Violet Vaughan, 95,
was a long-term resident at Ysguborwen Care Home and left it £1,000 in her will.
A new 'sensory
garden' which creates a calming atmosphere for dementia sufferers has opened in
memory of a much-loved care home resident.
Elderly people living at Ysguborwen Care Home in Aberdare can now
listen to the calming sounds of the birds, potter around their own herb garden
and enjoy an ice-cream from the new outdoor parlour.
When long-term
resident Violet Vaughan sadly died in March this year at the age of 95,
Ysguborwen took the opportunity to create a new £8,000 sensory garden in her
memory using the £1,000 donation she left the home in her will.
She loved to spend
her days in the care home’s indoor sensory room which looks out onto the unused
ground and staff felt an interactive garden would be a perfect tribute to their
former resident.
Wendy Parker, 52, from Hirwaun, is the
activities manager at the care home and has worked there for 25 years.
She said: "It
was just a spare piece of land before and one thing led to another and the idea
just snowballed.
"The residents
absolutely love it. As soon as the sun is out they all go out. It has a very
therapeutic effect.
"They’re
happier and calmer, and chattier. It has definitely enhanced the home.
"Violet’s very
kind donation has enabled us to buy lots of outdoor sensory items for the
benefit of all the residents. Violet herself loved the sensory room so we
wanted to name it after her."
Violet’s Garden
features a cascading waterfall, a large solar willow tree which lights up and
artificial grass.
A herb garden
allows residents to grow mint, thyme, sage and rosemary which they pick when
it’s a roast lamb lunch, and a wheelchair accessible polytunnel is where runner
beans and beetroot are grown.
A colourful park
scene depicting families and their children enjoying picnics has been painted
on the wall of the new biomass plant by carer Paula Thomas, who runs the home’s
art classes.
There are also
woodland chimes, a furry cat that purrs and rolls over and a summer ice-cream
parlour.
Retired nurse
Margaret Jones, 82, from Aberdare, said: "It’s very attractive and
colourful.
"It’s quite
something isn’t it? The painting is very relaxing." she added: "It’s
just the right size to look after. I love the willow tree and the
waterfall."
Marion Williams,
89, a former nurse, said: "I like all of it.
"I can hear
the birds singing, and see the trees and flowers. It relaxes me."
Mario Kreft MBE,
chairman of Care Forum Wales, added: "Violet’s Garden is already having a
hugely therapeutic effect on the residents and enhancing their wellbeing.
"Every detail
of the design stage has been carefully thought out to offer residents maximum
benefits and I am full of admiration for the home’s continued commitment to
delivering care focused on the needs of their residents.
"The power of
nature to rehabilitate and restore is well-documented. I’m delighted those
living at Ysguborwen can now enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather."
SOURCE: Sam Tegeltija, Wales Online
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