Keeping the sibling bond strong at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home

Siblings can play an important part in our lives, and at Orchard Care Homes, we believe maintaining those meaningful connections can have a positive impact on a person’s emotional and mental wellbeing.

At Chatsworth Lodge Care Home, siblings Grizelda and Clive were recently reunited after Clive joined our Chesterfield care home in 2023. To celebrate Siblings Day, we spoke to the brother and sister duo about why they love living in the same care home, and their favourite childhood memories.

Grizelda and Clive both live at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home, and as well as getting to enjoy each other’s company on a daily basis, they have adjoining rooms and are often found reminiscing about fond memories together. Since Clive joined his sister at Chatsworth Lodge in December, their relationship has hit new heights.

“I love seeing Clive more often - I missed him very much when we didn’t live together” said Grizelda, who has lived at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home since 2019. “I enjoy spending time with my brother and like to sit in his room to share some of our favourite sweet treats together.”

Grizelda and Clive’s bond continues to grow in the care home, with Grizelda visiting her brother every morning. As well as chatting about fond childhood memories, the siblings are eager to create new special moments together.

“We had a very close relationship growing up; we loved running around in our big garden as a child, and playing games together indoors” said Clive. “Now we live next door to each other, I get to see my sister every day and talk about our favourite times together. We are also making new memories, which I enjoy.”

With both Clive and Grizelda living with dementia, supporting the siblings to remain close is vital to maintaining all-important links to their past. “When Grizelda moved to Chatsworth Lodge, it was clear she missed her brother dearly” said Michelle, Home Manager at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home in Chesterfield. “She would always ask for him and talk about their childhood together.  Clive’s personal situation recently changed and he needed full-time care - we knew inviting him to Chatsworth Lodge would be beneficial for both himself and Grizelda, and since he joined our care home, they’ve become completely inseparable!”

As a dementia-friendly care home, colleagues at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home have seen first-hand the benefits of positive social connections; particularly for those living with dementia. “Meaningful engagement plays a huge part in caring for our residents, and we believe maintaining relationships with loved ones is key. We always make sure Grizelda and Clive get to spend quality 1:1 time together, and help keep their sibling bond as strong as ever.”

Research by AgeUK suggests that retaining close ties to friends and family, alongside participating in meaningful social activities, may help older people maintain their thinking skills and contribute to cognitive reserve. Thanks to the team at Chatsworth Lodge, Grizelda and Clive are not only able to continue building their sibling bond, but have also improved their general wellbeing and happiness since reuniting.

Clive and Grizelda’s story is a true testament to the importance of maintaining key relationships, and we’ve loved watching their sibling bond grow. We’re grateful to the Chatsworth Lodge team for ensuring the pair are continuing to create wonderful memories together!

Based in Chesterfield, Chatsworth Lodge Care Home is part of the award-winning Orchard Care Homes group, offering residential care, residential dementia care and short-term respite care. If you’re looking for a care home in Derbyshire, why not get in touch with the friendly team?