“Contentment and being mentally active are so important” – Rosemary’s story

Meet Rosemary – who is proud to be a Resident Ambassador at our care home in Sawston, Cambridgeshire.

Rosemary’s late husband Paul lived at Orchard House Residential Care Home for five years, so when she became very ill and found herself becoming increasingly isolated at home, Rosemary moved in.

“At home I would sometimes spend a whole day, or several hours siting on my own,” she explained. “At Orchard House I’m never on my own, unless I wish to be.”

Rosemary has always been very active and independent, so it wasn’t long before she became one of the home’s Resident Ambassadors, a role which includes co-chairing residents’ meetings, providing residents’ feedback on everything from the menu to activities and helping new residents to settle in.

“It’s also about sharing our wealth of experience and ideas, making sure we have a say in how the home is run,” she explains.

“I am also involved with the selection and recruitment of staff, recruiting the best team at Orchard House.”

For Rosemary, being so actively involved in the home gives her a sense of purpose and enriches her life. “You get a lot of encouragement to be as independent as you wish to be here”.

“You have choices and to me that’s everything. Contentment and being mentally active are so important - and exercise is everything.”

You will regularly find Rosemary clocking up the steps on her Fitbit. “I keep myself active. I still go to the shops and try to do 10,000 steps a day.”

For more about life at Orchard House, or any of our other care homes, our Enquiry Support Team are here to talk on 0800 046 4905.