A care home resident has praised the staff at a Christchurch care home as a short summer stays initiative is launched for older people.
Rita Satchwell moved to Fairmile Grange, which is part of Encore Care Homes, following a hospital admission due to a fall. She said that she was initially apprehensive about moving to a care home as she had maintained a level of independence in her own home and worried that this would not be supported by the care staff. However, she says that the Fairmile Grange team have enabled her to continue to do many things for herself with their support, such as going for a short walk and taking part in crafts and flower arranging activities.
Encore Care Homes has launched a short summer stays initiative, enabling older people in Dorset and Hampshire to receive flexible, temporary care which is personalised to the individual. Respite care stays can last from two to six weeks, which could potentially be used as a trial for an older person to experience living in a care home before they decide if full-time, residential care is the next step for them.
Rita said: “I’ve always had my own independence and I’m a very independent lady. I was very apprehensive before I came to Fairmile Grange as I didn’t know what a care home was going to be like, but I’d only been here a matter of three or four days and I was completely at home. I still do the little things that I want to do.
She added: “I love it, I’m very happy and I love the people here. The carers are brilliant, they have always got a smile. Fairmile Grange is a beautiful place. The staff made me feel relaxed. It’s a lovely place to be.”
Encore Care Homes is currently running a promotion for older people to stay for four weeks but only pay for three, enabling them the chance to try out the facilities, benefit from round-the-clock care and support, enjoy a range of homecooked meals, and participate in a host of organised on-site activities.
There are four care homes across Dorset and Hampshire providing residential, nursing and dementia-dedicated care at Great Oaks in Bournemouth, Oakdale in Poole, Fairmile Grange in Christchurch and Hamble Heights in Fareham.
The Encore team is able to welcome family members and their loved ones to have a covid-safe viewing of the purpose-built facilities available within the care homes. Full PPE and rapid flow testing are in place for the safety of the care home residents, team, and visitors.
