Hi there,

We are looking for low care accommodation for our mother.

As food is an important part of care, we insist that no junk food is served as meals.

For instance:

• hot dogs;
• dim sims;
• party pies;
• hash browns;
• chicken nuggets;
• frozen seasoned wedges;
• tinned mushrooms.

And that the fresh food is cooked by experienced cooks.

My mother is in a facility at the moment and the poached eggs are cooked until they are hard as rocks and inedible.

Many of the soups in the facility are powdered.

We would like a facility where:

• residents can order their food the day before and not a week in advance;
• the breakfast times are flexible 8-9am and supper is served at 8pm ish to her room, so she doesn't have to go to the lounge for it;
• the happy hour is in the afternoon and not 11.30am on Friday morning;
• fresh fruit is available and not just one piece given at the evening meal, often not ripe;
• the management are open to suggestion and volunteers are welcome;
• complaints or concerns are welcomed and not fobbed off.

We would also like a home where the staff do not abuse the residents and they are treated with respect and dignity (eg, my mother was told "don't ring the buzzer ... it's not a hotel" and "if you have a complaint, go and see the cook").

How does an 88 year old woman with dementia find the cook?!

Can you please help?

Many thanks,
Concerned daughter.