October Activities Plan
The October activities plan for Somerforde Care Home.
When families come to look round, one of the first questions they ask is a simple one. What will Mum or Dad actually do all day? It is a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends on the home. Some keep people comfortable. We try to keep people busy, in the best sense of the word.
So here is our full October activities plan, as it is pinned up in the home. If you are thinking about care homes in Newton Abbot for someone you love, this is a good picture of what an ordinary month looks like at Somerforde. And if your relative already lives with us, it is a handy way to plan your visits around the things they will enjoy most.
Music and visiting entertainers
Live music is a big part of life here, and October is a full month for it. Luc the Harpist opened the month for us on Monday 5 October, a calm and lovely way to start. Patrick the Singer visits on Wednesday 14 October at 3.30pm, and Phil the Singer follows on Saturday 17 October at 2.30pm. Both are familiar faces here, and live singing tends to get the whole lounge joining in.
Later in the month, on Thursday 29 October at 2.30pm, we have a visit from the Animal Man, which is always a popular one. Alongside the visiting entertainers we have our own musicals afternoon, a cinema afternoon, a singalong, and Halloween films to round off the month on the 31st.
Out and about in South Devon
We think it matters that our residents keep seeing the world outside the front door, so there is something out of the home most weeks. In October that includes cocktails and mocktails in town, cake in the cafe, a garden centre visit, a library trip, and a lunch in town where residents vote on where we go.
The highlight for many will be our trip to House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey on Tuesday 20 October. It is a short drive from Newton Abbot and there is plenty to see, with the marble runs, the glass workshop, and a good cafe. We are also getting out for morning autumn walks on Wednesday 21 October while the leaves are at their best.
Making the most of autumn
Autumn is a wonderful season for making things, and the plan reflects that. Over the month we have autumn flower arranging, s'more making and scrapbooks, autumn leaf decorating and suncatchers, autumn wreath making, and a general arts and crafts afternoon on Sunday 25 October.
Then there are the pumpkins. On Thursday 22 October we are carving pumpkins and turning the insides into pumpkin soup, which our chefs will cook fresh in our own kitchen. On Monday 26 October it is pumpkin painting and bedazzling for anyone who would rather decorate than carve, and on Wednesday 28 October we are baking ghost biscuits. The home will be looking suitably spooky by the end of it.
Halloween at Somerforde
The month ends with a bit of fun. On Friday 30 October the staff are dressing up for our Halloween party, and on Saturday 31 October we settle in for Halloween films. Families are very welcome to pop in during the party, and if you have grandchildren who would like to come in costume, let us know and we will make sure there is something for them to do.
The quieter days matter too
Not every day needs to be a big event, and a good activities plan leaves room for the familiar things people enjoy. Puzzles, word searches and crosswords, board games, bingo, a quiz, and our regular reminiscing sessions all have their place on the October plan. We also have a Men's Afternoon on Tuesday 13 October and a Ladies Spa Day on Friday 16 October, because sometimes it is nice to have an afternoon with your own crowd.
Who our activities are for
Everything on the plan is open to every resident, and nobody is ever made to join in. Some people come to everything. Some prefer to watch from a comfortable chair with a cup of tea. Both are fine. The point is that there is always something going on, and always company if you want it.
Our day care guests join in with whatever is on during the day they are with us. If you care for a parent or partner at home and would like them to have a day of good company, a proper meal, and a change of scene, day care is often the easiest first step, and it gives you a well-earned break at the same time. The same is true if you are considering respite care for a longer stay.
Come and see for yourself
If you are wondering whether it is time to look at a care home, or you simply want to see what daily life here is like, you are welcome to visit. There is no obligation and no hard sell. We will put the kettle on, show you round, and if it happens to be a Wednesday afternoon you might even catch Patrick.
Call us on 01626 361786, email manager@somerforde.uk, or just drop in. Somerforde Residential Care Home is at 2 and 3 Forde Park, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1DE.