"Arden House at Helen Ley Centre was excellent."

The staff were good. The physical environment and the care was good. Cleanliness was excellent. My mother was there for one week before being admitted to Warwick Hospital because she needed acute care. Arden House staff were approachable and the ward manager made time to sit down with the family and talk through possible developments and future care. This reduced the anxiety of the family, who could then reassure the patient as well. Very soon after admittance the family were approached about dementia care and the family were invited to share information about topics of conversation that would help the patient settle in. This was excellent care because it was shared with other members of staff, who used it. Little things like having the patient's name board, not on the wall behind the patient, but where the patient could see it meant that my mother (anxious because of dementia) was reassured that staff knew who she was. Staff made an effort, eg my mother could not sit up or turn over in bed, but staff used the hoist to take her in a special chair to the day room. When I rang in the mornings to find out how my mother was, the person who answered the phone used to go and find a member of staff who personally knew how she was that morning to come to the phone. Difficulties: The location of Arden House at Helen Ley Centre is not at Heathcote Lane. It is in an area with no public transport , street lights or pavement. I had arrived by ambulance with my mother, but as a visitor to the area, I did not know any taxis locally, when I came to leave. I eventually spent £80 in one week on taxi fares visiting Arden House. This was the only problem with Arden House at Helen Ley Centre.