Generations join forces for some birthday fun

A GROUP of residents from Abbey Wood Lodge care home in Ormskirk have helped celebrate a little boy’s first birthday.

Residents of Athena Health Care Group take part in a programme every month that links them up with Dimples Child Care group from Ormskirk.

The aim of the “younger generations” scheme is to allow the residents the chance to watch the babies grow, play and even enter early school.

Group events co-ordinator Lesley Malone said: “They look forward to it every month, one of the residents is always saying ‘when are my babies coming?’ He can’t wait to see them.”

Residents can pass on parental advice to the mothers in the children’s group and share memories of when their children were young.

Abbey Wood Lodge caters for a range of residents, but they are mostly people living with dementia.

Dealing with short term memory loss can be difficult for the residents but seeing the children helps them recall times that they can remember.

When it came to one of the children’s birthdays it was actually one of the residents who suggested they have a party.

Six residents from Abbey Wood Lodge went along with Dimples to The Jungle in Skelmersdale to celebrate the milestone birthday.

Gaye Clark, head of Athena Health Care Group, said: “One of the residents said at the party that seeing the younger generation gives her a feeling of happiness knowing how her children have all grown up healthy and happy.”

She and Lesley Malone, Athena’s group events coordinator, both said integrating the younger generations helps wellbeing and quality of life for the elderly people in care homes.

They thanked the management and staff at The Jungle in Skelmersdale for helping to create a lovely, memorable day for everyone.