In a heartwarming tale that transcends age and captures the essence of boundless creativity, a group of spirited seniors from Bartlett’s Residential Care Home in Aylesbury, UK, in partnership with care home marketplace Lottie, have embarked on a remarkable journey to pay homage to one of the music industry’s brightest stars: Taylor Swift. Affectionately known as the “Senior Swifties”, these residents, with an average age of 87, have become unlikely internet sensations, captivating audiences around the world with their infectious enthusiasm and unwavering love for Swift’s music.
Their journey began with a simple idea: to celebrate the imminent arrival of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in the UK by recreating some of her most iconic album covers. Inspired by Swift’s re-recorded albums, affectionately dubbed “Taylor’s Version”. the Senior Swifties eagerly embraced the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magic of Swift’s music, channelling their inner creativity and passion for the arts.
As news of their heartwarming endeavour spread, the Senior Swifties found themselves thrust into the spotlight, garnering attention on social media platforms like TikTok, where snippets of their creative process captivated viewers from all walks of life. From the United Kingdom to Australia and beyond, the Senior Swifties’ story resonated with audiences of all ages, serving as a poignant reminder of the universal power of music to unite and uplift the human spirit.
With the much-anticipated Eras Tour on the horizon, set to sweep across the UK on June 7, 2024, the Senior Swifties wasted no time in bringing their vision to life. Working in collaboration with the care home marketplace, Lottie, they embarked on a journey to recreate some of Swift’s most iconic album covers, painstakingly curating costumes, props, and poses to mirror the essence of each masterpiece.
From the ethereal allure of “Midnight” to the whimsical charm of “Lover”, the timeless elegance of “Speak Now”, the nostalgic allure of “1989”, and the passionate hues of “Red”, each album cover was meticulously brought to life by residents aged between 80 and 95, each infusing their unique personality and flair into the creative process.
But the journey didn’t end with the photoshoot. Prior to capturing these iconic moments, the care home buzzed with excitement as residents hosted their very own “Eras Tour Concert”, a jubilant celebration filled with laughter, music, and camaraderie. As they exchanged “Swiftie Friendship Bracelets” and danced to the rhythm of Swift’s chart-topping hits, the room was alive with the infectious energy of their youthful spirit.
Adding to the excitement, a life-size cut-out of Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance, eliciting cheers and smiles from the residents. For many, like Carol, an 80-year-old resident and dubbed as Bartlett’s biggest Taylor Swift fan, the opportunity to recreate the “Midnight” album cover was a dream come true, igniting a newfound sense of confidence and self-expression. She went on to say, “I wish I could wear outfits like Taylor Swift every day.”
Amidst the joyous festivities, 84-year-old Vivien found solace in the music, reminiscing about cherished memories intertwined with the melodies that filled the room. She proudly shared in a press release that, “My son-in-law is the lead singer of The Boo Radleys – I have a Gold Vinyl record awarded to the group on display in my room.”
For Elizabeth, at 91, the photoshoot led to her recreating Swift’s “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)”, going on to say, “I’m excited to send my photo to family members in Australia to show them what I’ve been up to.” Meanwhile, Janet, aged 79, adorned her face with sparkly love hearts for the “Lover” cover shoot, revelling in the whimsical charm of Swift’s music admitting that she finds it hard to pick a favourite Swift song. She kept the love hearts on her face for the rest of the day and she went on to say, “I’ve loved being pampered. It’s been such a great day to watch everyone pick a photo to recreate.”
For Jill, aged 86, the experience of recreating the “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” album cover was a cherished moment shared with her daughter Lyn, reinforcing the bond between generations and the timeless appeal of Swift’s music. As Lyn reminisced about her favourite Swift song, “Shake it Off”, the mother-daughter duo bonded over their shared love for music and the joy of creating lasting memories together. Lyn said, “[I] enjoyed helping Mum pick out an album to recreate. I’m very excited to see the final results.”
Reflecting on the heartwarming initiative, Chris Donnelly, Co-Founder of Lottie, commended the residents for exemplifying the timeless joy of music, regardless of age. Partnering with Bartlett’s Residential Care Home, the Senior Swifties project aimed to debunk stereotypes surrounding care homes and foster intergenerational connections through the universal language of music.
The residents at Bartlett’s Care Home are a true example of proving that age is no barrier to celebrating the magic of music.
Chris Donnelly, Co-Founder of Lottie
Partnering with Bartlett’s Residential Care Home (Part of Peverel Court Care) has been great to host this activity. Our vision behind the Senior Swifties project was to debunk common misconceptions of care through music and show everyone that care homes can be the start of a new and fulfilling chapter in life.
We’re so pleased to have brought the Eras Tour to the extraordinary ladies at Bartlett’s Care Home. Music has many health and wellbeing benefits, especially for those with dementia or in a care setting. Listening and engaging with music can help someone living with dementia communicate, stay connected to others, and spark memories of joy and happiness.
Many care homes across the country provide music therapy, and we’re so proud we’ve added a new twist to this popular activity by bringing different generations together to celebrate the power of music.
Echoing this sentiment, Kavita Salhotra, People Innovation Manager at Bartlett’s, emphasised the importance of celebrating residents’ interests and passions, underscoring the home’s commitment to creating a vibrant and supportive community. From innovative activities to community engagements, Bartlett’s remains dedicated to enriching residents’ lives and fostering meaningful connections.
At Peverel Court Care, our mission is to provide exceptional, personalised care that enhances the quality of life for our residents. This project embodies our commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything we do. Celebrating their interests and passions ensures that each resident feels valued, engaged, and fulfilled.
Kavita Salhotra, People Innovation Manager at Bartlett’s Residential Care Home
Our residents’ joy in recreating Taylor Swift’s album covers is a testament to our dedication to creating a vibrant and supportive community. We take pride in leading initiatives that enrich our residents’ lives. Our role in facilitating the Swifties project highlights our proactive approach to resident engagement and innovative care. This collaboration with Lottie underscores our commitment to offering unique, enjoyable activities that bring joy and create lasting memories for our residents.
Bartlett’s Residential Care Home consistently strives to provide innovative and enriching activities for our residents. Our recent project to recreate Taylor Swift’s album covers is just one example of our dynamic approach to resident engagement.
We regularly host community and intergenerational events that foster meaningful connections between our residents and the broader community. For example, hosting visits from a local primary school – Green Ridge Academy. These activities enhance the wellbeing of our residents and strengthen our bonds with the community, ensuring a vibrant, inclusive environment for all.
Lottie is a digital elderly care platform that connects care seekers to UK care homes, home care, and retirement options, which best suit them, at a fair price. Launched in July 2021 by brothers Chris and Will Donnelly, Lottie aims to streamline the process of finding quality care homes, minimising the time, stress, and cost involved in the search. Through Lottie’s platform, families and retirees can access vetted care homes that offer an enhanced resident experience and home culture, ensuring a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled later life.
You can find out more information and start your search on their official website Lottie.org by clicking here.
Nestled in the picturesque town of Aylesbury, Bartlett’s Residential Care Home—a part of Peverel Court Care—stands as a beacon of excellence in providing bespoke residential and dementia care. Surrounded by the stunning Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bartlett’s offers residents a serene and luxurious environment, complete with fully furnished rooms and a variety of enriching activities such as music therapy and gardening clubs. The home also boasts exceptional facilities, including a private dining room, a hair and beauty salon, and gardens designed with dementia-friendly features. Dedicated to elevating the quality of life for each resident, Bartlett’s continually innovates its activity programs, fostering a lively and inclusive community where residents are encouraged to flourish and create cherished memories.
As the Senior Swifties continue to capture hearts and headlines, their story serves as a testament to the enduring power of music to unite generations and spread joy in even the most unexpected places. In the end, it’s not just about the stunning recreations of Taylor Swift’s iconic album covers, but about the joy, camaraderie, and sense of fulfilment that these spirited seniors have found through their shared passion for music. Their journey proves that age is no barrier to embracing life’s joys and making a lasting impact on the world around us.
