A Typical Day in CareChoice Trim

My name is Joan. I am 74 years young. I am from Navan originally and I came to live in Carechoice Trim on 21st of November 2012.

I usually get up around 9 am, I use my call bell when I decide I would like to get up, sometimes I like a lie in but I’m usually up at that time. Two carers come to help me get ready for the day, then I go to the dining room for my breakfast. Lately I have been having tea with no sugar, I’m sweet enough. Toast slightly burnt is the way I like it, real butter, and marmalade. I could ask for a fry-up if I wanted one and the chefs would make it for me, sometimes I like one.

Jigsaws and Tea

After this I usually go into “the Den” and read for a bit while I finish my tea and then tuck into whatever jigsaw I have on the go. I’ve just finished one of Richard Chamberlain and I stayed up late last night putting him in his place. It was a challenge, but I finally completed it. I enjoy the peace and quiet of silence – it helps me concentrate. When I make the jigsaws I imagine where the place is, from the time you enter the land of it, it’s like pure magic. When I have them done I get them framed locally and get them put up around the home and in my room. I like to give them as presents also.

At around 11am I like my morning coffee (with two sugars) and a bickie.

At 12.30pm, we have lunch – a 3 course meal which consists of soup, dinner, and dessert with choices. Chicken Curry is my personal favorite as well as sausage rolls, and fresh fruit salad is my favorite dessert.

Choose the life I want to live

After dinner I return to my room and play a game on my laptop usually Candy Crush and have a root around Facebook for a nosey. I then pop down to the coffee shop with my Deliveroo baseball hat and I’m on duty then – delivering coffees to staff and residents. I have a list of residents that have a daily order mostly coffee but sometimes tea. I really like to be useful. When everyone is served, I usually go into the coffee shop and relax with my friends and the boss and have a latte. My favorite nibble is a Cadburys Twirl after all my work.

“I get to choose the life I want to live in the home, and I live it”.

I don’t watch television that much, but I do like my soaps, Home and Away and Neighbours and I like to keep an eye on the Dales in Emmerdale. I might turn the TV on when I decide it’s time for the scratcher.

Every Wednesday we have a Swift Scribbler’s class, this is creative writing. The facilitator gives us a prompt and we then write the stories; I love writing kids’ stories!

Karaoke and Books

I have my own Karaoke in my room and some nights I sing my heart out . The staff might join in. I love to sing, especially John Denver and other country and western music. My room is like a library I would love to live in a library. I love reading. I think all my imagination comes from reading. I have written many stories. I just take up a copy book and jot down ideas in my head. I’m also thinking of writing my own biography – so watch this space!

I listen to Classic FM; I think it’s brilliant. Someone might pop into the room and say what on earth are you listening to, but that’s how you appreciate good music!! I saw many musicals, some included Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dream Coat, Jesus Christ the musical and Miss Saigon.

When I decide I want to go to bed I call my bell or whizz up the carers and ask them to help me to bed.

The atmosphere in the home is alive and it makes me feel alive and living. I get to choose the life I want to live in the home, and I live it. All choices I make myself and I have to say this is my forever home.