Marilyn Atwill, 83, moved into Great Oaks in Bournemouth last year following a stroke and heart attacks which left her needing a pacemaker, as well as having to re-learn how to walk and talk. She said that her four children had created a rota system to provide some support to her, but collectively decided that Marilyn needed professional support on-hand 24 hours a day as Marilyn was having panic attacks at night due to loneliness. 

Marilyn had lived in Kinson for 50 years and was keen to be reunited with her friend of 25 years, Margaret, so she said Great Oaks was the natural choice to provide her with the best care.

Residential care at Encore Care Homes provides individuals with the opportunity to live life well in the way that they choose, in a comfortable and reassuring environment that caters for all their wants and needs. Each resident is supported to continue following their own routines and to maintain their own level of independence, should they choose to, with the care team on-hand to support them with everyday tasks. 

Marilyn said: “The staff are fabulous. Nothing is too much trouble. They will make you a coffee in the middle of the night, if you need it. They are always here to chat and they’re always very pleasant. We’re a very special home, really.

She added: “I have the luxury of my breakfast in bed with the television on and I am pleased that they can make my bed for me too. I enjoy the quizzes and we had a cheese and wine party with the other residents the other day, which was lovely.” 

Each resident is treated as an individual at Encore Care Homes, and enabled to make their own decisions and choices in their home-from-home. The team work with every resident to create a detailed individual care plan which identifies which aspects the person needs assistance with so that they can support their normal daily routines. 

Residents are also encouraged to pursue the activities that they enjoy doing as well as learning new hobbies through the extensive daily activity programme provided by each care home’s wellbeing teams. 

Encore Care Homes is currently running a promotion for permanent bookings, which enables residential residents to receive two weeks of care for free to allow them to experience the facilities, home-cooked meals, and activities for themselves.

Encore Care Homes is welcoming new residents to receive residential care, with tours of the homes available involving enhanced Covid-safe measures for the benefit of residents, visitors, and the team. As well as Great Oaks in Bournemouth, the Encore family includes Fairmile Grange in Christchurch, Oakdale in Poole, and Hamble Heights in Fareham. 

For more information about the residential care services available, go to www.encorecarehomes.co.uk/residential