Oak Mount Care Home Ringwood

21/08/2025

Our FREE Music for Memories sessions really do make a difference for people living with dementia. Our musician was turning up and starting humming an intro. Before we knew it a lovely chap with dementia was belting out the tune and remembering all the words! What a difference a couple of hours one Tuesday a month can make to people affected by dementia. Our next session is Tuesday 26th August at The Victoria Rooms in Fordingbridge 10.30am until 12.30pm.

21/08/2025

A couple of new windows fitted at Oak Mount this week, completed by local firm Forest Garage Doors & Windows. We always try and use Ringwood based companies where possible, and these guys make it very easy as their work is always top quality at an excellent price.

10/08/2025

We are fluttering back into Fordingbridge this month on Tuesday 12th August for our pop-up cafe for those living with dementia. FREE cuppa, conversation and live music.
Why not spread your wings and come and join us?

06/08/2025

Can you spare just a couple of hours a month to help our small charity support those living with dementia? We need people to help do the following:
- Lay out tables and chairs and pack away again at our Butterfly Cafe and Music for Memories sessions
- Make teas and coffees and wash up
- Chat to our visitors
- Run our raffle
We are a friendly, small charity and would love the support of more people to carry on the valuable work we do for those living with dementia and their carers. Just a couple of hours a month really can make a difference.
Email us to find out more!

25/07/2025

At Oak Mount Care Home we always try and support events and charities that are based in and around the Ringwood area. Although we have recently moved more towards helping local dementia charities such as Making Memories Matter and Avon Valley Dementia Support, we will continue to support events where we can. I am a born and bred Ringwood-ian, so I know how important Ringwood Carnival is to the town and I attend every year, with my children being in the procession most years. We have sponsored the carnival for many years and are happy to do so again this year, as we know how important business support is to the event. See you there in September!

12/07/2025

This week Josie, our lovely Activities Co-ordinator shown in the photo, has started our "Residents Gardening Club". Earlier in the week Danny The Handyman and I built some raised planters, to allow easy access for the residents. By all accounts everybody had a lot of fun planting and the results are there for everybody to see, we really are "Ringwood in Bloom"

09/07/2025

Danny and I managed to build the raised planters this afternoon, ready for the inaugural “Oak Mount Residents Gardening Club” later in the week with Josie, who is our Activities Co-ordinator. By the way Josie, we are starting a Gardening Club! For those wondering, Danny has been our Handyman at Oak Mount for even longer than I’ve worked there, and isn’t one of the residents, yet!

19/06/2025

There is some great advise in this article.

Here's what you can do if you meet a member of the public in need of help that you believe has dementia or memory problems. There are ways to assist the police in the event that someone who is vulnerable goes missing.

12/06/2025

We need your help! Our fortnightly sessions for people living with dementia are free but costs to run these vital sessions are rising all the time. If you would perhaps like to volunteer to do a sponsored event, raise funds or donate to our small charity, we'd love to hear from you. Just message us via Facebook or email talktoAVDS1@outlook.com and help us continue to help local people affected by dementia and their carers.

06/06/2025

I recently visited a local charity called Avon Valley Dementia Support Group, which is run by the lovely Edward and Gilda Newsham. Based in Fordingbridge, the group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at The Victoria Rooms from 10.30am to midday. I have now seen for myself the fun and value in The Music for Memories sessions that they run. At Oak Mount Care Home, just down the road in Ringwood, we know the value that music offers to all our residents, particularly those that have dementia. When you have dementia, it tends to be the older memories that remain, and as we all know, music can touch our souls, so at Oak Mount we regularly have visiting singers and singalongs within the home. Many of our residents have mild confusion, and it is great to see them get up and dance and enjoy the music, the same as I saw at Avon Valley Dementia Support Group.

Despite the excellent work of the volunteers at Music for Memories, there are significant costs involved in running the sessions, so Oak Mount Care Home has made a small donation to help the very passionate Edward & Gilda carry on their vital work. I will definitely be visiting the team and all their friends again in the near future.

21/05/2025

We have recently come across the Alzheimer Society's Guide To Respite Care, which we felt offered some really good, impartial advise, particularly as we are now offering short, week long mini-breaks. Not all of it is directly relevant to us, and unfortunately we cannot share it directly here, as Facebook does not seem to allow PDF's to be uploaded. So please use the link below, which will take you onto a page on our website, where you can download or view the document;

Oak Mount Care Home in Ringwood now offering week-long respite stays. Download the Alzheimer's Society's Guide to Respite Care.

16/05/2025

At Oak Mount Care Home we know how tough it is to be the primary caregiver to a loved one, and how important it is to have a break, to recharge your batteries, which is why we are now offering week long respite stays. Everyone needs a rest from time to time. Give us a call to find out more.

Respite care is a short-term service that allows you to take a break from your usual routine of daily care as a primary caregiver. The break may last for a few hours or several days or weeks.

During this time, someone else — typically a trained professional or a trusted friend or loved one — takes on your caregiving duties. This might involve helping with medications, fixing meals or simply providing companionship. Respite care helps people who are caring for adults and children of all ages, including those with medical needs.

Why is respite care important?

Respite care can help you juggle many responsibilities while still making sure your loved one receives the care they need. But it’s also a way to restore your energy, do something relaxing or simply have some alone time.

Caregivers often feel guilty taking a break when it doesn’t seem absolutely necessary. But research shows that breaks from regular caregiving are, in fact, necessary (even if you don’t have anything else on your calendar). Having some time to yourself helps you avoid caregiver burnout. This state of exhaustion can affect any caregiver no matter their level of dedication or determination. Respite care helps caregivers provide better care by improving focus, energy and motivation.