Blog

Beckie Morley - founder of Musical Moments, BA Hons in Music with a specialism in community music and dementia and PGCE in Early Music Education, speaks to us about the benefit of music and how important it is in the lives of older people.

'If you've been working in the care industry for a long or short time, you will have probably already noticed the amazing benefits of music for the people that you work with. No matter your age or ability, music is something that is accessible and appropriate for everybody.

At brighterkind, our homes know that even the seemingly small gestures can make someone else's day.

As it's Random Act's of Kindness day soon, we asked our homes one question "What act's of kindness do you or your colleagues do every day that makes a big difference to people's lives?"

Say thanks to Mum this Mothers Day, with a delicious home cooked Waitrose Roast Chicken dinner. Many brighterkind care homes will be serving a traditional roast dinner on Mothering Sunday and inviting son's and daughters along to dine with Mum.                 

Roast tarragon and mustard glazed chicken with pomme purée

• Preparation time:20 minutes
• Cooking time:75 minutes to 90 minutes
• Total time:1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes 

Serves: 4 - 6

Ingredients

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and many of our homes will be celebrating the most romantic day of the year by preparing a delicious afternoon tea for their residents.

The history of afternoon tea

Afternoon Tea is unmistakably a truly British custom known worldwide, with origins in 19th century England.

Spring is finally here which means many of us will be starting to think about taking a break for the Spring and Summer months. Our homes are no different and will be visiting the seaside with their residents as well as reminiscing about holidays past! If you are looking to go on holiday a bit further afield and need Mum or Dad looking after, many brighterkind homes offer Respite Care so you can go away and truly relax knowing that your loved one is in safe hands.

For many older adults, the opportunities for an active social life often decline along with their health and energy. As illness or mobility issues limit what they can do, risk of isolation increases. Connecting with others who love us and share similar interests is important at any age, but for elderly people, whose lifestyles may lessen their social opportunities, these connections are crucial to healthy physical and emotional well-being.

February is 'Love month' in brighterkind homes. This month our homes will be looking at the importance of love in our lives no matter how old we are!

No one is ever too old to fall in love again. While it might seem impossible to be with another man or woman after your spouse has passed, a divorce, or being single for a very long time, you might find yourself having butterflies again or losing sleep over someone who can make you smile over the littlest things.

Feeling Sixteen at Sixty

brighterkind is celebrating its part in winning an award for “best for clinical facilities” in the National Care Home Awards Scheme,

Fiona Millington, Director of Nursing for brighterkind, said: “We have invested in supporting our Registered Nurses and senior care staff in our nursing homes with additional clinical training to develop their skills and understanding of the therapeutic care of older people.