Shining a More Positive Light on Residential Care

That the Parliament welcomes the release of Lewine Mair’s new book, Tapping Feet: A Double-take on Care Homes and Dementia, which is a work of fiction based loosely on their family’s experiences; considers that often not enough is said about the benefits of care homes for those living with conditions such as dementia when they get older; understands that Lewine Mair’s husband, Norman Mair, was described as “one of the finest sports writers Scotland has ever produced” and sadly passed away in 2014 at the age of 86 after living with Alzheimer’s for the previous eight years; notes that in her new book, Lewine Mair describes the family’s experience of residential care for her husband as positive and giving peace of mind after initially feeling guilt-ridden at the thought of his living there; notes that Lewine kept a diary when her husband was at Thorburn Manor Care Home in Edinburgh; understands that she visited several other homes and spoke to staff and residents, which provided the content for the book with a hope to shine a more positive light on residential care; thanks Lewine Mair and the Mair family for sharing this deeply personal account for the good of others faced with similar decisions, and wishes to thank all those who work in the care service for what it sees as their tireless work in looking after others.