i-home: Harrow care home goes digital

Home news

Feb 03, 2021

A care home in Harrow has embraced technology in response to the pandemic.

Care UK’s Buchanan Court, on Sudbury Hill, has stepped into the digital age to stay connected with the friends, family and the local community by hosting an array of virtual activities and events.

In addition to Zoom birthday parties and transatlantic video calls to relatives across the pond, the home team have been encouraging local people to get fit and join in with their monthly exercise classes held by the home on Facebook Live. The team also organised a special video celebration for Diwali, where friends and relatives shared recording of themselves singing and dancing.

During lockdown, residents had an opportunity to develop new skills, when they joined a virtual draw-along session with Gary Andrews, a former Disney Illustrator, and took part in a special sing-along session organised by London ADASS.

Now, the home also hosts its regular advice events for the community online via Zoom to share their knowledge about caring for older loved ones and local people living with dementia. This includes a Dementia Friends session every third Wednesday of the month, from 2.45pm-3.30pm, which aims to change local people’s perceptions of dementia, as well as a Dementia Café drop-in session on the last Wednesday of the month, from 10am-11.30am, which offers an opportunity for those caring for a loved one to receive advice and meet others in a similar position.

Finally, on the first Tuesday of each month from 2pm-3pm, the team at Buchanan Court provides guidance on how to choose the right care for a loved one and make the transition as easy as possible as part of its ‘Helping hand’ event.

Simon Doherty, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “Over the past year, I’m incredibly proud to say Buchanan Court has well and truly gone digital. Residents have gained so much by connecting with family members and the local community online, especially during these challenging times. The Diwali video was a particular highlight, and residents were delighted to be able to celebrate a well-loved holiday with their families virtually, despite the restrictions.

“We are pleased to be continuing to support the community with help and advice through our virtual events. Caring for a loved one can have many challenges, especially in the current climate, so we are proud to be providing support and guidance for those in our community – whether that’s practical advice, or just a chat with another person who understands their circumstances.

“Our events have been well attended in the past, so we are looking forward to seeing everyone again virtually for what promise to be interesting and inspiring sessions.”

For anyone unsure about how to take part in the virtual event, help is at hand. The team at Buchanan Court will host the event using Zoom, an online meeting space. Simply call or email Home Manager, Simon Doherty, and he will send a link to join the event and share his tips to make the most out of every event.

Buchanan Court has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite.

If you would like to book your place at any of the events, please contact Home Manager, Simon Doherty, on 020 3504 7077 or email simon.doherty@careuk.com

For more information about Buchanan Court, please visit careuk.com/buchanan-court