Disney celebrated at Golden Oaks

GOLDEN Oaks nursing home was converted into a mini-Disneyland on Tuesday for Bendigo Health’s first interfacility day in three years.

Staff and residents from Carshalton House, Joan Pinder Nursing Home, Simpkin House, and Stella Anderson Nursing Home joined in with activities at the Golden Square facility.

The interfacility days usually run three to four times per year but had been on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Staff and residents were excited to be able to come together and marked the occasion with a celebration of the 100-year anniversary of Disney.

“We’ve had some discussions about Mickey and all the movies they’ve been going to, and they’ve been making centrepieces for our tables,” said Linda, one of the staff-members from Carshalton house.

The events seek to provide opportunities for residents to socialise, visit other residential facilities in Bendigo, and have fun.

Tracy Skinner, Lifestyle and Event coordinator at Golden Oaks, said it was important to promote activities outside in the community and with the other facilities.

“We have in-house activities but it’s really good to know that we can go and visit other places, particularly after COVID now,” she said.

Residents in attendance said it was good to be able to come together and that seeing the costumes brought back old memories.

“I used to love the movies, especially Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but in those days it wasn’t coloured” said Beryl Thomas, who is a resident at Golden Oaks Nursing Home.

Activities included a film-screening and opportunities for the residents to spend time socialising.