Splashing good time – 95-year-old goes swimming for the first time in two decades

A care home resident from Stowmarket recently took the plunge and went swimming for the first time in twenty years.

Doris Rogerson, who lives at Care UK’s Cedrus House, on Bittern Crescent, was overjoyed when the team organised for her to take part in the once beloved hobby – something she assumed a 95-year-old would never be able to do again.

The team at Cedrus House asked if Doris would like to add something to the home’s Wishing Tree, an initiative launched by Care UK which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit and activities they’d like to do. Doris knew instantly that her wish was to return to the pool. 

Eager to fulfil Doris’ wish, the team, along with her daughter, Lesley, set out to take her on a trip down memory lane to the Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre.

Doris said: “I just wanted to go swimming, I didn’t think I would be able to swim but I did it.”

Michelle Webster, Home Manager at Cedrus House, said, “When Doris expressed a desire to go swimming, we were keen to make it happen – she often talks fondly of when she would take her family to the pool in her younger days. It’s so important that we support residents to pursue activities they are passionate about, and this was a great way to spark some nostalgia.

“It was lovely to see her so excited, she had a wonderful time. We are hoping this is something we can support Doris to do on a regular basis!”

Doris has enjoyed swimming since childhood and when her own children were younger would take them to the local pool every week for some family fun. 

Cedrus House is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation. 

To find out more about Cedrus House, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Julie Dennis, on 01449 797350 or email Julie.dennis@careuk.com.

For general information please visit, careuk.com/care-homes/cedrus-house.