ONE of the hardest things we face, particularly now, is placing trust in strangers when it comes to our care or the care of a loved one. Ensuring comfort, safety, and contentment come hand in hand with exceptional quality care is vital when searching for a new home offering care services.

If you’re searching for a care home, supported independent housing, or a career in the care sector, then Glasgow is equipped with some of the best. Below we list some of the finest establishments committed to providing expert and compassionate care when you need it most…

Abbeyfield Paisley

Abbeyfield supported housing sits in the heart of Paisley’s community, offering safe and comfortable house for older people. The beautifully furnished house offers supported accommodation for up to 12 people, and the expansive grounds provide a perfect backdrop to spend time with friends and neighbours.

Glasgow Times:

Many of Abbeyfield’s tenants appreciate the level of independence they can enjoy, with the peace of mind that care and support is always at hand. The supported house is an ideal solution for older people who find living at home a challenge, who may feel isolated and would benefit from regular company, or for those who have been in hospital and need help to get back on their feet. For some families, Abbeyfield provides the opportunity for older relatives to be closer to them, offering easy reach while still maintaining their independence.

Why Choose Abbeyfield?

For over twenty years Abbeyfield has strived to ensure its tenants are safe, happy, and supported. As the team at Abbeyfield know independence is important, the 12 rooms offer en-suite facilities and tenants can decorate their rooms with their own personal furnishings and familiar items to create a home-from-home. There is a large lounge to share quality time with others, and a large dining room to sit down and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Step outside and the beautifully maintained gardens are a haven for birds and wildlife with planted flower beds, bird boxes and seating area.

Unlike the traditional care home model, tenants at Abbeyfield Paisley have their own key and can come and go as they wish, visit friends and family, and they often welcome families over for Sunday lunch.

Glasgow Times:

What Support Can I Expect?

The friendly care and support team at Abbeyfield offer practical support and companionship for all tenants. They are present within the core hours of 8am and 6pm, with out-of-hours support also available in the event of an emergency. With this in mind, the team ask that tenants are reasonably able to maintain independence with additional supports in place.

Tenants also have access to weekly cleaning and a laundry service. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the weekly activity programme is not running, however they generally run a range of activities from keep fit to music sessions.

If you would like to find out more about Abbeyfield Paisley, please call the friendly team on 0141 889 9162 or search online for Abbeyfield Paisley.

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Key Glasgow

Community Lifestyles Key Glasgow is a consortium providing community-based support to over 700 people with a diverse range of needs across Glasgow. 

They are passionate about placing the person at the very heart of their support. It’s they, along with the important people in their life, who lead decisions on how they want their support organised which is entirely focused on each person achieving the life they want. 

Each person’s support is as unique as they are. Brian, who has a visual impairment, has just a couple of hours of support a week to help him deal with his household bills and mail.  Joyce, who has complex health care needs, has workers with her day and night to help her with all aspects of her life. 

The consortium receives consistent high grades from the Care Inspectorate, who oversee the quality of all care services in Scotland. And in their own words, this is what people say about the support they receive:

“I like that I have the support to achieve the things I like to do. I couldn’t manage this on my own.”

“I have had the same team for 16 years and they understand me very well. Any goals I have reached they have encouraged me to achieve them.”

A well-trained, well-supported workforce who are passionate about what they do and committed to doing their very best each day no matter what challenges that may bring, is key to providing excellent support. The consortium employs over 700 staff in various roles from support workers through to managerial positions. They range in age from 18 right through to 72, and there is a good mix of men and women across all roles. 

Glasgow Times:

Having a diverse workforce drawn from communities across Glasgow will ensure the consortium is reflective of the city it serves and continues to attract workers who take pride in their work and are willing to share their life experiences to deliver really good support, like that which Cameron, in the video, receives to pursue his passion for football coaching. In return it is more than just a job, and one which has rewards of many kinds:

“My job means a lot to me. it is so rewarding and fulfilling.” 

“All the smiles when you know someone has had a good day. And you have had a hand in making that happen.”

“Support is not just a job, it’s all about people.”

If you would like to find out more about a career with the consortium, get in touch and you could become part of an amazing team.

Visit www.key.org.uk/community-lifestyles/

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Springvale Care Home

Springvale Care Home offers the highest levels of Residential, Dementia, Respite and Nursing Care, delivered from an experienced team who are dedicated, caring and compassionate.

Located in Lennoxtown, Springvale offers stunning views of the Campsie Fells and is built on the ethos that each individual should live as independent a life as possible in a supportive, caring environment. For those who have higher care needs, they aim to ensure you make the most of your day by providing the right amount of support where necessary.

Glasgow Times:

Springvale Care Home is very much part of the Lennoxtown community, and the surroundings are perfect for residents wishing to maintain a more independent lifestyle, where families can visit with ease.

At Springvale, all ground floor rooms have doors with access to a patio area, and all rooms to the rear have magnificent views. They also have beautiful lounges, dining rooms, games rooms and a café bar.

Springvale is unlike any traditional care home; you can watch a film in the cinema room, enjoy delicious fine dining created by the in-house Chef or relax with friends and family in the café bar. Should you feel like a little pampering, the salon offers a range of services from a cut and blow dry to manicures and pedicures.

Glasgow Times:

For many of us, good food is one of the greatest enjoyments in life. You’ll find an enticing and varied menu on offer at Springvale. The onsite chef and his team cater for food preferences, nutritional and dietary requirements. Your family are welcome at any time and if you wish, there is a private dining room available to host a celebration with friends and family.

Springvale Care Home combines the best surroundings and facilities with dedicated and knowledgeable staff to create a true home from home – one where you can enjoy different experiences and meet lots of new friends along the way.

Find out more by calling 01360 312 765 or at wwwspringvalecare.com

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Trust Housing

Trust Housing provide far more than just a house. Living with Trust Housing means living in a community where you have peace of mind and feel at ease in your own home, doing what you want to do, when you want to do it. 90% of people who live with Trust say it has improved their quality of life.

Glasgow Times:

Christine Jonston, lives in Trust’s Hamilton development. She describes it as ‘Independent Living’ and goes on to say: “Everything is good here, we never have any complaints! Lunch and dinner are excellent. If we need anything at all, Lorraine (Trust staff member) will get it sorted for us. Our repairs are all arranged for us and always get done right away. It’s a really good service.”

“And the pull cords in all the flats make you feel safe and secure - I’ve never needed to use it, but I know it’s there if I do need it.”

“Normally we have lots of activities throughout the year, a Burns Supper, parties at Easter and Christmas and much more. Although we can’t do these at the moment because of COVID restrictions, we are all still friendly here and all still talk to each other (at a social distance).”

Studio one and two bedroom apartments for the over 60s are available, waiting for you in Hamilton.  

Glasgow Times:

Trust Housing always ask for customer feedback and new customers tell them the application process is easy, their lives are better, they’ve made many new friends and they love the sense of community.

Staff are the cornerstone of Trust and this has been even more apparent through the COVID pandemic. Every day, staff go above and beyond to make sure everyone who lives with Trust is incredibly well looked after. Customers’ families often tell the team they worry far less about their loved ones because they know they are safe in a Trust property.

Trust has other welcoming developments across Scotland, from the Highlands to the Borders, operating in 23 local authority areas. To plan your hassle free retirement go to www.trustha.org.uk, call them on 0131 444 1200 or find them on Facebook or Twitter @trust_housing.

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Westerton Care Home

If you’re looking for a care home that provides first class care as well as luxury facilities, delicious meals and a wide range of activities to enjoy, Westerton Care Home is the home for you.

Situated in Bearsden, Glasgow and spread across three floors with floor to ceiling views of Glasgow and the Old Kilpatrick Hills, Westerton offers excellent standards of nursing, residential, dementia and respite care.

Being located in Bearsden means the home is within easy commutable distance into Glasgow City Centre by train or car. The nearest train station (Westerton) and bus stations are only a 10-minute walk away. However, many residents make use of the mini bus enjoying regular trips to places such as the shops, seaside or museums.

In 2018, Westerton added a new state-of-the-art wing which allowed the home to offer a variety of additional facilities including 19 beautifully decorated en-suite bedrooms, a hairdressing salon, spacious cinema room, coffee bar and bistro, sensory room, extended parking and an enviable outdoor space.

Surrounded by landscaped gardens, the home also boasts its own putting green and patio areas (over two levels), which can be enjoyed all year round. Their dedicated team and home-from-home environment puts residents at the heart of everything they do.

At Westerton there is no shortage of fun things for residents to do and the days pass quickly. Their team of Activities Co-ordinators offer everything from arts and crafts, chair yoga, playing darts or skittles, to listening to music, relaxing with a classic “golden oldie” in the cinema room or enjoying a manicure or massage.

When it comes to care, Westerton understand this is a number one priority for residents and their families, and their passionate and experienced staff provide a holistic approach. They are proud to offer a comprehensive service with a personal touch from the first enquiry.

Family values are underpinned by offering residents the best possible experience as they appreciate the move to a care home will most likely be a major change for everyone, but at Westerton they plan to ensure it’s an easy transition.

Find out more by calling 0141 942 5834 or at www.westertoncarehome.com