Flower power at our Dementia care home

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.

Flower Power

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

A review of 2023 from the H&L Estate

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.

Christmas at the Huntington and Langham Estate

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

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!

Christmas Shopping

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.

Birds of Prey visit

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.

Small furry animals

Huntington House Residents Christmas party

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.

Christmas Party Time

Christmas party time Santa visits the Huntington and Langham Estate

With 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.

The H&L Elf Express

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 Eve in a residential care home

Christmas Day at Huntington House

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.  Christmas day in a residential care home

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.

 

Remembrance Sunday

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.

Remembrance Sunday

Lest we forget

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.

Remembrance display

Unveiling the Joy of Animal Therapy for Dementia Care

Here at the Huntington and Langham Estate we are always on the lookout for ways to bring joy, comfort, and moments of connection to those we support and one extraordinary avenue that has proven to be a beacon of light is animal therapy, often known as pet therapy.

We find it is a profound way to bring smiles and meaningful moments of peace to individuals living with dementia, all of contributes to our unique approach to providing specialist dementia care..

The magic of animal therapy lies in the beautiful connections it fosters and witnessing the transformative power animals can have in the lives of those struggling with dementia.  The gentle presence of animals wandering freely around the lounges of Langham Court has provided comfort, evoked memories, and stimulated emotional responses, that might otherwise not be experienced by some.

Dogs are often the stars in the world of animal therapy due to their innate ability to offer companionship and love unconditionally. Their playful energy and affection can brighten the darkest of days. Cats, with their soothing purrs and calming presence, also weave their magic in the lives of those battling dementia and are regular visitors to the Estate.

Welcome Mr Kipling

But let’s talk about a less conventional yet equally impactful therapy animal – the donkey. Yes, you read that right! Donkeys, with their serene demeanour and endearing nature, are gradually making their mark in the realm of animal-assisted therapy. Their calm and friendly disposition can work wonders in soothing individuals with dementia.

So imagine the joy that the arrival of Mr Kipling to the Estate had!

Pet therapy

As he wandered along the corridor into the lounge, those in the room beamed with smiles of surprise at their new visitor. With his soft, velvety nose, gently nudging peoples hands, it was evident that the experience triggered memories and emotions for some, evoking smiles and sparking conversations for others.

The tactile experience of petting a donkey’s soft fur can be immensely therapeutic in creating meaningful moments for those living with dementia.  By encouraging sensory stimulation and often prompting a flash of reminiscences of childhood days spent in the countryside, Christmas nativity plays or pet ponies, bringing forth tales of farm life or simply the delight of being close to such a gentle creature.

Welcome to Mr Kipling

Animal therapy with donkeys, or any other animal for that matter, isn’t just about the immediate joy it brings. Scientifically, it’s been proven that interacting with animals can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It also stimulates social interaction and improves overall emotional well-being, crucial for those navigating the challenges of dementia.

So, if you’re caring for someone living with dementia, don’t underestimate the power of animal therapy. Whether it’s a wagging tail, a gentle purr, or the heartwarming presence of a donkey, these incredible creatures have the ability to touch the hearts and souls of those in need of a little extra love and comfort.

60’s day at Langham Court

The Summer of 23!

Music is such an important part of creating meaningful moments for those living with dementia and the 60’s is a favourite era for many of our residents in Langham Court.

So always game for dressing up, the team dug out their headbands and floral tops for a day filled with 60’s tunes and fun, bringing back lots of memories of days gone by.

Music vibes

We also used the day to introduce our new music walls, utilising some of the vinyl’s which were kindly donated following last month’s newsletter – Thank you!

A clever idea was to add a coloured buzzers to the walls by the records, which when pressed play a favourite track. They are already attracting a lot of plays, as people pass by and the occasional singalong!

60's day at Langham Court

More information about our approach to Dementia care and the Butterfly Approach  

A flying visit from Berkshire Birds of Prey

What a day we had!

The team from Berkshire Birds of Pray joined us here at the Huntington & Langham Estate, to provide a flying display from a selection of owls, falcons and hawks.

Birds of prey display

We all joined them outside on the courtyard and were delighted to be able to handle some of these wonderful birds and see them up close.  They were very friendly and interactive and used to being with strangers, taking an aerial view of the Estate as they flew between us.

Charlie Hoare MD “It was heartwarming to see so many families enjoying time together at The Huntington & Langham Estate for the bird of prey display. The time when so many care homes were closed to visitors altogether due to COVID-19 still lurking in the back of people’s minds, not to mention the recent talk of a new variant, there was a defiant buzz at this event that seemed more akin to a village fete than an activity in a care home.

The birds of prey were indeed impressive; agile hawks, tiny baby owls and plenty in between. However, the most memorable moments of the day came from the interactions between family and friends; a daughter taking a selfie with their mother and an owl and laughing over it together, a shy grandchild being encouraged to hold a hawk almost as big as them, and a member of staff stroking the soft wings of a bird being held by a resident.

How well attended it was highlighted just how inclusive care homes can be. Perhaps care homes should be judged not by what they offer to their residents alone, but what they provide for whole families.”

MacMilan coffee morning at Huntington House

Now it is no secret that we have sweet tooth’s here on the estate, so were delighted to have the opportunity to host a Macmilan coffee morning.

Macmilan Coffee morning

The cakes were delicious and Alex was a superb hostess for the day, making it such a great event for a great charity.

Macmilan Coffee morning

Sarah also popped along with young Jac as a treat who thought the cakes all looked amazing.

Creating wonder through shared experiences

We are excited to be partnering with a new local childcare provider called Willow & Rose Nursery based in Grayshott.

Willow and Rose

Exploration education

Dedicated to caring for children up to 4 years old, Amanda and the team believe in supporting children to develop curiosity through the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.

At the centre of their approach is creating opportunities to explore, question and discover nature as part of exploration educational learning.  Our collaboration gives Willow and Rose access to our beautiful estate, as their very own vibrant learning space filled with the best nature has to offer, whilst in a safe environment to explore and create wonder.

The partnership will include joint activities and events both in our homes and around the grounds, including an enchanted forest adventure, birdwatching, den building, storytelling session, nature craft sessions using treasures found around the forest floor and early learning about flora and fauna.

Find out more details here

Intergenerational experiences

Prior to the pandemic we shared how being part of our wider community we collaborated with a number of schools to bridge the generation gap.

Intergenerational interaction between the residents and children is a delight to see and most importantly the experience is beneficial for old and young, proving age is just a number!

Willow And Rose At The H&L Estate

Our collaboration with Willow and Rose, will in time offer residents on the estate a special opportunity to interact with the children during shared events and organically as they share our wonderful Estate enriching lives across the generations.

“The collaboration with Willow and Rose is a truly special partnership, as we share common values when it comes to caring for others.  Our shared aim is to enabling individuals whatever their age to express themselves, be “free to be me” and find endless possibilities to experience meaningful moments each day.”  Charlie Hoare MD.

For more information about Willow and Rose please visit their website: https://www.willowandrosenursery.co.uk/ 

 

Take a stroll down memory lane at Langham Court

We are so proud of the dementia-friendly living experience we have created thanks to the strong philosophy behind our care, how we’ve carefully designed every element of our extraordinary home and the wonderful, caring and warm staff we attract, hire and continually train.

An accredited Butterfly care home, Langham Court has always had a family-home feel, with our residents and team friends who care about each other, as much as you would in a traditional family.

There are no rotas, schedules or tick-box care plans at Langham Court. All our residents are “free to be me” – given the time, space and freedom to live exactly as they would like every day.

Langham Court Lounge

Living in households, with communal dining and open spaces indoors and out, banish all thoughts of old-fashioned traditional care homes – we couldn’t be more different.

On the street where you live

With residents living communally, we prioritise nurturing authentic relationships and communication, which is so important for people living with dementia.

However, when it comes to personal space, we focus on creating an environment as close to home as possible. Each resident has their own room, which they can furnish with their own furniture, belongings and knick-knacks, living in familiar surroundings which encourages memories and a sense of home.

All residents can have their front doors painted in their favourite colour – just like in a real street – and each door has a knocker.

Langham Court’s famous memory boxes 

Returning to their rooms, residents can orient themselves by way of “memory boxes” mounted on the wall outside their front door.

These memory boxes are full of photos and trinkets of people and times important to the resident.  Walk along any corridor, and you’ll see fantastic keepsakes from interesting lives lived well and pictures of much-loved family and friends.

Langham Court Memory Boxes

On our last walk-round, we noted photos of old pets, memorabilia of fundraising campaigns led and jobs done with pride.

Within memory boxes, there’s always something to learn about each resident, always something to comment on, and always something to stimulate conversation and encourage reminiscence.

Taking a stroll down memory lane

When residents step outside their door and go to one of our lounges or outside, they’ll walk past reminiscence areas full of – for example, pictures and items to do with travelling, sewing and gardening.

There’s a nurse’s office, the outside of which is decorated as a milliner. There’s a fascia of an old sweet shop, a travel corner with items residents past and present have brought in from the travels around the globe.

Langham Court Memory Corner

All these fascias, images and items are carefully chosen to mirror hobbies, experiences or moments our residents may have enjoyed in the past.

 

Langham Court Travel Rememberance

This becomes fertile ground for remembering, conversation, and a moment of connection and learning, which helps residents feel more understood and comfortable.

The joy of being outside

Residents can visit garden areas within our internal courtyard whenever they like. These areas are looked after partly by residents who take much pride in their gardening prowess and often have some little visitors to lend a hand.

Langham Court terrace garden

There are also enclosed outdoor terraces where residents can walk, sit and look at our animals, either alone, with another resident or with a team member.

One resident whose job involved horses loves to spend summer days in his favourite sun trap, looking out across the grounds towards the lake and at the horses who live on our Estate.

View From The Langham Court Terrace

 

“Langham feels like a family home. Photographs of the residents and staff are everywhere, as is the stuff of life – books, toys, instruments, puzzles, hats, musical instruments, and artwork. The team feel like family.  There is lots of laughter and fun evidently going on. Very caring housekeeping staff stop and chat with residents and visitors alike. The philosophy seems to be kindness and interaction first, then doing whatever task is at hand next. Langham Court is of the best standard a care home could be, and I recommend it 100%.”  – Ela S, family member

 

Visit us and see for yourself.

Langham Court is full of love, conversation, colour and joy.  It’s an extraordinary place. If you’d like to learn more about our Estate and meet our fantastic team, please call us to arrange a tour of the grounds and homes.

For more information on what it means to be a Butterfly Care Home, please read this.

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 this form.