Staff at a Ramsbottom care home say their latest ‘mystery tour’ was a huge success after surprising residents with a group trip through their old home towns.
Nine residents from Lavender Hills Care Home took a trip down memory lane on March 24 after a group trip through Bolton, Belmont, the moors, Darwen and Blackburn.
Liz Kyme, the activity coordinator at the home said that residents, especially those with dementia and memory loss, enjoyed the trip and recognised the familiar sights.
She said: “It is so nice to see because their eyes light up when they see these familiar places where they lived or grew up.
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“We drive through these towns and residents who do struggle with their memory or suffer from dementia tell us that they know this place and that they have been here before.”
The group boarded the ‘trusty minibus’ to Bolton, stopping in Belmont, for tea, coffee and biscuits and continuing on to the moors, Darwen and Blackburn.
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Liz said: “When Blackburn was mentioned Gerald’s ears pricked up and he swiftly mentioned Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers FC.
“Not to disappoint because we love to make memories, we braved the congestion in the traffic and pulled up outside the stadium…..only to find Gerald had fallen asleep.”
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“Never mind, we took a photo for him to look at once he’d woken up, much to Gerald’s amusement.
“Everyone said they had a lovely time and the residents really enjoy a drive out in the countryside, it’s the little things that mean a lot.”
If you have a story, please email me at Harriet.Heywood@newsquest.co.uk or tweet @Heywoodharriet_
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