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What I want from a care home.......hopefully a long way off!

(54 Posts)
Mamissimo Sun 30-Jun-19 10:23:19

Reading the Glastonbury thread it struck me (again) that I’ve never heard Led Zeppelin or Hendrix in a care home.....but I’ve heard loads of music from my grandparents era....and they died forty years ago!

I think residential homes are going to have to up their game for the baby boomer generation!

We’ll want unlimited WiFi, Thai food....or a decent choice of tasty food.....a wine list......to wear our own clothes.....internet shopping.....the occasional night away....and to have far more say in our treatment!

They need to get rid of the 80s decor too!

We will be buying our own care so I think we should have more say....what do others think?

dragonfly46 Sun 30-Jun-19 10:28:44

Where my mum is ticks some of the boxes. Admittedly they play a lot of Vera Lynn but as my mum is 98 that seems fair. They do have unlimited wifi, wear their own clothes (if they are properly named), drink wine (which I take in) with their meal and get a choice of food.
Maybe I should put my name down grin

Mamissimo Sun 30-Jun-19 10:32:59

Dragonfly nooooooo to the Vera Lynn - it’s a red line for me! I’d quickly loose my sense of humour ?

Whitewavemark2 Sun 30-Jun-19 10:35:11

Nothing??? you read such terrible things. Mum is 100 and still in her own home with support. That is what I would hope for.

vena11 Sun 30-Jun-19 10:37:46

Shoot me first . I dread the day that may happen ,sitting in a winged chair listening to Vera Lynn.

vena11 Sun 30-Jun-19 10:38:17

Example We will meet again .

kittylester Sun 30-Jun-19 11:37:16

My friend runs a Singing for The Brain Group and most of the music they use is Rock and Roll onwards.

MawBroonsback Sun 30-Jun-19 12:13:14

A balcony overlooking the sea and beautiful gardens with equally attractive gardeners. A choice of outings to gin distilleries, chocolate factories, shoe shops, designer outlets oh and galleries.
A full choice of menu and wine list, fresh flowers every day, facials and massages, and if possible - some of my lively GN friends.
And Hattie.

Septimia Sun 30-Jun-19 12:24:34

That sounds a great place, Maw. Maybe we should set it up ourselves.
No music earlier than The Beatles (approx) and our own choices.

MawBroonsback Sun 30-Jun-19 12:27:19

I’m up for it - oh and the panel of I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue grin

Meeyoo Sun 30-Jun-19 12:30:16

Beautiful gardens with equally attractive gardeners
Oh yes I want some eye candy when I'm in a care home ??

Lyndylou Sun 30-Jun-19 12:32:42

Actually my biggest fear is being force fed The Beatles in a Care Home, because they were "my era".

My children already have strict instructions to tie a cardboard sign round my neck saying "I hate The Beatles - Please play Springsteen, the Stones or Johnny Cash".

I think I would prefer Vera Lynn than never ending 60's pop.

merlotgran Sun 30-Jun-19 12:34:46

This thread reminds me of a weekend break we were treated to by the family for DH's seventieth. It was at a Warner Leisure resort. The food and accommodation were top notch and the entertainment pretty good considering it was in January and the weather was dire so nobody wanted to go out.

But.....Oh, the music! We were constantly force fed, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Englebert Humperdinck, Cliff Richard et al. Obviously the music they considered suitable for Baby Boomers.

One of the residents snapped during a quiz while they were handing out the papers and shouted, 'Oh for Christ's sake, haven't you got any Thin Lizzie?' grin

'The Boys Are Back In Town' was hastily put on - to loud cheers.

Septimia Sun 30-Jun-19 12:37:28

I'm not keen on The Beatles non-stop, just not 50s or, heaven forbid, 40s music (I may have learned many songs from those years at my mother's knee, but they're not my taste). If we could choose our own, we might not always like other people's taste in music, but we'd get our favourites sometimes and at least there'd be variety. We could make a playlist that mixes all the choices the residents make.

sodapop Sun 30-Jun-19 12:38:51

Great ideas Maw & Meeyoo sounds like my sort of place.. Must have a well stocked library with current books, proper books not e-books.
No visits allowed from politicians canvassing votes or children entertaining me.

Septimia Sun 30-Jun-19 12:39:03

Or, even better, just have peace and quiet and listen to our own musical preferences privately.

Jane10 Sun 30-Jun-19 13:00:42

I was just going to say that Septimia
No need for constant soundtrack to life. Earphones and I pods for those that want to listen to music of their own.
Hot club of Paris, Bix Beiderbeck, Artie Shaw for me.

paddyann Sun 30-Jun-19 13:21:09

When we were in our 20's we decided that when we reached an age where we needed care we'd start a commune,people are usually able to contribute in some way so we reckoned there be someone who could do food ,organise the garden etc.W could have care on our terms.
Sadly there are fewer of us than we thought ,we lost my best friend in her 40's and others along the way .I still think its a good idea though so anyone who wants to live in a commune in the West of Scotland.?.The music can be anything you like and I can guarantee the food will be good .

EllanVannin Sun 30-Jun-19 15:06:28

I wouldn't want any " old people things ". Perish the thought !

In fact, all being well I'd rather stay put as presently I'm a young at heart bod who'd rather be in the company of younger people because I get on well with them. They really are friendly people when you get talking to them.

I've befriended a young builder locally this last couple of years and the other day he asked me to join him and his friends for a glass of champers when he's finished the house he's working on. I'd force the stuff down my neck to be there hahahaha. Best bib and tucker for that !

jura2 Sun 30-Jun-19 15:09:34

Led Zep at full pelt 'Hey leave us oldies alone'

but seriously, have no intention to go in a care home. Much cheaper to be cared for at home, then out.

Lazigirl Sun 30-Jun-19 15:23:33

I'm definitely up for it paddyann. I think many of our generation won't want the present model of care, and out of date "care homes", and instead opt for something along the lines you propose.

kittylester Sun 30-Jun-19 16:37:47

Sally Magnusson has started a charity which encourages people to record a play list of their choice. Also sounds that mean something - adverts, doorbell,telephone ringing, dogs barking etc.

She did this after she saw how much sounds meant to her mum whilst suffering from dementia. It isnt just about people living with dementia though. It helps lots of older people. I'll try to find a link.

kittylester Sun 30-Jun-19 16:39:20

www.playlistforlife.org.uk/

Link to the Sally Magnusson Charity

ninathenana Sun 30-Jun-19 16:41:29

merlot you were obviously unlucky with the your weekend at Warner's.
We have had some great music weekends Motown, Jazz, 70's etc. It very much depends on the hotel and when you go.
I'd be very happy in a care home like that.

ninathenana Sun 30-Jun-19 16:43:23

Often there is no choice but a care home no matter how hard you try.