Brooklands Care Home

I have found Brooklands Care Home to be a nice place for my mother to reside at. The staff that I come into contact with when I visit are all polite and caring to the residents. But in saying that I have had to raise 2 issues concerning my mum's care recently one that has not I believe to have been sorted. Overall I am happy for Mum to reside at Brooklands.

My mother in her life was a confident but very private individual. She went into Brooklands in November 2021 and experienced lockdown, meaning she could have no visitors and she herself tested positive twice, but no symptoms. She died there unexpectedly last week. Her care had been excellent. In her latter years whilst not able to enjoy much mobility and spending much of her time in her individual room, she did enjoy the lifestyle activities and events, entertainment and celebrations (trip to the beach, queens jubilee and Christmas events etc) greatly. All the staff are very caring, committed people and show excellent interpersonal qualities and skills on an everyday basis, caring relating to and loving the individual residents. There is a lovely welcoming feel to Brooklands and its facilities are very good indeed for people spending their final years. Whilst my mother was not an overly social individual, we are delighted we entrusted her to Brooklands for her final 16 months and for the exemplary care and love Brooklands provided, including to me as her son, on her dying unexpectedly - but from old age and wit her life's work over 91 years very well done.

Mum is very well cared for by staff that really care. Wherever we walk into the home, staff will greet her by name and show real warmth towards her. It appears that all the staff at Brooklands are involved with the care of the residents, treating them with kindness and dignity. Mum has Alzheimer's, which limits her ability to do many things, however, she is still involved in a lot of the many activities that are arranged for residents. It is great to see her face in many of the photos taken and shared.

Mum has been living at Brooklands for a year now. Despite not being the most sociable of people, she knows the regular, long-standing and has got to know many other residents on her floor. By offering such a wide range of activities mum has even been tempted to join in a couple of events. The majority of staff are always kind and helpful. Mum has a few special favourites!

I am most grateful to the team for taking care of her. Thank you.

Thank you Brooklands.

My friend has been a resident for a few months. I visit her once a week. I also visit three other friends who are, unfortunately, not at Brooklands, so I have experienced other care homes. Brooklands is a very special home. The facilities, care and friendliness are exceptional. I am grateful that my friend has the privilege of being a resident at Brooklands.

Carers are kind and compassionate and show a genuine concern about my mother's care. My only concern would be, they sometimes seem a bit stretched, as though there are not enough staff to deal with any matters that arise.

I was led to believe that Brooklands care home was run by Carebase who won awards for good care. My father did not get the care he should have, an investigation is going on at present. Brooklands provider is London and West Investments, not Carebase Limited which used to be the provider many years ago! The website is old and not up to date. I am not surprised the CQC have now rated the need for improvement.

Staff are always friendly and welcoming. Contact is always possible, whether direct, video or phone. Most importantly, our mother is so happy with the environment, food, activities and gets the absolute best care.

I have visited my mother at Brooklands regularly over the last three years. The difficulties with care and access for relatives during the pandemic were very well handled and I was kept well informed as changes occurred. My mother is well cared for and is generally happy and content. She has good relationships with staff, who always appear to be kind and helpful. My mother is reluctant to join in with activities and could be gently encouraged more to do so, as I am sure she would enjoy the company.

I visit my mother on a regular basis and have always found the staff friendly and supportive towards my mother and they are very welcoming to me. They treat Mum with kindness and respect and are mindful of their duties to keep her safe. Visits to the care home’s website often show photographs of Mum enjoying the activities put on by the Care Home.

My mother moved into Brooklands after a long stay in hospital. When she arrived she was very muddled and depressed. She settled in quickly and within a few weeks, both her mood and confusion have improved immeasurably. She is comfortable, content and enjoys the activities and company of other residents. All staff members seem extremely kind and polite and show a real affection for the residents. A recent Covid outbreak made visiting more difficult but relatives were kept very well informed about the situation. Both my sister and I are confident that we made the right decision in choosing Brooklands for her.

The care that my mother receives is always high quality, delivered with respect, humour and understanding. All the staff seem to know who she is and greet her by name and with a friendly comment. Despite her disabilities she is encouraged to join in with or watch the numerous and varied activities that are provided. I am always made very welcome when I visit. I was impressed by the commitment to staff training and development and the encouragement given to staff.

Both my father and stepmother came to live at Brooklands a few years ago. The staff have looked after them both well. They both attended a large number of activities together until the death of my father in December. The manager always had time for my father during his time at Brooklands and was very supportive when he found life difficult. The staff were all so caring and helpful on the death of my dad and since his death have been very supportive which has made coping with my grief easier. My step mum still lives in Treetops and the staff look after her well and are very kind to her. Covid has made visiting much more difficult but this has been the case in all care homes and communication about changes to visiting protocol has always been regular.

The room is clean and comfortable. Mum's visitors are offered tea and coffee to enjoy with her.

I do hope she can stay there, as she's very settled, though I understand there is no discount available when local authority take over the funding. That would be my only criticism, that a bit of flexibility to allow settled residents to remain would be welcomed.

I have been visiting friends at Brooklands for 5+ years and the manager and staff have become friends. They welcome everyone into the home, including my little dog and their care and respect to both residents and visitors, are impeccable. They have worked under so much pressure over the past year but never has the care or morale of the staff diminished. I recommend this home to everyone I speak to. I cannot praise it enough. Thank you and well done on an amazing home.

The most important thing to report is the initiative certain members of staff have taken to prepare for Dad's 101st birthday in early May. Whilst this will be another 'zoom event' with 2 named persons present, we are looking forward to enjoying with Dad the efforts the Home has taken to make the event special.

I have found the care to be of an exceptional level. All the staff are so kind and reassuring during what has been a difficult time. I would highly recommend Brooklands Care Home to anyone looking for residential care for their loved ones.