Afternoon tea: A favorite among Arthur’s clients and staff
During the pandemic, it can be hard to keep clients active, engaged, entertained and feeling at home. At Arthur’s, we’re finding ways to do just that, while keeping their health and safety top of mind. One activity that’s very popular among clients and staff is our weekly afternoon tea gatherings.
What is afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is a timeless tradition in England and other parts of the United Kingdom. It’s a mid-afternoon meal where people gather to enjoy a cup of tea and some bite-sized sweets and sandwiches. Those can include finger-size lunchmeat sandwiches, scones, cakes and crumpets, which is similar to an English muffin.
We don’t do afternoon tea exactly how the British do it, but it does give many clients great joy and something they can look forward to every week. They’re able to chat with one another while enjoying a hot beverage and any goodies we have available.
Our staff can even join them too. Nurses, care aides and other professionals are all welcome to eat and partake, if they’re not sick and follow proper safety guidelines. To protect our clients, we make sure our staff wear PPE and sit a safe distance away from clients to avoid spreading germs.
It isn’t complete without good company
Afternoon tea isn’t just about snacking, it’s about socializing too. As people age, it’s important for them to have a sense of community, especially if they’re not having as many outside visits from friends and family.
It gives our clients the opportunity to get out of their rooms, meet up with friends and make some new ones too. It also allows them to develop relationships with our staff. Establishing these connections is especially crucial for newer clients who are still adjusting. But when they have people they can regularly talk to, they feel like they’re right at home. Establishing these bonds is beneficial for clients’ well-being. When clients
develop a sense of belonging, it can lead to lasting friendships, keep them active and help maintain their working memory, which can reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s. It can also make them happier, as studies show that socialization can lower a clients’s stress and anxiety.
The little things are what make the difference
We live in uncertain times. But on the bright side, we’re doing everything we can to foster engagement among our clients while keeping them safe and healthy. Finding this balance can be challenging, but if it puts a smile on our clients’ faces, the extra work is always worthwhile.
At Arthur’s, we know each of our clients has intrinsic value. No matter who they are, what they look like or where they come from, our staff will always go the extra mile to provide them, their families and their other loved ones with the care and support they deserve. We strive to optimize our clients’ health, interaction with staff and mobility. If you’re interested in seeing what else we do for our clients, learn more about us here.