Blast from the past – care home transformed for 1940s inspired event

A local care home was joined by the Fareham community for a unique time travelling experience.  

In celebration of Dementia Action Week, the Care UK team at Parker Meadows, on Parker View, hosted their very own ‘A Glimpse of the Past’ event. 

Special guest, The Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Michael Ford, residents and visitors travelled back in time to the 1940s to experience what life was like over 80 years ago by visiting a specially transformed space, featuring vintage decorations and memorabilia. 

The event, supported by the Titchfield Festival Theatre, was designed to encourage those living with dementia to enjoy familiar sensations and interactions, while prompting memories from their younger years.

The space was decorated to reflect the era, complete with scents such as soap and home cooking, to help create an immersive experience, while team members were dressed up in costumes from the time. 

During the week, classic cars were also parked outside the care home for visitors to enjoy. The team also hosted an array of family-friendly activities as part of the week, including a traditional wartime singer, who got everyone’s feet tapping, a choir performance, and themed food and mocktails made by the home. 

As part of Dementia Action Week, Parker Meadows has also launched a free guide to support people whose loved ones have been diagnosed with dementia. Free copies of the guide are available from the home and to download at: careuk.com/letstalkdementia

General Manager at Parker Meadows, Matthew Smith, said: “Our 'A Glimpse of the Past' event was a brilliant success, and we were delighted to share the experience with special guest Councillor Michael Ford.

“At Parker Meadows, nostalgic activities are always popular among residents at the home and offer a host of benefits for older residents and those living with dementia. 

"Our ‘A Glimpse of the Past’ event was no different, as it was designed to allow relatives and members of the community to immerse themselves in the past. The experience also encouraged those living with dementia to reminisce and share memories from their younger years with family and friends – which felt like a fitting way to mark Dementia Action Week.  

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for attending our unique event and the team for organising it all – we would like to encourage those who couldn’t attend the event to download their free copy of the guide and get in touch if they have any questions.”

You can download a digital copy of the guide here: careuk.com/letstalkdementia.

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Parker Meadows, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care in addition to Independent Living Bungalows. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

To find out more about Parker Meadows, please call Jessica Wooldridge, Home Admissions Advisor, on 01329 889571, email Jessica.Wooldridge@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/parker-meadows.