Official Opening of Stanfield’s New Accommodation

On Saturday 13^th June Stanfield Nursing Home celebrated with its’ residents, the families of current and previous residents and its’ staff, the official opening of the new accommodation of the home.  Our home is a family run home, owned by Richard White for the past 28 years.  The Matron, Patricia Morris, has been with the home for the past 26 years.

Fantastic and Functional

The new extension has been added onto the original building, which dates back to 1540 and has been changing since that date.  Mainly Georgian in character the latest addition adds a new chapter to the building and the home. 

The extension is a fantastic addition adding:

•          7 new resident bedrooms
•          A multi-purpose sitting area
•          A safe enclosed sensory garden 

Light, Bright and Beautiful

The multi-purpose sitting area is a beautiful, large, light room which greatly enhances the atmosphere and environment of the home.  It is already being used for a variety of activities; musical events, local theatre groups putting on plays and it has a large screen for watching movies.  It gives the residents another alternative out of the many communal rooms for sitting throughout the day and gives them an opportunity to look out on and experience the beautiful garden. 

The addition of another sensory garden, which contain a greenhouse, raised planters and a variety of plants, allows the residents to enjoy the outside space.  It has been built with the residents in mind, so they can move around it easily and safely. 

A Grand Opening

The accommodation was opened by Mr. Don Briant, whose wife Joyce has been living in the home for the past 12 years, and Mrs. Iris Jordan, whose husband Ron lived in the home for over 6 years.  Mr. Briant and Mrs. Jordan officially opened the new accommodation by cutting the red ribbon and Mr. Briant gave a short speech thanking the home for it’s individual care and support to all the residents for so many years and congratulating them on running an excellent nursing home.

Every gathered for the event enjoyed a special cake baked fo rthe vent by Paul the homes chef.  Achampagne toast marked the finale

Personal Thank You’s

Special gifts and bouquets were given to Mr. Briant, Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Jordan’s daughter, Mrs. Deborah Dawson, who has also been a great friend and support to the home for many years.  Mrs. Dawson acts as an independent voice for the families, in the role of advocate, by running regular family meetings.  A silver plaque was presented to mark the occasion, which is to be erected in the new accommodation to commemorate the special opening day. 

Stanfield welcomes cello artist Corinne Frost

Music and dementia

Music has often been used within the care of those with dementia, whether it’s Classical, Motown or Rock & Roll, music has the ability to stimulate the brain and, on occasions, bring back long-forgotten memories.

Corinne Frost and Stanfield

At Stanfield we welcome cello artist Corinne Frost to play to our residents for their enjoyment, but also to help with their care.

Corinne is a very experienced cellist, she studied music at the Royal Academy of Music and went on to play in the Philharmonia Orchestra. In 1993 she came to Worcestershire as co-principal cellist of the English Symphony Orchestra and English String Orchestra.

Corinne also performs regularly with pianist Janine Smith and is also in a duo with Stephen Warner (double bass/classical guitar) called ‘Downside Up’.

As well as being an active soloist, ensemble and orchestral player, Corinne is passionate about bringing live music to people in care homes and hospices, and initiated the ESO Care Homes and Hospices programme in 2007.

Corinne leads workshops on performance anxiety and specialises in helping with posture related problems. She loves improvising and regularly performs improvisations in her recitals, during care home visits, weddings and funerals. She also plays with a group of classical musicians called ‘Epiphany’ who specialise in improvisation.

How can Music help those with dementia?

1. Emotions and memories can go hand-in-had

Music can cause an emotional response within everyone, even those with dementia. Often emotion can be associated with certain day-day activities. Studies have shown that by pairing such activities with music, it has the ability to help the cognitive functions of those with dementia.

2. Musical appreciation is deeply ingrained

Our appreciation of music is deeply engrained into our cognitive abilities, so much so that it is often one on the last abilities to leave those with dementia. By playing music it allows us to communicate to the individual behind the illness, even in the later stages.

3. Promotes physical activities and closeness

When listening to music some patients with dementia may feel comfortable to dance, this may lead to comforting physical activities, such as hugging, which family members and friends may not often have the opportunity to do, due to the illness.

4. Music and cognitive stimulation

Music has the power to stimulate the brain. Not only will it stimulate the musically focused part of the brain, but it also engages many other associated areas of the brain. Because of this many patients feel as if they have more control over their thoughts, feelings and memories.

5. Improving emotions and reducing stress

With or without dementia music has the ability to reduce stress and improve the mood of people.