Elmside

My mother arrived at Elmside from the hospital at the height of the pandemic initially for a two-week respite but has now been resident for more than a year. I cannot fault the home in any respect. They were very caring and sensitive on her arrival which was very frightening and upsetting for her. We have always been kept abreast of happenings in the home including regular postings on Facebook. It's great to see mum taking part in activities. Mum has flourished at Elmside and is now in much better health than a year ago. She thoroughly enjoys all the activities, and there are plenty of them. The staff are enthusiastic and always happy to oblige, running around to find mum when I've telephoned during the lockdown. They have done everything possible to keep residents safe but are also aware of the importance of family contact. Mum is thoroughly at home and a very happy resident. It's amusing that whilst we spent New Year's Eve in lockdown watching television the residents had a party!

The Covid pandemic has been well managed and visiting is being accommodated safely.

My mother-in-law has been at Elmside since December 2020 initially for respite care but quickly decided to stay permanently, referring to Elmside as home soon after she arrived. She has made good friends and thoroughly enjoys Elmside's superlative activities programme. During this difficult lockdown, we've had regular emails from the home to keep us up to speed and the home has done everything possible to enable visits when safe and practical. The staff are enthusiastic and welcoming and apparently, the breakfasts are fantastic!

My mum has been in Elmside for almost 2 years with dementia and breast cancer. From day 1 the care she has received has been second to none and as her dementia progressed she was still looked after with care and consideration. Covid has meant a difficult time for everyone and the staff have made a great effort to facilitate visits whenever possible. When mum's cancer took hold they could not do enough for her in a very difficult situation. Unfortunately, she has now passed away and they looked after her until the end. We have been very impressed with the level of care from all members of staff and would not hesitate to recommend Elmside to anyone who is looking for care for their relatives.

My parents have been residents at Elmside since August 2020. The care and respect they receive is second to none with Elmside staff constantly on hand to assist when residents come up against something they find difficult. This dedication to keeping residents safe and well, particularly during the pandemic has been, and still is, very much appreciated. On the comfort side, the environment is light, clean and welcoming and the food obviously enjoyable, forming an important part of the day. So too is the opportunity to join in the various activities that have been carefully thought out and prepared. Regular visits from the chaplain have been much appreciated especially when family visits were not allowed. Management has shown to be empathetic and understanding, coping with pandemic situations that have arisen including facilitating hospital appointments, and sadly a funeral. This latter comment is very important - we are confident in the knowledge that our loved ones are in safe hands.

We are very happy that we have made a good choice of care home for our sprightly 93-year-old.

My parents moved into Elmside a year ago on the 23rd December after a number of recommendations from professional carers in the area. My mothers increasing dementia was the reason that my Dad decided they needed to make the move. Unfortunately, my Dad has since passed away. It has been a terribly difficult time for Care Homes managing the pandemic, but the Staff at Elmside have always gone the extra mile in helping facilitate visits and manage my mums sometimes difficult behaviour. They are all amazing! I wouldn't hesitate for one moment in urging anyone who is looking for this kind of care to contact them.

It was a comment from the Home Manager that led us to choose Elmside for our spinster Aunt, he pointed out that MHA not only welcomes the Resident but adopts the family which certainly proved to be true. As my Aunt's dementia worsened, the staff were patient, caring and worked very hard to ensure she was kept busy participating in the many activities provided (pre-COVID). Despite COVID, the Home worked very hard to ensure that we were able to continue our regular visits albeit outdoors. As my Aunt's health went into decline, I cannot compliment enough the care and compassion provided by all to ensure she passed from this life with the dignity and respect she deserved. The Manager, Chaplain and Care staff were amazing all taking time out to say their 'goodbyes' as it was clear that they genuinely cared for her. Furthermore, despite the COVID challenges, we were allowed as a family to be with our Aunt when the time came, a privilege in these times. Thank you Elmside.

Mum has been living at Elmside for over two years now. She considers it her home and is very happy and settled. All the staff are so kind and helpful and nothing seems like too much trouble. Their response during the pandemic has been amazing, ensuring that we can maintain contact in a variety of ways whilst keeping all the residents safe. We really are most grateful for all their hard work and care.

Elmside is a friendly, efficiently run care home. Residents are well looked after with plenty of activities provided for those who wish to partake. They have managed to allow safe visits as soon as possible during the pandemic and have kept relatives informed with regular emails.

Mum and I have always shared a very close relationship and spent lots of time together, prior to her worsening dementia requiring more support than I could provide to help maintain her independence. It was therefore extremely upsetting for us both when she first moved into Elmside 2 years ago. Despite my anxieties, during regular visits, I have always found Mum smiling, happy and relaxed in her surroundings and around the carers and other staff within the home. The situation with Covid this year has obviously greatly affected our freedom and safety to be with one another in any normal way. I could see that Mum didn't understand this massive change to our usual closeness and behaviour, with deteriorating dementia, perhaps even gradually forgetting who I am. However, I am pleased to say that, over these months, the manager has reached out and made every effort to safely help relatives maintain contact wherever possible, with time to listen to concerns, and for that, I say thank you.

My mum has been in Elmside for 4.5 years, and as her Dementia/Alzheimer’s has worsened, the care staff have been very understanding and patient with her. The manager has also been very helpful in these very trying times with COVID.

A cheerful friendly atmosphere with caring welcoming staff who were patient and encouraging to my husband who was admitted for respite care.

My friend has been at Elmside for a number of years and every time I visit her she states she wants to stay here indefinitely as this is her home. The whole team has always been welcoming and make you feel like you are a big part of their family. My friend is very happy and comfortable and has a nice facility. She enjoys her a la carte meal every day and partakes in a number of activities within the home. The home is exceptionally clean and the staff are friendly. I was most impressed with the current management team and recent changes have improved the quality of life for all residents. Although my friend can be difficult at times, she is treated with care and compassion and for that, I am truly grateful to Elmside. Genuinely, I do not think one could find a better placement for her.

The staff are really helpful and caring. They have been very helpful and welcoming when I visit. It has made the thought of my mum being in a home easier to know how good they are.

Elmside has proved to be the perfect choice for my mother. The care that she is receiving is everything that we could have wished for. The lovely team of people working there are hard working and dedicated to the job. They all treat mum with kindness and respect and make her feel valued, not just as a resident but also as a person. To add to this, the food is excellent, the rooms are lovely and the surroundings are spotless.

What more can I say except that we, as a family are enjoying the peace of mind knowing that mum is safe and happy. We genuinely believe that we could not have found a better place.

My mother has been a resident for just under 2 years and despite a reluctance to give up her independent life in her own home she now states regularly that she does not want to return home. Mum is very well cared for, provided with high-quality food, a comfortable room in which she can have a number of her own things and most importantly companionship from both the staff and fellow residents. There are regular activities that can be attended and plenty of opportunities for the family to engage in events. I have been very impressed by the MHA care ethos which permitted the whole organisation from management down.

We cannot praise the staff enough for their care of our step-mother and would highly recommend the home. If the time comes we would have no qualms about using it for our father hie is in total agreement.

My friend became in need of nursing home care. The selection of Elmside was made very easy by the fact that a couple of years before some relatives had the same requirement for an elderly parent. Fortunately, they had carried out all the local groundwork, so Elmside was an obvious choice. I, nor my charge, encounter problems that cannot be solved. the staff are very caring and helpful. The food and dining facilities are faultless, housekeeping is very good (for example the dining room floor is cleaned after every session). Personal care and respect to residents is nothing less than expected. The spiritual and medical needs are well catered for. Entertainment and recreational needs and gardens are a feature of Elmside. Does my friend like Elmside? Yes, she considers it to be her home, which of course is the most important answer in any care home facility. Our thanks to the Elmside Team. Five stars all round.

I hope that if in the future I need a facility like Elmside, it will be as nice!