When we spoke with people about their experiences of living at the care home their comments included:'Staff are kind. I'm up about 7:00am and I go to bed when I want, usually about 20:00.'
'It's alright. Very relaxed. Staff are kind and respectful.'
'You can get up and go to bed when you want more or less. Staff are very good. They're respectful and kind.'
'At night time, there's a bit of a routine. If they can stay in bed, they do, but I like to get up.'
'I get up and go to bed when I like. I sleep well. I take a sleeping tablet at night. I get up about 6:15am.'
'I'm settling ok. I didn't like the idea at first, but I realised my daughter couldn't manage. I appreciate it here. I've been in hospital, but I'm always glad to be back. They help me with going to the toilet and getting a bath. I have one at least once a week. I can have more if I want. They prepare the food. We watch TV, play bingo, dominoes, do a few exercises, watch one or two videos, there's enough to do. New manager seems ok. She mucks in with the others. If they're short staffed, she helps them'.
'I like it here. It's nice and quiet. I'm happy enough. We have our ups and downs, like anybody, but it's alright. It's clean, that's what I like most. For ' birthday they trimmed the wall up. We all bought her a present.' This comment was made in a lounge where people using the service were not constantly shouting out and talking to themselves.
'I can't remember things. I ask everyday what day is it? New manager got me a lovely wardrobe for my bedroom and decorated it. Washing's lovely and clean.'
'Staff are good. We don't have anything bad.'
'I've no problems. If I had I'd tell somebody.'
'I feel safe, I'm getting looked after.'
'One complaint is I have to sit and wait half an hour before dinner comes. They're always short staffed, but it's more noticeable at meal times.'
'They always seem to be short staffed. I'm not complaining. They do their best. For example, this morning I had to wait a while to come out of the dining room. There are some good girls. They work very hard. There's one from Russia. She's very good. I've found out since I came, there's more bad cases. People need feeding. Sometimes when you're having a meal, you don't want it. I think they should have more staff at night. If there's an accident, there's less staff, because they need to go with them. Nights are worse for staff.'
'They sometimes get short staffed and you've to wait. That's because I need help. Staff are very good, but I feel sorry for them. They can't be all over. I see to myself when I can, if not I buzz.'