Care Home Party Goers Say Aloha! To Hawaiian-Themed Fun

Care home residents in Hampshire and Dorset have said ‘Aloha!’ to Hawaiian-style parties featuring dances, costumes and traditional island stories.

Going totally tropical, staff at Colten Care’s Outstanding-rated Kingfishers in New Milton wore lei garlands, flowery shirts and grass skirts as they served cocktails and mocktails to residents.

It was the latest in series of ‘armchair travel adventures’ designed to create joyful experiences during the pandemic.

Rose Arcellana, Companionship team leader, said: “Our residents have really enjoyed making ‘virtual trips’ to various places and since we are still in a summertime mood Christina Holliday, one of our Companionship team members, suggested the idea of a Hawaiian party as it was cheerful and colourful.

“We decorated the main lounge with Hawaiian themes and as our residents entered, we offered them a flower necklace each and greeted them with the words ‘Aloha, welcome to Hawaii’.

“It put a smile on everyone’s face. Together we then learned a Hawaiian dance and enjoyed beautiful fruit platters prepared by our chefs featuring fresh melon, mango and pineapple.

“The residents loved that and had a wonderful time chatting and listening to Hawaiian music.”

Resident Audrey Stokes was so taken with the idea, she bought a colourful headband in advance to wear on the day.

Audrey said afterwards: “I really enjoyed the Aloha dancing and the costumes people dressed up in. It really brightened up everyone’s spirits.”

A raffle held at the party raised more than £100 for Kingfishers’ charities this year, Lymington’s Oakhaven Hospice and the New Forest-based cycling group Pedall.

There was a similar Hawaiian-themed get-together at Colten Care’s Poole dementia care home The Aldbury.

It featured storytelling from traditional Hawaiian folklore and a presentation on the landscapes and wildlife of the islands.

Resident Tina Thorne said: “It was fascinating and beautiful.”