Alicia, one of our dedicated Care Experts, regularly visits one of our customers to provide support while their live-in carer takes a well-deserved break. 💙
During her visits, Alicia has discovered that sometimes the most meaningful part of care can be found in the simplest things — like sitting down together for a game of Scrabble or cards. 🎲🃏
When Alicia first started visiting, the customer’s live-in carer told her how much he loved playing games, with Scrabble and Bridge being his favourites. Alicia admits that she doesn’t know how to play Bridge, but she was more than happy to join him for a game of Scrabble or Gin when there wasn’t enough time for Scrabble.
At first, playing Gin could be a little challenging. Alicia remembers that the customer “seemed to keep forgetting and a bit confused about what he had to do,” so she would sit beside him and suggest what he should do next.
Now, things have changed. “Since then he knows what he’s doing,” Alicia says. He’ll occasionally ask questions about what he can and can’t do, but she no longer needs to sit over his shoulder — something Alicia describes as “such a good sign.”
There have been plenty of laughs along the way, too.
One day, Alicia taught both the customer and his live-in carer how to play the children’s card game Go Fish. What she expected to be a quick game “of course took ages”! 😂
Alicia had to keep reminding them to say “go fish” when they didn’t have the card being asked for. She tried to be subtle by using her finger to tilt towards her ear as a reminder. However, the customer thought she hadn’t heard his answer, so he shouted, “No, I don’t!” at her — a moment that had them all laughing.
Even when Alicia has other chores to complete, she knows how much the customer enjoys their games. “Now, I do my best to get them all done as quickly as I can so that he gets play,” she explains, even if that means his live-in carer has to finish the game for her when she has to leave.
And it’s clear just how much these games mean to him.
On one recent visit, the customer had briefly dozed off, so Alicia asked whether he would rather rest or play Scrabble. His answer was immediate: “Play Scrabble.”
“I chuckled and said, ‘well alright then, Scrabble it is!’” Alicia recalls. ❤️
Their Scrabble games are certainly never predictable. Sometimes the customer is the clear winner, sometimes Alicia gets lucky, and other times she finds herself in a comfortable lead — only for him to make a comeback right at the end. 🏆
There’s even a little friendly mischief involved. Alicia says that sometimes he can be “sneaky” and tries to put down words that she’s pretty sure aren’t allowed. But as soon as she says she needs to check, “he whips it away and says he’ll find something else.” 😄
At Bluebird Care, we know that great care is about more than completing the tasks that need to be done. It is about taking the time to understand what matters to each individual and finding opportunities to bring enjoyment, companionship and connection into their day.
For Alicia and her customer, a game of Scrabble or cards has become much more than just a pastime. It is a chance to laugh together, build confidence and enjoy each other’s company — and sometimes, to have a little friendly competition along the way! 💙🎲
A huge thank you to Alicia for the care, patience and warmth she brings to every visit, and for showing just how much of a difference those little moments can make. 🌟
