Sunrise of Tettenhall

Review of Sunrise of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands by Judith Smith (Partner of Resident)

Wednesday 5 December 2012

To all at Sunrise from Judith & Gerald, How can you count love and care, received from day to day? From those who cared for Gerald, in every conceivable way? How can you count endless times they brought comfort to end his pain, Made him laugh and he would tease over and over again? How can you count the nurses, the carers and catering staff? Who together make up the whole with repartee and a healing laugh? How can you count the times a healing hand was given to me? Shoulders to lean on, a welcome each day smiling faces for me to see? How can you count the welcome given to an aching heart, And the feeling I also belonged right from the very start? How can you thank all at sunrise people special and wonderful too. For all these things and more besides, From Gerald and I to you!

Review of Sunrise of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands by Barbara Deason (Daughter of Resident)

Wednesday 5 December 2012

June 2nd is not just the anniversary of the Queens Coronation. Anyone caring for a loved one with dementia will understand when I say that I will always remember the day my mother moved into the Reminiscence Neighbourhood at Sunrise of Tettenhall as the day got my life back, it was June 2nd 2009. Entrusting the care of a confused 89 year old to strangers is never going to be easy but when that person can no longer communicate their likes and dislikes, hopes or fears you are naturally going to be extra protective. The time Carrie and Erika took out of their busy schedules to listen to me showed that here was a company who did indeed put the need of individuals at the heart of everything they do. As I walked about I was impressed by how proud everyone was of what Sunrise has to offer. In addition to these arranged meetings I also made several unannounced visits to reminiscence at differing times of the day. I wanted to see how the company’s ideals were put into action by the care managers and how they dealt with the little problems that are going to arise on a day to day basis within any community. Each visit just served to reinforce my initial feeling that I had found what I was looking for. A particular relief to me on behalf of my mother was finding a lounge that was not dominated by a loud television all hours of the day. The furniture is arranged so that residents can choose to sit quietly on their own but still be within the security and interest of the communal area and always with a member of staff nearby. Indeed the arrangement and range of day areas within the neighbourhood is a real bonus, making it homely, interesting and less institutional than others I had visited. My mother was made to feel welcome from day one and each member of staff had taken the trouble to get to know a little about her so that to my mother it seemed that these people must be friends even though she could not remember their names. They quickly won her trust and this played a large part in how easily she settled into her new home. She was made to feel that she mattered to them and belonged here, so much so that I now have to coax her out into the garden or the Bistro as she would much rather stay inside and keep an eye on what is going on. It is hard to believe the change in her since she left her previous Care Home, no longer frightened that she is doing something wrong, she joins in activities, explores the neighbourhood and is given the opportunity to feel useful by helping staff with little jobs. The name Reminiscence Neighbourhood was well chosen, it is lovely to arrive and not to know where my mother will be, it may be somewhere in the lounge, the dining room or perhaps she is wandering along the corridor where she is sure to meet a. friendly face and stop for a while, just like going down the street and meeting a neighbour. It is a real treat to walk in and her chatting to someone but equally nice to her sitting quietly on her own and content with her life. Although I do not know where she will be, the care managers know exactly where all the residents are and are always alert to the dynamics of any group. The calm, relaxed yet purposeful atmosphere is only achieved by everyone working together as a team and I cannot thank the staff enough for what they do. Sadly, dementia is a one way ticket and there will undoubtedly be challenging times ahead, but I know that each changing situation will be met with compassion and that I always be kept informed. Second only to the pleasure of all her chatter when I do find her is seeing her as calm and settled as she was today when I waved goodbye. We had enjoyed our time together and both look forward to my next visit. Then it is a final cheerful word from the concierge as I leave and I am on my way again. Having decided that this was what I wanted for my mother, the next question has to be ‘when my time comes, could I live here my answer is ‘yes, I could’.

Review of Sunrise of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands by Roz Butterworth (Daughter of Resident)

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Dear all at Sunrise, Just a note to say how much we enjoyed coming to Sunrise on Christmas day to be with our parents, Alan and Mabel. The food was lovely and very well served, and we were made to feel very welcome. The family room looked delightful. Mum and Dad enjoyed the day, and obviously feel very much at home. This is due to the efforts of you all, and we are amazed at the recovery that Dad has made this year. It’s like regaining a father that we thought we had lost. Mum loves and appreciates all the music and entertainment provided. From reception to assisted living, to rem staff to the kitchen and everyone one sees, everyone seems to have a smile, and an answer to any query or request, large or small. Everyone seems to care... The bus outings, the golf; the entertainments laid on, everything just ‘makes a difference’. We are very grateful. Hilary and I also enjoyed coming to carol singing last week. Again we were made to feel very welcome. We would love to bring the whole choir sometime in the future. We were a little short of men last week! We went on to carol sing around the pubs, and raised over £270 for the Alzheimer’s Society. We are also doing a Christmas card donation to the society, through the choir. Once again, may we say a huge thank you, and ask you to keep up the great work! Roz Butterworth and family Hilary Riley and family