Welcome to the Roaring Twenties – Cheadle care home takes a trip down memory lane

Home news

Feb 15, 2021

Residents at a care home in Cheadle have taken a trip down memory lane as part of a nationwide initiative to rediscover their favourite foods from the past.

Care UK’s Abney Court, in Abney Hall Park, hosted its very own ‘Great G’Abney Dinner’, inspired by the famous F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, The Great Gatsby, as part of their 1920s era-themed celebrations which aimed to rediscover residents favourite foods throughout the decades.

Everyone dressed to the nines and donned their dancing shoes to celebrate the 1920s in style, complete with swing music and a three-course dinner specially prepared by the home’s chefs. After being served prosecco and nibbles such as canapes and mushroom vol-au-vent on arrival, residents were treated to potted ham hock and melba toast, followed by duck a l’orange (or salmon en croute) alongside fondant potatoes, before topping off the evening with a special peach melba dessert.

The ‘Food for Thought’ initiative sees Care UK homes across the country take part in activities which encourage memory sharing and the use of food as a tool for reminiscence.

Andrew McIntyre, Home Manager at Abney Court, said: “We had a wonderful time dining through the decades in style and reminiscing about our favourite foods from the past.

“Reminiscence activities have many positive effects for older people, particularly those living with dementia. Re-connecting with the past can improve mood, encourage communication and provide a topic and stimulus for residents to engage with.

“Everyone had a wonderful time chatting about their favourite foods, all while stepping back into the 1920s and the glamourous world of The Great Gatsby, one of the residents’ favourite books. We’re looking forward to getting our dancing shoes out again very soon!”

As part of the project, Care UK has also teamed up with BBC’s Back in Time for… presenter and historian, Dr Polly Russell, to create a special tasting menu for residents to enjoy. Designed to be used as a sensory tool to encourage reminiscence in older people, the menu features iconic foods from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, and has been used as part of an interactive storytelling session, hosted by Dr Polly, to encourage reminiscence.

Dr Polly commented: “I am delighted to have partnered with Care UK for this project. There really is something incredibly special about the way food can evoke memories and emotions. Just one flavour or smell can prompt a different memory and emotion for each individual, which is why food can be such a powerful tool for memory recall.”

Abney 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 dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.

To find out more about Abney Court care home, email Pamela Wilson, customer relations manager at pamela.wilson@careuk.com or call 0161 660 5713.

To find out more about Care UK’s partnership with Dr Polly Russell, and for more top tips on how you and your loved ones can get involved at home, visit careuk.com/food-for-thought