Valentine’s Day comes early for Aberdonian care home residents

Staff at Renaissance Care’s Cowdray Club Care Home in Aberdeen have been working hard this week to arrange four early Valentine’s Day celebrations for couples in the home.

Each of the four couples were treated to a lunch of their choice, and nothing was too much trouble for the care home staff and chefs who made sure all of the lovebirds had a day that was as unique and as romantic as possible.

Staff organised bespoke dates for the residents throughout the week to maintain social distancing, as well as arranging a generous donation of flowers, cards, prosecco and salted caramel truffles from the local Aldi. The chefs were on hand to cook each of the resident’s favourite meals, rustling up decadent dishes such as steak and chips, Balmoral chicken and haggis, neeps and tatties.

On Wednesday, residents Jeanie (80) and Sandy Stephen (83) enjoyed steak and chips and Balmoral chicken while raising a glass to their 63rd Valentine’s Day together and had even more reason to celebrate as it was also Sandy’s 83rd birthday.

Jeanie was particularly delighted to find out it was prosecco in her glass rather than lemonade. She said “Steak and chips is my absolute favourite, so it was great to have this made especially for me. The staff have been amazing to us since we moved in to Cowdray last year during the pandemic, but this is above and beyond what we could have ever have hoped for – certainly a Valentine’s Day to remember.”

Lorna (78) and Bill (74) Cattanach, who also moved into the home last year during the Covid-19 pandemic, had pizza for their Valentine’s Day dinner on Thursday with candles, flowers and prosecco to set the mood. Bill who always loved dancing with Lorna in the Beech Ballroom in years gone by, said: “Traditionally we would always be down at the ballroom dancing the night away, or at the cinema catching a movie, but our pizza by candlelight has been a fantastic treat.

“The Cowdray Club staff and Aldi have pulled out all the stops to give us the perfect night together and we can’t thank them enough.”

The rigorous health and safety restriction in place at the home has made activities like these more challenging recently, but the staff have ensured that they are still able to give each of the couples a Valentine’s Day experience based on their likes and needs.

Moira (87) and ex-fish house manager, Ronnie (92) Forgie always look forward to Cowdray Club’s Friday tradition of fish and chips, and this Friday was no different as they opted for their usuals from the local chipper.

Moira and Ronnie met at the Beach Ballroom before getting married in 1954. Moira was blown away by the generosity of all involved and is looking forward to being able to do more activities like this once restrictions ease. She commented: “Before Covid-19 staff were always organising fun activities like these for us to take part in. I was glad that Friday fish and chips was still able to go ahead, but having the chance to enjoy our favourite meal alone together in a romantic setting with flowers and truffles makes it all the more special.”

The home welcomed many new residents last year, including Peggy (92) and Abbie (87) Richie. The chefs prepared a traditional feast of mince and tatties and haggis, neeps and tatties for the husband and wife of 63 years. It was love at first sight for Abbie and Peggy when they met at work in a BMW car garage.

Abbie is as smitten now as he was over six decades ago and was over the moon to be sharing the occasion with his beloved wife. He said: “Peggy has been the love of my life since the first moment I set eyes on her.

”The staff here have always made sure we are together as they know how much we mean to each other, and our Valentine’s Day date is just another example of them doing everything they can to make us as happy as possible and make it feel like home.”

Philip Stuart, general manager of Renaissance Care’s Cowdray Club alongside the whole care and nursing team, has been working tirelessly to make Valentine’s Day as memorable as possible for all the couples. Philip said: “It has been an extremely challenging year for everyone in the home, so we’re always looking for creative ways to make our residents smile.

“It’s been an emotional few days creating these dates as it has meant so much to our residents. I’d like to thank my whole team, including the chefs who have put a lot of thought into the resident’s meals, as well as everyone at Aldi who made these dates possible.”.

Graham Nicolson, Aldi Scotland Group Buying Director, commented: “It was fantastic to have helped support the team at Renaissance Care’s Cowdray Club Care Home in creating a memorable day for the four couples. 

“The efforts of all staff at Renaissance Care during the pandemic has been inspiring and on the behalf of Aldi Scotland I hope the residents and the Cowdray Club Care Home team enjoy the special range of Valentine’s Day treats our local Aldi store has donated.”