Brendoncare Alton

Mum was extremely well looked after both before and during the pandemic. Above all, she appreciated how caring all the staff were, and the way they were always so welcoming to Dad, who visited daily and then phoned after this was no longer possible. They particularly enjoyed being able to have lunch together each day, both within Selbourne House and in the lovely dining room. This was made possible by the help and support of the very caring staff, who made sure that they organised this for them. They were also very helpful and were instrumental in allowing us to have regular family zoom calls with Mum during lockdown, which meant she was able to see and chat to us all, including her grandchildren virtually throughout, and then allowing Dad to start visiting again once restrictions were lifted. Thank you to everyone in Selbourne as well as all the other staff, who always made sure they knew both Mum and Dad, which made such a difference to them, in the final part of Mum's life.

Generally adequate for respite care. Communication between departments could be more efficient. Supply of medication and wound dressing should be reviewed and agreed upon on arrival and potential shortfalls anticipated.

I have no doubt this was as a result of the kindness and understanding shown by all the staff - without exception. My mother feels safe again and now enjoys the company she had been missing. The focus is 100% on the well-being, care and safety of the residents and my mother is happy again!

I would not hesitate to use this friendly well run home again. It was recommended by a friend and I am delighted to recommend it myself.

Mum, unfortunately, is suffering from advanced dementia and needs assistance with everything which was compassionately and caringly provided by the staff.

I get a strong impression that Brendoncare is a well-managed and efficiently run home where the well-being, safety and satisfaction of the residents is the absolute priority. My wife has settled in quickly and seems very content with her new environment, vaccinations and doctor appointments have gone smoothly even though this has involved going off-site. The facilities within the home appear first-class my wife has now visited the hair salon and is very pleased with her new cut. She is enjoying the food and is eating well. My wife entered the home at a difficult time with the ongoing pandemic but this was all dealt with without a hiccup.

They were able to admit mum at quite short notice although I did have multiple conversations with the staff, none of whom had access to the information I had already provided. The receptionist was rather brusque and did not show any recognition of who we were when we visited, not very good front of house. The nursing/care staff and activity staff were kind and caring.

It was a very difficult decision putting Mum into a care home but it’s been the best thing for her. All the staff have been kind, caring and supportive from the first day Mum moved in. She’s so happy and never has a bad word to say about anything. I feel very welcome when I go in and I’m so grateful to everyone for continuing with the same amount of care during the pandemic. It’s been a very difficult time for staff, family and friends but they’ve continued to give the high standard of care they’ve always given and I’m so grateful.

My late mother was a resident at Brendoncare, Alton, for over three years. I have found all the care, support, administrative and managerial staff to be extremely friendly, kind and helpful. The culture at Brendoncare was that nothing was too much trouble for them to do for my mother and this showed in her being very happy there. During the later stages of my mother's life she suffered from dementia and the staff's kind and caring culture certainly helped minimise the effects of this awful illness. The managerial and support staff held regular relatives meetings, where all aspects of the residents' life at the care home were covered. These meetings were extremely useful in terms of updates on the running of the care home and were run as a two-way communication channel between the relatives and the care home staff. The care home also organised a wide range of activities for their residents to come along to, which was absolutely great. Thank you all again for your care and kindness.

When my mother was admitted into Brendoncare Alton she was very confused especially with all the current lockdown and restrictions in place and of course having moved there from a hospital then had to self isolate for 2 weeks in her room. As her door was not closed and she could hear other residents and staff talking and walking around and of course they would always speak when they went past her room so she realised that it was not so bad. After her isolation and being able to mix in the day room with other residents, it didn't take her long to settle down and she is now very settled and in good spirits. Actually, mum didn't like to mix or meet new people before and would just sit in her flat and watch TV so it was a big surprise to see her actually mixing and enjoying a laugh with residents and staff alike. Mum is eating regularly which wasn't always the case at home, would say she was but sometimes it was too much bother and she would say she was just to stop you fussing.

For me, the best example is their handling of the Covid crisis, throughout which, Brendoncare has ensured that we have been kept updated with the home's Covid status and we have been able to maintain regular communication and visits with my father, despite the challenges that everybody has faced.

My mother has been a resident since March 2013 and we have been very pleased with the standard of care she has received over the past 7+ years and particularly in the current Covid crisis and as she approaches end of life care. She is comfortable and safe, and all the staff at Brendoncare do a wonderful job - from reception, maintenance and catering to management, and particularly the nursing and care staff on her wing. I would be very pleased to recommend Brendoncare to other relatives.

The home is so well integrated, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance as well as administrative staff, all get involved with the residents and know them well. The direct care staff are second to none and exude a real fondness for the residents.

I recently moved my 91-year-old mother who has severe dementia from another home to Brendoncare Alton. The staff were really helpful in showing me the facilities using a phone camera during the Covid lockdown as well as arranging for her to move seamlessly. She seems very happy in her new home and her general demeanour has improved dramatically.

During the brief respite between covid lockdowns, the staff have been extremely helpful in facilitating visits, communication protection of everyone's health. As usual, the staff have been very friendly and as welcoming as circumstances permit.

Unfortunately, I had to place my aunt into Brendoncare Alton at short notice due to sudden declining health and mobility problems. From my first phone call, I felt supported and nothing was too much trouble, they answered all my many questions. The nurse manager phoned to speak to myself and my aunt to make sure that everything was in place for an easy transfer when my aunt arrived. The nurse keeps me fully informed about any changes or concerns regarding my aunt. Everyone is so approachable, nothing is too much trouble, which has made a very tough and emotional decision less stressful.

Having visited several care homes in the area when the need arose, Brendoncare Alton stood head and shoulders above the rest. The set-up of small units, each with their own dining room and lounge, gives a homely feel to the place. The staff I’ve met are all lovely and so kind. I’m kept well informed regarding Mum’s health and well-being and the welfare and happiness of the residents is obviously of prime importance. The public areas and private rooms are kept beautifully clean and the cleanliness and hygiene routines have been intensified during this year - borne out by the fact that the home has remained almost COVID free. This year has, no doubt, been an extremely difficult one for the staff but, from all my mum has said, it has not affected the treatment of the residents which remains exemplary.

Mum received excellent care from the staff in Melbourne Ward. Our father has been into Brendoncare daily and has been made most welcome as he sat with mum. Staff were very helpful in signing him in and getting the lift for him. The lockdown and pandemic have caused all the above to change, but the staff were very helpful amid the restrictions always taking the phone to mum in her room when we rang and setting up zoom calls weekly for our family. They were compassionate as she neared the end of her life, and treated mum with care and respect. Thank you to all involved.

When it came to the time that Mum had to go into care we contacted and visited a number of care homes in the area. Brendoncare Alton stood out from the rest as the facilities are clean, of a good standard and well maintained. The care staff and management are excellent.

We always get a warm welcome from the staff, and they are happy to answer any questions we may have. We believe their positive attitude has a good effect on the residents.