Bancroft Gardens Care home opens their doors to sunshine and the community

It can be very hard to know how to entertain a relative of friend who is in a care home.

Changing the scenery, however simply, is a great way of breaking up the day for someone who may have to spend many hours of each day in a chair in a dayroom.

If they are able, a short walk down the street or into a shop is not only great exercise, it is a also a wonderful way of keeping in touch with the local community. Whether the person is able to walk or are in a wheelchair, the fresh air, sunshine and the change of scenery is also hugely valuable.

My mother comes from London. Although she cannot speak or move, the buzz of a town is something, I believe, that is hard-wired into her brain.

I was delighted and amazed to bump into my Mum when I nipped into a large high street store recently. A volunteer form my mother's care home was pushing her around her home town and she was clearly appreciating the experience both inside and outside the shops. Not only were the sites and sounds familiar, she was also being greeted by the many people who know her in our area. As a former doctor's receptionist, dozens of locals recognised her and were touched to see her out and about in a wheelchair. SImply patting her hand or taking the time to talk to her clearly made a huge difference to her.

Later we all enjoyed a simple picnic in the town's park where my mother clearly loved a chance to feel the sunshine, the gentle breeze and a chance to watch the multitude of activities going on all around her.

Another relative from my mother's care home was surprised and delighted to find her husband, a resident at the home, sitting in the row behind her an event at The Civic Hall. He was one of a group of residents who had been taken to the concert by staff and volunteeers.

If you do want to take your loved one out, it is helpful to give the home some warning so, if it is necessary, that they can organise the transfer to a wheelchair at a time that causes minimum disruption to the resident. Shortly after Mum was admitted to her care home, I turned up, hoping to take Mum out, only to find the staff had just put her back to bed for a rest. It wasn't a problem as I could do it the following day. Had I given them warning, they could have organised her day in a different way.

And cooler days needn't be a deterrent, if the resident is wrapped up warmly. Checking first to ensure easy accessibility, a local cafe, cinema, library, museum or large store should easily accommodate a wheelchair and are great ways of providing another source of entertainment.

My mother's care home is next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It's vibrant large communal areas make it an exciting, lively area to enjoy a coffee or a stroll, whatever the weather. She cannot cope with a performance, but enjoying the atmosphere of such a lively location is clearly something that gives her pleasure

Residential homes and hospitals can make people feel very isolated The simplest trip, providing entertainment, fresh air and sunshine, can make all the difference.

Jill