Regents Court - 25 August 2010

CARE HOME GOES RETRO!

Residents at a Bromsgrove care home are cooking up some memories – with a new 1950s style kitchenette in their activities room.
Karen Hancox, manager of Regents Court Care Home in Stourbridge Road, has spent over six months scouring charity shops and the internet to find authentic appliances and utensils to kit out the retro kitchen.
“We specialise in caring for people with dementia and keeping them active is a key part of that,” said Karen.
“Bingo is all very well but bringing back memories in this way is much more effective.
“The residents love just going into the kitchenette to peel potatoes or to wash up their mugs, using equipment that’s familiar from their earlier lives.
“It makes them feel they are being useful, as well as sparking their memories.”
The equipment Karen found  to get the retro look at Regents Court, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes, includes a cooker with an eye level grill, a Belfast sink and old fashioned kitchen utensils.

Regents Court - 01 April 2010

Special 65th wedding anniversary celebrations at Bromsgrove care home

An artistic couple will be celebrating their blue sapphire wedding anniversary this weekend at a Bromsgrove care home.

Ken and Nina White, who met 72 years ago, will be marking the occasion with a romantic meal for two at Regents Court Care Home, where Mrs White is a resident.

The couple, who were married on April 3rd 1945, have led an eventful life which has seen them take on numerous projects and adventures including buying and converting an old Bedford truck into a motorhome in which they lived, building their own boat and sailing to the Channel Islands, and buying Burcot Forge, in Burcot, and restoring it from a dilapidated old shell back to fully working condition.

They also designed and built their own home in Blackwell, in which Mr White still lives.

The couple, originally from Gloucester, met as friends while they were still teenagers.

Mr White, age 88, said: “We knew each other through a group of friends and we used to go out playing badminton and sailing. We didn’t start courting straight away, but something just clicked and we had a great time together.”

Mr White trained in metal and traditional decorative ironwork. His career saw the couple travel around America annually, where Mr White was invited to teach at various universities. His work, which ranges from small church alter candlesticks to a globe of the world four feet in diameter, has been bought by customers from around the world.

Mrs White, age 87, was heavily involved in the Barnt Green Women’s Institute, serving time as its secretary and president.

During the war years, Mrs White helped make Churchill tanks as a lathe worker.

And at the grand age of 79, she gained a City & Guilds with commendation in Silversmithing after taking a course in Birmingham.

Mr and Mrs White were also both involved in the Scouting movement, becoming Cub and Sea Scout pack masters. The couple also shared a love of sailing.

“Nina has always been very good at making things and is such a clever person in so many ways,” said Mr White. “She has always been able to turn her hand to anything, from painting and silversmithing to making lampshades.

“We’ve had an interesting, wonderful and quite unusual life together and we’ve had a marvelous marriage.”

In addition to their romantic meal on Friday, at which Mr and Mrs White will be serenaded by entertainer Paolo Pinto, the couple will receive a card from the Queen congratulating them on their milestone anniversary. They will also be given 65 roses amongst other anniversary gifts.

Regents Court Care Home activities coordinator, Heather Penny, said: “It’s clear to everyone that Nina and Ken are still very much in love after all those years. We’re very honoured to be able to share their special day with them and we will be doing all we can at Regents Court to make a fuss of them both.”

Regents Court - 23 February 2010

Wii gives care home residents a boost

Elderly residents at a Bromsgrove care home have been keeping physically and mentally active thanks to a new games console.

Regents Court Care Home, in Stourbridge Road, has been given a Nintendo Wii to aid residents’ mobility and to keep them mentally alert.

Staff at the home are hoping the games will benefit residents, particularly those with dementia.

Residents aged in their 80s and 90s have been enjoying playing on the Wii and Wii Fit board, which feature balancing activities, brain training games and simulated sports.

Karen Hancox, the care home’s manager, said: “The Wii has been a great success with the residents.

“The variety of games help increase mobility, maintain hand-eye coordination and keep the brain active. People can play individually or in groups so it has had a really good impact on the residents’ social interaction.

“I read in a specialist dementia magazine about the positive effects the Wii has had in other care homes and thought it would be great to get one for Regents Court.

“Alpha Care Homes, who owns Regents Court, was kind enough to purchase the console and the residents have been having great fun since it arrived, playing bowling, cycling, walking and a host of other games.”

Regents Court - 12 January 2010

WANTED – YOUR UNWANTED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

A Bromsgrove care home is appealing for unwanted Christmas presents that would bring some fun to residents with dementia.

Regents Court, owned by Alpha Care Homes, in Stourbridge Road, recently launched a ‘Rummage Room’ for its residents, with items such as toys, handbags and hats.

“Residents with dementia go in there to rummage around and try on or have some fun with the items,” said Karen Hancox, home manager.

“It’s stimulating and therapeutic for them to see familiar items that were part of their lives in years gone by.

“We really need help to fill the room up so if anyone has any unwanted baby prams, dolls, bags, hats or similar items we would be really grateful for them.”
People are welcome to drop items to the home at 128, Stourbridge Road, or telephone 01527 879 119 if they need collection.

Regents Court - 23 November 2009

Karen’s top of the class!

A Bromsgrove care home manager is celebrating after passing a specialist course.

Karen Hancox, manager at Regents Court Care Home, has successfully completed a year-long diploma in dementia care.

The qualification, called Dementia Care Matters, aimed to show leaders how to put people at the centre of dementia care.

Karen has already put into practice the knowledge she has learned by training staff at the Stourbridge Road home on the topics she covered in the course.

She said: “The course has given me further insight and knowledge on dementia care.

“We are improving the residents’ wellbeing and the changes we have already made have been successful.

“For example, staff at Regents Court no longer wear a uniform which has helped improve relationships by removing that perceived barrier between staff and residents.”

Karen’s course was jointly funded by Worcestershire County Council and Alpha Care Homes, who owns Regents Court.

Regents Court - 26 October 2009

VIP – VERY IMPORTANT PONY – VISIT BROMSGROVE CARE HOME

Residents at a Bromsgrove care home saved up some juicy apples for a very special visitors – a miniature Shetland pony called Dream.

The ponies will be calling in at Regents Court, owned by Alpha Care Homes, at 128, Stourbridge Road, on Monday October 26th at 11.30am.

Home manager Karen Hancox said: “We always try to find stimulating activities for our residents and stroking these beautiful little Shetland ponies will be very therapeutic for them.

“The residents are really looking forward to the visit and we’ve been saving up some lovely apples to feed the pony.”

The ponies are being taken to the home by the Phoenix Children’s Foundation, a charity that raises money to provide fun and stimulation for youngsters with special needs, including horse riding.

Regents Court - 18 September 2009

New Bus Stop at Regents Court Care Home

Regents Court Care home on Stourbridge road in Bromsgrove has taken delivery of it’s very own authentic bus Stop.  The post box has been custom made for Regents and includes the original Midland Bus Company signage and route number 144.

The home specializes in Dementia and this new equipment gives the residents a sense of familiarity. Care Home Manager Karen Hancox said “The home is looking to pioneer in activities for its residents who suffer from Dementia”

The Bus Stop has been custom made by Richard Eccleston who owns the company outward care who specialize in dementia equipment, who earlier in the year made a postbox for the home.

Regents Court - 16 June 2009

Anne Celebrates her Century

A former music teacher is set to celebrate her 100th birthday at a Bromsgrove care home.

Anne Manders will mark her milestone birthday at Regents Court Care Home on Friday (JUN 12).

Staff and fellow residents will celebrate Anne’s landmark year with an afternoon of music and entertainment at the Stourbridge Road home.

Anne’s two daughters Liz Rayner and Susan Palmer will be joining her for the party, with Liz making a special trip from her home in France.

Great grandmother Anne used to be a music teacher at Catherine de Barnes School in Solihull where she was also a former pupil.

Karen Hancox, care home manager, said: “Anne has been a Regents Court since it opened in September 2006 and everybody loves her.

“Anne is a really interesting character and we are thrilled to be celebrating such a special occasion with her.

“Everybody at the home wishes Anne a very happy birthday and we are all looking forward to the party.”

Regents Court Care Home, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes, specialises in dementia care.

Regents Court - 28 May 2009

Its all action at the Bromsgrove Care Home

Elderly residents at a Bromsgrove care home are in for some fun when they join in a games day – including the trendy ‘Wii’ programmes – on Wednesday May 27.

A new ‘seven-in-one’ games table, including football and chess, has been purchased for Regents Court, in Stourbridge Road, thanks to staff, who raised the £79 to buy it in raffles at Christmas and Easter.

And the residents are also getting the chance to try out games like tennis and bowls on a ‘Wii’ that is on loan to the home, which is part of the Alpha Care Homes Group.

Karen Hancox, the home’s manager, said: “The new games table will be great stimulation for our residents and we are sure the Wii games will go down really well too.

“We specialise in dementia care and games help to improve residents’ coordination, make them think and encourage them to socialise.

“Once we have thoroughly tried out the Wii, we may well buy one for the home and staff are planning an event in the summer to raise the money.”

Regents Court - 28 April 2009

Egg-stra special new guests arrive at care home

Staff at a Bromsgrove care home are hoping they will not get in a flap following the arrival of a group of special new residents.

Regents Court Care Home, in Stourbridge Road, has just taken delivery of four chickens.

Staff, residents and relatives are set to gather for a ‘hen party’ on April 28 to officially welcome the new feathered guests to the care home

Karen Hancox, care home manager, said: “We decided to get the chickens as an activity for the residents.

“Once the new arrivals have settled in, the residents can help with feeding and collecting the eggs. The residents love animals and the chickens will give them a worthy activity to help improve their wellbeing.

“The hens were purchased from a local farm and the residents and staff collected money to purchase a hutch through various fundraising activities held since the start of the year.”

Regents Court Care Home, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes, specialises in dementia care.

Regents Court - 10 February 2009

New Snoozelum Opens at Regents Court

Regents Court on Stourbridge Road in Bromsgrove opened it's doors to the new snoozelum on 27th January at the home. Specialist sensory equipment has been purchased for the resident’s new room which consists of Bubble tubes, projector with wheel rotator, fibre optic trees, chimes and UV lights with flourescent painted night sky stencils on the ceiling.

The new room was opened by Area Manager Dawn Leaver.

Karen Hancock the Care Home Manager at the home said “This is a really important room for our residents as they can enjoy the sensory equipment and relaxing atmosphere”  

Regents Court specializes in residential Dementia Care which is part of Alpha Care Homes.