Home Enhancements Bring Joy and Community Spirit to Amberley

Residents and staff at Amberley Care Home are celebrating a series of exciting home improvements aimed at enhancing the quality of life and fostering a sense of community within the residence. From fine dining experiences to weekly events and upcoming Easter festivities, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the standout additions is the introduction of a fine dining area, providing residents with an elegant space to host private family gatherings and special occasions. Whether it's a birthday celebration or an intimate meal with loved ones, residents can now book this exclusive room through the reception team, adding a touch of luxury to their social events.

In addition to the fine dining experience, Amberley has implemented a diverse range of weekly events to keep residents engaged and entertained. From invigorating exercise classes on Mondays to soothing music therapy sessions on Tuesdays and pamper days on Wednesdays, there's no shortage of activities to suit residents' interests and preferences.

As Easter approaches, excitement is building for the upcoming Easter Bonnet Parade, scheduled from the 27th to the 29th of March. Residents are eagerly preparing for the festivities by decorating eggs and participating in a competition to create the fanciest Easter bonnet. The highlight of the event will be an Easter egg hunt, bringing residents together for a joyous celebration of the season.

The home improvements reflect Amberley's dedication to creating a vibrant and enriching environment where residents can thrive and create lasting memories. With a focus on enhancing resident well-being and fostering a sense of belonging, Amberley continues to set the standard for exceptional care and community engagement.

We also took the time to sit down with our Music Therapist Debbie Dyer, who works for Nordoff & Robbins - the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity, to get her thoughts on working with the residents here at Amberley.

“When I work with residents, especially those with dementia, I look to incorporate their gestures and vocalisations into the music that we are making together. Sometimes, I start with a familiar song to initiate interaction, then improvise music around the resident’s responses."

“The afternoon group is also an opportunity for everyone to feel part of the Amberley community. The music enlivens and focuses on the residents and enables social interaction. This in turn can reduce agitation and anxiety and create an atmosphere of wellbeing”.

“The response to music therapy here has been overwhelmingly positive, from both residents and family members and the staff have been extremely supportive. Working with the residents, who have often experienced loss on many levels, can be emotionally challenging but it is also very rewarding to witness how music can overcome confusion and anxiety and take them to ‘another place’ where they regain orientation, connect with other people and become reconnected to their own past, positive emotional experiences. It is getting to know the residents in this way and seeing the positive changes when they become involved in music, that makes my work here such a privilege”

Learn more about music therapy here at Amberley Care Home.