Family member (resident) Harry recently enjoyed a special birthday celebration at North Devon Care Home, Edenmore.
Members of the team, and family members who wanted to join in, came together in one of the home’s lounges as ‘Happy Birthday’ began to play.
Harry cutting his birthday cake!
Behind Harry, a special birthday-themed message came up on the TV screen, organised earlier by the team! Everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him as he was presented with a cake made by the kitchen team and was supported to cut himself a birthday slice.
Harry pointed to Team member Arun, saying, ‘he is my best mate!’ While Colin said he was having a lovely time and his favourite part had been singing happy birthday to Harry.
Harry has lived at Edenmore since April last year. Described as ‘a proper London boy’ by his daughter, Harry was a chauffeur and worked for Rolls-Royce for a time. He has a real connection with cars and particularly loved polishing them and making sure they looked their best.
Today, as Harry moves along his dementia journey, his love for cars is still very important to him. A member of the team at Edenmore recently came across a car encyclopaedia and thought Harry might enjoy looking through it. On receiving the book, Harry slowly flicked through the pages, completely focused, and even stroked the steering wheel in one photo!
Harry’s daughter, Charmain, shared about her dad, ‘One thing that he’s always been almost obsessive about is making sure that he knows where his car keys are. And at Edenmore, he obviously hasn’t got a car, so the home manager’s husband made him a little set with a tag saying Harry’s keys. So he’s always got his keys in his pocket!’
Harry also worked in construction and labouring, and loves fixing things, so the home also got him a plastic toolbox set to tinker with around the home. He enjoys sitting and ‘fixing’ things, tapping the wall, and keeping his hands busy. These simple tools can offer him something familiar to do and can support a sense of purpose.
After everyone had a slice of cake, family members who wanted to were supported to the downstairs lounge for Chair Zumba. Harry particularly loves these sessions and enjoyed having a birthday boogie!
Home Manager Gayle shared about the day, ‘Harry is such a big part of our family here and adored by so many. It was such a lovely day with beautiful connections and so much laughter!’
Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast.
To read more about the home’s activities, events, and people living at Edenmore, visit – News & Blogs – Edenmore Nursing Home – North Devon Nursing Home