Whitecraigs Care Home Takes Elderly Residents On A Four-Week Round The World Trip

Elderly residents at Renaissance Care’s Whitecraigs Care Home are enjoying an around the world trip of around 13,000 miles to various holiday locations from the comfort of their care home.

Organised by staff at the home for the entire month of August, the residents have already visited Spain and the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and are now enjoying reminiscing around Blackpool holidays before they head off to Italy next week, keeping spirits high while care homes remain in lockdown.

A host of Spanish themed events were enjoyed last week including flamenco dancing, a tapas and sangria night, chocolate churros and a memory session reflecting on holidays to Spain.

The residents then jetted off to the Bahamas and Caribbean, with activities including music therapy, a Caribbean carnival, hula dancing, rum cake and a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean.

This week, the residents have returned to the UK with fish and chips, amusements, bingo and another reminiscing session, this time chatting about great memories in Blackpool.

They will then head back overseas as they enjoy a virtual tour through Venice, pizza making, a Dean Martin sing-along and a screening of The Italian Job.

The aim of the vacations is to allow staff and residents at Whitecraigs to share holiday memories and have fun together as they think up new and creative ways to entertain the residents throughout the pandemic.

Amanda Randou, activities coordinator at Renaissance Care’s Whitecraigs Care Home, said: “The resident’s regular day trips have had to be postponed due to lockdown, so we decided to arrange something to cheer everyone up and keep the residents active and engaged. Reminiscing and talking about these holiday destinations with residents is beneficial for their memory and general wellbeing.

“After being apart from loved ones for so long, we wanted to boost morale and inject some excitement back into our home. Being able to bring them fully interactive experiences again is something we are all really looking forward to.

“We can’t wait to hear about their memories of going on holiday, and share pictures and videos with their loved ones, keeping them connected throughout this time.”