Pole dancers’ turn at care home puts councillors in spin
Elderly Dorset residents wanted to see something a bit different, bosses say
A CARE home has been criticised after introducing the “inappropriate” activity of pole dancing as part of its entertainment programme for elderly residents.
Fairmile Grange, in Christchurch, Dorset, organised the activity, which is more commonly associated with clubs than care homes, after its residents reportedly wanted to see something “a bit different” from art classes and visits from children.
Six women took part in the show featuring Fifties and Sixties music, which received an “overwhelmingly positive” reception from residents. A metal pole was put up in the communal lounge where the women performed a series of acrobatic moves to songs by Abba and Frank Sinatra.
However, local councillors said the performance was “inappropriate” for nursing homes. Peter Hall, a Christchurch councillor, said he was “absolutely surprised” that pole dancing had taken place at the home.
“My view is that it is completely inappropriate for a care home. It’s not really the sort of entertainment I would have thought that the residents wanted or would have encouraged,” he said.
Denise Jones, a councillor and champion for older people in Christchurch, added that while she thought it was an “extremely novel idea” it was “probably inappropriate”. She added: “I’m a bit staggered about it. While I’m always delighted to see the horizons of older people widened, I’m not sure that includes pole dancing.”
The home, owned by Encore Care Homes, said relatives and residents had been requesting “more modernstyle activities” and, when given the choice, “welcomed” the pole dancers’ performance.
Izzy Nicholls, operations and quality director for Encore, said: “Residents were given several choices of activity and specifically chose for a local pole dancing company to perform.
“We are proud to challenge stereotypes and will continually offer our residents the choice to experience appropriate, new and progressive activities.”
The dancers travelled from Poole-based Pole Dance Factory to entertain the residents for 30 minutes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates care homes, said the performers were appropriately dressed and residents were given the choice to attend or skip the performance.
A spokesperson for the CQC said: “Our inspection team have spoken to the registered manager of Fairmile Grange who has informed us that the entertainers were wearing gymnastic clothing, and people had a choice whether or not to attend the show.”