Alderwood Care Home

The home is spotless and I would just like to say that now at this time of year how much hard work has gone into making Christmas as nice as possible.

My mother has vascular dementia and I needed help to look after her. The manager offered to take my mother for day care. Firstly one day a week, then two and now every day until a room becomes available. The staff are exceptional, they really care about my mother and cater to her every need. Nothing is too much trouble and my mother is always happy to come each morning and always has good days at Alderwood Care Home. I am just waiting for the call to say she can become a resident which I am sure she will love!

I am writing to bring your attention to the excellent care my mother received whilst a resident at Alderwood Care Home, Essex. Alderwood had been mum's home for nearly 3 years and we have always thought that we were lucky to find such a place. What attracted us to Alderwood was not just the facilities (which are excellent), it was the friendliness, the fact that Mum could get up when she wanted and go to bed when she wanted and particularly, that she was free to wander and not herded into a lounge. Each day there was always something happening and even between activities/evens there was music playing and residents interacting. It is striking to us that everybody, irrespective of their job, interacts, cares and treats the residents with respect. We believe this is down to the Manager and the senior staff's leadership style, creating a strong team with all the skills needed to ensure a caring and safe environment. One of the carers described working at Alderwood as being part of a family and looking back, it is this that probably makes it so special. We were always happy with mum's care, however we cannot describe how wonderful it was in her last few days. The number of people who came in to see her, each genuinely sad, was very comforting. In Mum's last few years when she felt strongly about something she would throw her drink over someone - this must have been a challenge. This was not in Mum's nature before the dementia and the way the staff coped with it was admirable. There were two carers who proudly said they thought they were the only two not to have received the drink!. The care that everyone gave us during those last few days was "over and above" and very comforting. Obviously we knew the day staff but had not had much contact with the night staff until those last few nights - they were also very friendly and helpful and it was apparent that they had also cared for Mum and knew her personality. Mum's funeral cortege left from the home and we returned there to celebrate her life. This eased the stress of organising/celebrating mum's life, the room was beautifully but subtly decorated, the food was lovely and the staff who helped were welcoming and thoughtful. Mum's carers popped down to see us and pay their respects to Mum and again I cannot say how comforting it was for us in such a relaxed atmosphere and also comforting for Mum's family (who travelled some distance) to see where she had lived and the care she had received. So, we would like to thank everyone at Alderwood who make it such a special place; we cannot name one individual as there are so many who were outstanding in their care of Mum and us.

My dad received excellent care at Alderwood from the start to end of life. I cannot praise the home enough. We looked at other homes prior to choosing Alderwood - and the only one for us was Alderwood and never regret the decision.

It was a difficult decision for myself, brother and sisters to find accommodation that would care for my dad especially facing the fact he would not come home again. Staff at Alderwood surpassed our expectations - dad was happy and staff made every effort to make him feel comfortable, fixing up his room, telly, pictures making it feel homely. There was a smile on his face when the staff came in the room and knew he could have between banter, between especially the manager and staff at the home. Chef done very well with the food. The staff were with dad right up until the end. Thank you for the excellent care we as a family highly recommend.

I could not possibly fault the care home.