Ascot Grange Care Home held a special day recently to raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease.
With two of their residents suffering from the condition, the Avery Healthcare home turned everything blue for the day in solidarity of the Parkinson’s colours. They had blue food including blue cakes, as well as blue lights and bunting with the blue Bombay Sapphire gin part of the raffle prizes.
For Parkinson’s Awareness Day the motto was to Change Attitudes, Find A Cure & Join Us. Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking.
Residents and carers were treated to entertainment by Mark Bussell. Mark is a local musician and his piano skills were clearly on display. The residents were happily clapping along to hits such as Bill Haley’s ‘Rock Around The Clock’, Cliff’s ‘Young Ones’ and Patsy Cline’s ‘Walkin‘ After Midnight”. The staff joined in and there was a constant supply of tea, coffee and cakes.
Client liaison manager Gill Bonham said: “Although the colour scheme was blue, the mood in the home that day was far from blue. Everyone enjoyed the entertainment, and it was good to raise awareness.” She added: “I invited local businesses along to raise greater awareness of the disease.”
Steve Sansom a representative from Age Concern UK told us: “I was invited as part of Age Concern and the issue of Parkinson’s is a very serious one but the day has been a great success. “
To learn more about Parkinson’s visit : parkinsons.org.uk