Care homes across the country celebrate Valentine's Day

Events to celebrate Valentine’s Day are being held in Anchor’s care homes across the country.

Tea parties, Valentine’s Day dinners, pamper sessions followed by nights out at the care home’s cinema are just some of the activities planned for the residents.

Residents will be treated to a tea dance at Buckingham Lodge in Culpepper Close, Ayslesbury, and at Elizabeth Court in Grenadiere Place, Caterham.

Meanwhile carers at Maple Tree Court in Gloucester Road, Stoke on Trent, will be donning their wedding dresses as part of a bridal catwalk show for the residents. 

A traditional tea party is being held for the residents at Berkeley Court in Chatsworth Road, Leeds, while one of the events being held at Annesley Lodge in Annesley Road, Nottingham, is a reminiscence session during which residents will look at photos from wedding days and compare notes about their big days.

Residents from Canterbury House in Gallows Hill, Ipswich, will be raising the rafters during a singalong of love songs from the 1960s and 1970s.

Staff will be putting on a Valentine’s lunch for residents and their families at Clayburn Court in Clayburn Road, Peterborough.

Some of the residents have taken this opportunity to offer advice to younger couples.

Eileen Bellingham, 91, from Elizabeth Court in Caterham, said:  “The secret to a long relationship is liking each other and being kind to each other. My husband Charles always used to sing to me and my favourite Valentine’s present from him was a musical box which played Let Me Call you Sweetheart.”

Ian Todd, 94, from Clayburn Court in Peterborough, said: “Relationships are about partnership. Always respect your wife or husband, be giving and most importantly be best friends.”

Managing Director of Care Services Mark Greaves said the Valentine’s Day events were part of a packed programme of activities in all of Anchor’s care homes.

He said: “Older people have a life time of experience when it comes to love and companionship so it’s great they can offer younger couples advice. These events are part of the ongoing programme of interesting activities in Anchor’s care home which aim to stimulate the residents physically and mentally.

“Such events are also a great occasion for residents to socialise with friends and their families.”