Cotman House

I have found Cotman House Care Home staff helpful and informative, particularly over the last two years when visiting guidelines have varied so much. I have been able to keep in regular touch with the resident I visit as part of the link with a church visiting team, although the resident is a friend for many years. It has been helpful, despite the non-face-to-face visiting at times, that I have been able to link in different ways. I have found my desire to maintain contact, whilst hard with guidelines imposed from authorities beyond the residential home, the staff have endeavoured to help me solve issues. Recently, with the reintroduction of open visiting, it has been good to see the staff, thank them for going above and beyond and surviving this most unique and challenging period. Keeping my friend active and protecting her has been achieved successfully.

Mum has now been in Cotman House for nearly 7 years. She is very happy there and the care she receives is exemplary. Her various medical conditions mean she needs care and monitoring all the time. She is encouraged to take part in activities and the weekly written programme means she knows what is happening, when and where, which helps her memory. The activities she takes part in are many and varied and are suited to the time of year and current events e.g. the Jubilee was planned for, decorations were made and cream tea was enjoyed by all. However, my favourite remains the annual Maypole Dance, which seems to get more creative every year. It is lovely to see how many staff willingly get involved with activities.

Dad has been at Cotman House Care Home since January when restrictions were still in place but for the last few weeks things have been almost back to normal and Dad has very much appreciated this. The greatest asset that Cotman House has is its staff. From the day he moved in he has received really good care. Reception staff are always welcoming and treat us as individuals. His medical needs are attended to efficiently but staff have also taken great care to get to know him and encourage him to join in activities that they think will appeal to him. They treat him with respect and he has formed lovely relationships. We were particularly impressed and grateful when a member of staff, who knows that Dad likes football, took the time and trouble to list upcoming matches, writing down times and TV channels for him. Dad enjoys the meals that are prepared and looks forward to sharing lunches in the dining room. My sister and I are very happy that we chose Cotman House for our dad. Thank you.

My mum has been in this home now for eighteen months and she has had nothing but the best care for her needs. She likes the staff and they treat her with fondness and respect. The home is well managed and throughout the difficulties of Covid I have been able to visit Mum, as have other members of my family. The care for her personal and medical needs is always exemplary and any concerns that I have had have been taken note of. The staff really know her and she is happy to be there.

The care and service my mum has received has been second to none since she has been at the home. She has been at the home since November 2019 after a period of slow deterioration after my father's passing. The home has improved her medical and mental health. They are always putting on lots of activities to engage the residents. The manager has always done her best to accommodate visits in what can only be described as very trying times.

My nan is very happy at Cotman House Care Home and we feel very lucky to have found a place for her there. She enjoys the sense of community and the activities keep her engaged, mobile and have given her a renewed sense of confidence. The staff at Cotman House are kind, good-humoured and know my nan well, she speaks very highly of them. Since joining Cotman House my nan's health has improved along with her outlook. She loves the view from her room and the fact that she is right by the sea. Staff have been very supportive and accommodating through very difficult times during lockdown and have done all they can to keep families connected and residents safe. I feel confident in the care that my nan is receiving and so pleased that she is safe, respected and feels part of a community.

For years we tried to convince Dad he would be better in a home as he was struggling. It was a very, very hard decision but not one that either my father or myself regret. He is happy and so am I.

We were very disappointed with the overall approach taken to the care of my father with dementia during his seven months at Cotman House and with how our written concerns were dealt with. We moved him elsewhere and now appreciate fully just how detrimental it was. Our advice to anyone is trust your instincts at all stages.

Cotman House Care Home have provided and continue to provide amazing care for my dad. They have continued to make him feel at home throughout the pandemic when we were unable to visit. They are accommodating with visits and generally treat my dad with the care and respect he deserves. They are welcoming on arrival, will give updates on how he is if we call to check. Obviously, it has been very difficult times in the care industry and Cotman have always prioritised the residents.

I would definitely not recommend this home. Staff is unfriendly to us each time we visit. Mum's meal on at least one occasion was missed. Mum needs to sell her bungalow and has been now refused to be allowed into it, yet was before.

My mother has always been treated with kindness and care. She is kept busy each day with a variety of organised activities. I am kept well informed of all that is happening within the home and with regards to my mother. All the rules surrounding Covid have been well explained with regards to visiting etc. and are regularly updated. It is lovely to see the photos on Facebook of the residents enjoying the activities especially when visiting wasn't allowed. Overall I am very satisfied with the home.

Obviously, the needs of the customer as well as the cost of self-funding will come into any recommendation that I give, hence my assessment as 'likely' and will be on an individual basis. I have found my mother's care to be of a high standard throughout the pandemic and have no quibbles prior to this. Mother does not use the facilities as much as I would have liked but that is her choice.

Since my dad has been at Cotman House (summer 2020) he has settled in very well to his new environment, which could have been a tough challenge if it wasn’t for the attentive staff and pleasant home. My dad is a quiet gentleman who needs to be coaxed along to activities and participation and I can’t thank the staff enough to keep persevering. What is so important is the staff really make an effort to understand my dad in order to get the best out of him.

Thank you to the manager and your staff.

Everyone has been very helpful throughout and we are looking forward to the next visit.

I tend to have more interaction with the manager and senior carer and they’re absolutely lovely and provide updates where possible.

From the people at the top to everyone behind the scenes, I could not wish for a better place for Mum to be as the lovely English summer approaches.

My mum has Alzheimer's and has been in Cotman House since February 2020. The love and care she receives is second to none. Every member of staff I have had contact with is unfailingly polite, helpful and upbeat. It is a huge weight off of my mind to know my mum is safe and well looked after. Cotman House is light, bright and beautifully clean with a lovely fresh smell. I would recommend to anyone looking for full time or respite care for themselves or a loved one.

This has been and is impressive during the current covid difficulties where the protection of residents and staff have been the priority, but opportunities for visiting are being made as far as is safely possible. I am completely happy with the way my resident is being looked after.

Staff are very conscientious but also extremely busy with little time to ‘pass the time of day’ with residents. Any concerns raised have been addressed promptly. The link with local GP services is very good and relatives are informed of health issues.