Continue To Be The Best Version Of Yourself

Moving into a care home does not have to mean giving up on your hobbies or activities that residents used to enjoy doing in their own homes.

Good care means empowering the residents to keep true to themselves and ensuring they are still good gardeners, knitters, party hosts and DIY masters. Ridgeway Rise Care Home creates a safe environment for our residents to pursue their favourite tasks of daily living.

One of our residents Marie raised 5 children and knows everything about juggling between school day preparations and housework. She often helps with cleaning and sorting out dining tables. “Everyone is busy and it’s important that we help each other, I like keeping everything clean for my visitors” says Marie, who is also often found knitting scarves for her grandchildren.

Michael couldn’t be happier when the weather finally allowed visits to the garden. It turns out he and a lawn mower are no strangers, and he supported our gardener with some mowing and grass maintenance.

We could never ignore the expertise of the ladies in home baking. With their skills and tried recipes everyone can enjoy bread, buns and rolls. And in the gardening season, the residents go to shops to buy seeds, bulbs and plants, which they later grow and harvest.

Marcia used to knit hats in support of her local hospital, for people undergoing chemotherapy. She said she wanted to do something useful and gives her pleasure to see other people wearing her patterns.  Marcia continues sharing her skills at Ridgeway, knitting hats for her neighbours.

Win continues to live her desirable life in the care home through her well-known routine. Every morning, she accompanies the Activity Team to the local shop to buy newspapers for her neighbours. She then delivers them to less mobile residents, often discussing front-page headlines. She is the respective health and safety representative for her community always ensuring safety and cleanliness standards are followed. Win used to make cards for local charities and carries on producing wonderful art pieces for special occasions. Recently she supported our colleague, who is a student with their special art project. Through her suggestions and input their portfolio gained some valuable material for future assessments.

Peggy's true definition of age is just a number because her quality of life is nowhere close to 101!! Starting her days with breakfast and later proceeds to organise her room as desired. Peggy is very cheeky and chatty, and her sense of humour always catches you by surprise. Her not-so-good eyesight doesn't deter her from engaging in any activities as you will find her playing Bingo, going on trips, enjoying garden walks, singing and dancing in her seat among others. Peggy is still hopeful about getting married again someday. There is a room with the piano at Ridgeway Rise and it is wonderful to see residents entertaining others with their music.

There is a common misconception that you need to forsake all aspects of your life when deciding to move into a care home.

In fact, it is quite the opposite. A safe, specially designed-environment allows the elderly to do even more without any sacrifices. They might have lost confidence going on the bus for their favourite shopping trip but Ridgeway Rise has an adapted minibus that can allow trips. Perhaps they would like to go to the cinema, but commercial buildings are too loud and overcrowded and movies are not always age-appropriate, Ridgeway Rise has a cinema room, and a whole range of movies for residents to enjoy.

Perhaps they would like to welcome family and friends but are worried they wouldn’t be able to organise it, Ridgeway supports family gathering arrangements and welcomes family members to all activities. We observe multigenerational interactions and promote family and friends relationships.

In our care home it’s residents who decide what they would like to do with their home. They are equipped and encouraged to continue being amazing gardeners and bakers, participate in everyday life; helping with dusting, shopping, sharing recipes, gardening and welcoming guests.

At Ridgeway Rise Care Home in Swindon, residents can be the best version of themselves regardless of their medical condition, mobility or sensory limitations. We appreciate everybody’s expertise, learn the old ways and get impressed with achievements.