The Moment I Knew: Finding Dementia Care for Mum

After an extensive search for the right dementia care, Zoe Antoniades was struggling to find somewhere suitable for her mum. Then she walked through the doors at Chartwell House. Here, in her own words, is what happened next.

I’d been looking at a number of care homes for my mum, who’s been living with Alzheimer’s for many years. Some of the places I visited were good. Others broke my heart.

After one particularly depressing viewing, I cycled over to Chartwell House to see if I might make an appointment with them. The moment the doors swished open, I knew this was the place for us.

I found myself in a beautiful lobby that was on a par with a 5-star boutique hotel. But it wasn’t just the décor and facilities – it was the feeling that the place had. The receptionist, Helen, welcomed me in right away and arranged for the admissions manager, Jude, to meet with me there and then. I was given a tour, and more importantly, I was given time and understanding.

I could see clearly that the ethos was all about enabling the residents to continue living, rather than just sitting around to wait out the final chapter. The facilities, dementia care and activity programme were exactly what Mum needed. I was pretty much saying, “Where do I sign?” from the very start.

The Reality of Settling In

I can’t deny that emotionally it’s been tough. I’ve cried a lot. The settling-in period for Mum has not been without its ups and downs. But I’m confident she’s in the best place she can be, considering the circumstances.

It’s sad, though. It brings home the fact that Mum’s Alzheimer’s has progressed to the next level and she’s never going to get any better. It’s also really upsetting going back to her old house and putting it on the market. It feels very empty there now.

But it’s reassuring to know that Mum belongs to a new home now – one that’s best for her.

The staff at Chartwell House are supportive every step of the way, not just to the residents, but to their family and friends. They’ve really listened and cared, and have the expertise and kindness to act on any issues that might arise. All the staff are excellent. People who’ve had an extra special impact so far are Helen, Kelly, Jude, Jaye, Diane, Lily, and Rachel.

The Long Goodbye

They say that watching a loved one decline with dementia is “the long goodbye,” and some ten years on, it does feel like that. We’re grieving for Mum even though she’s still alive, because there’s so much of her that’s already lost. It’s very hard. And very painful.

But when she’s singing and dancing and chatting and engaging with the people and activity at Chartwell House, we can see that the old Mum is “still in there” and she knows how to have fun.

Chartwell House enables us to help Mum live in the moment and experience joy whenever she can. We’re so grateful for the good times, and Chartwell House plays a big part in making sure we all have many more.

Zoe Antoniades

Finding the Right Care Home for Your Family

Zoe’s experience captures what many families go through when searching for dementia care, the emotional exhaustion, the heartbreak of inadequate options, and the relief of finally finding the right place.

At Chartwell House, our Nostalgia Care programme is designed specifically for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We combine specialist support with meaningful activities, person-centred care plans, and a warm, homely environment where residents can continue to experience joy and purpose.

If you’re in the middle of your own search and would like to see what made the difference for Zoe and her mum, we’d be happy to welcome you for a personal tour. There’s no pressure, just time to talk, ask questions, and get a feel for whether we’re the right fit.

For more information about Chartwell House or to arrange a visit, please visit www.chartwellhouse.care