The Herons

I can't thank everyone at The Herons enough for the loving kindness they showed mum. When mum was dying the care they showed was amazing. Mum died with dignity and surrounded by love. Money can't buy that dedication. Thank you all and God bless you. She called The Herons her home.

Great facilities, but more importantly, what fabulous staff - friendly, caring, considerate and thoughtful. Mum was happy and well cared for, treated as a friend and with courtesy and respect. We can't thank you enough.

Security is a concern, and whilst at The Herons, I always knew my Mum was in a safe and secure environment.

This is the second time I have been involved with placing a family member at The Herons and both at fairly short notice. On this occasion, my mother-in-law was looking for urgent respite care and the home was able to assist almost immediately, even accepting her into the evening on a Friday. As we live in Canada we were enormously relieved to know that our relative is being looked after in a happy and caring environment while we are out of the country. The staff are so friendly and helpful at all levels, from the manager down and nothing is too much trouble. The food is very well received by my mother-in-law, which is always a good sign. There are many daily activities which are changed up to maintain variety. Laundry seems to be done and returned to the rightful owner every weekday (I know from other experience it can be a lottery as to whose clothes you might get). They also bring in regular assistance like a manicurist, chiropodist and hairdresser. I cannot speak too highly of them.

My mother has been a resident in The Herons for nearly 7 years, she is very happy there and the staff are always cheerful and treat Mum with respect and dignity. I am always informed about any issues relating to Mum and I am made to feel welcome when I visit.

Wonderful care home and staff.

I have 2 aged aunts living in The Herons who have been there 9 and 3 years respectively.

Cleanliness: the home is well maintained and always kept to a very high standard, both in the individual rooms and in the restaurant and public rooms.

Food: Of a very high standard and variety.

Care: Excellent individual and collective care.

Communication: Now that there is a 'front of house' communication with the home is much better.

Staff: Always friendly and willing to help both residents and relatives alike.

My mother has been at The Herons for 6 years and in that time, she has been very well looked after. Over time, her faculties have decreased so her level of care has increased. The staff at the home treat her as a family member, joking with her and even when she runs out of things eg. sweets, buy them for her out of their own money. Whenever I visit, I am always made welcome. The communication with the home is very good.

In conclusion, I am very impressed with the facilities and staff and would not consider ever moving my mum to another care home.

My mother stayed at The Herons for the last twenty months of her life. She was very happy and so appreciative of all the love, care, kindness and friendliness of the staff. They made her feel very much at home. She had a lovely room with an en-suite bathroom. The lounge and dining room are very pleasant. As my mother grew increasingly frail, the staff attended very well to her growing needs. There was a very good liaison with the local Doctor's surgery and the community nurse. The chaplain visited regularly and even made a visit to the hospital when my mother was very ill. My mother enjoyed the activities. These helped her keep active and socialise with others. The staff made a very big effort in the summer to put on a "Day At the Seaside" creating a fun and happy atmosphere. Similarly, in the Christmas season, there were some very enjoyable celebratory moments. The garden is very pleasant with a little summer-house and my mother loved going around the garden in her wheel-chair.

Staff/carers patient, kind, helpful, encouraging and always find time to talk/listen. Mum visited friends before she became a resident. Residents have their own things, eg furniture to make it feel like home. Rooms kept clean and air throughout the Home smells clean and fresh. If they don't want the meal of the day they will be found an alternative that they would like. Any queries are answered in the office if they don't know they get back to you. Regular activities each week (exercises, entertainment, sing-a-longs, quizzes and more). Residents get monthly Newsletter with times and dates and newsy information. Regular meetings for anyone who do/don't like something and they do their best to put it right. Can't believe Herons only got "Good" rating. I know lot of older people who live locally that Herons will be their first choice if/when they need a Home.

Throughout his stay there approximately 10 months, he was very well looked after in a spotlessly clean and comfortable surroundings. During his final days, he was treated with dignity and loving care until he slipped peacefully away. We couldn't have asked for anything more.

MHA has a great strength in it's staff. They are friendly, attentive and competent and make efforts to provide a comfortable and supportive environment.There is clearly a great deal of pressure on them as the home is essentially understaffed. Nonetheless they maintain a positive attitude and treat residents with care and consideration. As a purpose-built facility, it provides a good standard of accommodation and communal areas. Overall I am very satisfied and believe my mother has a good quality of life.