Alison's story: "It's given me peace of mind that I haven't had for a really long time"

Alison Cropper on finding comfort after her Mum moved into a care home.

Alison’s mother, Barbara Cropper, 94, was suffering with declining mobility that made it challenging for her to live at home alone. 
Alison, who lives in Chester, would visit her mother every day and often have to get up in the middle of the night to go to her mother’s house to care for her – all whilst trying to juggle full-time work. Naturally, this was taking a toll on Allison’s own wellbeing and becoming increasingly challenging.

Alison said: “As much as I would have loved my Mum to continue living in her own home, in reality, she was no longer able to thrive independently. Her mobility was getting worse and she needed more help than I could give her on my own.”

In September 2022, Barbara moved into Sanctuary Care’s Upton Dene Residential and Nursing Home in Chester.

Alison commented: “Moving Mum into a care home was an incredibly hard decision, one I felt strange about to begin with, but knowing she is being looked after morning and night and seeing her so settled and happy has given me peace of mind that I haven’t had for a really long time.”

Since then, Alison has been impressed with how quickly her Mum has settled in. Barbara is really sociable and often gets involved with activities in the home, from bingo to knitting, and has made some lovely friends. 

Alison added: “The care home team are very warm, welcoming, and caring. I feel reassured that Mum is receiving the best possible care. She is able to continue doing the things she loves but is enjoying her life so much more now that she has the help she needs. This is the best place for her. She can live her life, perhaps not quite in the same way, but in a different way and in a happier way.”
Alison admitted she feels more relaxed knowing that her Mum is receiving around the clock care.

She concluded: “For years, I was constantly worrying about Mum and anxious about what might happen when I wasn’t with her. Being looked after at Sanctuary Care has given me peace of mind that she has the 24 hour care she needs.”

For further information about life at Sanctuary Care’s not for profit care homes, our Enquiry Support Team are here to talk: 0800 046 4812.