Precious moments
When the ElderLink team visit care homes to deliver dementia-friendly services and activities, moments of communication are precious.

Kerria Court is a care home ElderLink visits regularly to deliver Christian services and activities to their residents who have dementia care needs. After one service I spoke to a man I have seen at least dozen times before. I had thought he was unable to engage with our services, apart from when we dance to music as this seems to spark his interest and he joins in. But this time he said to me, 'The Salvation Army used to do things like this in Scotland where I grew up.' He must have been hearing us all along and noticing a similar spiritual theme. The gentleman sitting beside him joined in, 'What you did was very good'. 'Praise God,' I said, and he responded, 'Amen, praise the Lord.' Usually many in the room are non-verbal, so we try to catch eyes and smile as we sing. Moments like these are precious. As we left a member of staff let us out. 'Thank you for coming.' she said. 'It was beautiful. It's so peaceful in there now.' The team left feeling encouraged that the Spirit had been at work.
Catherine Tresham, ElderLink Manager