Christmas past is key to unlocking today's festive fun at Hassingham House

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without all the traditions and trimmings especially for people living with dementia for whom past memories are so important which is why Hassingham House Care Centre in Hingham is creating a nostalgic Christmas for its residents.

“People living with dementia struggle to remember what’s just happened but don’t have a problem with long-term memories, that makes Christmas extra special for them because there are lots of strong feelings attached to the festive traditions and customs. Reminiscing about past Christmases helps trigger happy memories, so we sit and chat to our residents about the special things they did at Christmas in their own homes and then we try and do what they used to do,” explains Sally Lee, manager of Hassingham House Care Centre.

The count-down to Christmas at Hassingham House will include wrapping presents, writing cards, making table decorations and mince pies, and decorating the trees, which the residents always enjoy getting involved with. “They love to help make decisions about what to put where, and it’s important that they feel included and can contribute in their own way whether it’s offering advice or hanging the baubles – familiar everyday things like that all add to the fun,” says Sally.

To add to the festive mood, bell ringers will be playing on 8 December and Tickled Pink theatre company will be performing on 10 December.

“Events are an important part of life at Hassingham House – activities make all the difference to people’s quality of life and how they feel, especially when music is involved and they can sing along and tap their feet. Having fun, relaxing and socialising help people feel better,” says Sally.

Hassingham House’s favourite traditions for Christmas Day itself are a glass of sherry, turkey with all the works for lunch, watching the Queen’s speech followed by present giving with Santa and then a film.

Hassingham House is situated on Hardingham Street in Hingham, with 44 bedrooms offering a friendly, family environment for both younger people recovering from trauma – including a specialist 24 hour neurological and spinal injury nursing care – and elderly residents who require nursing care. Hassingham House is part of the Forest Healthcare group of homes, which includes 12 individual homes throughout the South East of England. For more information on Hassingham House, please visit www.foresthc.com or call 08444 725 173.

ENDS

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