Care home resident with MS able to holiday with wife once again

A couple who were forced to end their previous summer holiday after just two days, have been able to enjoy quality time together once again with the help of a Bournemouth care home.

Paul and Valerie Griffiths, from Doncaster, would always look forward to their annual break in Bournemouth, until he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The couple found it increasingly challenging to manage his care needs while staying in hotels and were faced with the dilemma of missing out on a holiday last year.

Determined to have a family break once again, Paul booked himself into Kingsman House Care Home care home, while Valerie and her sister Lynn stayed in the nearby Marsham Court Hotel.

Mr Griffiths said: “This enabled us to have a great holiday, spending enjoyable quality time together, while the home supported my care needs.”

Each morning, the care team at Meyrick Rise would help Paul to get washed, dressed and ready for the day ahead, giving him breakfast and helping him into his electric wheelchair, ready for Valerie and Lynn to arrive.

It meant the couple could go out together on trips to local attractions and to their favourite beauty spots, such as Sandbanks in Poole.

He added: “At the end of the day, I would return to Meyrick Rise and Valerie and Lynn would go to their hotel to have a meal and enjoy the evening sun on their sea view balcony.

“I would have my evening meal and around 6.30 ask to be helped to bed, where I could relax and watch TV or watch Sky sport on my tablet, until I was ready to go to sleep at about 10pm. The carers would help me to turn on my side, which is how I usually sleep.”

According to Mr Griffiths, the standard of accommodation and service at Meyrick Rise compares to that of a good quality hotel.

“The staff were lovely and couldn’t have made me feel more welcome. I was safe and they respected my dignity. I had a lot of fun with them,” he said.

“I have already booked for next year and I am really looking forward to my next holiday.”

Meyrick Rise is run by brighterkind who have 71 care and nursing homes in England and Scotland. Meyrick Rise is rated as ‘Good’ by the CQC.

click here for more details or to contact Kingsman House Care Home