Crossroads Care Tendring and Colchester

Cross roads has offered me 2 hours a fortnight to have a break so I can spend time with my other children
Original Comment Report...

My 89 year old Mother has lived alone and independently in her bungalow until earlier this year. Amongst her complex medical history, she has a seriously leaky heart valve which has also given rise to vascular dementia. As the condition also makes her very breathless on exertion, she was becoming socially isolated in her home with limited opportunities to chat to people other than a neighbour and members of her immediate family. Following a joint assessment with Crossroads Care, arrangements were made for one of Crossroads' carers, to call on my Mum once a week. The main objective of the visits was to help broaden my Mum's social life and topics of conversation, taking the opportunity to take her out on short trips when appropriate. Mum really looked forward to those visits and she and the carer became very good friends. Sometimes they would go out to a nearby cafe and sometimes they would simply sit and chat over coffee and biscuits at Mum's home. The carer willingly helped out with little tasks, even staying a little longer on some occasions to help Mum prepare dinner. Unfortunately, after breaking her hip in a fall, Mum had a three month stay in hospital and has now had to move into residential nursing care. The carer's friendship remains, however, and she was extremely kind and supportive to the family during Mum's stay in hospital. We are very grateful to Crossroads - and to the carer in particular - for providing such warm, friendly care.
Original Comment Report...