Amherst Court Care Home Taking Reminiscence To New Heights!

Staff at Amherst Court have been taking reminiscence to a whole new height recently, by taking residents over the River Thames in a sky lift.

Residents have enjoyed a number of trips over the River Thames as some have visited, lived or worked in London previously and have been able to see where they used to live or work. Others just love looking at the views of London.

Residents and staff are able to point out historical landmarks, buildings and places of interest which have sparked conversations about the past experiences and moments in history.

Edna is one of the residents who has recently been on the sky lift, and has really enjoyed it, which has surprised staff and family members as Edna used to have a fear of heights. Staff were aware of this but Edna was keen to do it and staff were certainly not going to stand in the way!

Charlotte, Home Manager, Ashley’s 18 month old daughter, who has now become a regular sky lift rider with Amherst Court residents, was a wonderful distraction for fellow riders, dispersing any fears of heights instantly.

Ashley Haydon, Home Manager said, ‘I am so happy with how popular the Sky lift trips have become with residents. We often hold reminiscence sessions at the home, with books, photos and the internet but we wanted to do more than this and add more value and reality. The Sky lift trips have done just that and residents are seeing exactly where they use to live, work or visit and seeing how London has changed over the years. Books and pictures do not demonstrate this as well as a lift over the River Thames and seeing it for real.”