If your loved ones have reached a point where they are struggling to look after themselves, you may have asked yourself: “should I move mum/dad into a care home?” countless times, and have immediately been hit with pangs of guilt about even considering making the move.

Recognising that professional care is a valid and empowering next step, certainly doesn’t negate the wonderful care you have provided so far.

It is important to remember this is your life, and it’s okay to admit that you have other commitments, whilst needing to feel confident your loved one is receiving the best care possible. There should be no feelings of inadequacy or guilt when the time finally comes to seriously consider moving a loved one into a care home.

Living in an environment created for memory loss helps residents living with Dementia to thrive

We know you have done all you can for you loved one. Think of memory care as the next step to help them live a fuller life. Here at Ashton Manor, we have the perfect environment for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia. To ensure we are providing the best possible care, every resident has a personalised care plan created when they arrive, which takes into account their individual needs.

The whole first floor is home to residents living with the condition, and as a dedicated Dementia support space, it is thoughtfully designed with features that help trigger memories, whilst safely supporting residents who may feel confused.  Special areas include a train station ‘staged’ outside the lift, which helps give residents a sense of place and acts as a way-finder. We’ve also created a train carriage sun room, where images that may help trigger happy memories are projected onto the train ‘windows’, helping conversation to flow.

Your loved one will benefit from meeting others in the community and have access to top-quality care without relying solely on you and your family.

Focus on quality time with Mum and Dad

There is no shame in admitting that you are exhausted. Caring for someone is demanding and can cause a strain on your mental, social and physical wellbeing.

By moving your loved one into care, it can actually open the relationship. You can focus on spending quality time with them rather than taking on the stressful aspects of providing care.

Plus, you can still be a member of the caregiving team. You are not giving up or abandoning them, your extensive knowledge about your family member helps us build their care plan, and you will be kept up to date with their activity via social media and newsletters.

Making the move can help decelerate decline

No one can predict or control health, let alone the future.

But you can put the steps in place so your family member is in the best possible place should their condition deteriorate.

At the moment, you might be solely responsible for late night toilet trips, providing healthy meals and making sure they are taking the right medication. And these are just some of the responsibilities that occur around their day-to-day activities like exercise, doctors’ appointments and haircuts.

We are able to offer round-the-clock care with innovative technology that causes less disruption to everyday living, and Paul­ – our Head Chef is on hand to whip up nutritious meals which can be tailored to individual tastes. Meanwhile, our brilliant care team look after loved ones like their own family, and treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Respite care can make the transition easier

If the time still doesn’t feel right, or you would prefer a ‘step-by-step’ transition, respite care is a great way to cross that bridge. Shorter stays can assist when you want to take a holiday, experience the facilities or just have a well-deserved rest. Our respite care package offers the same high standard of care and attention to detail that long term residents enjoy. Everything in their routine will be taken care of and they will always be made to feel at home. The majority of our short-term residents enjoy their time here so much they want to stay longer!

 

Hear more about what we have to offer by making an enquiry, and our friendly team can help you with any further questions.

It’s easy to spot Conner, he’s the one walking around Ashton Manor with a huge smile on his face!

He’s a hit with residents and staff alike, Conner’s role as Senior Carer is vital here and he settles for nothing less than top quality care.

Talk us through you background in care, was it always something you wanted to do?

A career in care interested me from a young age, both my Nan and Grandad had carers and I loved to see the smiles on their faces after the care team had visited. From then on, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

So, I started the day after my 18th birthday! 10 years down the line and I’ve covered every aspect of care, it’s so rewarding. It’s been tough through lockdown as many residents couldn’t see their families for months, having a strong relationship with those who work at Ashton Manor has really helped them through. I see the residents as my second family, and we are theirs.

What attracted you to working at Ashton Manor, how does it differ from other care homes you’ve worked in?

I’ve worked here since it was scaffolding, I’ve literally seen it develop from the ground up! But, I don’t see it as a care home, it’s a manor, the features here go miles beyond standard homes. We’ve been involved in some incredible on-the-job training to help us get to grips with the high-tech aspect of providing care.

We have QR readers on each bedroom, the staff scan it as they enter the room so we always know exactly who has been seen to and when. Our residents still want to be independent – and the technology here aids that – we’re able to offer independence, with a safety net!

The residents agree that it feels more like a hotel. Because Ashton Manor is brand new, it has bespoke design running through it everywhere, which really makes a difference to how we manage things.

Out of all the care homes I’ve worked in, it’s top of the list!

What does a standard day look like for you?

There’s no such thing as a typical day at Ashton Manor, every day is different, which is part of the reason why I love working here.

Some aspects roll over day to day, such as checking the handover sheets, speaking with the Chefs, the medication round, and checking in with the Doctor or District Nurses.

After we’ve completed all the formal parts of our shift, we’ll tend to the residents to make sure they have everything they need, even if it’s just a chat.

Of course, there’s daily activities going on all the time, so we all get involved in those. Our new lifestyle coordinator has been brilliant and hosted a range of fun things for everyone to take part in.

What is the most rewarding part of your role at Ashton Manor?

Because I’ve been here since the start, I’ve watched the residents build relationships with each other and it’s wonderful to see. Trust also quickly builds between carers and residents and that’s so important to our role. ‘Trust’ is a big word in care, and it must be respected.

It’s been great working with all the different teams here as well. We’re running a huge operation, and everyone has a part to play. I personally love being hands on, I like being out on the floor and interacting with others. Working at Ashton Manor has made all that possible, they’ve given me a clear route for progression and provided specialist knowledge training so I can continue building my skills.

How do you help new residents settle at Ashton Manor and why is it important for you to get to know them individually?

We greet everyone with a happy smiley face. It’s vital that we make sure they feel comfortable coming into the home for the first time, so we give them lots of reassurance. We know the world outside is a bit doom and gloom, but we do everything we can to create a positive atmosphere in the home.

Getting to know the residents on an individual level helps us understand their needs and wants more. It’s called person-centred care and I’m all for it! They have their own routines and care plans, and no one is forced to do anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Respite care is becoming increasingly popular, why do you think this is?

Respite care can be a lifeline for some families. They just need a break from being a carer and that’s where we step in. Given the current situation we’re offering respite on a 4-week minimum, but that may change in the future. The respite residents get involved in all the activities, mealtimes and meeting new people, which is always lovely.

It’s a great stepping stone for some residents, they treat it like a holiday! We find that most people that come for respite want to stay longer and will eventually move in. Offering these short stays helps the residents overcome apprehension about moving out of their house.

The family looking after them get to focus on other things as well, so they appreciate these interval stays as well.

 

If you would like to find out more about respite care or to book a tour, call us on 01524 566 007 or email us at enquiries@evermorecare.com.