Care and companionship
When social workers at North Somerset Council suggested a change of care home for Dad, I wasn’t convinced. Dad had been in the same place for five years. He likes his own space and was spending a lot of time in his room. I wasn’t sure how he’d respond. But three months after the move to The Russets, he’s making amazing progress, he’s really settled in.
Dad has always been a loner, he’s a bit of a rogue elephant, I guess you could say, but I think that might simply have been because he was lonely, having lived on his own for many years. Now he is surrounded by loving people, they are so sweet and caring. I don’t think he’s ever had it so good.
Dad can be very nice, but he isn’t always very well behaved. He’s not the easiest of people to deal with, but the staff at The Russets are just incredibly kind. Yesterday I was so impressed with how patiently they were encouraging him into a harness to help him up. He is much more mobile now. He was being so naughty and rude to them, they were so sweet and considerate.
Dad was first diagnosed with dementia, more than 10 years ago. At first, we supported him in his own apartment, then he moved in with me when things got too difficult. But I couldn’t look after him like this, even with the best will in the world, I couldn’t provide him with level of support he gets at The Russets.
I love visiting him in The Russets. I go every day. Everyone is so kind and friendly, it’s like a home to me. I don’t worry about what he’s eating because the food is fantastic and I don’t worry about leaving him anymore, because he has such wonderful companionship.
It may sound silly but since arriving at The Russets, Dad has been in ‘dementia paradise’. The staff are fantastic. Their sensitive thoughtful and practical care really are making a difference making sure this last chapter of my father’s life will be one of his happiest.
Cherry Bretton, daughter of a resident in Crispin, The Russets
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Derek went cycling today. As someone who once spent hours on a racing bike it may seem unremarkable, for Derek it was extraordinary.
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When the sun shines, Moira, Viv and Paula will be found soaking up the rays on the chairs outside the kitchen…
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