want to go home.”
“Everyone is friendly and I much appreciate all the care and thoughtfulness of all who obviously enjoy looking after us,” added Audrey Edwards who has been visiting the Charity’s Wallington Day Care service since March 2022.
Another Wallington Day Care client, Kay Bish wrote: “One word, fantastic. Oh, and beautiful staff. They all treat you well, are friendly and helpful. You’re listened to, respected and they support your needs.
“Everyone expresses themselves in different ways so we all do different activities – arts and crafts, quizzes, Bingo! – and we have discos with DJ Tony. It’s lovely to meet and mix with different people and make friends.”
Kidderminster Day Care client, Thelma Cranton summed it up by writing: “We have fun,” and Margaret Lineham who visits Wallington Day Care agreeing, writing “I love everybody there,” on her heart.
“The answers we received to the question ‘I Love My Day Care Service Because…’ demonstrate just how happy and content our clients are. We couldn’t ask for more. Their responses were so heart-warming and heart-felt,” continued Shirley. “All our Day Care Teams are so pleased that the clients are happy, know they are well-cared for and loved – and are enjoying life, every day.”
