A CAREGIVER on a mission to spark conversations and reminiscing among the residents of a Wellington dementia care home has been encouraging them to get their hands dirty by taking part in a ‘car wash’ with a difference.

Activities co-ordinator Harriet Burraston and her team in Camelot House and Lodge organised a chocolate mini car wash day for the 90-plus residents.

Ms Burraston said: “I have been trying to think outside the box and introduce some more unusual activities.

“It is so important to keep our residents engaged, and the more fun they are having, the better they like it.

“Our mini chocolate car wash involved them cleaning toy cars that we had covered in melted chocolate in tubs of warm water using nail brushes.

“Not only was this a brilliant sensory activity but it got the residents talking about what cars they used to have and telling us about their favourite places to go on a drive.

“It is so interesting listening to their stories and continually getting to know them better and understand what makes them tick.

“This feeds into the relationships we have with them and has a positive effect on the quality of the care we provide, and we want that to be the best possible.”

Harriet and her team have a whole raft of different activities planned for Camelot residents for the spring and summer, including creative activities and musical and exercise opportunities, as part of a wide and varied programme designed to entertain those for whom they are caring.

Camelot House and Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care provider Camelot Care, which has more than 25 years of experience providing nursing and specialist dementia care to the elderly.

It also run homes in Bridgwater, Plymouth, and Yeovil, and has another opening later this year in Holsworthy, Devon.