Love was in the air at Longfield Care Home on Valentine’s Day as the team hosted a dinner date night for residents and their loved ones.
To mark the occasion and ensure residents had the opportunity to show love to their family members and significant others, a gourmet evening dinner menu was created and relatives were invited to get their ‘glad rags’ on and join their loved one for a romantic meal.
Residents were excited to dress up for the occasion and celebrate with their life partners and family members. For many, getting dressed up for Valentine’s Day brought back happy memories of ways they celebrated the day in the past. Stories of trips to the theatre and romantic meals were recalled, making the day meaningful and special for many. This also added to the excitement for the evening ahead to make more happy memories they could cherish.
Ahead of the guest’s arrival at Longfield, the team set the tables with their best cutlery and crockery, and placed conversation cards on each table as a way of encouraging people to engage in different conversations. To add the finishing touches, a red rose was also placed on each table and Valentine’s themed décor adorned the walls and ceilings.
When residents and their guests walked into the dining area, they were wowed by the effort that had gone into transforming the room. As people took their seats, conversation began to flow and you could see couples and family members smiling and laughing with their loved ones. It was a wonderful atmosphere, especially with the live pianist playing softly in the background. As the different courses were brought out, the team was on hand to ensure drinks were topped up and everything the diners wanted was catered to.
Seeing everyone engaged in conversation and looking lovingly at their partners made all of the effort that had gone into planning the event, worth it. For the team, it raised well-being knowing that many happy memories were made.
People who live with dementia can find it challenging to visit a fine dining restaurant, so bringing this experience to the people at Longfield was appreciated by residents and their loved ones! The team would also like to share a heartfelt thanks to everyone in the community who volunteered their time to make this evening special for the residents of Longfield and their relatives.