Dining through the decades – Ware care home takes a trip down memory lane

Home news

Feb 11, 2021

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

Care UK’s Snowdrop House, on Baldock Street, hosted three baking challenges as part of their 1950s, 60s and 70s era-themed celebrations which aimed to rediscover residents favourite foods throughout the decades.

Residents also took part in a reminiscence session about their favourite baking memories, and team members got into the spirit by dressing up in retro fancy dress.

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.

Clare Crow, Home Manager at Snowdrop House, said: “We had a fantastic time stepping back in time to revisit the 50s, 60s and 70s.

“In true retro style, we wore fancy dress and baked our favourite sweet treats from each decade, which provided a great opportunity for residents to share their own memories of the era.

“Reminiscence activities have many advantages for older people, especially those living with dementia, as it can support memory recall and encourage conversation, both of which can help the person to feel valued and remind them of their identity.

“Residents certainly enjoyed re-discovering some of their favourite foods from the past, and the activity has even inspired some new menu suggestions and requests. Our chefs are looking forward to recreating these on our menus and in the coming weeks for everyone to enjoy.”

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.”

Snowdrop House delivers a full range of residential and nursing care for older people, including short-term respite care, and specialist care for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

To find out more about Snowdrop House, please call Customer Relations Manager Sharon Butler on 01920 897553 or email sharon.butler@careuk.com

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

If you’re looking for more information about nutrition for older people, download our guide to ‘Eating as we age’ here: careuk.com/care-homes/eating-as-we-age