Knitting for 'just a minute'- care home's novel idea to keep residents safe

A local care home is providing 'just a minute' cards and beautiful hand made flowers to the local community in a bid to raise awareness of elderly people with dementia and other memory problems.

Staff and residents at Wilton Manor Bupa Care Home, on Wilton Avenue, have been busy making their own 'just a minute' cards and hand knitted blue 'forget me not' to help local people recognise residents when they are out of the home.

The cards and flowers aim to highlight that the residents may require patience and support when going about their daily business.

The idea came from a Wilton Manor relative who visited family in Northern Ireland. One family member had a 'JAM' Card (just a minute) to remind the community to give them time due to living with a learning disability.

After discussing the idea with the care home staff, residents and their families have been busy knitting and stitching beautiful blue 'forget me not' to put on blankets and pin to residents clothing such as their lapel. The residents and relatives have also got involved in making the blankets and knitting the squares together.

Residents will also have their own 'just a minute' cards on display to provide locals with the relevant contact information for the home if they meet a resident who appears lost or confused.

Sarah Roper, deputy home manager at Wilton Manor, said: “The 'forget me not' is to help the local community to recognise one of our residents if they believe they are in distress or lost. The JAM Cards help to provide all the contact details for the home.

“Our top priority is the safety and welfare of the residents but we also strive to ensure our residents are independent as possible. These two great ideas will help our residents perform simple everyday tasks, like going shopping, which we all take for granted so easily. Everyone has got involved with this project and it’s lovely to see our residents banding together for a great cause.”

Bupa Wilton Manor was recently rated 'good' in the latest CQC report, and specialises in caring for people living with Dementia.

click here for more details or to contact Wilton Manor Care Home