Thistle Court Care Home, located in Cwmbran, recently celebrated the extraordinary 50th wedding anniversary of residents, fondly referred to as family members Marlene and Gordon Groom. And this wasn’t the only celebration for the day, celebrations were made even more special as Marlene also celebrated her 82nd birthday!
Beginnings
Marlene moved into Thistle Court Care Home in July 2022, and later that year, in November, her husband Gordon joined her, Sarah Butfield, Home Manager of Thistle Court speaks fondly of the couple “it’s a good feeling to be able to offer Marlene and Gordon a room large enough so they can have a continuation of life, as would have done when living at home”.
Team Members
The team at Thistle Court came together to organise the celebration for Marlene and Gordon. They decorated their room with birthday and anniversary banners and specially prepared homemade cakes for the occasion. In a touching gesture, the team pushed the couple’s beds together so they could hold hands while reading well-wishes from relatives’ cards.
The special occasion was chosen by Marlene, who is cared for in bed due to physical limitations, and Gordon to be celebrated within their room. This demonstrated that their preferences are valued and respected. Traditionally, there might be a perception that couples in care homes cannot live together in the same room due to individual care needs. However, Marlene and Gordon’s choice highlights the importance of individual preference as this fosters a sense of independence.
Thistle Court Care Home
Thistle Court Care Home approach to life recognises the values, beliefs and identity of each person. Each person that may need support is unique and by understanding one’s life history, one’s journey in life, by striving to be a true continuation of home, the team at Thistle Court Care Home creates a place where everyone feels safe and never alone.
To find out more about Thistle Court Care Home visit: https://thistlecourtcarehome.com/