Linlithgow Care Home

My wife Patricia (Pat) recently moved into residential care in Linlithgow. I would say from the outset that Pat's care has been exemplary. All functions - care staff, medical team, admin, activities and behind the scenes, laundry cleaners and dietary have all been without fault.

Whilst the overall care is fine some minor details could be improved. More staff at mealtimes, rooms cleaned on a more regular basis. Waiting times to enter home after hours could still be improved. Staff are caring and approachable.

More daily activities.

My sister is happy with the care she receives. Respect and dignity are maintained throughout.

My father has been living in Linlithgow Care Home for over 5 years. He is happy and settled, and supported to be as independent as possible. Staff are hard working and caring. Food is generally excellent, and the programme of activities is improving.

Every visit is friendly with all staff and residents and they keep me up to date with my mother's care. I know all aspects of her care are completely met, as she is totally dependent on everything being done for her.

I had been caring for my husband at home but due to his dementia I was struggling. I visited the care home and it was decided that my husband would come in for respite care. It took him a while to settle but the decision was made for him to come a permanent resident. He loves all the singing and dancing activities in the home. It is good to see him enjoying himself.

I find the staff very caring and seem to know my relative well. The food has improved in choice and there is plenty of it. The management are contactable and listen carefully to any feedback given from me and act upon it. The activitys co-ordinators are always devising new things to include all residents and are very inclusive helping everyone to join in.

My husband has been in Linlithgow Care Home for 4.5 years because of dementia. In this time he has deteriorated until he now has to have help with all functions. Since he entered the home he has been very well looked after both physically and mentally. All the staff are very caring and friendly both to the residents and their families. Any queries about my husbands care are always answered quickly and helpfully.

I cannot thank them enough.

Mum is becoming more sociable, spending time with the other residents and taking part in the organised activities. When I visited in May she proudly showed me her beautiful nails - she'd had a manicure! I've never seen her wearing nail polish and she was very happy with it. Of course I then had to admire all her friend's nails as well.

The review was very good and enlightening. We were informed of all the treatment and help my husband has received. I could not be more pleased.

I would like to see plans on renovations of the rooms - mum's could do with a freshen up, including new window curtains, light fittings as well as better ventilation, it is often far too warm.

Throughout this time the staff have been really warm, kind and supportive. This has been very comforting, especially in the last few days of my mothers life where she has been treated with a lot of respect and dignity.

My sister seems to be happy and settled.

Both my parents have been residents in Linlithgow Care Home over the past three and a half years, so I have some experience of the establishment. In recent months, I have noticed a significant decline in the morale of the care staff. They regularly appear to be under pressure due to staff shortages, or having to 'train' inexperienced agency staff, resulting in some very experienced long-serving staff to leave. There is a sense of being undervalued and that they do not have the quality time they would like to spend with residents. I have also seen a significant decline in the quality of food in the home, both in terms of main meals but also tea and coffee breaks. I have raised concerns to the manager about poor nutrition. The carers and front-of-house staff are fantastic and do an amazing job. Please acknowledge this and make 'praise' rather than criticism the norm.

I find the heating on the first floor oppressive. Some of my family, with their own health conditions, find it very difficult to visit because of the heat. My relative’s room is small, particularly with a wheelchair and walker in there. Laundry is frustrating at times, with delays if a machine breaks down and items go missing from time to time.

My mother recently became a resident. She has found it hard to settle in. The staff and management have gone out of their way to establish and support her needs. Our family are very appreciative of the care and support provided.

We visit almost daily and the consistency of the care is always of a high standard.

My relative was taken on an outing around the loch and she told us all about it and she was thoroughly amused by the whole event. The staff are always coming into her room and seeing if she is ok. They help her get her clothes together and she always looks good. She gets her hair done regularly and enjoys the attention, the rooms are always kept tidy and clean. And when you ask for something for our relative the staff always help. We as a family are pleased with the home and all the staff.