Christmas has come and gone, but the team at Eastleigh Care Homes have been working hard during these difficult times to ensure our residents have enjoyed the festive period and have memories to last a life time.  From individual Christmas parties, festive treats, socially distanced visits from the Mayor of South Molton and even Santa and his helpers delivering presents and festive cheer. https://eastleighcarehomes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_0057.mov 700 400 https://eastleighcarehomes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_0097.mov 700 400 23296,23297,23299,23300,23301,23224,23225,23223,23222,23254,23255,23257 3 thumbnail fancy

December Newsletter As Christmas approaches, Jacky and Rayne in our activities team have lots planned to keep our residents and staff entertained. Please see below newsletter with all our upcoming events/activities. Christmas newsletter 2020

Flexible Care Wing Update We have been very busy recently updating our Flexible Care Wing in our Minehead home. As you can see from the photo’s below, our residents now have a very modern, but classy new lounge. As well as being a lovely space, it also has an incredible view looking out over Minehead and North Hill. no-repeat;left top;; auto 23209,23208,23207,23206,23205,23204 6 thumbnail

Here at Eastleigh Care Homes we’re all working extremely hard to keep our Residents & Staff as safe as possible in this difficult time. It is very nice to receive messages from family members like the one below. “Thank you I was struck on my recent visit to see my mother with the care that you and all of your staff were taking to protect the residents from Covid: everyone was polite but firm in enforcing your safety protocols. This is on top of the excellent care that you are providing, day in and day out, not just for my mother’s medical needs (which are very demanding, I know) but also for her comfort and mental well being. So this must be an extraordinarily difficult time for all the staff at Raleigh Mead, and I wanted you to know that we are all extremely grateful, to all of you. Best wishes,”

With babies and young children, it can be referred to as ‘the witching hour’. In dementia and old age, this time of evening restlessness and agitation is referred to as ‘sundowning’. Anyone who works closely with dementia sufferers, as we do in our specialist dementia care home in North Devon, knows there’s definitely something about the twilight hours that post a challenge.

We often hear in the media about the importance of healthy eating. However, rarely do we hear about its importance in later life. However, what we eat becomes even more important as we age. Our diet can impact our cognitive function, determine our energy levels and help us fight off illness. Indeed, eating well can be seen as vital in our care of the elderly.

The festive season is nearly upon us. With it come excited children, decorations in our homes, gift buying, feasts and entertainment. However, celebrating Christmas when a loved one is in a nursing home can feel complex, bewildering or anxiety-inducing. This guide is designed to address the main concerns surrounding Christmas and nursing homes or residential care, including when your loved one has dementia. We look at ways to celebrate, adjustments you may need to make and even gift ideas.

Why Is Specialist Dementia Treatment More Effective? If you have been caring for an elderly relative with dementia then you will be painfully aware of how challenging it can be. One moment they are familiar and compassionate people, the next they can seem alien and aggressive. Even when they are at their most uncooperative it is important to continue treating them with respect and dignity, not just as a matter of tolerance of their condition, but as an acceptance of their needs as people. Such highs and lows can be difficult to manage, so it is vitally important that they receive care from those who are expert at handling such situations. 

We can go to great lengths to ensure our elderly loved ones receive the very best care they need. Heaps of research can be undertaken in selecting the most appropriate home, special attention heeded upon their comfort needs and even exceptional dietary requirements taken into consideration. Then, after devoting all that effort to their wellbeing, why would we want to just sit them in front of a TV and let them mentally deteriorate as the result of a passive, sedentary life?