Posted : 01st May 2024
A member of staff at Avery Park Care Home sat down with a resident of over a year, June, to talk about her experience with us.
Interviewer: June, what prompted your move to Avery Park?
June: Well, I had a fall at home, and I was lying on the floor for 24 hours without getting attention. And I was rushed into hospital. And after being in hospital for a couple of weeks, the consultants suggested I not live on my own again in the bungalow. So I decided, I wanted to make my own decision, so I decided I would go into a home. My daughter-in-law decided that she would go around and inspect them, a few of them, and she chose about five, five or six. And she said, now we look at every one before you decide. I agreed. And this was the first one we came to, Avery Park. And when I walked in through the door, there was an atmosphere in here. There was somebody sat behind the desk with a great smile on her face. And I thought, this is the place. And I said to my one son who’d rushed off to get himself a cup of coffee “This is the place”. “Oh, don’t rush, mum, take your time”. I said, “this is the place”. I just knew there was an atmosphere here and I knew it was the kind of place my husband would have wanted me to be in. And so I didn’t bother to see any of the others. And I came for a fortnight to start with, and then I just stayed. My sons packed up the bungalow and sorted everything. And I stayed, I stayed in Avery Park ever since.
Interviewer: And how long have you been here?
June: I’ve been here over 12 months.
Interviewer: And what do you like about Avery Park?
June: The homely atmosphere. And – we’re all friends together. Which is very important, I think. When your family are grown up and maybe you don’t feel so needed, you just feel as though you matter. And that’s what I felt in Avery Park. And my other daughter-in-law came, Karen, and she said “Mum, have you decided on this place”, and I said yes. “Oh,” she said, “I am so pleased. When we walked in here,” she said, “I felt that you’d come here to live, not to die.” And she said, “I felt such comfort from that atmosphere.”
Interviewer: Fantastic. And June, if there’s anybody out there thinking about transitioning to Avery Park, what would you say to them?
June: Grab the place while it’s available! I say, because we are getting fuller and I think, well, I love it. You really will be looked after. There’s 24 hour cover here and the food is good. Well, I just love it here.
Interviewer: Oh, thank you June.
June: And I would suggest anybody come and give it a try.
Interviewer: Exactly, they can come on respite, can’t they? Like you did and then make the decision.June: That’s right.
Interviewer: Thanks so much for your time, June. That’s excellent. Thank you.
A huge thank you to June for taking the time to speak with us, and for her lovely words.
