In September 2020, Harold moved into Springkell House Care Home and became a part of our resident community. Harold had previously spent some time with us for respite care, so was already comfortable and familiar with the home and staff when he joined us permanently. Although a difficult decision, this move had been a good thing for both Harold and his family. Harold has been living a comfortable and happy life at Springkell House. 
 
Harold’s son, Gary, explains how they came to the decision to move Harold to the home to give him better support following his dementia diagnosis, and why Springkell House was the right environment for him. 
 
“Springkell House was first recommended to my brother Paul and I in 2020, when we were looking for respite care for our Dad after he had been diagnosed with dementia. He went to the home for a few weeks initially and everything went very well.”
 
“We had transformed the living room into a bedroom for Dad, so he could be comfortable and safe living with me at home. However, when he came home from Springkell House we had a series of incidents that resulted in the Ambulance service being called out several times to help Dad. The paramedics advised me that he needed to go back to hospital.”

"It has been a great weight off my mind to know that Dad is well cared for and in the safest possible place since he moved into Springkell House."

 
“I had quit my job in 2019 to look after both my parents however, our Mum sadly passed away from Covid in 2021. Mum had also been diagnosed with dementia, which progressed to the point where she became confused and sometimes aggressive, often she didn’t recognise who I was. The plan had been for Mum to also move to Springkell House but she passed away before that happened.”
 
“It has been a great weight off my mind to know that Dad is well cared for and in the safest possible place since he moved into Springkell House. Springkell House was ideal, and we were reassured by the good experience we had when Dad was there for respite care. As well as being the right environment for Dad, the home is only four miles down the road from me and not too far away for my brother. This means we are both able to visit easily and spend time with Dad.”
 
“Dad is diabetic and had struggled to keep on top of his diet and what he should or shouldn’t be eating. Paul ably assisted me throughout the pandemic with several food shopping runs. Since he has been at Springkell House, he is eating properly and has lost weight, which has been really good for him. The staff have also been great at monitoring his condition, if Dad has a spike in his reading they always call and let me know.”
 
“Dad has always had a love of music, particularly country and western, one of his favourite experiences was when Mum and he were lucky enough to travel to the U.S.A. on holiday, which included a night out at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The music-based activities they arrange at the home have been great for him. Anything that involves this type of music he is happy to join in with and he will sing along with the other residents. They give him the choice of whether he wants to join in with activities or not, depending on his mood. The staff will help him into a wheelchair to go down to the lounge when he does want to take part as he isn’t mobile. My brother, Paul, is a DJ in his spare time and will take his decks along to the home to play music for Dad and the other residents, which they all really enjoy.”
 
“When Dad first moved to Springkell House I was looking after his dog Bonnie and would bring her in to visit him. However, I was unable to care for Bonnie long-term and needed to look for a new home for her. I was worried how this would impact Dad. At the time, Jogi and Danka, who work at the home, were looking for a dog for their family and told me that they would love to have Bonnie. They take Bonnie on holidays with them and send me photos of her in all sorts of places, even up a mountain when they took her skiing with them. Dad loves to see these photos and knows she is being well looked after. It’s good to see that Bonnie is happy with their family, and Dad still gets to see her when they bring her into the home.”
  
“Having looked after both Mum and Dad for just over two years in the role of carer, it certainly opened my eyes to just how much hard work goes into fulfilling that role. Paul and I have always had the greatest of respect for the staff in care homes and the work they do. The team at Springkell House are all happy, friendly and very open with both of us. Whenever we go to visit our Dad, they always say hello and offer us tea and cake. Dad always likes this because it means he gets a cup of coffee and a piece of diabetic cake too. We haven’t had any issues with the care provided since our Dad moved into the home. We can see Dad is well taken care of and is treated well.”