The care that my Uncle received from the members of staff there was second to none.

Dear Rosemary

I am writing regarding Elderslea Lodge in Upper Hutt. I was recently called to Elderslea to comfort my mother, whose eldest brother Alan, was in their care and had taken a turn for the worse. We both spent over 36 hours at the hospital with my Uncle before he died.

The care that my Uncle received from the members of staff there was second to none. Every member of staff who entered the room, knocked before entering. They always spoke to Alan and let him know what they were doing, even though he was mostly non-responsive in any way. The staff came every 3 or so hours to turn him from side to side to help him with his breathing. Every shift that came on gave him a full wash, change of PJs and he was shaved once a day. This usually took 2 people the best part of 30 minutes.

On more than one occasion, the nurses came into talk to Alan and say goodbye to him for the day, before they left at the end of their shift. They all loved him and cared for him in a most special way, even though Alan was unable to speak very much due to a stroke a few years ago.

The staff offered us meals, and we had free use of the kitchen facilities. Nothing was too much bother to them.

I couldn’t help but read the mission statements that are on the wall at the entrance. Every single mission statement which speaks of their commitment to top quality care was fulfilled in my eyes.

Even in the kitchen, there was a notice that read “Treat all people with respect”. I saw many times how well they treated the other ElderCare patients, treating them with dignity and respect.

I have heard other people say to me, “well, the care’s good because they get funding”. I don’t know the ins and outs of homes for elderly, but this I do know – what has funding got to do with treating elderly people with respect and dignity? We all have a choice whether we speak to someone with love or without love in our voices.