Making the most of the great outdoors
Residents at The Rectory care home in Taunton have been making the most of the spring sunshine, spending time socialising, gardening and relaxing in the home’s outdoor spaces.
Although dates for the return of the home’s outdoor Memory Café have yet to be confirmed, residents have continued to enjoy refreshments and visits with family and friends in the garden.
The space includes a cabin with an outdoor library, a shed with a serving hatch used as a coffee shop or bar, a swing seat area and dedicated planting and growing areas.
Manager Abbie Foster said: “The garden is designed to be both accessible and engaging for residents.
“Many of our residents enjoy gardening, so we’ve created raised beds and a potting area where they can stay involved.
“They grow flowers and herbs used in the kitchen and always look forward to picking strawberries and fruit from the garden.”
Research from the National Institute for Health and Care Research suggests spending at least two hours a week in nature is linked to improved health and wellbeing.
Abbie Foster said: “Access to outdoor spaces can play an important role for people living with dementia, helping to support mood, reduce stress and encourage engagement through meaningful, familiar occupation.”
The gardening activities are part of a busy programme of activities provided for residents of The Rectory. The home is run by specialist dementia care provider White Care Group, which also runs St Benedict’s Nursing Home in Glastonbury and St Cecilia Care Home in Shepton Mallet.
