We celebrate International Day of Older Persons with a glance at life in our nursing homes … which may even challenge some misconceptions along the way.
At Holy Cross in Sunderland and St Catherine’s in Newcastle, life doesn’t stop when someone moves into a nursing home. Residents continue to pursue their interests, make new friendships and shape their days around the things that matter most to them.
Our doors are open to the local community every day at Holy Cross, welcoming people to celebrate Mass alongside residents in our beautiful St Jeanne Jugan chapel. Each week, we also welcome people from the local area who may be lonely or isolated to enjoy food, company and a game of bingo at our friendly Lunch Club. Our close ties to the local community help keep our home vibrant, creating opportunities to meet new people and enjoy varied conversation.
There are also plenty of opportunities for those who prefer life at a quieter pace; enjoying a weekly pamper with visiting volunteers or a fresh hairstyle in the home’s salon or simply reading a book in the tranquil library.
Moving into one of our homes can even breathe new life into much-loved hobbies. Michael, for example, has found a whole new audience for his poetry, inspiring him to put pen to paper again and create a new collection of poems.
At our Newcastle home, St Catherine’s, residents have the same freedom to shape their days around the things that matter to them, whether that’s being able to continue to worship in the on-site chapel, make new friends or enjoy links with the local community through visiting volunteers. The weekly visits by students from nearby St Cuthbert’s High School have become a firm favourite, with the home’s lounge bustling with conversation.
“Having the students visit is wonderful,” said Germaine. “A few of us enjoyed playing a new card game and we love hearing about their exciting ambitions for the future.”
On International Day of Older Persons, we celebrate not only the contributions older people have made throughout their lives, but also their continued ability to learn, connect, create and enjoy new experiences. Supporting residents to do that every day is at the heart of person-centred care in our homes.
