"a wonderful place for Mum"

My mum Jean lived her last 12 weeks at Ivelhurst when she was too ill with cancer for her needs to be met at home. Like anyone of sound mind, she did not want to go, but once there and settled into a clean and spacious room with all her pictures and books with her, she flourished in the kind and caring routine.

Ivelhurst was immaculately clean with none of the grim smell of some homes I visited. The staff were kind, professional, caring and never too busy to look after mum's needs.

The food was healthy and home cooked, with many choices. I was always welcome to visit mum anytime and have a meal or tea with her. There were daily activities to join in, although mum was by then a bit beyond joining in.

When mum fell a few times due to her never learning to use her alarm button for help, matron was quick to tell me about it and put a better plan in place which reduced the chance of falling a great deal.

Ivelhurst is airy and spacious and quiet - despite having a room near the main road, there was little traffic noise. It was lovely to be just round the corner from a park where we could take mum on sunny days, and it is a stone's throw from Yeovil Hospital in case of emergencies.

I totally recommend Ivelhurst as a place for your loved one to live, whether for respite, residential, nursing or end of life care, we are so lucky to have a place like this in Somerset.

Mum always said she wanted to make it to 90 - and she did. We threw a wonderful family party in the quiet lounge. A little tip - don't have fireworks on the cake - it sets off the fire alarm! Still, everyone who rushed in got a slice of cake!

I can't thank the staff enough for making mum's last weeks as peaceful and pleasant as could be. She was in great pain from her cancer and her medication was regularly reviewed, and balanced to relieve pain without turning her into a zombie. I hope there will be room there for me one day if needs be.