If you’ve been down Loughborough Road in Ruddington recently you’ll notice some big changes are happening at Balmore Country House.
The historic Ruddington property set in leafy surroundings, which now serves as a most attractive care home for a growing community of residents, is currently being enlarged by owners MyCare to provide a plethora of new onsite facilities. Originally a 42 bed care home, a sympathetically designed extension has been added recently – with 28 new bedrooms over two floors – and there’s still more to come.
Some rooms downstairs have access to their own private secure courtyard and others have their own door to a garden and patio area. There’s a new lounge with numerous, themed sitting areas plus a decked area being set up which will connect both lounges from the outside. A new front garden has been created for visits and garden parties, too.
Jeanette Heath, who’s been the home’s manager since the start of 2015, promises there’s always lots happening to keep Balmore residents stimulated and entertained: “We have a member of staff allocated to the main lounge daily who will reminisce, sing, read newspapers, quiz, play guitar, karaoke, etc. Alongside that, we have an activities co-ordinator who arranges group and one to one events for the residents; for example, beauty therapy, hairdressing, cinema afternoons, fetes, parties, bingo and outside vocalist artists. We also have a gentleman that attends six times a month to do chair-based exercises with the residents.” She adds that residents and visitors are always keen to have a conversation with Balmore’s much loved Poppy the parrot, too!
Each service user is assessed prior to admission, through a comprehensive written appraisal, to be sure their requirements can be met. The home is also able to care for residents with more acute needs – having developed a high dependency area which has seven beds with its own lounge and kitchenette. A member of staff is present in this area at all times unless responding to an emergency within the unit.
Of course, care homes everywhere have been hit very hard by the Coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully, however, COVID restrictions are now beginning to ease. MyCare is now facilitating visits inside the care home three days a week, with outside visits running alongside, which enables extra family members to see their loved ones.
Probably the most exciting development at Balmore Country House is the addition of the new ‘Retirement Village’ to the rear of the existing premises. Jeanette reveals: “We are currently having 42 self contained supported living flats onsite which will enable people who are not ready for full time care to live a good safe quality of life with care on call as and when required. These will have their own lounge bedroom and drink facilities. The sitting areas are already in place – with plans for a hairdressing salon, café and gym.”
If you would like to find out more about Balmore Country House, or about MyCare‘s other Ruddington properties Orchard House and St Peter’s Care Home, you can make contact and request a brochure >>HERE<<.
