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Elderly parents
Original poster

Any experience of homes run by the St Monica Trust?

26 replies

LaBelleSauvage123 · 28/04/2023 22:24

Just that really. The websites and brochures all look lovely but almost a year into the care home world and I’m a lot more jaded and cynical than I was.

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Swimbikerun · 28/04/2023 22:33

Bristol? Used to work there years ago. Was lovely.

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 28/04/2023 22:35

There are various homes run by the trust in and around Bristol. My dad needs and deserves more than he’s getting in his current home so even though all the homes are further away from us we’re considering them.

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Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 28/04/2023 22:36

It’s good to know you enjoyed working there Swimbikerun

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Thistooshallpsss · 28/04/2023 22:39

I’ve been involved with them they put a lot of effort into staff training and try to be in the forefront of research. Are you looking at the care homes or the retirement villages. They have a charitable background and good financial resources.

Seaitoverthere · 28/04/2023 22:44

We weren’t impressed with the dementia one in Sandford but friend has both parents in the one on the Downs and seems happy with it.

Swimbikerun · 28/04/2023 22:45

I worked at 2 different sites, I thought the set up was great, loved the idea of a run through home, where they could meet all your needs as they developed.

If you are buying in, then I think you to be aware of the potential difficulties in re sales.

It was a long time ago though, but seemed great. I have alwAys thought I would investigate for my parents if I could persuade them to move.

Def worth going for a look. ( I worked in rehab, rather than nursing care)

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 29/04/2023 07:27

Dad has dementia and mobility problems so that’s interesting to know about Sandford, as that’s nearest to us. We’d definitely be looking at a care home rather than a retirement property. Can anyone give me a rough estimate of the fees? He’s paying £7k a month at his current place.

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Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 29/04/2023 07:37

Which is the one on the Downs, Seaitoverthere?

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Thistooshallpsss · 29/04/2023 07:43

The one in the downs is the original site it’s at cote lane Bristol. There is also one in westbury on trump and one in keynsham

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 29/04/2023 07:48

Thank you.

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Justanothermum01 · 29/04/2023 07:49

Had to reply to this!
i worked at the original home many years ago prior to training to be a nurse. One of the happiest working times of my life.
The standard of care was second to none, staff looked after too.
Obviously things can change but I check the website from time to time (I live too far away now but would love to work there again) the ethos of the organisation doesn’t seem to have changed over the years, rates of pay for staff seem above average (good for residents as it means they can be pickier in who they recruit and will likely retain staff) and overall I think it would be a really lovely place to live x

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 29/04/2023 08:17

Thank you so much - that’s great to hear. We are going to ring round and get some visits organised. Just worried that fees aren’t posted anywhere online - he is self funding.

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LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 29/04/2023 08:21

When I was looking for Mum nobody posted fees. They all said that was because they varied by how luxe the room was (in her home) and by how much care the resident needed, and I suspect it also varies slightly by how much demand there is at any one time.

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 29/04/2023 08:35

Oh that’s interesting as the care home group he’s with at the moment do publish their fees ( though they give a range).

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LarkRize · 29/04/2023 13:31

They have options for renting a small flat or buying, depending on preference.
The basic rental is a small one bed flat and includes lots of helpful add ons - lunch, great communal resources and many activities and trips, laundry and cleaning etc.

You can add on care if and when required and on a temp or permanent basis, which is very helpful.

There is a waiting list but once someone is there it is a fantastic place.

Swimbikerun · 29/04/2023 16:38

Def used to be a dementia care unit at one of the sites

Thistooshallpsss · 29/04/2023 17:33

The gardens at cote lane are lovely. One of the distinguishing features of st Monica is the 24 hour presence of porters so residents in the flats can feel very safe . The gardens are well looked after and there is definitely a family feel to the place everyone talks to you.

Seaitoverthere · 30/04/2023 08:56

Friend’s Dad has just moved from a flat into the dementia unit at Cote Lane. She was visiting him and bumped into another of our school friends who was taking a tour with a view to moving one of her parents back up .

I grew up just down the road from it and it always had a good reputation. My Dad moved to other side of town and sadly died last year suddenly but said if he ever needed care he would like to move to the one in Bedminster.

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 30/04/2023 19:31

These positive reviews are really cheering me up - we will ring on Tues and try to get appointments to see Cote Lane, Sandford and Charterhouse. Thank you all.

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Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 02/05/2023 20:35

The only one that has a dementia/nursing bed available is The Russets at Sandford - we've booked a visit on Friday. @Seaitoverthere what was it about the dementia care that didn't impress you?

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Seaitoverthere · 02/05/2023 21:11

It was a long time ago but both my brother and I didn’t like the manager at all and didn’t get a good feeling about it at all at the time. I think go with an open mind and see what you think. As with schools things change over time.

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 03/05/2023 19:24

Thank you, we will. It’ll have to be amazing to be worth the upset of moving him so we’ll see.

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Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 05/05/2023 21:00

Well we went to visit Russets today and really liked it. Varied programme of activities, residents all looking alert and sitting together with staff for lunch, staff friendly and welcoming, rooms a good size, lovely gardens and the buildings light and airy. Filled in the application forms on return so hoping that they will give dad a place. It just seems so much more like a home than a care home. Thank you all so much for your input to this thread - hoping that this is the start of happier times for dad.

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Swimbikerun · 10/05/2023 13:41

Oh, that is good news. Fingers crossed all works out well.

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 04/06/2023 00:53

Update : Dad has now been at The Russets for just over a week. It is so much better than his old care home - there’s just a completely different ethos about resident care, engagement and respect. Yes, they’re still short-staffed and having to rely on agency workers, but the atmosphere is much more positive and you feel as if all the staff really care about the residents. Great programme of activities too. Dad has settled in much more quickly than we expected and seems much less agitated. Instead of constantly telling him not to get up, staff are there to help him and his mobility has already improved, just because he’s allowed to do more. The grounds and surroundings are lovely - I’m actually looking forward to my visits now rather than dreading them. So thank you to everyone who replied - it was a hard decision but I’m so glad we made it.

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