Loved Ones Remembered At Care Homes’ Celebration Of Life

Loved ones lost in the past year have been remembered during a day of reflection and celebration at care homes in the South.

Family-owned Colten Care held its second ‘Celebration of Life’ day after the same initiative last year proved comforting for families.

Once again, it was a chance for relatives, friends, current residents and team members to gather and share memories with each other.

Homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex all took part, holding afternoon tea parties, poetry readings, religious services and flower and tree plantings.

As well as residential and nursing homes, Colten’s five dedicated dementia care settings also took part.

Visitors were invited to write about their loved ones on cards tied to ‘memory trees’ positioned in the homes’ foyers and gardens.

Several homes such as Woodpeckers in the New Forest also opened memory books for people to write in.

At Castle View in Poundbury, Dorset, where residents attended a special morning service, Companionship Team Member Emma Foxley said: “We all miss those residents who have passed away. It is especially emotional when you have lost people recently but this was a lovely opportunity to come together, reflect and share good memories.”

The Celebration of Life day came just two months after Colten’s Poole home, Canford Chase, gained a national accolade for the way it supports relatives whose loved ones have received end-of-life care.

It was the only non-NHS setting to complete a year-long programme run by the Point of Care Foundation, an independent charity.

Canford Chase won an award for how well team members have applied what they learned in their approach to bereavement support, with ideas and suggestions shared across other Colten homes.