Mummies the Word as Dorset Care Home Holds Egyptian Day

Residents and staff at a Dorset dementia care home turned the clock back to Ancient Egypt with a colourful day of costumes, hieroglyphics and history.

Team members at Colten Care’s The Aldbury in Poole donned Egyptian-style robes edged in gold card with one, Clinical Lead Nimpha Salmon, even touring the home dressed as a mummy.

The day was the culmination of a season of themed activities including craft sessions focused on making and decorating bookmarks with characters from Egypt’s ancient writing system.

The fun was led by Companionship Team leader Sue Miles, who has studied Egyptology and visited the country five times, including making a two-day road trip up and down the banks of the Nile.

Sue said: “One of our residents, Pip Smith, told us about her fascination with Egypt and a wish to go there on her bucket list.

“In response, we thought we would bring a little taste of Egypt to her and our other residents.
“In the build-up to the themed day, we used our arts and crafts time to go into hieroglyphics in some depth.

“On the day itself, colleagues were happy to dress up as Pharoahs and we invited residents to discuss facts and figures about Egypt’s geography and history, including how the pyramids came to be constructed and what daily life was like in ancient times.

“Residents also learned how to write their names in hieroglyphics using papyrus paper and went online for a virtual tour of the inside of the Giza pyramid and the British Museum’s collection of ancient Egyptian relics.”

Pip Smith said afterwards: “It was amazing, just like we were there. A big thanks to everyone who organised the day. We all had a fantastic time, great fun.”
Alongside Bill’s visit, and given its success, the team at Island Healthcare also has plans to take other residents back to their former workplaces, including one who worked at Lloyd’s Bank on the island, and another who worked at a hotel.