New bar area is the toast of care home
Residents at a Paisley care home can now enjoy popping to the pub for a drink – without having to go far.
A special pub has been created inside Jenny’s Well, which is run by Royal Blind.
The pub, named Jenny’s Bar, gives residents the chance to experience a pub atmosphere in a safe environment with staff and family support.
Care home manager Stewart Whyte said: “We wanted somewhere for residents to socialise. At the end of the day, this is their home.
“Having the bar gives them a place where they can relax with their family or friends.
“It’s great for the residents to be able to go to the bar for a drink and a chat and they can also visit with staff and their families.
“A number of our residents have dementia as well as sight loss.
“Socialising and listening to music in a pub environment can be very helpful for older people with dementia.”
The bar is certainly going down a treat with residents.
Hannah McGregor, 84, said: “I like to have a wee tipple sometimes and it’s nice to be able to sit in the bar with my friends and to have a bit of a chat.”
Activities assistant Carole Little said the pub was a big success. “They are enjoying it,” she said. “It brings back memories for people, which is an important way for those who may have dementia as well as sight loss to relax.”
Stewart added that the bar is taking shape but more things are needed to recreate the feeling of a proper pub.
He said:“We are very keen to hear from businesses or individuals who may be able to donate items to Jenny’s Bar.
“We would love to have a jukebox so residents could play music from the 50s and 60s.
“We also need a fridge to keep donated beer or wine in, it would be amazing to have a beer pump to place on the bar, and some bar stools.
“It would be fantastic if we were able to make Jenny’s Bar look like the pubs that our residents would remember from their younger days.”
The pub is not licensed but family and friends of residents can donate the drinks.
Jenny’s Well is provides specialist nursing care for older people with sight loss.
If you would like to donate an item phone Stewart Whyte on 0141 370 7950, or email Stewart.whyte@ royalblind.org
Having the bar can give them a place where they can relax with family and friends