A resident living with dementia at a Silsden care home received a heartwarming surprise to mark International Nurses Day earlier this month, proving that person-led care can unlock deeply personal memories.
While International Nurses Day is typically celebrated across clinical settings, Spellman Care’s Springbank Care Home ensured the day did not pass without a very special celebration for resident ‘H’, a former nurse. The surprise afternoon activity was organised as part of the home’s ‘Moments That Matter’ initiative, which focuses on creating bespoke experiences that enrich the lives of residents.
Losing touch with past identity is a profound challenge for individuals living with dementia, but Springbank Care Home’s transition to a dedicated Person-Led Care model is actively helping residents reconnect with their lifelong passions.
The idea for the afternoon came about after the care team discovered a family poetry book spanning three generations, co-published by ‘H’ and her son, Mike. Recognising how deeply rooted nursing was in ‘H’s’ identity, Springbank Care Home Manager, Lisa Pickles, reached out to the group’s executive team to arrange a fitting celebration.
Lisa Pickles explained: “After discovering the wonderful book written by ‘H’, we knew we wanted to do something unique for her for International Nurses Day. We got in touch with Philippa to invite her down to the home for the afternoon, and it was incredible to see how our Person-Led Care approach could unlock such a beautiful, tangible connection to ‘H’s’ past.
“This really builds on our commitment to the ‘Moments That Matter’ initiative. It follows on from our previous activity where we supported our resident, Ivan, to attend a loved one’s wedding. Up next, we are planning a spectacular Viking re-enactment on the home’s front lawn to support another resident in fulfilling her former hobby as a Viking enthusiast.”
To honour ‘H’s’ professional legacy, the group’s most senior nurse and Group Operations Manager, Philippa Young, made the dedicated visit to Springbank Care Home. Philippa, a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), donned her traditional nurse’s uniform and belt to sit down with ‘H’ and read one of the most poignant pieces in the collection, titled “Matron’s Daily Ward Round ’50s Style,” which was penned by ‘H’ herself.
The reading sparked an immediate bond, allowing the two women to connect nurse-to-nurse over the familiar routines and remarks captured in the verses. It proved to be a deeply emotional experience, with ‘H’ remembering the real-life moments and professional memories behind the words she wrote decades ago.
Reflecting on what the experience meant to the family, ‘H’s’ son, Mike, said: “It’s hard to put into words what this meant to us. Growing up, mum was always a very busy nurse, and nursing was her life from such a young age, it really was a big part of who she was. Losing so much of her through dementia has been hard for her and hard for us, so to see her involved in such a caring way in something like this, especially through her poetry which she used to love writing, was really touching and very special to us all.”
Philippa Young added: “It was an absolute privilege to spend International Nurses Day with ‘H’ as part of our ‘Moments That Matter’ initiative. Connecting over our shared profession and seeing the joy it brought her to reminisce about her nursing days is exactly what Person-Led Care is all about.”
‘H’s’ published book, “Poems for Children and Adults: The Adventures of a Spider,” is currently available to purchase online via Amazon, showcasing the creative legacy celebrated during the visit.
