Intergenerational Easter at the Estate

Posted on 12 April 2024 by Nicky Macfarlane

Easter at The Huntington & Langham Estate was eventful, kicked off with a special delivery of carefully handcrafted cards from the children at St John’s Infant School in Churt. Colourful and creative, the cards started many a conversation about the meaning of Easter, signs of Spring, finger painting, and of course how much everyone enjoys chocolate!

Managing Director Charlie Hoare, who attended St John’s Infant School himself over 30 years ago, said: “it was lovely seeing the residents reminded of their own childhood through the interactions with the children from St John’s. Indeed, it reminded me of my own! Everyone enjoys a bit of reminiscence. It brings a gratitude for having experienced that chapter of our lives.”

Residents spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the Lindt chocolate bunnies gifted by the Hoare family, taking part in an egg hunt, and catching up with family.

Other Spring events coming up on the Estate include a Eukele concert, a visit from Haslemere Museum, and trike rides around the grounds with Cycling Without Age.

The Estate will also be opening up their grounds to the public with a dementia-friendly sensory trail on Saturday 18^th May (10am-4pm) as part of Dementia Action Week.

Flower power at our Dementia care home

Posted on 22 March 2024 by Nicky Macfarlane

We often associate dementia with memory loss, but it can be the loss of confidence that comes with the symptoms of dementia that has the biggest impact on people. Having to be reminded of your own children’s names, realising you are repeating yourself, and needing support with daily life can have a huge knock-on effect to your self-worth.

However, we use empowerment to re-establish people’s sense of purpose. At Langham Court we tap into the skills of the people living and working there to ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute to their community.

One of our carers happens to also be a florist, so rather than simply buying a bouquet for someone’s birthday or to welcome a new resident, she will bring in flowers for people to arrange for the same purpose, making the gift of giving even more special for all.

Seeing the fruits of their labour being enjoyed and appreciated by others helps these budding florists to feel appreciated.

Managing Director, Charlie Hoare, says “When we first opened Langham Court, one resident commented that it was wonderful to feel of some use, and it has really stayed with me and remains at the heart of what we do”. Langham Court uses a care model called The Butterfly Approach to embed this into our care culture,

You can find more information about the butterfly approach here

Excellent Care in Beautiful Countryside

Posted on 16 March 2024 by Nicky Macfarlane

Turn onto Huntington Drive and wind your way along the shady tree-lined track you’ll experience a sense of calm and well-being like no other as you drive along and the wooded track opens onto 30 acres of the most beautiful Surrey countryside.

Country living in Residential Care

With residents coming from their own homes in the countryside or having moved to the country for residential care leaving London and the surrounding boroughs, The Huntington and Langham Estate is a home away from home.

With wide open spaces and accessible grounds, all set in our picture-perfect Estate, it’s no wonder that many of our residents report moving in with us as being a lifestyle choice, as well as the best care decision they could make.

Charlie Hoare MD, explains ” We often get residents choosing the Estate primarily on the location and surroundings. One gentleman – a former racehorse trainer – was living with Dementia. His family had been to a number of local homes, but what clinched the decision to move to the estate for him and his family was that he could sit on the terrace and look out at our paddocks. On his first visit to us, as he watched our horses and ponies, he became animated as he talked to our team and shared memories of his working life”.

Acres of space to enjoy.

Being situated within towns, many care homes have limited outdoor space for residents to utilise, as they place a premium on including additional rooms and parking. That’s not an issue for us. We have 30 acres of prime countryside to delight and entice you into the fresh air!

Our Estate is wheelchair accessible with pathways throughout the woods, out to our lake and Shepherd’s Hut, where morning coffee or afternoon tea can be taken. When your family and friends come to visit, you can take them to meet ponies, sheep and other wildlife. This is a big hit with residents’ grandchildren.

In the summer months, groups of residents often sit under the pergola by the lake to have afternoon tea. If you can’t get there under your own steam, our Estate golf buggy will take you there. In the winter, the south-facing terraces of both homes offer a place to sit bundled up cosy and warm on dry days, watching the beauty of our surroundings as the seasons change.

A fabulous place to work

Our team also love working in such beautiful surroundings. They say that being able to take breaks and lunchtime walks together and with residents is a total joy and fantastic for their mental health.

“If you only want the best care for your loved one, go here! Truly worth a visit for you to experience the incredible culture and special way in which they care for your family member, every day. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Huntington & Langham to anyone who is looking at residential care options for general needs, more complex needs and also dementia needs. Beautiful homes, beautiful grounds, beautiful people” – Steph Gentle former team member

The power of nature

Year-round, there are a myriad of health benefits for older adults spending time outdoors with sunlight and vitamin D vital for physical and mental health.

Outdoor activity and movement are excellent for preserving muscle mass and improving immunity and balance. Research has shown that going outdoors has similar effects to meditation and can positively influence energy levels and memory, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety and boost mood.

We encourage all our residents to take an active part in the Estate, continuing hobbies they enjoyed at home like gardening, exercising, relaxing in the fresh air or even helping out with feeding our Hens!

Our acres of beautiful grounds are a massive draw to residents and their families; the cherry on the cake is the outstanding care and love that every resident receives.

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.

To arrange a visit to the Estate and tour our homes and grounds, please call 01428 604 600 or complete this form.

Staying together in Residential Care

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Nicky Macfarlane

Growing older with the person you love is a privilege, but it can also come with challenges.

We all age at a different pace, with the odd ache and pain. But, as time moves on, quite often we have more serious complaints, such as living with Dementia or limited mobility, and the partner with fewer needs takes on a caring role.

As the sands of time gently fall and both partners’ needs gently increase, it is not unusual for the person taking on the role of “carer” to start to feel the pressure of their added responsibilities. Eventually, they or their family may decide that they can’t continue in this role.

Similarly, the partner with additional needs can increasingly feel a burden on their loved one, and the dynamics of their relationship change. It is hard not to feel terribly guilty when, after many years together supporting each other in life’s ups and downs, managing health issues takes over the weekly routine.

For many couples in later life, there will come a time when the situation becomes too much to sustain care at home and there is no other choice than for one to move into a residential care home.

For the partner, remaining at home is a tough decision to make. It has added resonance when they feel that it is their “fault” that their loved one may have to move out of a house they may have lived in for decades because they are not able to look after them. And it means they will no longer be living together, which is terribly upsetting.

If only they could move in somewhere together…… but that’s not possible, is it?

Move into Huntington House with your partner.

It’s a common misconception that you need to move into a care home alone. You don’t! At the Huntington & Langham Estate, we love to welcome couples to our specialist care homes.

Moving into one of our homes with a partner takes a tremendous amount of pressure off the person who has previously had caring responsibilities. They can then relax and enjoy being with their loved ones without having to care for them.

Couples moving in together very quickly settle into their new environment. The couple can enjoy the atmosphere, activities and opportunities of living with us, safe in the knowledge that their care will be top-notch.

Where the couple are sharing a room we offer a 50% reduction on one persons fees, or if they have separate rooms we offer a 10% discounted rate whilst the couple remain together in the home.

Where possible, couples can join in outings and activities together, spending time in the grounds together and sharing delicious meals together too.

Moving in with your life partner offers enormous benefits to emotional well-being for both people. Nobody is left at home feeling lonely, and a huge amount of familiarity and love are immediately available within the home.

Our person-centred care approach means both residents will have individual care plans which will be combined and adapted to suit the couple.

… even if one of you is living with Dementia.

With our specialist care home dedicated to creating a meaningful life for those living with Dementia, situated alongside our Residential home, we can offer residential care for all needs. We can support people living with Dementia at Langham Court, with residential care for the other partner a short walk away at Huntington House.

Enjoy a new phase of life together.

Before moving in with us, one of our residents spent some time caring for his wife, who was a wheelchair user. Eventually, he needed nursing care and was no longer able to look after her. Their family agreed that it would be good for them to move in together, in separate rooms, so they could have their own space reflecting their care needs.

They both settled in quickly, with the wife enjoying the ability to access the terrace from her room, spending time outdoors in the fresh air, admiring the view over the estate and being able to wheel herself to spend time with her husband in his room across the hall to do the crossword together every day.

With access to the lounge and restaurant at Huntington House, she’s made friends with other residents and has joined in with outings, safe in the knowledge that her husband is being so well cared for and is safe and happy.

“I’ve been here since December. They’ve been very accommodating with my husband and I being in rooms across the hallway from each other. They even replanted a cherry tree from our previous garden we had planted to remember our son who died. They’ve been so good and kind,” said Mrs R..

Staying together in care can be the right choice for many couples – whatever their age and level of care needed.

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.

To arrange a visit to the Estate and tour our homes and grounds, please call 01428 604 600 or complete our contact form:

Huntington and Langham Estate awarded highest level of independent accreditation.

Posted on 23 February 2024 by Nicky Macfarlane

Each year the Huntington & Langham Estate is independently audited to ensure we are providing care to the highest possible standard.

The most recent audit, undertaken yearly by a company called Meaningful Care Matters, took place at the end of last year, and after scrutinising everything from the homeliness of the environment and atmosphere to the amount and types of medication prescribed as well as the job satisfaction of the staff, the results are finally in.

Both care homes have been successfully re-accredited by Meaningful Care Matters with 10 levels in total, but only Levels 1-3 are given the prestigious accreditation accolade.

Huntington House achieving Level 1 Outstanding service with a model of care, which provides a meaningful engagement experience where people who access the service and who work at the service are ‘Free to be Me’. The environment is congruent with the model of care and represents the story and individual expressions of not only the people who utilize the service but reflects the identity of the organisation also.

Langham Court being awarded a Level 2 Excellent with a highly engaged service and high value on meaningful moments and a true person-centred philosophy, which is congruent in look, sound and feel as well as congruent with regulatory compliance requirements and the organisational mission vision and values. People’s individuality and expression is evident and on the most part people can express that freedom and be themselves. Some improvement opportunities are identified which would support greater expressions of meaningful moments and freedom.

Meaningful Care Matters focuses on the development of resilient relationship-centred cultures of care shaped by the people living and working within them where both ‘caregivers’ and recipients of care can flourish.

The reports for both homes state that accreditation has been achieved by providing evidence of a highly engaged service where people’s individuality and expression are evident, and people can express freedom and be themselves.

The report also provides areas for further improvement, and Charlie Hoare, Managing Director of The Huntington & Langham Estate, says “all credit to the team, as the audits are tough, but the feedback is invaluable. Not many care homes put themselves through it, but I think all should strive for the accreditation”.

For more information, please call the estate on 01428604600.

Why is nutrition so important for older people?

Posted on 2 February 2024 by Nicky Macfarlane

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.

Putting the joy back into food and eating again.

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.

Hydration is so important.

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.

The perils of malnutrition.

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!).

Food, glorious food!

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.

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.