"Caring and friendly"

My aunt spent the final 7 years of her life at Enbridge House, initially paying privately but, when eventually her funds ran out, graduating to county council support. Her experiences with "home care", and a trial period in a more modern (no doubt efficient) care home in the area, had been depressing as the personnel in both situations had not made meaningful personal contact with her, to the point of apparent rudeness. It was therefore a relief to find that after a few weeks' settling in at Enbridge House, my aunt had formed an excellent relationship with the owner and staff, and frequently told us that she was happy to be there. In her late 90s and when she passed her 100th birthday, she became increasingly unable to hear conversations or to concentrate on them, so the family atmosphere of the home, the cheerfully attentive attitude of the carers, and their knack of bypassing hurdles to communication with their clients, made her day-to-day existence bearable despite her various long-term health issues. I am aware of the CQC report in August 2021 which found various aspects of the home inadequate: all I can is that the report writer did not experience the high quality of care which I, my sister, and my aunt's other visitors frequently remarked upon. Enbridge House has a good reputation in nearby Newbury, and I wonder how many (if any) residents, or relatives of residents, were asked for their views and experiences before that report was finalised. The only criticism I would make of the home is that it could do with some refurbishment particularly to the frontage and exterior, which would probably be the first thing to happen should a marketing guru be appointed. But what really matters in a care home, which I shall remember when it's my turn to go into one, is friendliness of the staff towards residents and the homely atmosphere which that leads to. Enbridge House was first-rate in that regard.