Review from R M (Son of Resident) published on 11 August 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I am pleased that I moved my mother to Aldersmead as she was becoming unable to care for herself due to ill health. It is good to know that she is somewhere safe and being cared for.

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Review from T R (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 August 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My mother was cared for at Aldersmead for palliative end of life care. The staff were very caring and compassionate towards my mother. I would recommend Aldersmead to anyone for palliative care.

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Review from Barry (Son of Resident) published on 21 July 2020 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

We reluctantly had to put dad into a nursing home after a year with us when his dementia became a danger to himself and others in June 2019. We looked at many in the local area before deciding on Aldersmead. The matron and nurse that visited to do dad's assessment handled him brilliantly. I was concerned

I would be blamed for putting him a nursing home as I was the one with Power of Attorney, that didn't happen. Obviously, in the early days he often asked when he was coming home, but as he settled in the question was asked less and less. Up until the COVID-19 we visited dad a minimum of once a week and were always made welcome and given coffee or tea. Since COVID, the home have arranged regular Video calls, so we stay in touch. Dad is not the easiest person to deal with but they have managed him well. It is hard for most people having to put a parent in a care home, but if you have to and live locally enough to benefit from regular visits and their hospitality, check out Aldersmead.

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Review from Gerald H (Son of Resident) published on 27 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I found Aldersmead to be a caring, compassionate environment for my mother who was suffering from vascular dementia. The staff from the top down were welcoming, considerate and kind and took time and effort in involving residents in the community and making them feel part of a family. The building and

general environment were very well maintained and exceptionally clean and the food was good, varied and well presented. Family members were well informed and encouraged to participate in their loved ones care planning. My mother was initially reluctant to participate in group activities when she first became a resident but with gentle encouragement and a daily range of activities, she became the first to arrive in the communal lounge in the morning and the last to return to her room in the evening. As our family members were far-flung, it was reassuring to know she was happy and safe and that we would be kept informed on her health and general well being between visits.

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Review from J (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 November 2019 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Dreadful place. Be aware that if you do not collect the resident's possessions within two days of their death, Aldersmead is likely to throw them away without making any attempt to contact you first. Despite my having collected half of my mother's possessions and having told them I would come back

for the rest when I returned for her remaining things I found that Aldersmead had thrown them all away. They had made no attempt to contact me first. I was also advised by the manager that someone not related to my mother had been allowed to take some of her possessions the day after she died. I had previously told them three times that this person had no rights where my mother was concerned and that I had her Power of Attorney. My mother was in Aldersmead for months and despite asking several times I did not receive a single bill from them. A bill for the whole period she was there came from Social Services after she died. I would not trust Aldersmead to look after anyone.

Reply from Peter Williams, Director at Aldersmead

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and we are sorry not to have provided a service that was up to your expectations. Your mother was a resident at our home under Social Services terms and conditions with the cost of the care paid for by Social Services. Social Services agreements state that rooms of residents that pass away and or leave the home are cleared within 2 days of departure from the home. I believe your stepbrother did collect some of the items within two days of your mother passing away on 14th September 2019 and left the remaining items on site. We kept and agreed to store the remaining items for you as a gesture of goodwill and we did so for 2 weeks after your mother’s death. We note you were concerned that you did not get a bill from Aldersmead during the time she was a resident with us. The reason for this is that the care contract for your mother was between Social Services and Aldersmead. Therefore, there was no reason for us to send you an invoice.

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Review from Liz R (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

With the sad circumstances of a loved one's deteriorating health, we were fortunate enough to secure a bed for him at Aldersmead.
Within a short period of time, it became apparent that our loved one was approaching the end of his life. As you can imagine, this was a very difficult time for us. Throughout

this time, however, we all received the most amazing care from Aldersmead staff, without exception! This became increasingly evident to us near the end, when we chose to remain at our loved one's bedside, both daytime and at night. All of the staff were professional, efficient and incredibly compassionate with their care provision. They were swift in their response to ensure our loved one's symptoms were controlled, they maintained his dignity, gave him really individualised care and they were incredibly kind and supportive throughout. We cannot thank this team enough, nor recommend them enough from our personal experience. Well done Aldersmead and heartfelt thanks.

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Review from N H (Wife of Resident) published on 25 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Only been in the home a few months. Appears to have settled in well. Most staff very conscientious, however between hours of 1-2pm it has been very difficult to get assistance for toilet visits. Sometimes waiting for long periods - painful for residents.

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Review from S G (Wife of Resident) published on 15 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Nice care home. Food is excellent, my husband is very happy. Some care issues. I think it's when staff have let them down. Overall it's good.

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Review from D M (Wife of Resident) published on 5 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My poor review of this nursing home is due entirely to poor management. No blame attached to staff although a minority could do with more training in interaction with residents. Also, more staff are needed to ensure health and safety of all residents, particularly at weekends.

Reply from Michael Williams, Director at Aldersmead

We thank you for your review and for praising our staff and catering services but are disappointed you feel we have not provided satisfactory levels of management and security at Aldersmead your review indicates should have been provided.

We do appreciate that the management's decision to recommend a specialist dementia unit and subsequently discharge the resident, once alternative accommodation had been found, caused difficulties for you. However, the decision was based on the rapid deterioration of the resident and their increasing restlessness and wandering. These factors became of grave concern, both for the safety of the resident and the other residents at Aldersmead.

Additional security measures were put in place: however, Aldersmead, as you were advised, is not a secure dementia unit.

Your comments on weekend staffing levels are noted. However, we do monitor our staffing levels on a weekly basis to ensure we have sufficient staffing numbers commensurate with the occupancy of Aldersmead Care Home.

I will be happy to respond to any other comments or questions you have should you wish to contact me.

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Review from Linda T (Sister of Resident) published on 9 July 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My brother was admitted to Aldersmead on discharge from hospital, following a broken hip from a fall.
His medical needs, including his mobility problems, were quite complex and I have to say it has taken time, effort and patience from the staff for him to settle.
The family are pleased this seems

to have been achieved over a period of approximately three months. Here's hoping this continues as, with dementia as one condition, it's never ideal to change their environment unless absolutely necessary.
A very complex 'brittle diabetes' has proved a particular challenge too but, again, staff with help from outside specialised diabetic nurses seems to be working.
Here's to it continuing with continuing improvement.

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Review from Alan B (Husband of Resident) published on 27 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Good, clean and tidy.
Staff very helpful, nice people.
Can't do enough for my wife.
Keep up the good work.

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Review from Christine H (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 16 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

We have been delighted with the care and attention my mother-in-law has received since she moved into Aldersmead in January this year. She has improved in all aspects her social skills have returned and her mental and physical health has improved. She admits that she never intended to become withdrawn

and unusually quiet at home, preferring to watch TV rather than having a conversation. However she now spends most of the day in the communal rooms, joining in the activities and chatting with other residents and staff. She is very happy in her new home.

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Review from Alastair (Son of Resident) published on 9 May 2016 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Dad has been at Aldersmead since October and his health has improved as they can now monitor and be proactive with his diabetes. He has a lovely room and the staff have always been incredibly kind not just to him but all the residents. He can get bad tempered (can't we all) but that doesn't seem to

worry the staff. The lovely matron is very hands on and seems to run a tight ship which is always comforting to see. The team seem to enjoy working there which adds to a happy atmosphere. He is also, I'm told, beginning to participate in some of the activities which is encouraging as he's always been very reticent to do so.

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