“We like our elders to keep connected to the local community,” says Kandahar Home recreation team leader Di McCuish.
For more than a year staff at the Enliven home in Masterton have connected with other local homes by organising bi-monthly visits with a Carterton home for games and afternoon tea.
“It is a great social time and the residents in both homes have got to know each other,” says Di. “We get lots of smiles and great interaction through playing games. And chatting over a cuppa and a cake is a great way to end the afternoon!”
Kandahar Home also hosts a combined Happy Hour on the third Friday of each month.
Residents enjoy a wine or beer and are entertained by Elvis impersonator Lance Naysmith, who belts out hit songs of the 50s and 60s, encouraging a few to dance and sing along.
“I love the music and dance at Happy Hour because it brings back lots of nice memories from my past. I really love Frank Sinatra’s song, ‘The Last Dance’, it gets me moving every time,” says Kandahar Home resident, William.
Mental challenges are also part of the mix. Kandahar Home hosts a quiz on the first Tuesday of every month with five Masterton homes competing. The winning team takes home a trophy prize for the month. There are also plans for Kandahar Home to start a regular inter-home indoor bowls competition.
“We all have a little competitiveness in us at any age, so a regular challenge is exciting,” says Di. “It keeps us young!”
