Today we had our first resident’s meeting, and it was extremely productive. We discussed our thoughts about the home, we were given the opportunity to voice any opinions or concerns, any likes, and dislikes regarding the menu, and we looked at the lifestyle schedule and the types of activities that we would like included. One of my concerns around moving into residential care was the fear of losing control of how I lived my life, how I would spend my days and the options that would be available to me, so you can imagine how reassured I felt following the meeting. Our ideas are not just there for consideration, they are used to shape our whole experience and that is how it should be. 

Following the meeting we got started on our first project. We had discussed our dreams and wishes and made plans to help us realise them. Claire suggested that we create a visual display of our dreams, we agreed that this was a wonderful idea and so we spent a lovely afternoon writing down our dreams and arranging them on a beautiful blossom wishing tree. The chef made us a tray of pretty cupcakes and supplied a pot of tea, and we idled the time away sharing stories and making plans.

There was something quite empowering about putting our wishes down on paper, to have them there, displayed so beautifully for all to see made them seem possible and Claire’s enthusiasm to help us realise them has made us even more determined to make them happen.

Watch this space…