Day Care Boost For Veterans And Partners Living With Disability Or Dementia

A charity has relaunched its popular Day Care service to support veterans.

Royal Star & Garter resumed the sessions from its High Wycombe and Solihull Homes in January and February respectively. Day Care will also launch from Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton for the first time later this year.

Day Care sessions will run from the charity’s Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe Homes several days a week, and will include dedicated days for people living with early-stage dementia.

Day Care was a popular and well-attended service at the Solihull and High Wycombe Homes, before it was paused by the pandemic. Lockdown also meant plans for its launch at Surbiton were put on hold.

Day Care will support veterans and their partners who live with disability or dementia but are not in need of full-time residential care. Furthermore, it will offer valuable respite to their carers, who are often older people themselves.

As well as tackling social isolation which can be a significant issue amongst the veteran population, it will also promote wellbeing by providing home-cooked food, activities and structure to the week.

People who use the new Day Care service will be kept busy, joining permanent residents in activities including quizzes, outings, entertainment, art therapy, and movement to music. Emphasis will be placed on rekindling memories and creating connections, including making new friends over delicious and healthy meals.

Royal Star & Garter’s Director of Care & Wellbeing, Shirley Hall, said: “Day Care was extremely popular when it ran before the pandemic, and we know from feedback how important it is for the people that use it, as well as the respite benefit it brings their carers. So we’re thrilled that Day Care has returned. It further illustrates our commitment to increase the help and support we can provide to the Armed Forces community.”