The lockdowns have been hard on anyone.
No matter where you are around the world, age, and occupation, being stuck in one place with too little interaction can drive someone mad. We crave that socialization we’re used to, but that seems far too impossible for now.
Over the year, there were many support groups for parents.
They wonder how to keep the kids engaged with less use of gadgets. Without school and daycare to attend, children quickly got bored at home without playgrounds and parks to play in.
But nobody asked: what about the elderly?
The elderly deserve as much focus – even more since they are very vulnerable to the virus. But cutting them out of the world might worsen their situation. Those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease rely on regular family visits to help them cope and remember.
This elderly care home found a way around that.
Robert Speker is the Activities Coordinator of Sydmare Lodge Care Home in Edgware, London. He thought of a brilliant way to keep the elderly engaged, excited, and moving during the lockdown, and it instantly became a hit.
His project? Care Home Album Covers.
Sydmar Lodge Care Home residents and carers have been recreating classic album covers. The home has now been in lockdown for 4 months. pic.twitter.com/XS5YQ4f1Sw
— ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕣 (@robertspeker) July 10, 2020
His idea was simple but took a lot of work to do. He wanted to remake famous album covers featuring the elderly in their care home. It was also his way to show the family of the elders in their care that they are coping well.
Robert was thankful for the support of everyone around him.
He presented this idea to his manager, who then gave him the free reign to do whatever he wants and needs to do for the project. He went on choosing the residents, the album covers, set up the staging, and took the photos. He also edited them and posted them on his Twitter account.
So, how did the residents get on board? Robert shared to News Hour:
“The residents know me well by now. They know how mad I am, they know I come up with these crazy ideas, and they generally just go with it. And this is just another idea that they said: ‘Let’s go! Whatever you got planned, let’s do it!’”
And they did so exceptionally!
They got album covers from David Bowie to Adele, Beatles to Taylor Swift. He also made one with the caregivers, which he said has been doing a splendid job in caring for the elderly in the home amid the pandemic. The project was so well-received it reached millions of views.
However, the biggest thing that came out of this project was the donations they were receiving.
Don’t miss out on the chance to own limited edition prints of these (now viral) photos with proceeds shared with the residents and @alzheimerssoc https://t.co/a6bGG1Tdh4#carehomealbumcovers
— ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕣 (@robertspeker) March 17, 2021
Robert created a website and a GoFundMe account when he thought he could make something out of this project. He is creating different merch items, including printed versions of the Care Home Album Covers, to raise funds for their home and Alzheimer’s Society UK.
Here are some of his most iconic works from the Care Home Album Covers:
— ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕣 (@robertspeker) July 10, 2020
— ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕣 (@robertspeker) July 10, 2020
Sydmar Lodge residents have been at it again. The home has now been in lockdown for almost 6 months#CareHomeAlbumCovers @thebeatles @PaulMcCartney @U2 @UltravoxUK @midgeure1 @ladygaga pic.twitter.com/VdnpcOjZfR
— ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕣 (@robertspeker) August 28, 2020
If you like to support Robert and the cause, you can visit their website or their GoFundMe page.
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