Bridge Haven care home is a popular care home in the picturesque village of Bridge, near Canterbury. The home provides care for the older person and for those living with dementia. The home is surrounded by beautiful views and countryside and is well supported and very much part of the local community of Bridge.
Last July Bridge Haven was the first care home to host a two day Scout camp within the grounds of the home with Nailbourne Scout group. This event alone saw a number of positive changes in resident’s behaviours and engagement with others, during and after the event. It also helped to raise awareness of how you can live a full life with dementia as well as increasing understanding of what life is like in a care home with the younger generation.
Even though the current pandemic has put this year’s Scout Camp on hold, the staff continue to keep residents entertained and in touch with the community around them as much as possible. At the start of the pandemic the local community of Wickhambreaux pulled together to donate favourite books to residents and staff to read, each with a short letter explaining why they donated the book. Many residents have since read some of these books and have shared their thoughts on what they liked best about the donated novels.
With care homes across the UK still closed for family members and friends to visit their loved ones, Bridge Haven staff have worked hard to ensure residents still feel connected with their loved ones during this time. During the pandemic Home Manager Kim Drury, arranged for family members to receive a ‘pocket hug’ through the post from their loved ones each with a personal message.
Kim said, ‘It’s imperative we keep families updated and connected during these uncertain times. Many of the families of the residents at Bridge Haven are regular visitors and great supporters of the home and we want to maintain as much contact as we can. From the very start of the pandemic the staff team and I have ensured the home continues to run as normal, with residents continuing to take part in activities and events all within the grounds of the home.
We have focussed on simple everyday tasks such as helping with the laundry. They really enjoy hanging out and bringing in the washing and this is part of their daily routine for some of the residents. We have always encouraged residents who have a keen interest in gardening to be involved in looking after the lovely gardens surrounding the home but there has definitely been an increase of interest recently from residents wanting to be more involved with the gardens.
Last week we held our own mini fete to keep the annual traditions going. We even had hook a duck which unveiled some keen fisherman amongst the residents!’
We know that during the current pandemic people are still looking for and requiring residential care or home care services. We are currently taking admissions at Bridge Haven care home for those that need care. Please call the Home Manager on 01227 831607.
We want to assure you that when we are admitting new residents from the community, we are doing so safely. We have clear policies in place to ensure that screening or testing is undertaken prior to any new admission into the care home.
