"Grateful for services staffed by caring people"

My 82 year old widowed mum has Alzheimer's. In early summer 2024, it became apparent that we needed more help than the working family could provide.

Following detailed assessment and a 3 month wait, we were very fortunate to receive the care at home service (carers coming in to Mum's home twice, now three times, a day, to assist with personal care and dining). The staff are fantastic - caring, compassionate, thoughtful.

In addition, we were fortunate to get a place for Mum to attend Gowanlea Day Centre in Kilbirnie once a week from 11am to 3pm. Again the staff are brilliant - friendly, welcoming and caring. Mum gets the stimulus of different activities, time outside her home/change of scenery, and a hearty lunch.

The staff add a note each week to a notebook so that family members know how Mum got on that day, what she did etc, as she is not able to remember. 

Transport to and from the centre is offered but as a family we have chosen to drop off and pick up Mum as we feel this is more suitable for her.

We know public services are very stretched and are incredibly grateful that such services exist, that we have been able to access them when needed with only a short delay and that the services are staffed by people who clearly are professional, caring and understanding.