We are thrilled to announce that Becky has successfully completed her master’s in science with a specialisation in Dementia Studies (MSc). This rigorous three-year postgraduate course has equipped her with invaluable insights into various aspects of dementia research and care. Holly Oak Care Centre sponsored and supported Becky with her postgraduate course. Throughout her studies, [...]

Caring for a loved one after the event of a stroke can be an emotional and challenging experience. You may have many questions about the recovery process, how you can support your loved one in their health journey and what post-stroke care will look like in your life.    Through this article we will break [...]

      Music Therapy for Loved Ones Living With Dementia   It can be challenging navigating life with a loved one who is living with dementia, but fortunately there are proven communicative and therapeutic activities you can use to ease the journey. At the Hollies, one such activity we use is music therapy. Music [...]

Musicians from the music charity Armonico Consort, sang and played for residents at the Hollies Care Centre on Friday 8th of September, alongside TV presenter, wine expert and singer Oz Clarke. The group visited the care home as part of their 200-mile fundraising bike challenge. They are aiming to raise £20,000 to support valuable singing [...]

Seeing a loved one suffer from dementia and losing their sense of self is a difficult experience for anyone. Whilst it may seem as though a person close to you has lost some of their memories forever, this may not be the case. Reminiscence therapy can help to evoke memories from your loved one’s past [...]

We at the Hollies warmly invite the elderly in our community to our monthly get together. It is a great opportunity to get together with others and share stories, be entertained and compare and answer concerns with our friendly staff on hand. We enjoy a variety of entertainment and socialise over delicious refreshments at Bessys [...]

Across the country thousands of people will be joining organised memory walks to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. This year we have decided to hold our very own walk around our beautiful grounds of The Hollies. Sunday 4th September 2022 – arrival time for 11. BBQ will commence at midday. To make sure that [...]

Kayes Hair & Nails, located at both the Hollies Nursing Care Home and Holly Oak Dementia Care Home, has very quickly become recognised for its best in town hair styling and beauty treatments. Established in November 2021 the salon oozes with comfort and indulgence. The salon offers hair dressing and beauty treatments not only for [...]

The Hollies Care Centre has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award for its delivery of end of life care during the pandemic at the highest “Platinum” level.   The Award will be given as part of the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Virtual Awards on 5th May 2022, which recognises health [...]

Taking care of a loved one with dementia can be become increasingly challenging over time and sometimes can become more demanding very quickly.   Dementia can impact an individual’s quality of life leading to anxiety for family and friends. As emotional, mental and physical awareness changes so to will care needs. Very often it is [...]

Bessys Tea Room at Holly Oak One of Gloucestershire’s most loved, Holly Oak in Dursley’s has opened its doors to the most fabulous Bessys Tea Room. Bessys was inspired by founder Kaye’s passion for top class hospitality and the belief that community spirit is fostered through coming together to share meaningful moments.  Bessys offers the [...]

We are all very aware of the importance of social contact to mental and physical health and wellbeing, and this is particularly the case in caring for the elderly. We should always strive to increase opportunities for social interaction in order to improve our loved ones quality of life.     Benefits of Social Interaction [...]

The Hollies is delighted to be associated with Stinchcombe Golf Club as a key sponsor. We are passionate about contributing to the local community and this new collaboration is a true reflection of the pride we take in playing our part. At the Hollies we are involved in various local sports and arts activities, and [...]

As we are all enjoying living longer and healthier lives, so we are aware of older relatives and friends who are starting to struggle with day-to-day tasks and perhaps missing out on outdoor activities. There is a plethora of support services available from informal domestic help to more formal permanent accommodation in nursing homes. Indeed, [...]

Providing the very best for our elderly in Gloucestershire   The Hollies new Holly Oak Dementia Care Home opened its doors on 11 January and, by all accounts, it seems it will exceed the expectations of the most discerning families, residents and health practitioners. Holly Oak offers state-of-the-art care in a tastefully designed home set [...]

Holly Oak Dementia Care Home has teamed up with local designer Samboards to provide an innovative new sensory tool for dementia care. Samboards recently released a new product line of sensory pads which have a range of benefits for brain function, including reducing the effects of cognitive conditions such as dementia.  The sensory pads work [...]

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Choosing the right specialist dementia care home for your loved one requires thorough research. Through this article, we hope to introduce areas for genuine consideration.    What is Person-centred Dementia Care?   In 1992 Professor Kitwood founded the Bradford Dementia Group; its philosophy was based on a "person-centred" approach, quite simply to "treat others in [...]

Leading the way, Holly Oak affords important details that will enhance residents’ everyday enjoyment. Imagine a charming community with a tearoom, private bar, beauty salon, small dining rooms and beautiful furnishings that remind you of home!

A care home community can be more than a nursing care home or dementia care home. Some care home communities provide assisted living care, private suite care and a range of different amenities and facilities on site.

A full service care centre that can embrace the needs of individuals from retirement home to assisted care, to the more demanding needs within nursing care can offer a seamless transition to living that addresses not only physical abilities and needs but also mental and emotional abilities and needs.

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have been hard for us all. We have all been working harder to ensure our community remains safe and in the best health.

There is no denying that there are many benefits to sticking to a healthy diet. In fact, this list most certainly could be longer. Here at the Hollies, we pride ourselves in offering a wide and varied menu every day, catering to the preferences and dietary requirements of our residents.

Something that seems to be at the forefront of every mind right now is staying healthy – and that makes sense, especially now. But sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what your body and mind need in order to maintain your good health, especially in times of uncertainty when stress runs high.

It’s normal to worry for your loved ones – especially when an illness outbreak prevents you from being able to visit as frequently as your normally would. However, we came up with a few ideas that give you ways to support your loved ones in a care home, even when you can’t visit.

Physical activity has the potential to reduce inflammation and chronic disease. It can also reduce stress and levels of stress hormones within the body. This, in turn, will accelerate the circulation of disease and illness-fighting white blood cells, which can prevent cold and flu from taking hold.

Dementia is a disease that gets worse as time goes on. Gradually, communication will become more difficult and understanding conversations will become harder as well. Though their mind may be more closed off and it continually may become difficult to recognise you or their other loved ones, know that they are still the same person – their mind just now works in a different way.

Often, residential care is popular option for those that do not have the medical needs to enter a facility such as a memory care unit or a nursing home. However, this does not mean that every residential care facility is the same.

Like any other condition that you could be experiencing, symptoms for Sundowning Syndrome can range in severity. Often these symptoms are noticed in pairs – and whilst some experience them during certain times of the day, others may be more sporadic and only for 1-2 hours.

Dementia is more than just memory loss, so being realistic about the progression of the disease will help you cope with it in your loved one and will help you in being able to support them through its progression.

We are happy to share that we have been a recipient of the Gold Standards Framework Accreditation, an award that our care home and staff are very proud of.

No matter your loved one’s interest, there’s usually something scheduled that would interest them. Keeping your loved ones active and participatory when in a care home or independent living facility has even been shown to help seniors live longer and in better health.

In order to receive the accreditation, care homes must undergo a rigorous training process, as well as embedding the Gold Standards Framework care standards in their respective care homes. The training programme itself is nine months long, and after both of these tasks have been completed, the accreditation process begins.

Moving your loved one into a care home and helping them adjust isn’t just a big change for them, it’s a big change for you as well. If you’re used to the way things were when they lived in their own home, you may find yourself wondering if your loved one is happy, if they’re adjusting well and feel an overall sense of concern for them in their new environment.

The studies conducted in this research were observational, so it is important to note that simply changing your or a loved one’s diet is not a surefire way to prevent dementia or lessen the damage already caused to brain cells from dementia. However, we’re taking a look at foods and diets that have the best potential to reduce the risk of dementia and its effects.

Respite care is temporary care, typically in a care facility, for an elderly, ill or person living with a disability – providing relief for the person(s) that are their usual residential caregivers. There are a wide range of benefits for both the person receiving care and their primary caregiver – respite care exists to allow the peace of mind that you or a loved one will have the care that you/he/she needs if ever a primary caregiver is not around.

Choosing a nursing home does not have to be a daunting task if you know where (and how) to begin your search. There are many things to consider: proximity, cost, location and high-quality care. If you or a loved one is beginning a search for a care home, here are some tips that will hopefully aid you in your search of finding the right care home for you or a loved one.

Caring for our residents is our top priority, and we are devoted to ensuring that the last years of their lives are filled with support, comfort and premium care. The Gold Standards Framework allows our staff to receive training in order to provide the coordinated, personalised care that we are known for.

Here at The Hollies, we strive to provide top-level care for all our residents – including different forms of therapy sessions and activities for our residents to enjoy. Recently, we have begun working with World Jungle to bring interactive dance to our facility.

Caregiving can be a challenging responsibility, even if it is also a rewarding one. Because of this, it’s very understandable that the primary caregiver may need an occasional break – whether it be for leisure, business travel or vacation. Respite care is a win-win situation for both the caregiver and their loved one.

Whilst Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are slightly different – the early signs of being able to detect them are quite similar. If you notice these signs in someone that you know or even in yourself, please consider seeking help from a doctor or your care provider to arrange dementia care if needed. Dementia is not […]

Eating well and staying properly hydrated is an important aspect of staying healthy – it improves quality of life and contributes to overall health. It is even more so important when it comes to dementia care.   Not eating well/enough can cause Weight loss Malnutrition Fatigue Higher risk of infection Less muscle strength   This [...]

The sensory and intellectual simulation of music is known to increase or maintain a person’s level of physical, mental and social/emotional functioning. We hope that the sensory music sessions will be therapeutic and interactive fun for our residents…

Language and communication problems will vary and become more challenging overtime for somebody living with dementia. A poor choice of language can leave the person with the condition frustrated as he/she finds it hard to recall a specific word. Therefore, it is important to be aware and know how to communicate considerately with a person [...]

As people age, remaining active becomes a necessary element for both the physical and emotional wellbeing of our loved ones. While the need for independence is in demand at this stage, the difficulty to remain engaged increases, making it challenging for them to stay active especially on their own. There are many activities that could […]

There is a very exciting trip coming up at the Hollies! We will be having a lovely boat trip down the canal with The Willow Trust on the 18th of April 2018. The Willow Trust aims to provide therapeutic days out on the water primarily for disabled people of all ages and types of disability [...]

With spring just around the corner, and the evenings getting lighter each day, there is no better time to enjoy the British countryside near Dursley. The Hollies Care Home is ideally situated in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside, thus being the perfect location to appreciate beautiful surroundings and local wildlife. In this area there are a [...]

We are delighted to share our 2017 CQC inspection results with you as we maintained our “GOOD” status. The Hollies were found to offer safe service with sufficient staffing levels to ensure safe care and treatment to support people. Our staff were also considered to be well skilled and created an adaptable environment in order [...]

Our August activity calendar is awash with the zest for life we all love here at The Hollies. As always we have great fun exercising with Tanya, and we strengthen both body and mind with Mark’s Tai Chi classes. As the greats of Tai Chi say, ‘If you mind is empty, it is always ready […]

As our loved ones age, they may require additional care and support that cannot be provided at home. A care home can provide a safe and comfortable environment where individuals receive personalised care and assistance with daily tasks whilst maintaining their independence. However, not all care homes are well suited to the needs of your […]

Brought to you by remarkable lives. “I was born 5th October 1927 in Annfield Plain, a village in County Durham. Actually, that’s not quite true. I was born in the ambulance. It had to stop in a place called Norwood. My full name is Derek Norwood Richards. My father sent me to Durham School when [...]

“I was born in 1930. I had a very happy childhood. Went to a Quaker boarding school – a wonderful experience. Because I enjoyed school so much It determined my future career as a school teacher. If I hadn’t been a teacher I would have been a stand-up comic! But in those days, there was […]

On November 11th, we had a special visit with Liz from Willow Trust to see Jean and her amazing embroidery as pictured here. Jean has a great passion for embroidery and has created many beautiful pieces of work. Embroidery is not something new, but some of its benefits may have been forgotten. Importantly the activity […]

We had a wonderful time for a great cause at our Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser this weekend. Thank you to all who participated in this event, and thank you Debris Music Productions for joining us!

During November at The Hollies we organised a few crafting workshops for our residents and many have created some amazing products. Residents have worked intently on their own projects from pasting bird seeds on a pinecone bird feeder to planting bulbs and winter flowers in wheelbarrows. So here at the Hollies even in the winter [...]

Nora, who has lived in Dursley in Gloucestershire all her life is now enjoying her 12th decade at The Hollies Care Home. Nora was a toddler of two and a half when the Titanic sank, can remember the First World War and was already 33 when the Second World War broke out. She went to […]

Each year around 7,000 disabled and seriously ill children and adults spend a day on board with The Willow Trust. Fundraising work continues all year round to ensure trips remain free of charge. Established in 1989 the Willow Trust charity operates both its fully equipped purpose-built boats from April to October in pursuit of providing […]

If you have not yet had the opportunity to venture onto the top floor at The Hollies, then please do pop up and have a look. We have been working hard to improve the environment by introducing lots of memorabilia including a wind up gramophone! We are on the hunt for some more records to […]

Unfortunately, our local Golden Age Club in Dursley lost their venue recently. We have been able to step in at The Hollies and are delighted to be able to host the Golden Age Club, which will ensure that the Club can continue to thrive. The Club will now be held here at The Hollies on […]

Highgrove was our special outing in the month of August. We had a tour of the gardens and a look around the lovely shop and then ended the day with a delicious cream tea in their tea room. We have a host of other activities going on throughout August, the schedule can be found on […]