‘And relax…’ residents take five to rest and rejuvenate

Our Dorset care home residents enjoyed a beautiful day of pampering and chilling out inspired by an international celebration of relaxation.

Five Colten Care homes co-ordinated a host of gentle activities designed to embrace wellness, slowing down and de-stressing.

Dozens of residents at our homes in Bournemouth, Poole, Ferndown and West Moors took part, with input from staff members and visiting therapists.

The activities followed this summer’s International Relaxation Day, a collective ‘stress relief’ occasion launched by a nine-year-old American boy, Sean Moeller, 39 years ago and observed around the world ever since.

The homes laid on a wide range of experiences for residents that included healing therapies such as massage, shiatsu and reiki along with yoga, meditation, gong baths, foot soaks and spas, and hand and nail treatments.

To help create the sense of deep relaxation, lounges were adorned with crystals and soft lighting while ambient sounds and the scents of essential oils permeated the air.

After a head massage and face mask complete with cucumber slices to soothe her eyes, 104-year-old Dorothy Parker complimented carers at Brook View in West Moors, saying: “That was the most I have ever felt relaxed.”

Fellow Brook View resident Iona Midlane said she particularly enjoyed a gentle hand massage from Companionship Team member Elizabeth Carpagnano.

At Canford Chase in Poole there was a focus on breathing exercises. Companionship Team Leader Vicky Day said: “We spent some of the day looking at how we can regulate our breathing to help increase feelings of calm and wellbeing and boost physical energy.”

At Amberwood House in Ferndown, treatments included foot pampers.

“We started with a warm lavender foot soak to soften skin and ease any aches,” explained Companionship Team Member Kirsty Richmond-Cole. “Residents had a light exfoliating scrub followed by a hydrating massage, a treatment that became a firm favourite.

“We finished off with a hand massage to decrease stress and tension and promote good circulation throughout our hands and wrists.

“All the treatments were enjoyed throughout the afternoon and our ladies were glowing as they left the spa.”

A candlelit spa afternoon at Bourne View in Poole featured yoga, breath work, hand masks and massages, complemented by homemade refreshments such as lemon, orange, cucumber and mint-infused water to help hydrate and revitalize bodies and give a sense of detox.

Resident Jean Pickles said: “I would love to have another spa day again.”

In a sensory room at Fernhill dedicated dementia care home in Longham near Bournemouth, a steady flow of residents received shiatsu and reiki from Wellbeing Champion Angela Thorn.

As she came out, Kiki Tormey said: “I feel like I’m floating on a cloud. That was incredible, I’m so relaxed.”

And June Welford, who also lives at Fernhill, told carers: “This has been the best day. Every day is relaxation day with you.”

As well as residents, Fernhill laid on relaxation experiences for staff.

Health Care Coordinator Peter Coburn, a sports massage therapist, performed a destress and revitalise routine for team members.

Healthcare Assistant Terry Harvey said afterwards: “I feel so much better. We do a physical job, using all the muscles in the body, and this kind of treatment really helps.”