Residents ‘Horse Around’ At Chelmsford Nursing Home

Chelmsford Nursing Home welcomed new ‘neigh-bours’ to offer animal therapy to its residents at a garden party held at the care home.

The home, on East Hanningfield Road, played host to a number of miniature ponies, which gave residents the opportunity to meet and pet the animals.

Animal therapy can be beneficial to those with anxiety, depression and people living with dementia.

Chelmsford Nursing Home provides nursing care, including dementia care, for up to 64 elderly residents.

Jackie Lepley, home manager at Chelmsford Nursing Home, said: “We are always looking at ways to provide our residents with further activities and entertainment, including visits from the community, and the visit of the ponies was an enjoyable experience for everyone. It was nice to have everyone out and about in the garden to meet the animals and make new friends and we hope to welcome the animals back again soon.”

The home recently created a ‘Reminiscence Room’ featuring memorabilia from the 1930s and 1940s, including nostalgic newspapers and records, typewriters and posters, to support its residents with dementia. A new indoor garden area has also been formed, with a new bench and plants, as well as a beach setting complete with shells, sand and decorative anchors.

Jackie added: “The visit of the ponies was another great way to engage and involve our residents as animal therapy can be very therapeutic and healthy for people, especially those living with dementia. This year, we invested in the transformation of a number of the rooms at the home into dementia-friendly areas, which has had a positive impact and has been very well received by all.”