ONE of Scotland’s most luxurious care homes will open its doors to the public this week with an exclusive tour around its facilities.
Located in north Edinburgh, Cramond Residence is offering people the chance to view its high-end care home on Friday 15 September from 3pm.
Fronted by a guided tour, guests will able be able to enjoy home baking and a ‘cuppa’ as they learn more about the benefits of the home; from its care package offerings to its bespoke digital care systems – ensuring that all residents have their individual needs met.
Client Liaison Manager Christian Daraio said: “This Open Day offers a unique opportunity for individuals and families to explore the top-notch care and facilities offered by the residence.
“If you or a loved one are considering residential, respite, or recuperative care, the Cramond Residence Open Day is a must-attend event.
“Visitors can expect to immerse themselves in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the residence, enjoying a cup of tea and sampling delightful home baking, while also having the chance to ask any questions they might have.
“This event also provides a chance to meet the dedicated team as well as engage in conversations with our current residents.”
Cramond Residence is divided into nine individual homes, each named after an area of Edinburgh, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among residents.
With private dining and living rooms in each home, socialising and forming lasting connections are a natural part of life at Cramond Residence.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the main communal areas, including a spacious dining rooms, a well-stocked library, a private ‘fine dining’ room, a cinema, a physiotherapy area, and a hairdressing salon.
Additionally, Cramond Residence offers cutting-edge facilities, such as high-tech therapy baths, to cater to the diverse needs of its residents.
The stunning gardens and summer house also invite attendees to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Cramond Residence is proud of its commitment to providing a high quality of life to its residents and invites the community to witness it firsthand. There is no need to book in advance; simply come along on the day.
For further information about Cramond Residence, call 0131 336 1064 or visit the care home’s website at cramondresidence.co.uk.
Strachan House Care Home in Blackhall was one of four Barchester homes who set their stage by hosting their first of many Edinburgh Fringe Cares events on Saturday.
Following on from the success of our Edinburgh Fringe Cares events last year at Barchester’s Queens Manor and the ongoing community links that were built, Barchester became the founding sponsor of an even bigger event this year and for years to come – The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Care Fest.
Eventually, the long term goal would be for all Edinburgh care homes to be part of this amazing initiative, no matter what company, but in the meantime Barchester got to go first, with 4 of their Edinburgh homes taking part!
It’s hoped this year’s events will shape the foundations for other care providers to follow suit in the coming years.
Strachan House immerse their residents and families into a spectacular performance from their nominated Edinburgh Fringe performer’s Octovoce, who took the audience through a magical journey of cappella style song.
The promotional event was one of four that Barchester Healthcare sponsored to showcase how the Edinburgh Fringe should be made accessible to everyone in care homes.
Strachan House was one of the four homes to demonstrate how successful these events can be and how it can benefit residents wellbeing.
Mandy, Head of Activities, said: “This was a fun event to do. Staff and residents loved getting on board by dressing up in character and our chefs prepared a themed menu of goodies for the special occasion.
“The home was transformed into a colourful castle of colour as our residents were taken on a magical afternoon of music. But the biggest success has been to be part of the four Barchester homes to showcase how every home in Edinburgh can do this.
“Along with Queens Manor, Archview and Drummond Grange, who also hosted their Edinburgh Fringe Cares events, we hope that this is something that will continue for years to come for everyone living in a care home.
“Putting this event together and having the residents on board with all their ideas has been amazing and to support them to bring it all together has been an honour.
“Professor Joe Goldblatt who attended the event and created the idea behind Edinburgh Fringe Cares has been truly inspiring.”
General Manager, Gordon Philp said, “Our residents and staff have been very excited about this event and the team worked so hard behind the scenes to ensure it is was great success.
“We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment at Strachan House as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents, and this was will certainly be outstanding, and certainly will be remembered for years to come.
“Our aim was to demonstrate to other care providers how this can be achieved and the benefits of delivering it within a care home setting.”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
Residents at two of the capital’s care homes felt the buzz of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival after a series of on-site comedy performances at Randolph Hill Nursing Homes over the weekend.
Stand-up comedians Carey Marx and Jojo Sutherland brought their shows to Randolph Hill nursing homes across Scotland, including its Ashley Court and Blenham House sites located in the capital, enabling residents to share in the Edinburgh Fringe experience.
The stand-up shows were part of a series of performances by the pair which were held at each of Randolph Hill’s sites located in Edinburgh, The Lothians, and Stirlingshire over the course of last week.
Carey performs regularly across the UK comedy circuit and has appeared in numerous television programmes including Comedy Cuts, BBC Breakfast and Loose Women. In 2009 he gained global recognition after winning Best International Show at the New Zealand Comedy Festival.
Jojo has worked in the UK entertainment industry for more than two decades as a writer, actor, broadcaster, and comedian. A regular at the Edinburgh Fringe, she was a 2022 finalist for the title of British Comedian of the Year.
Randolph Hill currently cares for more than 350 residents and employs over 600 members of staff at its seven sites across east and central Scotland.
Randolph Hill Managing Director Peter McCormick said: “We were delighted to bring this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival to our nursing homes including our two sites in the capital.
“With two highly regarded comedians bringing their acts to all of our seven sites, this series of performances brought a real festival buzz to our residents and enabled them to enjoy the Fringe experience in a familiar setting.
“We are grateful to Carey and Jojo for their great performances which were warmly received and thoroughly enjoyed by our residents, family members and our staff.”
New Head of Lifestyle to strengthen residents’ experiences at care home
ONE of Scotland’s leading care facilities has announced the appointment of a new specialist that will further improve its high-quality dementia services.
Elaine Vallance has been promoted to Head of Lifestyle at Cramond Residence, bringing more than six years of expert care knowledge to the home’s lifestyle team.
Elaine, who joined Cramond Residence 15 months ago, will organise a wide range of activities designed to bring meaningful socialisation to residents – a major factor in treating dementia patients.
She said: “I’m passionate about delivering the best possible quality of care to our residents during their golden years.
“I love spending time with our residents, and I am lucky to now head up an incredible team who always give their best to ensure that the standard of care we deliver is second to none.
“When you come away from an activity that residents have enjoyed and you see a smile on their faces, it’s hugely rewarding and motivating. I’m really excited and thankful to be given this opportunity and I am looking forward to working with the team to bring forward more fantastic activities for our residents.”
Cramond Residence strives to ensure that those living with dementia live a fulfilled life. The home offers a dedicated dementia floor, specially designed for those living with the condition to allow them to live a richer and more satisfying life with specialist facilities and trained staff on hand to provide support and relief.
Dementia training sits at the top of the care home’s agenda with 90% of their staff being provided with vital dementia training.
Elaine added: “We have already had a series of fantastic events for residents such as a trip on the trams to Newhaven, as well as a sports day which was popular with the residents.
“In the future I have plans to create a sensory room for our residents living with dementia, this will provide a stimulating environment with huge mental benefits.
“I will continue channelling all my energies and passion into delivering what Cramond Residence is all about, delivering top quality care to those who stay with us.”
Client Liaison Manager, Christian Daraio said: “Elaine has a wonderfully kind and nurturing personality which the residents love.
“We are incredible lucky to have her on our team and I am really looking forward to seeing what fantastic opportunities she no doubt has in store for our residents in the future.”
Cramond residence is a purpose-built care home which opened in October 2018. It combines luxury, five-star accommodation with outstanding clinical standards.
Spread across three floors, Cramond Residence adopts a small group living philosophy. That means groups of eight rooms form distinct “houses”, where residents are encouraged to eat and socialise together.
To find out more information on Cramond Residence, visit:
Dementia care specialists build on party success with another great event
PENSIONERS enjoyed a sizzling summer party filled with music, food and performances at one of Scotland’s leading care homes in dementia care.
Building on the success of last year’s seasonal extravaganza, Cramond Residence’s Lifestyle Team pulled out all the stops to create a day full of fun for residents and their families.
The luxury care home has ran summer parties in the past which have proved to be popular and plan to return next year with another.
Elaine Vallance, head of the Lifestyle Team at Cramond Residence said: “We always aim to deliver events that will put a smile on the residents’ faces, and it was great to see that with the Summer Fete this year we achieved this again.
“It was a lovely day meeting the residents’ families and welcoming them into our care home to spend time with their loved ones.
“Last year we held a Wild West themed party which was extremely popular with our residents and carers, so we knew we had to come back with something great again this year.
“Everyone had a great time, though I suspect the residents enjoyed it just a little bit more seeing as they got the chance to throw wet sponges at our Lifestyle Team at the end of the day.”
Residents enjoyed a day full of delicious BBQ food, live music, a variety of shows, balloon modelling, a raffle and tombola.
Client Liaison Manager Christian Daraio said: “Elaine and her team consistently deliver vibrant and exciting events for our residents that brings a lot of joy to their lives.
“I have to say, thanks to Elaine and her team – who worked tirelessly to ensure that the day ran smoothly – all who attended had a great time.
“We’re already looking forward to next year’s summer party, and of course the residents are looking forward to all the upcoming events Elaine has up her sleeve for the rest of the year.”
Cramond Residence prioritises the residents’ needs and offers a tailored activity programme that combines a luxury hotel ambiance with the comfort of home living.
The residence was purpose-built for £8m and opened in October 2018 and adopts a small-group living philosophy with a major emphasis on socialisation.
Cramond Residence offers a wide variety of dementia care services within the general home environment or in a specialist area, which has been carefully designed for those at a more advanced stage.
The home provides a range of activities specially designed to give those living with dementia a richer and more satisfying life, with specialist facilities and trained staff on hand to provide support & relief.
Strachan House care home in Blackhall were delighted when they received a card from Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Residents at the home had rolled out a spectacular week of royal celebration activities on the run up to the coronation.
One activity saw many residents writing their own letters to the future king and queen sending well wishes and for a long reign.
Mandy, Head of Activities said “we never thought that HRH King Charles lll and Queen Camilla would have took the time to respond, but they did.Our residents were overwhelmed when the royal sealed envelope was delivered!”
Strachan House has built up excellent reputations within its local community. The home regularly holds events and activities for its residents and surrounding neighbours, and the Coronation week saw many local events hosted within the home.
General Manager, Gordon Philp said: “It is important to recognise the hard work of our staff here at Strachan House. Receiving this from the King and Queen today is about as good as it gets!”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
Strachan House in Edinburgh will be opening their doors to the local community for an open door event complete with free refreshments on Saturday 19th August.
Taking place between 10am-4pm guests will be able to enjoy a freshly prepared buffet by the home’s Head Chef whilst taking the opportunity to meet the General Manager Gordon Philp and his fantastic team. Why not allow them to take you on a tour of the home and see everything the home has to offer? In the afternoon visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed afternoon tea and ask any questions they may have.
The Strachan House team will be on hand to answer any queries that they may have. A warm welcome awaits every visitor and a free goodie bag upon leaving will ensure that everyone will have a little something to remember their day with us by.
Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House says: “I’m excited about welcoming new visitors and existing friends of the home to our open day.
“Looking for care can be a little bit daunting, but our team here at Strachan House will do all we can to provide all of our guests with the guidance and support they may need, and answer all of their questions, big or small.
“Our open day is a great chance to enjoy everything the home has to offer in a homely and friendly setting- hope to see you all there!”
Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
We are delighted to welcome our new permanent CEO, Sarah Van Putten, to the LifeCare family.
Sarah joins us as an experienced third sector Chief Executive, with a career in health and social care spanning 3 decades. For the last 6 years, Sarah has been supporting Befriending Networks across the UK, and tackling loneliness and isolation by influencing public policy.
On her appointment, Sarah said: “I am delighted to have joined the LifeCare team as permanent CEO.
“I bring a long track record of working within and managing social care organisations. I knew of LifeCare as my great Aunt was a client and I have always been impressed by the work they do.
“Since taking up post, the commitment and passion of the team has already become evident – with staff continuously going above and beyond for the people they support. I look forward to working closely with staff, our board of trustees and most importantly the clients to identify our priorities for the next 3 years.
“I hope to bring my wider experience of social isolation policy work to help Lifecare amplify the voices of those who use our services, so that we can continue to offer those “extra years of Zest” to the people in our communities that need it most.”
With summer in full swing, there’s ample opportunity to get out and about this season. Being able to get out and explore is important for our physical, mental and emotional health. While this is true for people of all ages, it can be critically important for over 60s.
But getting out and about doesn’t need to break the bank. Many companies and UK institutions provide amazing concessions for older people. From museums and castles to historic homes and gardens, there are loads of discounts to take advantage of – and that can include travel too.
As a result, the team at New Care Homes has compiled an updated list of some of the best concessions to take advantage of this season.
The list covers a wide array of amazing discounts including travel, food and drink, national heritage sites, cinemas and more.
Great Outdoors
The National Trust of Scotland
The National Trust of Scotland owns and manages around 130 properties and 180,000 acres across the country which includes castles, ancient small dwellings, historic sites, gardens, coastline, mountains and countryside.
Historic Environment Scotland is a public body that plays a crucial role in preserving Scottish natural heritage. It functions in the same way as English Heritage does for England and Cadw for Wales, allowing millions of visitors the chance to experience Scotland’s national landmarks like Stirling, Edinburgh and Urquhart Castles and other heritage attractions across Scotland.
Tickets for HES landmarks have an admission price which can vary from location to location. However, there are concession discounts for over 65s. Ticket prices can be checked and booked online. There’s also a concession for annual membership starting at £42.00. Members will also be able to claim half-price entry to English Heritage and Cadw sites in their first year.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK’s leading gardening charity. They provide a Senior Life Membership package for members over 60. Members will receive:
Unlimited entry to RHS Gardens
Free access to more than 200 RHS Partner Gardens
Privileged entry and discounted tickets to RHS Shows (including the Chelsea Flower Show)
Booking access
Monthly magazine
Gardening advice from experts
Special events
Membership packs also include a handbook, pin badge and engraved RHS Life Member secateurs.
A full list of information on the RHS locations in Scotland can be found here.
Cinema
Odeon
Odeon is a popular cinema chain which shows everything from the latest blockbusters to absolute classics- so there’s always something for everyone. As well as films, most Odeon cinemas will also have an onsite coffee and ice cream shop where you can enjoy a treat before your screening.
Odeon cinemas provide special screenings for patrons over 60 through their Odeon Silver events. These screenings tend to happen during quieter periods so you can avoid the rush, and they even provide tea, coffee, and biscuits with your ticket.
Silver Cinema Screening prices can cost as little as £4, but this will vary depending on where you are. Check online with your local Odeon to see the Silver Cinema schedule and ticket pricing. Tickets can also be bought on the day but might cost slightly more.
Cineworld
Cineworld cinemas show a wide range of films, including live and recorded events from National Theatre and Royal Opera House – and even international events.
Cineworld provides a senior citizen discount across its film screenings. The price of tickets can vary depending on the location and film type, but all ticket prices can be found online. Tickets can be booked online (with an additional 70p charging fee) or bought inside the venue before the show time.
Vue offers film fans who are 60+ discounts on ticket prices across all film screenings. Prices can vary depending on the cinema’s location and the type of film (2D, IMAX etc) but they can be quite cheap during off-peak show times (Monday-Thursday before 5 pm).
They also operate screenings for over 60s called the Senior Club. Tickets are discounted, and you’ll also receive a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit when you go in.
Museums and Galleries
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland and features exhibits and collections on Scottish antiquities, culture and history.
Entry is free for everyone, so there is no senior concession available. However, Individual memberships are available for repeat visitors which provide a host of benefits including:
Unlimited free entry to world-class exhibitions
Invitations to exclusive Member Previews for selected exhibitions
Invitations to exclusive events and experiences throughout the year
Behind-the-scenes news and in-depth articles in the members-only magazine Explorer
20% discount in our cafes
10% discount in our museum shops and online
10% off entry to Edinburgh Castle for the National War Museum
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle stands on Castle Rock in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. As one of the most important strongholds in Scotland and one of the oldest strongholds in Europe, Edinburgh Castle is an important part of Scottish history.
Concession tickets for seniors (65+) are available. Online concession prices are £15.50, while on-the-day ticket prices are £17.60. Pre-booking tickets can save a bit of money and will also guarantee entry in the event of a busy day.
Anyone who already has a Historic Environment Scotland membership will have free entry to Edinburgh Castle as well as a wealth of other perks.
Aberdeen Art Gallery (Archives and Museums)
The Aberdeen Art Gallery is home to one of the finest collections in the UK. For over 130 the gallery has acquired the best and most interesting contemporary artworks.
Spanning over 700 years, the collection includes works by important Scottish artists, designers and makers such as Henry Raeburn, Joan Eardley, Samuel Peploe, Rachel McLean, Bill Gibb and James Cromar Watt, as well as nationally and internationally acclaimed artists from all walks of life.
The gallery is free and is considered an exceptionally accessible venue for visitors from all walks of life. It’s also part of the Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums (AAGM) group which includes a wealth of other venues worth visiting if you’re visiting the city.
More information on The Gallery and other venues can be found here.
Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
GoMA is located in the heart of Glasgow city centre. It is a world-class art museum and a great place for people to gather, share ideas and enjoy art from around the world.
GoMA has four galleries, a well-stocked library and a gallery shop selling ranges inspired by installations and exhibitions. The gallery is currently running an exhibit from the elusive and internationally renowned graffiti artist Banksy entitled: Banksy: Cut and Run for July and August 2023.
Concession tickets are available for £10, and a membership scheme is available for repeat visitors starting at £28 which provides a whole host of benefits. If you ever find yourself in Glasgow this wonderful institution is well worth a visit
Sports
Scottish Football Association
Love to watch the footie? Well here’s some great news Following a campaign by Age Scotland and the Mail on Sunday back in 2019, the Scottish Football Association re-introduced discounts for football fans over the age of 65. Senior tickets will cost from just £15 depending on the match category, and will be available throughout Hampden Park – the home of the national teams.
The Scottish Supporters Club also operates a senior membership discount scheme, however, memberships have already sold out for the 2023/2024 season. But don’t fret – you’ll still be able to get access to general admission tickets when they’re released for specific matches.
Scottish Rugby
More of a Rugby fan? Then you’re in luck! Scottish Rugby provides senior citizen concessions on matches. Concession pricing can differ from event to event but ticket prices are always released in advance so it’s well worth checking in advance for matches this summer. Visit the Scottish Rugby Online Ticket Centre for information on upcoming matches.
The Scotland Supporters Club also operates a membership scheme. For £45 you’ll receive benefits such as:
Invitation to a Scotland training session
Digital Membership Pack
Pre-sale access to all Scotland home game ticket sales, including the 2023/24 Scotland Season Pass 2023, the Summer Tests: 3-Match & 2-Match Packages and individual match tickets, 2024 Guinness Six Nations: Individual match tickets to Scotland’s home games against England and France and Scotland Women & Scotland U20 ticket sales
Highland Games
Highland games are a series of much-beloved events held in spring and summer in Scotland. Although games are often centred around Scottish heavy athletics, they also incorporate entertainment and exhibits such as music, dancing, poetry, literature and food and drink.
Events include the caber toss, stone put, Scottish hammer throw, weight throw, weight over the bar and the sheaf toss among others. Women also take part in the events, and competitors are known to wear a traditional kilt when taking part.
A full list of upcoming Highland Games events can be found here.
Spring/Summer Shopping
Boots
Beloved UK retailer Boots offer an Over 60s Rewards Card as part of their Advantage Card Scheme. This allows cardholders over 60 to earn 8 points for every £1 spent on brands such as Boots, No7, Soap & Glory, Botanics, Liz Earle, Champneys, YourGoodSkin and more. This can come in handy when it’s time to pick up some sun tan lotion and holiday bits for the season.
Over 60s can also access discounts from Boots Opticians when buying a pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses, and will receive 200 points with a free Hearing Health Check at Boots Hearingcare. All you need is an existing Advantage Card which you can sign up for free here.
Specsavers
Specsavers is one of the biggest opticians in the UK. The Specsavers over 60s discount provides 20% off a pair of glasses from their £69 range or above which includes frames, lenses and any extra car options. The offer also includes sunglasses so you can pick up a flash new pair to enjoy in the sun.
Food and Drink
Dobbies
Bright and bustling, Dobbies is a great day out for those who like to get out and about. The garden centre offers a Senior Citizens Lunch. Visitors can enjoy a delicious main course & a cake for just £11.95 Monday to Friday from 12-3 pm.
They also have a fantastic afternoon tea service and are dog friendly, making it a great choice for a visit this season. Find your nearest Dobbies garden centre online with their store locator.
Patisserie Valerie
Patisserie Valerie is well-known for creating wonderful baked treats that are perfect for a spot of afternoon tea.
Seniors over 60 are eligible for a 10% discount at all Patisserie Valerie stores as well as online orders. To be able to access the discount, simply visit the seniors discount section on the Patisserie Valerie website to enjoy money off a delicious assortment of cakes, biscuits, selection boxes and afternoon tea options.
Greene King
Greene King is one of the UK’s leading pub retailers and as part of their food and drink options, their locations offer a Senior Menu which provides manageable portions at reasonable prices. With over 3,100 locations nestled in areas across the country, it’s well worth visiting for an afternoon lunch or a quiet evening dinner. To find your nearest Greene King pub, visit their Pub Map on their official website.
Waitrose
Waitrose has brought back its incredibly popular ‘free coffee’ scheme for MyWaitrose cardholders. You don’t need to spend a certain amount to qualify for the ‘freebie’ – You just need to swipe or scan your myWaitrose card at the self-service drinks machine after checkout. It’s perfect if you’re popping in for a paper or a drink during a walk around town.
Cardholders will also get access to exclusive savings and members-only rewards which can come in handy if you’re planning a picnic or need a snack for a day out.
Travel
Senior Railcard
Over 60s qualify for a Senior Railcard which allows cardholders to get 1/3 off train travel on all franchised train operating companies in England, Scotland and Wales. A 1-year Railcard is just £30, but you can also buy a 3-year Senior Railcard for just £70 which is great if you plan to do a lot of travelling in 2023.
You’ll be able to enjoy discounts on Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets. And if you’re living in/visiting London, you can link it to an Oyster Card to get ⅓ Off-Peak travel around London too. Check out the Senior Railcard FAQs for more information.
National Express
If coach travel is more your thing, National Express have a Senior Coachcard offer that’s available for over 60s. Cardholders can save a 1/3 on standard and fully flexible fares to hundreds of locations across the UK.
A Senior Coachcard is only £12.50 a year (+ £2.50 postage), meaning the savings will start to outweigh the costs pretty quickly. For a list of all destinations covered by National Express, visit the website for more information.
Older Persons Bus Pass
Older people’s bus passes are available across the UK, although each country has rules and regulations.
In Scotland, you can apply for a National Entitlement Card (AKA a ‘saltire card’) once you turn 60. To qualify you must be over 60 and a resident in Scotland. You can apply online, or through your local post office and local council.
If your card was issued by the City of Edinburgh Council, you’ll also be able to use them on trams throughout the city.
City Sightseeing Bus Tours
Although NEC cards aren’t valid on City Sightseeing Bus Tours for free travel, concession tickets are available and can save older travellers £1 on their travel.
City Sightseeing buses are available in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, the Isle of Bute and more.
For more information on City Sightseeing tours and experiences check out the official website.
