Edinburgh care home resident steps back in time at local jazz festival

 

An Edinburgh care home resident was thrilled when her wish to revisit one of her most treasured places was made a reality.

When the team at Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road, learned that 90-year-old resident, Audrey Simon had strong memories of watching live jazz with her husband and had the desire watch a jazz concert, they were keen to make her wish come true.

Audrey and her late husband, John, used to spend a great deal of time at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival together and enjoyed watching many other traditional jazz concerts. 

Having not attended the Jazz Festival, at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh, for many years, Audrey was keen to go back and enjoyed watching and listening to Kurt Ellington and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – a way of cherishing and reminiscing on the special times spent in the theatre with her husband.

In her spare time, Audrey enjoys listening to traditional, rather than modern, jazz and her music collection includes Acker Blitz.

Audrey said: “My husband loved music, so this experience has brought back many memories for me.”

The visit was part of the home’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.

Kat Barnwell, Home Manager at Cairdean House, said: “Audrey regularly shares fond memories of her time spent listening to live jazz with her husband and we were honoured to help her return to somewhere so special.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a great way for residents to share their goals and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these a reality. The day clearly meant a lot to Audrey, and it was lovely to see her reminiscing and sharing cherished stories with the team at Cairdean House.

“Audrey had a lovely day and is already counting down the days until we return!”

Cairdean House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite.