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.
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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
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Our focus during September has been very much around continuing to invest in our team's ability to deliver personalised care, with training sessions hosted by the Rare Dementia Support Society, during which we learned more about the rarer forms of Dementia, backed up by the team at Meaningful Care Matters delivering session 2 of our Butterfly course.
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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.
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.”
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.
The cakes were delicious and Alex was a superb hostess for the day, making it such a great event for a great charity.
Sarah also popped along with young Jac as a treat who thought the cakes all looked amazing.
Music is a great way to engage with those living with Dementia and with the 60's a favourite era for many living in Langham Court, we had a fun day of dressing up and reminiscing over tracks from the Summer of 69!
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Whilst its been a bit of a wet July, we've still managed to get out and about and always enjoy an afternoon of music at Huntington House
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
Huntington House
Langham Court
