“The staff at Dalby Court are like a family to us” – Laura’s story  

When Laura’s father Leonard had an emergency respite break at Dalby Court, she never imagined that our care home would become her “home from home”.

Laura’s mum Liz was a carer for Leonard, who lives with Parkinson’s and dementia, with Laura supporting her. After coping well for several years, Leonard needed emergency respite because of a sudden decline in his health.

Laura admits it was hard to let someone else care for her father, but she was shocked with how quickly she could put her trust in the staff at our home, in Coulby Newham.

“They are just so caring, it feels like they know him. The residents are like their own family, and they have become like a family to us,” she explains. “They have supported and guided us, and I don’t think we would have got through it without them.”

After a few weeks Laura and Liz knew Dalby Court was “absolutely the best place” for Leonard to live – and now they love being his wife and daughter again, rather than his carers.

“We can come here and be family again and enjoy time with dad, rather than being his carers and missing out on those things” Laura adds.

“When I walk in, they always tell me how he is feeling as they just know him and his personality. If there is something for pudding that they think he might not like, they will bring him some ice cream because they know he loves it – it’s those little things.”

And not only do the team enrich their residents’ lives, as his family, Laura and Liz feel a true sense of belonging at Dalby Court.

“It brings you so much comfort. It just feels like a home from home. I spend more time there than I do at home and my boys, who are 13 and 7 love coming in too,” adds Laura. “The staff are so good with them – they get them involved in games and they just love it.”

For more about life at Dalby Court Residential Care Home in Coulby Newham, our Enquiry Support Team are here to talk on 0800 331 7422.