Rob Dunn
Dr Rob Dunn came to Ashton Manor in the spring of 2024 and it has been a pleasure to have him with us. It has been wonderful to see him settle into the home, producing his fantastic artwork and even seeing the publication of his book, detailing his experience of the care industry. Rob explains his journey to find Ashton Manor and how he has found living here.
“I came to Ashton Manor on the 15th March 2024. I discovered Ashton Manor during an internet search of care homes within a 30-mile radius of Horsham. I was living in Cheshire at the time and wanted to make a move (permanent) if possible to be nearer to two of my children and three grandchildren.
The search took several hours each day over a period of nine months, interrupted by an eight week stay in hospital. I obtained several brochures in addition to the online information. Not all care homes were prompt in their replies. Additionally, my children who lived nearby visited several establishments on my behalf. It was not possible for me to visit personally because of distance and disability.
My needs were not based on medication needs, as at the time of enquiry I had no prescribed medication. What I do have is a physical disability, which is progressive making independent living impossible. I use a power wheelchair so any care home I would choose would need wheelchair access and internal dimensions to accommodate this. More than one had no access and narrow internal corridors with limited bathroom access.
Ashton was one of the first care homes that my daughter visited on my behalf. She is highly qualified in care provision, being Group Head Nurse for five different private mental hospitals. As the first to be visited, it gave her a standard on which to judge others.
As I have a physical disability with no mental impairment, I wanted a residence which would provide me with mental stimulus. Unfortunately, it became apparent that the full nursing I need and would increasingly need with progressive deterioration, could only be provided in homes where the majority of residents suffered dementia in various forms. I wanted therefore, a care home with pleasant surroundings and close proximity to my family. The building accommodated my wheelchair well.
Activities at Ashton Manor are geared to the responses given by the majority of the residents. I have enjoyed the fundraising events and actively joined in the process. Day to day activities are not necessarily for me, but I have attended meetings as representative of the residents.
In the last five years, Ashton Manor is the fifth care facility in which I have lived. I therefore have a range of care and care staff in which to draw comparison. The staff here are way above anything I have experienced before. They are extremely well-trained, intelligent individuals and whose management have got the level of care to a high level.
It would appear that nothing is too much trouble. To be able to choose personalised breakfasts in a first, to date no such request has not been fulfilled. I have been able to customise my room without creating problems, indeed I have had staff help in mounting pictures, desk assembly and fridge installation.”