77-year-old care home resident returns to the pool

A 77-year-old care home resident from Windsor made a splash when she returned to the pool.

Majorie Wilcox, a resident at Care UK’s Mountbatten Grange, on Helston Lane, was elated when the team went to great lengths to organise for her to visit Braywick Leisure Centre. 

 

Since she was young, Majorie has lived an active lifestyle and loves swimming, and swam every day for at least an hour from the age of 21. Having expressed her love of swimming to team members and mentioning that she would love to swim again, the team set about making it happen. 

On the day, Majorie and team members visited Braywick Leisure Centre where they enjoyed swimming lengths of the pool, with Majorie completing ten laps.  

Majorie said: “I had a wonderful time swimming. It makes me feel alive and it’s so good for you!”

The visit was part of 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. This encourages residents to live fulfilling lives – from flying a plane to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small. 

Debbie Winwood, Home Manager at Mountbatten Grange, said: “When Majorie expressed her desire to get back in the water, we were keen to make it happen. We understand how important it is to support residents to pursue activities they are passionate about, and this was a great way to help Marjorie relieve happy days doing a hobby she loves. 

“It was fantastic to see her in her element, and her wide smile said it all. We are hoping this is something we can support Majorie to do on a regular basis!” 

Mountbatten Grange is a care home that provides residential, nursing and short-term respite care, as well as specialist dementia care. The home features 72 en-suite bedrooms and enables residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence. Mountbatten Grange has its own café, hair and beauty salon and cinema.