Pitlochry Care Home Residents Work With Artist To Make Sensory Garden Bloom
Residents at Balhousie Pitlochry Care Home have been enjoying pottery lessons after becoming the first Balhousie care home to reach 90% completion for promoting excellence in Dementia Care.
Residents had five pottery sessions with local artist Alison Price and local girl guides, creating a bird bath, wind chimes and other items for their new sensory garden.
More than 90% of staff have completed the five modules needed in Balhousie’s in-house programme to reach ‘Dementia Skilled’ level, including: understanding dementia; promoting person and family centred care; promoting health and wellbeing for those with dementia; meeting the needs of a person with dementia who is distressed; and supporting and protecting people’s rights.
Angela Parnell, home manager at Balhousie Pitlochry care home, said:
“I’m very proud of all the staff at Pitlochry, it’s taken a lot of hard work and dedication to get there but the benefit for residents makes it all worth it. Residents and staff have all thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. It’s great that we are all part of making items for the new sensory garden, making it extra special and personal. All we need now is the sunny weather!”
Yvonne Manson, Balhousie Care Group Dementia Consultant, added:
“The team effort at Pitlochry to reach 90% completion for the Promoting Dementia modules has been amazing and their hard work has meant that the residents within the home have received a fantastic prize. It’s clear to see that the learning is having a positive impact on the care the residents receive.”
Alison Price said:
“When I was asked to work with The Pitlochry team to come up with a piece of work to mark their achievement, we quickly decided on a group activity where the residents could work on a project for their new sensory garden. That is testament to how the staff at Balhousie approach the care of their residents.
“It has been a delight to work with some of the residents and staff, showing them how to work with clay to make the pieces for their bird bath and wind chimes, then decorating the finished pieces with the help of local girl guides, ready to display in the garden. Including them in the creative process is stimulating and rewarding for all, and how lovely to see people trying something new and having fun at the same time! “
