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Elderly parents
Original poster

Dementia care homes - Surrey

27 replies

Hope1970 · 06/06/2023 15:39

Hello - I'm a long time lurker on the Elderly Parents section and have found some of the threads really useful. I have an 81 year old father with vascular dementia and we have started using live-in care. So far it's working... I just want to be prepared for what happens when/if this is no longer feasible. I have looked at a few care homes but most seem really depressing. Does anyone have any recommendations for good dementia care homes in Surrey? The care is more important than the facilities as by the time Dad goes into care, I imagine he won't be able to benefit from cinemas etc. He does love outside space and fresh air (he smokes....not that many now!). I think there was a thread previously but not sure what happened to the OP's parent and if they went to one of the homes mentioned.

OP posts:
GU24Mum · 06/06/2023 15:42

Hi OP, are you happy to say whereabouts in Surrey roughly? I can recommend one (and put you off another) if it's the right area.

Marylou62 · 06/06/2023 15:46

Is he able to self fund or will he have to go into a council run home?

Original poster
Hope1970 · 06/06/2023 17:39

Thank you for replies! Yes - dad would be self-funding and the area is around Guildford/Godalming. Please let me know of ones to avoid too - that is probably more important! All the reviews on carehome.uk tend to be really positive so it's hard to get a true picture.

OP posts:
GU24Mum · 07/06/2023 09:16

You're not that far from me. We
moved a relative from a Signature care home to Princess Christian in Bisley (just up the A322). The first one was beautiful but the care was awful. Princess Christian is less glamorous but the care was much better and had proper nursing staff too.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 07/06/2023 09:39

Broadwater lodge in Godalming is great for those with dementia. It’s not glamorous but in my (limited) experience the care there is really good. Birtley manor in Bramley also has a good reputation but is at the more expensive end of the spectrum. You need to consider that he may need nursing care in time, which some homes won’t be able to provide, which would mean him moving again later on.

Original poster
Hope1970 · 07/06/2023 19:34

Thank you both for your suggestions - really helpful. Birtley House doesn't take dementia patients and it's pretty expensive. Mind you, they all are....Really appreciate your taking the time to respond - it's such a nightmare navigating all of this.

OP posts:
StiggyZardust · 07/06/2023 19:38

Is Leatherhead too far? Hartfield House has a dementia area. My mother was in the elderly care part and was very happy there. The staff were lovely.

Agoodidea · 07/06/2023 20:35

Broadwater Lodge in Godalming and Appleby House in Epsom are very well regarded.
And for information Surrey CC are closing/ have closed their remaining council run homes.

Original poster
Hope1970 · 09/06/2023 00:08

Thank you for these names too. I will go and visit and get a feel for them. Really appreciate the suggestions.

OP posts:
Marylou62 · 09/06/2023 21:25

A relative of mine is in Kingsley in Old Woking.. it's a good home and a secure dementia unit... what's expensive? She pays £1750 a week...

Original poster
Hope1970 · 17/06/2023 20:17

Thank you.

OP posts:
indignatio · 17/06/2023 21:36

www.dormycare.co.uk/bramshott-grange/

Just into Hampshire

user9989820190 · 18/06/2023 12:32

Robertson in Godalming or Ashton Manor or Pax Hill both in Farnham. They all take people with dementia and they are all pretty good.

Original poster
Hope1970 · 18/06/2023 15:53

Thank you so much for these suggestions...I really appreciate it. Will go and check all out.

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 18/06/2023 19:57

The Abbeyfield in New Malden - purpose built, a specialist dementia home, was very good for my mother, who was there for nearly 8 years, until she died at 97. But that was in 2015, so I don’t have recent experience. From all I’ve ever heard, Abbeyfields are usually better than many, and better value, though.

SurreyMumOfOne · 18/06/2023 20:52

It's not due to open until the winter, so not helpful from the pov of experienced reviews, but the one being built on Seven Hills Road between Walton/Hersham/Weybridge is billed to be 'state of the art' for Dementia care and will have nursing care.

Agoodidea · 18/06/2023 23:35

@SurreyMumOfOne I’d be very wary of picking a brand new swanky home, over one with a decent local good reputation, even if the building is a bit tired. And the location of that new one is a bit alarming, as anyone with memory problems who decides to take themselves off for a wander is straight onto a very fast, 40 mph road.

SurreyMumOfOne · 19/06/2023 09:53

@Agoodidea Completely agree, just thought it worth a mention given the focus on Dementia care and being able to offer nursing care. FWIW I also would prefer not to choose somewhere brand new, I would want to get a feel for a place, but there aren't always choices.

MenopauseSucks · 19/06/2023 10:59

Anchor West Hall, West Byfleet.
My mother was there for 5 years from October 2017 til November 2022 & was very happy there.
The facilities are excellent & the grounds are beautiful. It's also surrounded by fields so lots to see & set well away from the roads with excellent security.
They dealt with Covid very well. I was also impressed with how they handled outbreaks of norovirus & flu during my mother's time there.
The turnover of staff isn't very high so they build up a good relationship with both residents & family.
We were paying around £7k/month at the end - the prices were going up 2-3% each year but went up 7% in April 2022 due to all the Covid costs.

CherryRipe1 · 19/06/2023 11:08

GU24Mum · 07/06/2023 09:16

You're not that far from me. We
moved a relative from a Signature care home to Princess Christian in Bisley (just up the A322). The first one was beautiful but the care was awful. Princess Christian is less glamorous but the care was much better and had proper nursing staff too.

We put my dad into Princess Christian too when his Alzheimer's became advanced & he needed nursing care. This was 2014 & the care was very good as @GU24Mum says & it wasn't swish. Our social worker recommended it on the quiet.

Original poster
Hope1970 · 19/06/2023 14:15

I cannot thank you all enough for your suggestions. I am feeling so overwhelmed with even having to think about dementia care homes but it's a relief to know other people have been through this....I am trying to be prepared for all eventualities but it's so hard!

OP posts:
Marylou62 · 19/06/2023 16:47

Are you working with social services? We were advised to and they helped us find a home that my Mum could stay in when her half a million pounds!! has gone.. about 5 years! (She has only got state pension).Other homes can ask you to leave when you no longer self fund..

YesItsMeYesItsMe · 19/06/2023 16:56

MIL is in broadwater lodge - it’s fine. I think the staff are lovely enough. It seems a bit cluttered/shabby. They have animals. I don’t know. I don’t have anything to compare it to really. It’s a sad situation to be in OP 💐

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