Care Home Residents Don Their Glad Rags For Five-Star Dining Experience

Care home residents at Apthorp Care Centre, in New Southgate, made a meal to remember recently, to celebrate the Fine Dining experience initiative run by the National Activities Providers Association (NAPA).

The event, which included a trip to a local farm shop to pick out fresh ingredients and special wine tasting sessions, was hosted by 79-year-old resident, Betty Bowell, who can struggle with the anxiety that can come from leaving the care home for excursions.

Betty invited nine guests with handmade invitations, where everybody was met with hand decorated table embellishments and menus. Residents even helped to cook the five-star menu, which included smoked bacon and king prawns, and neck of lamb in red wine sauce.

Fiona Swynnerton, leisure and lifestyle manager at Apthorp Care Centre, comments: “Our Fine Dining experience was enjoyed by all who attended, with everybody doing their part to make the event as memorable as possible.

“Events like our dinner party go a long way towards encouraging social interaction and promoting wellbeing among older people, particularly those, like Betty, who used to host lots of parties when she was younger.

“We have since compiled a scrap book for Betty so she can look back fondly at her time hosting the Apthorp Fine Dining meal – something I’m sure she’ll be talking about for many weeks and months to come!”