Care Review for The Lodge at Maldon

A daughter of her elderly parents tells us about her positive experiences of moving her parents into The Lodge.

We as a family are utterly delighted with the care at The Lodge in Maldon.  I am one of three children who have been helping our parents live in their own home as long as they can. This autumn, it rapidly became impossible for them to stay in their own home, and despite my mother in particular wanting to stay in her home, it was just no longer possible after a series of falls / lonliness.

The team at The Lodge were super approachable and super kind and the welcome my parents received was so lovely and so welcoming that within 30 minutes of arriving my parents were both settling in and happy.  Even my mother, who had been resistant to a move, felt that it was a lovely place to be.

100% of the staff I have met at The Lodge are lovely and each on their own seems to truly care for all the patients and knows all their individual characteristics, hopes, fears and goals.  Even for those patients who struggle to make their views known.  I have been quite 'blown away' by the kindness and empathy shown to both my parents and really cannot find words to thank the staff there.  They're just as kind to the other patients too, even when things are somewhat tricky.

My Dad's health in particular has been in decline with quite a rapid decline in his happiness and mobility prior to going into The Lodge.  Yet now he has been there for only a few weeks, he already has the sparkle back in his eye and speaks in such complimentary terms about all the staff.

When you are old and in age-related discomfort, it speaks volumes that my dad is so complimentary and thankful to the carers around him.  We as a family are confident that they are in exactly the right place and I pass on my strongest thanks to the whole team at The Lodge.

One last thing - culture. All the guests at The Lodge are aware that their advancing years makes many things difficult for them and yet they all appear to be friendly towards each other and all look out for each other which warms my heart so much.

When I visit they are often laughing amongst each other and having a nice time.  Guests at the home would not be friendly towards each other if they were not happy and did not feel valued and cared for - to me this speaks volumes.

Lastly, I'd like to give a comment and thanks towards four people I interacted with right at the start and also when my parents arrived on 'check in day'.  Clare, the manager was just so very open and honest and clear about what to expect.  Nothing was exaggerated or glossed over and everything was explained clearly - no surprises. 

Strengths and weaknesses of the home were made clear and actually it was exactly what we were looking for.  On arrival day, Wendy, Emma and Philamena could not have been nicer, kinder and more understanding on what was pretty much otherwise a low point in my life.  Nobody wants to see their parents upset, uncomfortable or scared and moving from their house was just such a day.

Wendy, Emma and Philamena's kindness and compassion towards my parents and their situation that day was just so lovely.  All the team at The Lodge have carried on being just as kind every day since then as well.  Every other member of the staff has been equally lovely.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to the whole team at The Lodge.