“Mum was so isolated at home; she would just fall asleep. Now she has a better social life than I do!” Cherise’s journey

When Cherise, who lives with dementia, had several falls at home and fractured her ribs and wrist, daughter Tracy knew they couldn’t carry on like this. Cherise was isolated at home, wasn’t eating properly and was forgetting her medication - Tracy was beside herself with worry.

Having previously enjoyed a respite care break at Nunthorpe Oaks Residential Care Home, one of our care homes in Middlesbrough, there was no place better for her to be. Three months after moving in, Cherise is thriving.

Tracy says: “Mum was so isolated at home; she would just fall asleep. Now she has a better social life than I do! She’s happy and has things to do every day. She likes to play bingo and the other day was flower arranging. She can’t knit so the staff will sit and sew with her and the other day she was singing Beatles songs on the karaoke!”

For Tracy knowing Cherise is so well cared for is a huge weight off her mind, compared with life before Nunthorpe Oaks.

“When she was at home I was constantly worrying and calling to make sure she had taken her tablets and eaten something,” she adds. “Now she rings me every day and tells me all of the things she’s done, which is such a relief.

“Coming to terms with the fact that mum needed full-time care has been difficult for me, but knowing that she is happy makes me feel so much better.”

For Tracy, knowing Cherise is surrounded by people who care for her is deeply reassuring.

“She has a really good relationship with the staff, they really make her laugh and it means the world to me to know she is happy,” she adds.

“It’s so reassuring to know that she is safe and being so well looked after, and she has so much social interaction now.”

For more about life at Nunthorpe Oaks Residential Care Home, or any of our other care homes, our Enquiry Support Team advisors are here to talk on 0800 917 0478.