Like many, January has been a month to plan for the year ahead, recover from the excitement of Christmas and New Year and take time to think about our health.
We may not have had a dry January, but we have been focused on eating well and in this months blog article, we share details about our approach to providing nutritious meals for our residents.
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
One of the many joys of living at the Huntington and Langham Estate is the delicious, nutritionally balanced and beautifully presented food made daily by our excellent chefs.
Many of our residents tell us that when they were still in their own homes, shopping for ingredients and making meals was a tedious chore. Some said that physical disability meant it was hard for them to get out and about and then come home and cook. Some totally lost all enjoyment in eating, having the same quick-to-cook, bland food every day.
Others mentioned that living alone and loneliness made it hard for them to eat. Memories of cooking for family and then their loved one every day, when meals were something to be savoured and shared, gave way to apathy, lack of appetite and an ensuing impact on their health once they were only creating meals for one.
Living at the Huntington and Langham Estate, our residents no longer have to think about food shopping, what to buy and what to cook. There’s no more money wasted on food which goes off before it’s cooked.
Instead, we most often find that residents have a new or renewed interest in food. Our weekly meal plans are created especially to have varied courses and a new choice of mains every day. There’s no set time for eating – residents can choose when and what they eat.
Check out our sample winter menu here
With a delicious range of food available and convivial company at meals, residents often very quickly see benefits in their health within weeks.
New residents who’d not seen a vegetable in quite a while or who have taken to eating packets of biscuits for dinner soon regain a healthy weight and the nutritional balance their body needs.
“The food continues to be of a very high quality, and the dining experience is enhanced by having vegetables in dishes to enhance choice. One woman asks for “more leeks”, so this visual choice really helps encourage people to eat the things they enjoy most.” Visitor to Langham Court.
Dehydration in older people can have complications, including low blood pressure, weakness, dizziness and increased risk of falls. Pressure sores and skin conditions are more likely with dehydration, as are UTIs and kidney stones.
For these reasons, improving residents’ hydration levels is very important to us and to their families. Long-lasting improved hydration is a tangible and vital benefit to living with us.
As you age, your nutritional needs may change, but though you may be less active than in earlier life, it’s still important to eat regular nutritious meals. It’s a myth that older people have to be smaller and thinner. In fact, it may be more important to be more robust so you prevent some health risks that come from frailty.
Too much weight loss in older adults can lead to increased fatigue, a more significant risk of falls and injuries, decreased immune system efficiency, a greater risk of infection, and changes in cognitive and mood disorders.
Malnutrition is never an issue for our residents (or team!).
The quality, variety and deliciousness of the food we serve have definitely contributed to our success over the years. Charlie – our MD – is a trained Chef who spent time in our kitchens before joining the management team. He still works closely with our catering team to make the standards of food served the same as the standards of our care – consistently outstanding.
At the Huntington & Langham Estate, we provide luxury care across our two specialist care homes. Family-owned and run, we offer dignified, compassionate and personalised care to our residents, giving them the nurturing support they need to continue living full, independent and meaningful lives. We are Butterfly and Dragonfly accredited.
Please do get in touch for more information on the Huntington & Langham Estate.
Or to arrange a visit to the Estate and tour our homes and grounds, please call 01428 604 600.
December has been a very social month, with parties for residents and the team, visits from birds of prey and small furry animals, but the highlight was definitely Santa and Mrs Claus arriving on the H&L Elf Express during Christmas Week, to deliver our gifts.
The homemaking team have been absolutely amazing, bringing Christmas cheer into both homes, whilst being sensitive to the needs of those for whom this time of year can be difficult being away from family.
Looking back over the highlights of 2023, it is inspiring to see all the fun outings and activities which have taken place, the delicious food prepared by the catering team and what a fantastic place the Estate is for our residents to live.
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
We have had a wonderful year here at the Huntington and Langham Estate.
Join us in a review of the highlights, from fabulous food, to days in the sunshine and outings to our favourite places, we have shared fun days with friends and family, and are grateful for such a wonderful place to live!
Wishing you all a happy 2024.
We don’t often get the opportunity to all come together for a party, but this year it was time to reinstate the annual Christmas Staff party.
Taking over most of our local pub in Hindhead we had a great night and of course a few drinks to celebrate our achievements of 2023 and spend some quality time together as a team.
From early December there has been a vibrant buzz around Huntington House and Langham Court, as Christmas preparations began.
With successful decorations shopping trips completed, the festive decorations went up and there was much chatter about further outings to buy gifts and of course decisions to be made about the Christmas week parties and what to wear!
We often get asked, what is it like celebrating Christmas in a Residential Care home and without a doubt we always say it is amazing fun and this year has been a hoot!
As part of our activity programme in Huntington House we have regular visits from the local small furry animals with their cute Guinea Pigs and Rabbits and a Birds of Prey centre.
This month Angela brought along some delightful Owls and Hawks to meet the residents. Being located in the Surrey countryside we often hear the Owls hoot at night around the woods, so it was wonderful to be able to see them up close.
We are always conscious that for some Christmas can be a period of sadness, thinking of loved ones no longer with us. Our homemaking team are very sensitive to this and always make time for quieter moments of reading together with residents, or chatting with those who are maybe overwhelmed by the wider festivities.
With the Christmas jumpers and Christmas cakes taking pride of place in the restaurant at Huntington House by mid December, it was time to get the party started!
What a wonderful afternoon we all had at this years residents Christmas party! With fancy dress hats and masks, silly games organised by our lovely homemakers and of course wonderful cakes and treats from the catering team, it was a special day.
Santa visits the Huntington and Langham EstateWith a sprinkle of magic Elf dust, the arrival of the H&L Estate Elf express created great excitement for the team and residents, as Santa and Mrs Claus pulled up outside the Shepherds Hub to share some Christmas cheer and festive memories with everyone.
With one more sleep to go, Christmas eve was made even more special with a visit from Mr Kipling our little Donkey friend who joined us for afternoon tea and the beautiful cakes, decorated with roses.
Christmas Day at Huntington House like many homes, started with a leisurely breakfast and the sharing of gifts in the lounge by the Christmas tree, before settling into the restaurant for a feast of Turkey and all the trimmings with friends and family.
Our wonderful team of homemakers, catering staff and carers have been outstanding, making Christmas a joyful time for all creating some wonderful memories to share with family and friends.
During the winter months a topic that can be on the minds of many families with elderly loved ones needing more support, is the decision between a move into a residential care home, versus opting for home care or a live in carer.
Residential care homes are well known as offering a built-in social circle, ensuring that loneliness takes a backseat. Designed with comfort and safety in mind, we focus on adapting to cater to the specific needs of residents through personalised care plans.
Providing residents with support they may not have at home is a given, plus there is an extra layer of reassurance of having someone on hand 24/7. An unseen advantage is that with all inclusive care, food shopping and preparing meals is all taken care of, with the option of communal dining making mealtimes more enjoyable as a social gathering.
At the Huntington and Langham Estate, we often have enquiries from people who have opted to try home care first, before taking the decision to move into a residential home.
For many who just need a little extra help with daily living, home care is a great option especially those who can remain in their own home, a place filled with cherished memories and personal belongings.
One of the main reasons we have found new resident start to consider a permanent move into a Residential setting, is that in-home care usually involves scheduled visits from caregivers at set hours of the day and evening, which don’t always match an individual’s routines. Night times are often when people living alone feel their most vulnerable especially during the winter nights, so if assistance is required outside of these hours, it isn’t immediate in case of emergencies or if unexpected needs arise it can be stressful.
We recently asked a potential resident about why they were planning to make the switch to moving into Huntington House. For them it was because the home care they had in place often involved the rotation of caregivers, which meant they struggled to build a relationship with them, to understand their personal needs and found they were often rushing to their next appointment and rarely had time to sit down for a chat.
Making a change to your way of living inevitably involves tough decisions to be made and we always advise it’s essential to carefully weigh up any downsides, against the potential benefits with individual preferences in mind, when deciding between home care and other care options. Everyone’s situation is unique, and finding the right balance to ensure personal well-being and happiness is crucial.
We recognise the importance to our residents of maintaining their independence and being able to retain control over their plan for the day, personal care decisions, and lifestyle choices. A sense of autonomy and self-determination is a very important part of the Dragonfly Care approach, as is creating a simulating environment during the day.
We don’t work to a fixed schedule or routine, every day is different for each resident depending how they feel or their personal habits. Our homemaking team go beyond just giving practical assistance, they also provide emotional support and companionship. We recognise having a familiar face around can alleviate feelings of loneliness and contribute to a positive mental and emotional state.
For anyone who isn’t sure about a permanent move and worry about settling in, we recommend coming to Huntington House for a short trial period of 2 weeks or more, to test us out, try the food, meet your potential new neighbours and explore the Estate – you won’t regret it!
Please free to contact us for more information, or to arrange a visit to the Estate and tour our homes and grounds, please call 01428 604 600
With the Christmas festivities about to get underway, it was time for some early gift shopping and to restock the decorations at Huntington House. Charlie headed to Godalming College, to help the next generation of Health and Social Care Students expand their learning.
We honoured those who lost their lives in the line of duty this month, with displays of poppies around the grounds and the sales of knitted poppies, kindly made by Sarah.
The ladies of Huntington House enjoyed a morning of manicures and chat earlier in the month. Now the weather isn't so warm to explore the Estate the homemaking team have been planning a number of new indoor activities with the residents for the winter months.
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
November is always a month for reflection at the Estate with Remembrance Sunday an important date in our calendar. The team have once again outdone themselves with the poppy display, which Kevin captured so well in his night time pictures.
We honoured those who lost their lives in the line of duty this month, with displays of poppies around the grounds and the sales of knitted poppies, kindly made by Sarah.
A regular visitor to the Estate is Kevin Jacot, who took these stunning photos of our poppy display one evening, after a late afternoon singing rendition for the residents.
Using his car headlights, he has captured a poignant view of the fountain and sunset. Kevin has played and sang songs for us for many years and is lovingly enjoyed by all.
Creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to indulge in their hobbies, passions or simply head out to their favourite day trip spot, is at the heart of our approach to care and we always extend this to include friends and family to create shared experiences and special interactions.
That's certainly been this case throughout October here on the Estate
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
Huntington House
Langham Court
