JSM The Lodge Adult Day Centre

I was towards my wits end when I visited the centre unannounced, expecting to be given a leaflet or phone number. Instead I was welcomed by a staff member who invited me in (despite it being her lunch break), listened and explained the facilities and service available. I was heartened by the care and kindness I received and since enrolling my mother 6 weeks or so ago, have seen and experienced nothing short of this.

My mum enjoys the company and tells me each time she attends how nice it is and how kind "the people" are to her and, at a time in her life, living with dementia, when it is difficult to find joy this is wonderful to hear.

From my point of view, I get some time to myself knowing my mum is well fed (the food looks and smells amazing), comfortable and entertained. I am truly grateful to have found The Lodge.

Mum has been going here for about four months after a fall, dementia diagnosis and some other health concerns but my main one was her loneliness and it affected her mentally. She’s never been a great mixer but eventually, after some persuasion, she has given it a go. Well, what can I say, the management and the team have always made her feel very welcome. The place is lovely, it feels like a home from home to the point we have now increased her days from one to two and she herself is mentioning going another day. Her mental health has improved greatly and really looks forward to attending.

I went to see one of my neighbours here as her daughter thought it would give her mum a nice change and get her out of the house to meet more people of her own age, and who were like-minded. She's been going once a week for some time now and seems to have settled in well and made some friends and she enjoys the meals. I like the fact that it's a very light place with lots of windows and no dark corners and it's very homely. There's no problem with parking either, no yellow lines everywhere. Everyone's nice, it's like being on holiday. I've told her daughter she should be proud of herself for doing this.

I've visited the Lodge on many occasions to spend time with friends who are clients of the Lodge. I have felt I should write a few lines of appreciation about what the owners and the staff are doing, and how they bring people together. Nothing is too much trouble and there is an atmosphere of happiness about the place, and I feel that my friends are being given the chance to make new friends and enjoy something different in their lives. Long may it continue.