Toddler Group Helps Tackle Dementia At Forest Hall Care Home

A care home in Forest Hall, Newcastle, is helping brighten the days of its residents and also help those with dementia, by introducing a toddler group at the home.

Mums and toddlers regularly come into Park View in Newcastle, which is one of six homes managed by St Martins Care. There they get the opportunity to interact with the residents, use the facilities and enjoy the experience of using the space to play and learn.

They attend on a weekly basis at the following times:

Birth to crawlers 10am-11:30am

Crawlers to walkers 1:30pm-3pm

Park View assistant manager, Lisa Parry said “Our residents absolutely love the emotional and physical connection with children and babies. Dementia is a massive talking point within the NHS and care at the moment, advertising the link between old and young and how much joy and happiness it brings into their lives is crucial. The children, babies and residents can form quite strong bonds.

“The main reason for this group is reminiscing, bringing joy and laughter and emotional connections for everyone involved. Several mums also commented how useful it was for them with newborns and entertaining young children.”

Many of the residents now look forward to the visits of the children, holding the babies and singing to them. For many it rekindles memories of when they were parents, or of their own children, while one resident felt it was like going back in time. Hilda Lambert said: “It’s so lovely to see the children and have cuddles.”

Resident Jean Wright said: “I look forward to seeing the babies every week and getting to chat with the mams.”

Leona Bibby said: “As a parent from the local community when this group was advertised on the local community board I was intrigued to find out more. Bringing the old and the young together isn’t only a lovely idea it touched my heart in so many ways and brought back all the lovely memories I spent caring for my nana before she passed.

“The smiles simply say it all, the babies are relaxed and absolutely love the cuddles, the residents also get right in the spirit singing songs and smiling away. Coming week in and week out I think it’s a group I will always support as each week I attend with a smile on my face. My whole conception of care homes has changed for the better and I also have better understanding.”