At Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, residents are welcomed as part of the family which is why they are referred to as family members. At the heart of the home’s ethos is a commitment to understanding each person’s life story, helping life continue with familiarity and dignity. When someone moves in, time is taken to get to know their unique life story and create personalised identity boards with each family member, their families and a team member, highlighting key moments and interests in their lives. This understanding helps shape meaningful daily experiences, with activities that reflect familiar routines and lifelong passions and hobbies.
This is the story of Alan, 83 years young who has been living at Edenmore for just under 2 years and how meaningful activities align with his identity board, keep his love and passion for animals alive.
From Pet Foxes to Zoo Visits, Alan’s Love for Animals Continues
Originally from a small farm in South Elmsall, Yorkshire, Alan grew up surrounded by horses and ponies, starting a lifelong love for animals that has stayed with him to this day. Alan later moved to Nottinghamshire, building a career as a car mechanic, combining his problem solving and engineering skills. It was here that he met his wife at a local Tea Dance, where they bonded over 60s rock and roll, and they later had two daughters.
After visiting Westward Ho! for holidays, the family moved to Devon over 45 years ago. Here his love for the sea, animals and horse racing flourished, and many of his days were spent walking along Instow Beach with his beloved rough collies, pet foxes (yes, really!) and enjoying a little bet at the bookies.
Continuation of Life
Alan’s love for animals hasn’t wavered, and it was really important for the home to ensure his passion continued while living there. Sarah, Home Administrator shared ‘sometimes Alan needs gentle encouragement to get involved in some of the home’s activities but when it comes to anything involving animals, no encouragement is needed!’
Whether it’s relatives bringing in their dogs to visit (where Sarah always asks them to pop in to see Alan) or a visit from Exmoor Zoo, Alan lights up when animals are involved. After one recent zoo trip, a team member said Alan was ‘happy and chatting,’ and told them ‘foxes are lovely animals’ – a touching reflection of a fond memory from his past.
Because of Alan’s love for animals, the upstairs household where he lives has been turned into a cosy woodland-themed space. While elements like fox stickers and Peter Rabbit toys close to the TV where he sits might seem more suited to a child’s room, for someone living with a Dementia, these thoughtful touches can evoke a deep sense of familiarity and comfort. The woodland theme connects to Alan’s passion for nature and can stir a sense of memory or feeling, something familiar and comforting, even if the details aren’t fully clear.
His bedroom is filled with wildlife books, nature pictures and a special fox blanket with his name on it – a thoughtful and personal gift from home manager Gayle Cooper.
One of the most memorable moments at Edenmore came when Alan started feeding the seagulls from his window. He got into such a routine with it that he once threw his watch out the window. When the team asked why, he simply said, ‘So they know what time to come back to be fed.’ He fed them so much they began to get fat, and the team eventually had to put them on a bit of a diet!
His daughter, Sue, recently shared her appreciation: ‘Thank you to all the staff who look after my Dad so well.’
To find out more about how Edenmore supports the continuation of life through activities, please visit: www.edenmorenursinghome.com/activities-in-care/