28th June 2019

Did you know that Guild Care opened its first care home in Worthing back in 1943?

Today we run three purpose built specialist care homes proving residential care for older people, those living with dementia, those that require nursing, as well as offering short-term bookable respite.

Even though many Guild Care residents are well into their 90s, we believe in helping people remain active, both mentally and physically. The health and mental wellbeing of our residents is of the upmost importance and art and other creative activities play a very important part in achieving that.

Eileen Garbutt, Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator at Haviland House which specialises in dementia care, said: “From early stage dementia when creative abilities are encouraged, art activities can boost our residents social, reminiscence and emotional esteem. And for later stage dementia, the sensory art and colourful objects grips attentions: especially when music accompanies the movement of the colours. It benefits many people in many ways from dexterity to creative wellbeing as well as it being either a spiritual or group social activity.”

That’s why Guild Care is pleased to support National Care Home Open Day, (CHOD) which is in its 7th year and falls on Friday 28 June. This year its focus is on ‘Arts in Care’ – showcasing the artistic activities care homes like undertake with their residents throughout the year.

In the lead-up to Care Home Open Day, residents at our homes have been busy with their paint brushes showcasing their artistic talents by producing several butterfly themed paintings.

Joy Farley, 93, who has been a resident at Caer Gwent for the last year took part and said of the experience, “It was really enjoyable to paint, it’s so therapeutic and relaxing.”

Joy with her butterfly painting

The butterfly paintings were created by a group of residents at both Guild Care’s Caer Gwent and Linfield House nursing home, working closely with Nadine, an artist from Creative Mojo.

Some of the butterfly paintings have been sent to the CHOD Headquarters in Devon to be put on a tree of celebration.

Linfield House residents with their butterfly paintings

One resident from Linfield House commented that “art is very important because it helps with my concentration, I love it” as well as “art proves very relaxing and is a very social activity, we all enjoy the sessions.”

Marie Saunders, Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator at Linfield House, added: “I think art is wonderful as it shows that everyone can produce something no matter how old they are or the dementia they may have.”

If you would like to find out more about our three care homes in Worthing, please click here. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our friendly Customer Service Team on 01903 327327 or [email protected].