Feathered friendships for residents at Framlingham care home

Home news

Aug 10, 2015

Residents at Mills Meadow care home are keeping active and enjoying the benefits of being outdoors with the help of five chickens in the care home’s new garden.

The chickens promote much conversation at the home, as well as providing a range of sensory and reminiscence benefits, particularly for those living with dementia.

Care UK’s dementia specialist, Andrew Potts, says: “Spending time outside, breathing the fresh air, as well as caring for animals and birds will increase the wellbeing of residents, relatives and colleagues at Mills Meadow. Spending time with, and looking after the chickens will add purpose to the residents’ day, enabling them to reminisce about animals and birds they kept in the past, chat about occupations that may have involved looking after animals and could enable some residents to develop an occupational role within the home looking after the chickens.”

Mills Meadow resident, Dulcie Harper, who was part of the Women’s Land Army in the Second World War, said she particularly enjoys looking after the chickens: “The chickens have just started laying their first eggs, which is exciting” Dulcie said. “I like to go outside and keep an eye on them, it’s great to watch how much they’ve grown and it’s always something to talk about.”

Mills Meadow’s chicken project reflects the top tips and advice in Care UK’s Good to Go guide, launched in May 2015, which highlights the emotional and physical benefits of staying active and how important it is for those living with dementia, and their carers, to get out and about. The guide explains how to make the most of every outing, big or small, with practical advice and words of encouragement volunteered by people working in Care UK care homes, as well family carers.

The chickens at Mills Meadow were donated as living eggs to the care home in April 2015 by Care UK’s construction partner Castleoak who have been working on a two-part redevelopment of the home and construction of a new day club.

Residents, who moved across to the first half of the new Mills Meadow care home in October 2014, were able to watch the chicks hatch and follow their development.

Mills Meadow residents will be joined by residents from Care UK’s Lehmann House in Wickham Market when the second half of their new home opens its doors in September 2015. The new day care centre, The Mills Meadow Club, will also open in September and will provide flexible day care for older people living in their own homes locally. 

Photo caption: Mills Meadow resident Dulcie Harper (right) collects one of the chickens’ first eggs with care home manager Sue Hill (left).