Described by her daughters Kim and Maria as a “gentle person” and a “fantastic mum and wife”, Anna was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015. She was moved into a care home in 2024 after a rapid decline in her health left her bed bound and hospitalised in January of this year. This was where the family first learned of Garden House Hospice Care.
Anna’s daughters recall her referral to the Hospice being an emotional and concerning time, but agreed it was the right place for her to be. Their worries quickly disappeared after experiencing the “superior” level of care their mum received.
“I’d never been to a hospice before, so I didn’t know what to expect at all,” explains Maria. “But from the moment we arrived, it was so calm. And it wasn’t only mum’s care, we were also asked if we were okay and if we needed support.”
“I didn’t know that was something they would do,” Kim echoes. “That was the main thing which stood out to me, how it encompasses everything so holistically in the fact that there are physios, there are occupational therapists available to help the patients, and they are able to provide the psychological support for families.”
The daughters also recall their mum finally being able to get some sleep - something which she had struggled with during her time in hospital - and that she was no longer in pain, agitated or in distress.
Kim adds: “The fact you’ve got doctors and consultants on call 24 hours a day so they can attend to the patients at any moment means you’re not waiting for your loved one to get their pain relief, or some anti-agitation relief or any care. Even if it’s personal care, it was dealt with really quickly and with a lot of compassion.“
Left to right: Kim, Anna and Maria
“To anyone who is nervous about coming to the Hospice, you don’t have to worry. The level of care that will be given to your loved one will be absolutely superior to anything you’ve experienced.”