Chermside aged care community has three new feathered friends

Three little assistance hens are doing more than just putting smiles on elderly residents’ faces they are helping to rekindle memories of childhood for those suffering dementia.

Roy Mason poses for a photograph with silky bantam with his family Saskia Rogers, Jill Rogers and Wilma Mason (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

A little brood of hens are fast warming the hearts of the residents of a northside aged care community.

The Wesley Mission Queensland’s St Marks community at Chermside recently became the proud owners of three Silkie chickens who are helping residents to rekindle fond memories and create new ones.

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Jill Rogers’ parents Wilma and Roy Mason both moved to the community last year and after seeing a program about assistance hens, Jill organised with St Marks to bring chickens into the residents’ lives.

With the help of her daughter Saskia, the pair found the feathered trio who live onsite and regularly do the rounds of the nursing home.

Saskia Rogers poses with the silky bantams who are helping residents at St Marks Aged Care. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

St Marks Manager, Preeti Ronil said Mr Mason was not the only one enjoying the chickens with many residents making a daily trip to visit.

“We haven’t had any eggs yet but I’m sure they won’t be far away; the competition is on to see which resident finds the first one.”

Ms Ronil said animals played an important role in all of Wesley Mission Queensland’s aged care communities.

“It has long been recognised that having pets to care for is beneficial for people of all ages,” Ms Ronil said.

“They can offer great companionship and spontaneity and also give residents a purpose to their day.

“We really embrace animals as part of care philosophy, including pet birds, fish and dogs.

“Many residents have had pets all their lives, so we need to ensure that continues, even though they move into aged care.”

Roy Mason and his granddaughter Saskia Rogers. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Mr Mason’s granddaughter Saskia Rogers said she knew her “Poppy loves having the hens around”.

“He’s always smiling and he loves to pat them,” Saskia said.

Saskia’s Mum Jill said she had heard Silkie chickens were “good for alzheimer and dementia patients and Wilma has dementia but the benefits are for everybody”.

“Silkies are calming and they are supposed to help reduce stress at times of the day when people are agitated.”

“It also helps residents connect to memories.”

“When we first got the hens one resident said I haven’t said the word bantam since the 1930s or 40s and his brother had bantams and loved them. So it’s not just people with dementia it’s more about creating a feeling of home.”

The Rogers family purchased the coop for the hens and St Marks bought the hens and looks after their ongoing care.