Residents at a Richmond care home share cherished Christmas memories to help alleviate feelings of loneliness during the winter season
Richmond: Residents at a care home have been reminiscing about their favorite winter moments to help ease feelings of loneliness.
At Viera Gray care home, folks have been sharing their cherished Christmas stories, which have really brightened up the community.
This not-for-profit home, focused on residential and dementia care, is run by Greensleeves Care on Ferry Road.
James Johnson, who’s 77, shared a lovely memory from his childhood in Putney. He grew up in a flat with four brothers and four sisters.
He recalled how his relatives would come over to play in the snow, followed by a big Christmas feast with jelly, ice cream, and apple pie.
Dorothy Paignton, at 94, remembered her favorite Christmas when she was just 12. She loved curling up with books by the fire and playing games with her siblings.
She fondly mentioned helping her mom decorate the living room with tinsel and candy canes.
Sylvia Hopkinson, 83, shared a fun memory from when she lived in Sweden. At 13, she and her family would go ice skating, laughing so hard they’d hurt their stomachs.
Afterward, they’d warm up with hot chocolate, which sounds delightful!
Marie-Louise, 85, took us back to 1945 when she was six. She described how her dad and granddad would secretly set up a huge fir tree in their grand home.
On Christmas morning, she and her twin sister would find the tree adorned with real candles, filling the room with the lovely scent of conifers.
Derek Wood, 90, reminisced about saving ration coupons with his parents to buy chicken and veggies for Christmas dinner. He also enjoys watching crime mysteries on TV these days.
Manager Shubhes Shrestha noted that winter can be tough for many, but it’s also a time to come together and care for one another.
He mentioned that the residents have really enjoyed sharing their winter memories, and it’s been heartwarming for staff and families to hear them.
Shubhes emphasized that recalling old memories is vital for happiness, especially for older adults who might feel isolated during the colder months.