Donkey surprise delights Parkstone care home resident on 104 birthday

A Parkstone care home resident was delighted to be surprised by donkey visitors to celebrate her 104 birthday.

Eileen, who lives in Alexandra House care home which is run by not-for-profit care provider Care South, was greeted by Annie and Dainty from Weymouth Donkey Sanctuary to fulfil her special birthday wish. Eileen was joined by her daughter, Angela, and some of her friends for the special experience in one of the home’s lounge areas.

Eileen said: “I love donkeys. What a wonderful thing to do. I can’t believe they came in just for me.”

Alexandra House regularly welcomes a range of animal visitors to the home, but the donkeys were specially invited due to Eileen’s request by the Alexandra House care home team through Care South’s Make a Wish initiative. It encourages residents to share passions and interests they are unable to pursue without the home’s support. The care home team then works to safely make these wishes come true.

After spending time with Eileen, the donkeys trotted around the care home to greet residents in their rooms, as well as going into the communal areas, to ensure nobody missed out on meeting the gentle four-legged friends.

Lana Wright, Home Manager at Alexandra House, said: “It was a real pleasure to make Eileen’s wish come true. Her face lit up with pure amazement and joy as soon as they walked into the room to see her, so it was clear to see how much this meant to her. This special experience highlights the importance we place of getting to know our residents as individuals, including their likes, dislikes and interests, so that we can support them to enjoy the moments that matter most.”

For Eileen’s 102 birthday, she took to the ice rink in a wheelchair at the BIC in Bournemouth for her special wish, and for her 103 birthday she watched a special performance in the home from two local dancing schools. Other examples of special wishes fulfilled for residents at the home include a visit to Dorset Heavy Horse Centre for a resident to ride in a horse and carriage and a trip to Corfe Castle and Swanage to go and visit the area that they had previously lived in.

Alexandra House care home, which is part of the Care South family of care homes, provides residential, respite, and dementia care to residents. A dedicated onsite activities team organises a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.

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