CARE HOME PUB RAISES SPIRITS OF ST ANDREWS RESIDENTS

Bupa Care Services Press releases

Scotland PR agency shares story of the pub at Bupa's Balnacarron Care Home

A CARE HOME in St Andrews is offering a unique type of therapy for its residents by providing them with their own traditional pub.

Bupa’s Balnacarron Care Home recently created the aptly named “Bar-nacarron”, which aims to provide a welcoming and recognisable social environment to encourage residents to come together and share stories.

Families and friends of the residents can bring in residents’ favourite drinks to stock behind the bar, which is fully equipped for social activities and to reconnect residents with positive memories. It features traditional wood panelling and an old fashioned bar, and the walls are adorned with black and white photographs of 1940s, 50s and 60s film stars and icons, such as Frank Sinatra and Doris Day.

It is also used as the setting for many of the activities that Balnacarron offers, including providing a cosy space for playing cards and dominoes, as well as for hosting visiting family and friends and for celebrating special occasions.

Elaine Onyiuke, Home Manager at Bupa’s Balnacarron Care Home, believes the ‘pub’ is hugely beneficial for the residents, particularly those living with dementia.

She said: “Our pub has been a complete hit as it’s a comfortable and familiar social setting which helps our residents feel more at ease within their surroundings.

“They really enjoy spending time in there all chatting away and, especially for those who have dementia, conversation and reminiscing is vital.

“As the weather gets increasingly warmer, we’re also hoping to create a small beer garden, as the room has patio doors leading out to the gardens.

“We’ve had a wonderfully positive response from the friends and families of the residents, as they see it as a special place where memories can be shared but also where new ones can be made.”

The home currently has a gentleman’s club which meets in the pub to play dominoes and staff are hoping to organise a ladies meeting too. Many of the residents read and write their own poetry so it also makes the perfect area for readings to take place.

Balnacarron Care Home is a former grand, private Manor house which has been tastefully refurbished to provide excellent accommodation. It is situated within an idyllic location close to Lade Braes and offers scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

It employs a team of highly qualified and experienced staff who strive to provide a high standard of dementia residential, respite and residential care, as well as care for those living with Parkinson’s disease.

Interested in working with our Scottish PR team to boost your organisation’s profile?

If you’d like to learn more, simply call 0131 561 2244 or fill out the form below:

Contact Form