The sound of music...and good care

It's now a couple of weeks since National Care Homes Open Day.  I went to a couple of our homes and saw residents and tenants having a really good time celebrating their homes and met the wonderful staff and volunteers that look after them and help them to enjoy life.  I was fortunate to meet one of our Patrons, Pam Rhodes, at one of the homes and had the opportunity to discuss with her her longstanding support for the organisation and how she really values the work that we do.
 
Pam is broadcasting our Radio 4 Appeal this weekend.  Hopefully you will have a chance to listen to it, either live or on iPlayer.  It's part of our desire to do the things that won't get done unless we can fundraise for them.   Music therapy is one of these where it makes such a tangible difference to our residents with dementia.   One session a week means that connections with the past can be found again and, even though it may be just for an hour, a smile can return to a face and mobility can return to older and tired bodies.  It would be great if we could do this more than once a week or extend it to other residents too, but as ever, the desire is great and the funding limited.
 
At National Care Homes Open Day and through the Radio 4 Appeal, we have lots of opportunities to see what great care looks like for older people in an ageing society.  If you would like to come and have a look at great care in action, you don't have to wait until next year's open day.  You are most welcome to come and visit us any day - you might even see some music therapy in action!

Adrian Bagg

Chief Executive