Carrickstone House Care Home

My wife is very well cared for by everyone and I am treated as one of the family when I visit, she is always very well dressed when l visit and the carer has taken care and time to do the best for her. There is a very good atmosphere in the home due to the attention given to everything by the staff.

Mum has been in Carrickstone Care Home, Dullatur Unit since September 2020. In the first year of the Covid outbreak, it was hard for everyone but we were able to see Mum through the window and with the help of the carers/nurses they were able to connect us to Mum on her phone and also video calls. We have moved on now and we are able to move about the home more freely. She is able to get out and meet her friends and family. Mum is a very sociable person and is able to participate in many of the activities which I am also made very welcome at. From entering the home I am made so welcome by every member of staff. Mum is treated with great respect for her 94 years and is thriving on the excellent care. All the Covid jabs are given out and also a chiropodist, doctor, hairdresser, dentist and optician are regular visitors to the home.

I am very pleased with the service and care my mum receives. The entertainment is excellent as my mum loves this part of her care. All the staff are all very nice and caring for my mum. I think the favourite part of my mum's care is when they take her out for trips to local garden centres.

My mum is very happy and settled in the Eastfield Wing. I observe the warm relationships she has with staff and that is heartwarming.

The only failing is the laundry. The clothes are not ironed properly or possibly are not hung or time is taken to put the clothes away in a way that they are creased when being taken out to wear. All my mother's clothes are labelled and frequently clothes appear that are not hers.

My partner is very confused and has mobility problems but the staff are incredible with patience and understanding, they sit and chat when they can and try to bring him out of himself. The activity girls go out of their way to try and include him, although he can be quite stubborn but a little bit of encouragement goes a long way.

I must emphasise that staff have been so supportive to us.

My mum was very wary of going into the care home, but all the caregivers and staff made her feel very welcome. They also were on hand to answer any questions that my family had. My mum has only been in the care home for a few months, but she has settled in well. Now the activities have restarted after Covid, my mum has engaged more with the staff.

Personally, I have found the staff in Westerwood unit to be kind and compassionate. They work hard and demonstrate great skills when dealing with the challenges dementia can often bring. Administration staff are always very helpful when we need help with dealing with finances. I feel there is good communication and I am well informed.

My mum joined the care home back in October 2021. During this time she has settled as well as we could expect and has received excellent care and attention from all the staff. Unfortunately, she joined during Covid and so visiting was limited until recently. She is in the Dullatur unit and has really warmed to one of the senior nurses. This is to the point that she can be a little unsettled when she is not on duty. It is great to now get details of the activities taking place each week and my mum has had the opportunity to go out on trips too which she has really enjoyed. Maybe it would be good to get details of the menus each week as well. Overall she appears to be settled and is getting the care that she needs. It is reassuring that any medical problems are identified quickly so that my mum gets the attention she needs promptly. Both myself and my sister really appreciate all the care she is getting and it gives us the reassurance that we need.

My mum was diagnosed with Covid and has underlying medical conditions including a tracheostomy. The impact of Covid on her was great and it quickly became evident that she required 24 hour care. We began to look into this, which was difficult due to Covid restrictions. However the staff at Carrickstone were able to provide us with good information and we decided this was the best place for my Mum. She settled very quickly into her new home and is very happy there. The level of care my Mum receives is excellent and very consistent. She speaks highly and fondly of the staff. She has a beautiful bedroom which is always very clean and her clothes are laundered to a high standard. My Mum enjoys her meals. I feel that the staff know my Mum very well and are able to respond to her needs. She receives an excellent level care and we are very thankful. The staff have considered requests we have made with careful consideration helping us ensure both my mum's physical and mental well being.

Communications with the staff in the unit are very good and they are always friendly, cheery and caring with the residents and the visitors. They have been great throughout the Covid pandemic and when we couldn’t get to see Mum we knew she had the staff with her throughout to look after her and I am very grateful for that. Manager communication much improved lately.

My mum spent nearly three months in the Balloch unit due to delirium. She was very poorly on admission, but she was treated with love, care, compassion and dignity, to the extent she was able to enjoy a lovely festive season in the unit. Her hair was styled and her nails painted, which meant a lot to her. Daily window visits were cheerfully welcomed by the staff. Mum passed away peacefully in the Balloch unit, and the staff were very supportive and caring. Their dedication is remarkable. Our family can't thank them enough for their wonderful care at a very sad time for our family.

My mum moved from the hospital to Carrickstone at the end of July, this was an extremely hard decision for us to make as we were unable to properly visit the home because of the pandemic. We knew we would not be able to visit for the foreseeable future, however, the staff have been absolutely amazing and so patient with us and with our mum. She has settled in brilliantly and has already in this very short time, formed some very close bonds with the staff. I am eternally grateful to them for their care and the kindness and compassion shown to our family.

My husband was transferred to Balloch from the hospital. I was, however, unable to visit at that time due to the COVID epidemic and lockdown. During the weeks he was there, he received excellent care, and the staff kept me informed of his progress throughout. Nothing was too much trouble. When it became obvious he would not be coming home, I was allowed to visit. I could not fault the care and attention my husband received while there nor the concern and kindness shown to me by all staff. Thank you.

My mum was initially in Balloch Ward following discharge from hospital. Unfortunately, it became apparent that she would not return to her own home and was transferred into a permanent room in Dullater. Mum spent over 6 happy years there with excellent care and attention from all staff. From ward staff, support, cleaners, catering, events and office everyone was so kind, supportive and helpful not just to mum but to the family. The last week or so with mum was very stressful but everyone was so kind, so respectful and so very caring. Mum passed away at the end of April with great dignity. The family cannot thank the home enough. Everyone was just wonderful over the years but especially tender in the last couple of weeks caring for her with much respect and love. Thank you all.

Mum has spent time at Carrickstone twice in 5 months. Staff are extremely caring and understanding. They listen to the resident's needs, meeting them to a high standard. Mum felt safe and reassured, giving us, the family, peace of mind which is utmost important. Staff are friendly (wearing name badges), caring and do their job with patience and understanding. Rooms are very clean and tidy. Absolutely would recommend for loved ones.

Amazing determination to assist mum's recovery.

I will never forget the warmth and kindness bestowed on us.

I cannot fault the care my wife received during her time at the care home. The staff always carried out their duties with kindness and compassion. They provided good support to myself and my daughters. We were always updated regarding any changes to my wife's care and kept fully informed at all times.