A cocktail party had been held at a nursing home as part of the project by a group of young volunteers from Cocktails in Care Homes, which focuses on “bringing generations together, forging friendships, and tackling isolation,” according to Mirror.
Maria Rivas, one of the organizers of the party told Mirror, “This is one of the best and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s a brilliant, easy way to volunteer because it just feels like an evening out with friends. You turn up once a month, have a drink, a chat, and maybe a dance and you can see you’re making people happy. What’s not to love about a party?”
John, 81 years old, agreed to what Rivas, 27 years old, had shared. John said, “You can’t beat a bit of a knees-up and a tipple, can you? It bucks you up. Cheers!”
According to Mirror, various reports had shown that this century is heading to something called “age apartheid,” in which young and old people live without mixing or communicating with each other.
Think tank called United For All Ages backed this up and said that older folks feel “isolated and institutionalized” when young people decide to not mingle or even talk or share stories with them.
After receiving support from corporate and trust fund donations, about 250 volunteers now hold parties every month in nine care homes in London. There are some volunteers who are especially trained to deal with patients with dementia.
Sarah Dean, manager for Magic Me, said, “Care homes can be stressful places for families, especially if a relative has dementia. A party provides a relaxed way to spend time together. Staff tell us the atmosphere in homes is brighter and lighter for days after. At one party a lady came in to join her husband who has dementia.
They danced together all night, just as they used to. Another resident told a volunteer, ‘I haven’t worn lipstick since I came here—it’s amazing how a little thing like that makes you feel better.’”
Sarah added, “People think that means Vera Lynn or Frank Sinatra but for many it’s 60s pop or reggae. One lady with early-onset dementia loves heavy metal.”
The people who live in the care homes enjoy the various themes of the parties, which mostly focused on past trends and references.
Sarah Dean said, “Older people like things that are active, stimulating and creative. They love the energy they get off the younger people. It’s great for breaking down the barriers that each generation has towards each other. We’re often told, ‘When the young people come, we come to life.’”
