Enfield care home residents in their 80s and 90s return to the rink

Two care home residents and former ice skaters were thrilled when their wish to return to the rink was made a reality.

Rose Patience, aged 97, and Patricia Hart, aged 81, both residents who live at Care UK’s Elizabeth Lodge, on Pennington Drive, were keen ice skaters in their younger years and would often visit their local ice rinks. 

When the team at Elizabeth Lodge learned that Rose and Patricia were keen to return to the ice, they arranged for them to visit their local ice rink, Lea Valley Ice Centre. 

 

On the day, Rose, Patricia, and the team put on their woolly hats and gloves, laced up their skates, and glided onto the ice, for an afternoon skating around the rink with team members from Elizabeth Lodge on hand for support.

Commenting on the day, Rose said: “I loved moving around on the ice as it reminded me of when I was a young girl.”

Patricia said: “I loved it – the faster, the better! I never thought I would experience being on the ice again.”

The visit formed part of Elizabeth Lodge’s Wishing Tree Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying on a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Michelle Sampang, Home Manager at Elizabeth Lodge, said: “Rose and Patricia often share wonderful stories of when they used to skate, so when they expressed that their dream was to lace up their skates one more time, we were thrilled to help make it happen.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their passions and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these wishes a reality. We were delighted to have created such a memorable day for Rose and Patricia, the team loved hearing all their top skating tips and about the tricks they used to do. Dancing on Ice 2024 had better watch out!”

Elizabeth Lodge is an elegant, purpose-designed care home which provides personalised residential, nursing and respite care for older people, as well as dementia care and compassionate end-of-life care. To ensure that every day is different and enjoyable each resident has a care plan that is tailored to their unique needs, interests and choices. The home has an extensive activity programme including a gardening club, arts and crafts, cooking and themed events.