Laverstock residents relax in reminiscence picnic area

The residents of Laverstock Care Centre are now able to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce over bygone years thanks to a new ‘picnic area’ that has been created at the home.The new picnic area is just one of a variety of initiatives that the staff team use to support and engage their residents living with dementia. The home’s Activities Coordinator Barry Pentelow also hit the headlines last year when his poetry book ‘The Good Old Days’ was published. The poems were written as a prompt for the residents, again encouraging them to reminisce over poignant moments in their lives.Barry’s work involves organising activities for residents. He creates reminiscence sessions where he talks to residents about times gone by so that they can recall key moments in their lives and share their memories. The picnic area encourages residents to enjoy social interaction with their friends and relatives, whilst also providing them with an opportunity to discuss fond memories of family trips and occasions that were poignant to them.All of the staff at the home are committed to supporting their residents who are living with dementia and they gained further recognition last year when Senior Health Care Assistant Kelly Bartlett was shortlisted for the ‘Best Dementia Support Worker’ category at the National Dementia Awards.Care home manager Helen Pessell said:‘We are always looking for new ways to encourage our residents to share their memories with their friends and family and this picnic area is a lovely addition to our home. We’re looking forward to seeing people enjoy the new space.’Located on the outskirts of Salisbury, Laverstock Care Centre is a purpose-built home that provides residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 80 elderly ladies and gentlemen.