Author: Petra Meinlova

As spring brings brighter days, residents at Astley View Care Home have been enjoying the sunshine and fresh air at Astley Park. These outings are very much enjoyed and bring many benefits to both wellbeing and social connection.

At Astley View Care Home, every person is at the heart to everything we do. The team takes time to understand each person’s needs and their personal history. This ensures their care, whether long-term, respite, or short-term, is fully personalised. The approach focuses on dignity, comfort, and engagement, creating a nurturing environment where residents feel truly at home.

The wide range of care home activities available encourages residents to stay both active and engaged. Socialising with others, participating in creative projects, or relaxing in quiet lounges are just a few options. There’s always something for everyone.

With a warm and welcoming atmosphere, residents at Astley View are supported to enjoy consistent, high-quality care, feeling valued and supported every day.

At Astley View Residential Care Home, we believe every day should be filled with warmth, laughter, and meaningful moments. We provide high-quality care and support for those in need of dementia care, respite care, or long-term residential care. Most importantly, our welcoming environment ensures that everyone feels at home.

This week, we have truly made the most of the sunshine with activities designed to bring joy and connection. Our Knit and Natter sessions have been a wonderful way for residents to share stories, enjoy good company, and create something special.

We have embraced nature through dried flower arranging. Residents carefully crafted colourful, handmade displays, bringing the beauty of spring indoors. Meanwhile, for those who enjoy creative relaxation, our Mindful Mondays crafts provided a peaceful space to unwind and express themselves.

Beyond our activities in the home, a highlight of the week was our visit to Cedar Farm. Residents explored the beautiful scenery and enjoyed browsing the gift shop. Outings like these are essential, as they help create new memories and bring a refreshing change of scenery.

At Astley View, we take great pride in our person-centred care. Whether residents stay for short-term respite care or a long-term stay, we ensure they feel valued, supported, and part of our community.

If you’re looking for a compassionate care home, we would love to welcome you. Get in touch today to learn more about our specialist dementia care, respite services, and residential care.

Astley View Care Home in Chorley made this year’s Valentine’s Day extra special. The residential and dementia care home hosted a delightful celebration, starting with chocolate-covered strawberries, followed by a beautifully prepared Valentine’s lunch and dinner. Some residents and their loved ones enjoyed their meals in the home’s private dining room, creating an family setting perfect for a special lunch.

A local singer entertained the residents with classic love songs, encouraging singalongs and even a bit of dancing. The care home was adorned with heart-themed decorations, flowers, and vibrant colours, setting the perfect scene for the occasion. Residents also had the opportunity to take part in Valentine’s Day-themed crafts, creating cards to share or just for fun.

“The day was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate love in all its forms,” said Christina Durnan, Registered Manager at Astley View. “Seeing the joy on our residents’ faces and the happiness shared with their families made it truly special. We always strive to create meaningful experiences, and this was certainly one to remember.”

At Astley View Care Home, providing high quality residential care, dementia care, and respite care is at the heart of what we do. Special days like Valentine’s Day are just one of the many ways we bring joy and a sense of community to our residents’ daily lives.

To learn more about life at Astley View, our specialist elderly care services, or to arrange a visit, get in touch with us at 01257 786005 or discover.astley@evermorecare.com.

Choosing a care home for an elderly parent or relative is one of the most significant decisions a family can make, often laden with emotions, concerns, and questions. To help navigate this journey, our teams from Astley View, a specialist care home in Chorley and Ashton Manor in Lancaster, share their expert insights on making informed choices.

Christina Durnan, Home Manager for Astley View in Chorley, notes: “Finding the right care home is a big decision. Although many people often call care homes for older people ‘nursing homes’, not everyone requires nursing care. We can provide the right information about different types of care and support, and what to look out for when choosing a care home. Having the right information enables families to make the right decision and also alleviate the feelings of guilt and a huge sense of responsibility that so many family members experience. We also emphasise how much joy and fun living in a care home can be. Our staff love what they do, and they work very hard to provide the right type of care as well as many activities, trips, and opportunities to socialise.”

If you are looking for a care home for your loved one, here are some top tips to help you choose the right home with the expertise, environment, and caring staff that align with your values.

What care do different care homes provide?

• Residential care homes provides a safe, social environment with assistance in daily living activities and personal care.

• Specialist Care Homes for people living with Dementia trains a specialist team in dementia care and the environment is often designed for comfort and familiarity.

• Nursing care homes support people with complex medical needs requiring continuous care under the supervision of qualified nurses.

• Respite stays or temporary care can provide a much needed break to caregivers or provide short-term support for recovery after a hospital stay.

Before you visit a care home

Before you visit, start by making a list of your loved one’s needs; what they enjoy, don’t enjoy and current and past hobbies. From physical and personal care needs to favourite activities, this preparation helps ensure you ask the right questions during your visit. It also helps to check reviews and reports online. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) assesses care homes providing care for older people in England. Read their reports in detail, and ask about anything you want to clarify during your visit. Testimonials from families and residents can also provide helpful insights.

You can keep a checklist for each home you visit to remember how you felt during and after each visit.

What to look out for on your visit:

1. Visit and observe

First impressions count. Assess whether the home feels warm and welcoming. Are the communal areas clean, accessible, and inviting?

2. Speak with staff and residents

Observe whether staff are attentive, caring, and respectful. Residents should appear engaged in meaningful activities and look happy and content.

3. Explore activities and meals

Does the home have a varied list of regular activities? Will your loved one feel included and have opportunities to participate? Check the weekly menu, does the home source food locally and prepare meals on-site? Does the chef have any specialist training to meet medical and dietary needs while ensuring meals are appealing?

4. Understand costs and contracts

Many families will be required to fund the cost of care, without the help of their Local Authority. Request a copy of the contract to understand the fees, payment terms, notice periods and any potential additional charges during the stay.

5. Consider location and visiting policies

Is the home conveniently located for regular family visits? Most care homes offer flexible visiting policies, and many provide private rooms or dining areas for special family occasions.

6. Meet the Registered Manager

The Registered Manager sets the tone for the home. Request to meet them or their Deputy and discuss their experience and vision for the care home. You can also ask to speak with a family member of a resident currently living in the home.

Joanne Tyson, Registered Manager at Ashton Manor in Lancaster, adds: “When visiting a care home, it should feel vibrant and caring, calm, yet full of opportunities to socialise and have fun. Our residents enjoy a wide variety of activities, and we are committed to building strong connections with the local community. We have supported hundreds of families through this process and our Customer Experience Team understands the process and can answer your questions to help every step of the way.”

With the right guidance and preparation, choosing a care home can also be a positive and empowering process. At Astley View and Ashton Manor, Evermore Care provides expert advice and personalised support to ensure families feel confident and reassured throughout the journey.

For more information or to arrange a visit to Astley View or Ashton Manor, please contact us by clicking here.

Astley View Care Home in Chorley, Lancashire, celebrated its first anniversary with a special Open Day event for the local community. The day also included a ceremony to recognise the outstanding contributions of its dedicated staff, whose commitment to providing compassionate care has been integral to the Home’s success.

Located off Euxton Lane, Chorley, Astley View has quickly become a key part of the local community, offering personalised care for elderly residents with a focus on residential care, dementia support, and respite services. The Open Day welcomed local residents and families to see the purpose-built care home, meet the team, and learn more about the care home’s services and commitment to quality.

Astley View actively collaborates with local schools, promoting intergenerational activities that bring joy and learning opportunities for both residents and children. These partnerships help foster a vibrant, inclusive community within the home, where residents’ well-being is at the heart of everything the care team does.

The care home’s success is also attributed to its strong focus on employee wellness and development. Initiatives like providing wellbeing baskets, Christmas vouchers, and hosting monthly and bi-annual staff awards, as well as a commitment to the Real Living Wage, ensure that staff feel supported and valued.

Home Manager, Christina Durnan, commented: “Opening our doors for the Open Day and staff awards ceremony is a special occasion for all of us at Astley View. It is a chance to celebrate our first year of service and to recognise the dedication of our staff, as well as the wonderful people and their families we support. We are committed to providing the highest standard of care for our residents and creating a fulfilling workplace for our team members.”