Joan's story

"I came here two years ago, after I fell and broke my hip at home. Because I had to come straight from hospital I never had a chance to see Gavin Astor House – my daughters had to arrange everything and I had to trust them to make the right decision for me.

But they couldn’t have found me a nicer place to be. My room has a lovely view and I can see the birds and squirrels in the trees from my window. I’ve got some of my own furniture and my TV and radio, so I feel quite at home. I have my breakfast and evening meal in my room, and at lunchtime I eat in the dining room with the other ladies and gentlemen who live here and we can chat. The dinners are very good and there’s plenty of choice.

I’ve been on trips to Leeds Castle and on the river and there are lots of activities to do. Although I can’t do the painting because my sight is poor, I can still make cards – with a bit of help – and I love the pat-a-pet sessions when they bring one of the guinea pigs for me to pet on my knee! I can’t say I’m ever bored, and sometimes it’s just nice to sit quietly and reflect on things.

I don’t really have any grumbles, and it’s just so nice to have people to talk to because I’m quite a sociable person. I’m also quite determined, so I’m really pleased that they have helped me reach a point where I can even walk to my own loo, even if it is slowly and with a frame!"

"I couldn't be in a nicer place"

From her daughters’ perspective:

"Mum was ill and beginning to struggle at home, with even simple things getting too much for her – but then she fell and broke her hip. After two months in hospital she was so immobile we thought she would never walk again so, realising she could never return home, we had to look for a nursing home to look after her.

We looked at some that did seem very nice but had no vacancies. When a room became available at Gavin Astor House and we came to view it, it just grabbed us – we knew instinctively it was ‘the one’. It was newly decorated and very pretty and clean – a very comfortable and happy room, with a lovely outlook onto the trees outside.

What struck us about Gavin Astor House was the friendly attitude of the staff and that the atmosphere is so very warm, welcoming and homely – rather than impersonal and business-like, like some larger homes. Speaking to the nursing staff, we felt confident that they really understood about Mum’s medical needs and we could rely on them to take care of her medication, which we knew would not be easy. But even though things felt right, it was still an enormous step to take.

We’ve been amazed how far Mum’s come on since she’s been at Gavin Astor House – they’ve worked wonders encouraging her, and we never imagined she would ever again be even as mobile as she is now. Seeing how she’s improved and knowing she is happy and in safe hands has taken away a lot of the stress we felt.

It was an enormous responsibility having to find somewhere for her, especially having to do so quickly. But Mum’s always saying how she couldn’t be in a better place and how much she loves her room, so we know we made the right choice and would do so again if we had to."

"We feel at peace knowing mum is being looked after"