Ahead of Armistice Day, Geoffrey, our lovely resident at Great Oaks in Bournemouth, has offered a positive message of hope for fellow residents and the nation living under lockdown.
Geoffrey placed a homemade poppy wreathin front of a crafted cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. Each year, Geoffrey addresses his fellow residents on Remembrance Day to talk about his time in the Royal Navy and his experiences of keeping positive in the face of adversity.
Geoffrey served during the Second World War and took part in D-Day, where his ship operated as landing boat headquarters. Earlier this year, he received a special veteran’s lapel badge marking his years of service in defence of the country.
Asked what advice he’d give to residents facing time away from family, friends and loved ones during the current lockdown, Geoffrey said: “Keep your chin up and take each day as it comes. If some people get pleasure out of something I say, it’s worth it. After lockdown, I will be looking forward to just getting out to do some shopping!”
Residents from across all Encore Care Homes have been enjoying a host of crafts in recognition of Remembrance Day. A large handmade poppy wreath was created using recycled plastic bottle caps during crafting sessions with residents at Great Oaks and at Oakdale in Poole where residents created a home-made cenotaph decorated with tissue paper poppies to brighten the windows.
Lindsay Rees, Head of Care and Quality Assurance at Encore Care Homes said: “I am delighted by the efforts led by our wellbeing teams to support our residents with their Remembrance Day commemorations. It is particularly moving to see that Geoffrey is being enabled to continue to talk about his service in the Royal Navy and to share his positive message with his fellow residents and staff.”
We’re pleased that relatives have been able to visit their loved ones during lockdown at Great Oaks and Oakdale care homes following the introduction of screened Visiting Lounges, which provide a safe and comfortable place for face-to-face interaction. The Visiting Lounges meet new government guidance for visiting older people in care homes, with an airtight floor-to-ceiling Perspex screen, intercom system and hearing loop, which is cleaned by staff between visits.
