At Heron Lodge there is no typical day. We actively encourage all our residents to take part in the usual daily activities as well as extra activities of their choosing, which can help to keep life fun and interesting. We provide the opportunity to do as much or as little as people wish. Our care is focused around each person’s individual needs and wishes and we value and respect how each person chooses to spend their day.
Residents can rise whenever they like at the home and have a choice between hot and cold breakfasts. They can even have breakfast in bed if they like, but most enjoy the communal, friendly dining room. Staff eat with the residents and don’t wear uniforms or badges, which adds to the relaxed, homely feel of mealtimes.
An optional programme of activities, individually tailored to each resident, follows breakfast. These may include regular visits from the hairdresser, chiropodist, and therapists; as well as visits out for movement, exercise and music; flower arranging, skittles and the church. Other activities include card making, jigsaw puzzles and board games. There are organised and impromptu trips throughout the year including evenings out, sing-alongs, summer BBQs, themed events, as well as all the usual annual celebrations such as birthdays, Christmas and Easter. Spending time in the garden is one of the most popular pastimes at the house.
Alternatively residents can spend time with family, relax in one of the spacious communal areas or in their room, watch TV, read a newspaper in the garden, play games, have one-to-one time with staff or chat with other residents – the choice is always theirs. Families and friends are welcomed at all times of day and residents are encouraged to maintain social contacts prior to life at Heron Lodge.
The enthusiastic, caring staff are always on hand to be with residents at any time throughout the day and are compassionate about helping individuals to do what they enjoy. They are encouraged to be impulsive, to swap stories, to laugh and cry with the residents, whilst residents are encouraged to follow their own interests and make their own decisions.
Hot drinks, tea, coffee and snacks are served throughout the day.
For lunch there is a choice of mains and desserts and we invite the residents to help set the tables if they wish. All food is cooked on the premises and is made both with health and taste in mind – menus are available on request. Mealtimes are a sociable time, and staff are skilled at getting even the quietest residents to be involved in activities and conversations.
Many residents enjoy helping out around the home with dusting and other chores and have a lot of input about all the choices made within the home, such as potential staff, conversions, additions and decoration.
Individuals may want to listen to their favourite music, have some ‘me time’ or share their experiences with others. We want them to relax and feel at home, without conforming to routines.
Suppertime is a choice of hot or cold food, with at least two choices of main and dessert.
After supper, some residents opt to go to bed early or retire to their rooms, while others stay up until later relaxing in one of the communal areas. There are hot and cold drinks, alcohol available to those that want it, and NO set bed time, as this is the residents’ home.