At Eastleigh, we offer nursing, residential and dementia care at our Minehead home, making us unique and sought after by those searching for care homes in West Somerset. If you’re already a Somerset resident then staying nearby is the obvious choice. However, if you’re bringing a loved one into the area for residential or nursing care, this is probably a different side of life to that which you’re familiar with. Why choose Minehead care homes West Somerset? Our Minehead home is more accurately described as ‘homes within a home’. We offer nursing and residential care, as well as specialist dementia care. The home is just a short distance from Minehead itself. So, why should you choose care here? Minehead is a peaceful and relaxing coastal town, but it also has plenty of amenities. Here our residents can gain access to the beautiful coast, as well as being in an area of the country prime for visiting families. Our residents are never short of visitors! The beach at Minehead is wonderfully flat and there are several areas, as well as the promenade, which are wheelchair accessible or ideal for a short stroll. Also within Minehead is the harbour where pleasure cruises […]

Days Out in North Devon and Somerset for the Whole Family from Great-Grandparents to Toddlers Looking for suggestions on where to go in North Devon and Somerset which cater for the whole family? Whether you’ve got wheelchair users or pushchair riders, those with little energy or those with bucket loads, we’ve got suggestions so that you can all get out and have an enjoyable time together. Wistlandpound Wistlandpound is a glorious reservoir affording spectacular views and a chance to get out in the fresh air. There are two trails at the reservoir which are ideal for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility, without compromising on opportunities for young children to run and explore. The Discovery Trail is suitable for all abilities and the Challenge trail is interestingly the UK’s first wheelchair exercise trail. Great-grandparents and grandparents will delight in being with their family in nature. There’s even an accessible bird hide here. Find out more here. Image source: https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk   Wimbleball Lake An accessible and exciting part of Exmoor for all is Wimbleball Lake. Let the teens head off on an adventurous bike ride, or have a go at windsurfing, whilst the rest of the family enjoy a leisurely […]

15 Table-Top Activities for Individuals with Dementia It’s important in dementia care that we continue to stimulate and challenge the mind, as well as promote socialisation. However, family and carers can often be at a loss regarding which activities are suitable. Your loved one is also likely to need activities which can be done from a chair, at a table. Using our experience running an outstanding dementia care setting in the south west, we’ve brought together our top 15 table-top activities which can be enjoyed by those with dementia.   Colouring Adult colouring has gained popularity in recent years. It can be a wonderful activity done peacefully at a table with someone with dementia. If the individual is particularly frail, or struggles with their eyesight, we recommend choosing children’s colouring pages rather than the more complicated adult designs.   Decorating Biscuits No doubt an activity they loved as children, or perhaps did with their own children, decorating biscuits has no ‘right or wrong’. However, it can be enjoyable and result in a sense of achievement. Similarly, you can make dough in advance and together roll it out and cut the shapes.   Manicure Allow your loved one to feel physically […]

Brain Health in Later Life Massive leaps ahead have been made in neuroscience over the last decade or so. There’s no doubt that the human brain is a complex structure which we’re still learning so much about. As a residential and nursing care provider in the South West, with a distinct speciality in dementia care, we are fascinated by the brain and elderly people. The ageing brains The human brain is really quite remarkable. Throughout our lifetime our brain continues to change and adapt in a way more marked than any other part of our body. However, the brain, like all of our other organs, ages. We know that as we get older the volume of our brain decreases. Yet this ‘shrinkage’ isn’t consistent from person to person. Nonetheless, our brains shrink at a rate of around 5% per decade after the age of 40. It’s widely accepted that the rate of decline increases over the age of 70. Shrinkage in two prime areas of the brain – the frontal lobe and the hippocampus – typically increases in later life and it is these areas which are vital for cognitive function and memory. The effect of the ageing brain It’s […]

Loneliness and the Elderly According to Age UK, 3.6 million over-75s live alone. 1.9 million older people often feel alone. The NHS explains how loneliness isn’t simply a social ‘problem’. It can have detrimental effects on health and wellbeing. Worryingly, lonesomeness can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is a very real and very significant problem for the UK’s elderly population. The causes of loneliness in the elderly There are a fair number of myths around loneliness. Most importantly, you don’t necessarily have to be alone to feel lonely. Loneliness can be defined as sadness or a low feeling stemming from a lack of authentic companionship and communication. Elderly people are particularly prone to feelings of isolation for a number of different reasons. In our modern society, it is not unusual for the elderly to be physically distanced from their key family members. Even when living nearby, retirement days can be long and the lives of family members busy and fraught with pressure. Health problems can cause mobility issues and concerns about getting out and about, inevitably closing off connections. Similarly, many peer relationships fade through health problems and bereavement. The vibrant networks surrounding […]

Living in a Care Home: How to Personalise Your Loved One’s Experience When we talk to the families of potential new residents at our care homes, there are understandable concerns. One of these concerns, which lurks behind many questions, and indeed potentially holds back a sensible move, is how to ensure your loved one is treated as an individual and receives both personalised care and an adapted environment. It is right and understandable that you are concerned that a loved one may lose their sense of identity when they move away from their home. At Eastleigh, we believe that a resident’s care and environment should be tailored for them so that they don’t lose this sense of identity. Our goal is that residents benefit from the care home environment and structure, without losing their individuality. Moving to a care home or nursing home should be about providing security and safety, without compromising the individual. There are ways in which families can help to achieve this. For further information about what is required and the preparation you need to undertake before moving, follow the previous link. Be open about your concerns When it comes to elder care, there are a great […]

Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds If you’ve enjoyed the Channel 4 series called Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds, then you may be feeling inspired to find out more about the impact of children on older adults. If you haven’t seen any of the series, it is both fascinating and heart-warming viewing, and you can watch past episodes here. Old meets young The basic premise of the two series was to investigate the impact that extended exposure to the very young had on care home residents. In a nutshell, a preschool moved into a residential care home for a period of time as we watch powerful friendships between young and old formed. What’s more, the older adults experienced improvements in mood and physical ability. The benefits of intergenerational care The benefits of intergenerational care vary depending on the individual. However, some of the positive experiences include: Extended networks: Families with young children may live far from extended family. Additionally, older adults may be separated from their extended families, or, in some cases, never had children themselves. Both parties therefore benefit from extending relationships across generations which is missing in modern society. Improved mobility: Older adults were seen […]

The Importance of Touch and Kindness in Dementia Care In advance of ‘Hugging Day’ on 21st January, we wanted to take a look at a phenomenon we experience every day at Eastleigh. We witness how the physical TLC of a carer holding a dementia resident’s hand, or a family member giving them a hug, calms, soothes and can instil a sense of wellbeing. Indeed, it even helps with communication. So why are touch and kindness so important in dementia care? The science of touch Research studies show that: “touch is truly fundamental to human communication, bonding, and health.” In fact, the touch of a hand, or a hug, can convey both compassion and security. For dementia patients who can struggle with verbal communication, a simple touch of the hand can work wonders. That’s what Hugging Day is about: celebrating the benefits of physical touch from relieving stress to releasing oxytocin, the happiness hormone. But really, we don’t just need one day to show it! The importance of touch with dementia This all becomes increasingly fascinating when we look at the power of human touch for those with dementia. Studies have shown that a simple five to ten minute hand massage […]

How to Keep Your Elderly Relative Safe at Home We understand the importance for elderly people retaining their independence for as long as possible. However, we also understand the concerns that family members can have in the face of a staunchly independent elderly relative, in terms of how safe they are. Often comes a time for your relative to move in to a care home, where they will soon discover their fears were unfounded. There may also come a time, when a transition to sheltered accommodation would be a good ‘half way house’ until they need round the clock attention. What can you do in the meantime to keep your elderly relative safe at home? The Stay Safe Website The good news is that a whole new website called Stay Safe is jam-packed with all of the information you need to know. The website is the joint effort of Age UK, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the National Training Standards Scams Team. Here you will find advice ranging from fire and gas safety through to falls prevention and reducing the risk of scams. Making an elderly relative’s home safe It is important to remember that […]

How to Plan a Day Trip for Someone with Dementia We all know the benefits of getting out and about in terms of our wellbeing. However, undertaking a day trip with someone who has dementia can pose a number of hurdles and concerns. This article looks at how to plan a day out to boost their sense of peace and wellbeing. Choose the location carefully Day trips can vary from an excursion to a local café, to a stroll down memory lane. Choose your location with care, particularly when considering eateries. Some venues will be quieter and calmer, and these should be preferred. It is worth investigating local venues which offer wheelchair borrowing or rental services. These places not only make it easier for you practically, but will have planned their venue with wheelchairs access in mind. They tend to be more ‘disabled-friendly’ generally. Stimulate memories Memory difficulties are a common symptom of dementia. However, usually there is more success in accessing much longer-term memories, and as such great comfort can be brought from this. Think back to the things that your loved one used to talk about from their younger years. How could you incorporate this into a day […]

The two primary symptoms of dementia are memory problems and communication difficulties. This can make holding a conversation with someone with dementia a struggle and a daunting concept. However, it is vital to endeavour to adapt your communication so that you can communicate effectively. This can not only help alleviate the dementia sufferer’s anxiety but to also help to achieve a greater sense of wellbeing.