Keeping Memories, Passions and Personality Alive: One Resident’s Story
E is a 94-year-old lady who remained quite independent until she was 91. After being diagnosed with dementia, she required additional support and moved from her own home into Colinton Care Home on 25th August 2025.
Having been a very active and independent woman for a long time, many would expect E to have felt apprehensive about moving into a care home. However, she was welcomed into Colinton Care Home with such open, positive arms that she settled in very well and very quickly. The team here at our Edinburgh care home understand the importance of personalised support and autonomy is for the wellbeing and happiness of our residents.
Since moving into Colinton, E has always been a sociable lady who loves having chats and conversations with staff, her fellow residents and visitors. She is a well-travelled lady and enjoys reminiscing about the different countries she has lived in and visited. E’s vibrant life also included attending Cookery School in Glasgow, and cooking remained a significant hobby throughout her life. Unfortunately since her dementia diagnosis, she has been unable to cook like she used to, but her love for cooking and great food remains a wonderful part of who she is.
Maintaining Identity in Care Home Life
To reconnect E with her roots, our team organise reminiscence sessions and encourage conversation about fond memories, whether it’s a casual chat in the lounge or an amusing conversation over dinner. Being unable to cook hasn’t stopped E talking about her love for cooking or the food she enjoys, and our team continue to support those meaningful conversations wherever they arise.
Throughout her life, E has always enjoyed sports. She proudly tells stories of how she once played hockey for Scotland and later become a P.E. teacher to pass on her passion for sport. Always keen to learn, she took up golf around aged 60 and perhaps most impressively, she is also a table tennis champion! Sport is a huge part of E’s life, and here at Colinton Care Home, we are keen to nurture each resident’s sense of self and individuality.
Now, even though E’s mobility has declined a little, she doesn’t let this stop her from attending our more physical activities. She is very encouraging and supportive towards other residents who are also participating and she always cheers them on. E is a caring woman, often described by those around her as a mother hen, and her warmth is felt by everyone around her.
Keeping the Mind and Body Active
E loves being outside in the garden, enjoying a walk around with her walking aid. The garden at Colinton Care Home is designed with mobility and independence in mind. With flat grounds, beautiful flowers, regular seating and the reassurance of help on hand if needed, this gives E the freedom to enjoy her independence safely. Even on days where she isn’t as active, one of her favourite quieter activities is to watch the garden from the window in her bedroom and observe her fellow residents, staff and visitors.
The Colinton team organise activities to cater to everyone’s interests, including both group and one-to-one sessions. E loves joining in with anything, from cupcake and biscuit decorating, which helps reconnect her with her cooking skills, to exercise classes and active games inspired by her sporting background. She approaches activities with enthusiasm and humour, and she is valued and loved by everyone around her for her positivity and great sense of fun.
A Full and Engaging Life at Colinton Care Home
E’s family are very supportive and happy with the care she has received, and with the way the Colinton team embrace the identity of every resident and prioritise what makes each person who they are. For E, this means celebrating her love of sport, cooking, conversation, travel, the outdoors and the many memories that continue to shape her life.
As our Activity Co-Ordinator says, E is “a very fun and loving lady who loves to try her best at everything she does. She brightens up the room.”
Our Receptionist also describes her beautifully: “E is a ray of sunshine and a very sociable lady who loves to chat.”
At Colinton Care Home, it is a privilege to support E and to celebrate the life, personality and experiences that make her so special. If you’d like to find out more about the high standards of personalised care on offer at Colinton, please arrange a home tour with us today. We’d love to show you around our vibrant home and discuss how we can support you and your family.
