Sweet sensory treats delight residents at Elm Bank Care Home on National Ice Cream Day

Residents at Elm Bank Care Home in Kettering enjoyed a wonderful celebration on National Ice Cream Day, with a fun filled sensory afternoon that brought smiles, laughter and plenty of delicious flavours to the home’s dementia community.

The aprons were on and residents set to work in creating their very own masterpieces, with a colourful selection of ice cream flavours, chocolate buttons, sprinkles and a variety of different sauces to choose from. Residents created unique and tasty treats while enjoying the sights, smells, textures and tastes of the activity. For those residents in their rooms, the activity was taken to them, so that they to could be a part of the experience as they enjoyed delicious bowls of ice cream with their favourite toppings.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a wonderful simple activity that offered far more than just a tasty treat at the end. For our residents that live with dementia these hands-on activities are incredibly beneficial for our residents, especially those that are living with dementia, as they really provide essential sensory stimulation. Activities likes these ensure that every day is filled with a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “We really like to ensure that we offer a whole host of activities within our beautiful home, and that residents get to enjoy all life’s simple pleasures, it is not always about lavish activities it is about what the activity means to our residents and the benefit it creates for them. Everyone certainly enjoyed eating the delicious ice creams, they had to be quick as they were melting in the warmth, which made it all the more fun.”

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

Elm Bank care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Elm Bank provides residential and dementia care for residents from respite care to long term stays.