Kurrajong Nursing Home hosts Elvis Day to entertain residents and their guests

On Tuesday, January 8, residents and staff honoured the King of Rock and Roll during an event they dubbed Elvis Day, which was jam-packed with Elvis-inspired activities.

Activities coordinator Sandy Barratt said residents, visitors and staff had “a great day” celebrating the King’s contribution to music, clothing, and yes... even food.

“For breakfast [we served] pancakes with maple syrup and peanut butter and banana toasties, and for morning tea banana bread also went down well with the residents. Lunch was mini cheeseburgers with fries and apple pie and ice cream,” Ms Barratt said.

“Elvis's hit songs were played in the morning and an Elvis concert and movie were shown in the afternoon.”

Ms Barratt said it was important to organise special days like this as it gave residents an opportunity to be involved in something different from their normal routines.

“It promotes socialisation, sense of involvement and basically lifts everyone’s spirits. Most importantly, laughter is the best medicine, and if we can make people laugh by being a bit silly from time to time, it can improve the residents’ quality of life,” she said.

The Kurrajong Nursing Home staff are already planning their next ‘special day’ to coincide with Australia Day, and their next ‘themed day’ will be a special Red Day for Valentine’s Day on Thursday, February 14.

“Other theme days on the calendar for this year will be French Day, 60's Rock and Roll Day, International Nurse's Day and Pyjama Day,” Ms Barratt said.