BBC Radio 4’s Visit To Birchwood Grange
Last week at Birchwood Grange, one of Avery Healthcare’s Care Homes, had an array of special guests visit the home in anticipation of World Alzheimer’s Day on the 21st September.
BBC Radio 4 presenter, Rob Bonnet, recorded some interviews with our residents Annie and Roger, Home Manager Mark Bird, and Ian from the BAT Foundation talking about Alzheimer’s and current therapies. You can listen in to hear about his experience at Birchwood Grange from 6am on 21st September. But read on to find out more…
“Play is the highest form of research” – Albert Einstein
The BAT Foundation (Bounce Alzheimer’s Therapy) are an organisation who promote drug free Alzheimer’s therapy. BAT have found that table tennis is an operative therapy in the reduction of cognitive decline and has the ability to delay symptoms in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. They are currently enhancing the game’s ability to deliver an even more effective therapeutic experience for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Rob Bonnet interviewed our Home Manager Mark about his thoughts. Mark stated that: “Drug therapy is not something that should be implemented in today’s era as it is toxic intervention, table tennis and other activities are a much better therapy. It gets the residents stimulated as they are physically doing something, and the exercise is brilliant for their general well-being.”
Resident Annie also stated (whilst playing with table tennis pro Kelly Sibley): “I am really looking forward to getting the new bigger table tennis table that BAT are donating to our home, it will help a lot of people as the curiosity alone will get them out of their room on the day’s that they don’t feel like socialising, and I know a lot of people will want to play.”
Another guest, Laura Templeton, designer of the game ‘Call to mind…’ spoke about the benefits of playing her board game. It is a specially designed board game that helps get to know and understand the thinking, likes and dislikes of someone with dementia. This tool also stimulates the brain with memories and encourages conversations.
Birchwood Grange Care Home have always enhanced a unique and diverse approach to care, especially Dementia Care. Mark has created a wonderful sensory room and a distal stimulating tepee tent which really showcases his wonderful approach to Dementia Care.
Please tune into BBC Radio 4 between 6am – 9am on Wednesday 21st September and listen to Rob Bonnet’s experience.
