Protecting our residents and staff - Covid-19

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With the ongoing concerns surrounding Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we have taken the decision to allow only health professionals in to the homes to attend to the needs of our residents. We have therefore, closed the home to external visitors for the time-being to reduce the risk of cross infection.

Out staff have been trained on infection control and are using all resources available to minimise any risk to residents and fellow colleagues. We have robust contingency plans in place to ensure the needs of our residents are met, and this is reviewed daily.

We will continue to monitor the situation and seek advice from the government, local authorities, CQC and other professionals. We will re-open the doors to external visitors when it is safe to do and as per government guidance.

In the meantime, we are introducing technologies such as Skype so that family members can keep in touch with loved ones. We thank you for everyone’s continued support and understanding during what is a very difficult and unprecedented time for all.

The White House nominated and recognised for great work at Great British Awards

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The White House, a Centrum Care Home in Teignmouth has been nominated for the “Putting People First/Personalisation” at the Great British Care Awards. 

A care home that was in administration for over 3 years has transformed itself over the last 9 months into a home that is striving for “Excellence in Dementia Care”.

The work by carers, ancillary staff and management has resulted in the home being nominated for the regional finals for the Great British Care Awards.  The award seeks to recognise a team who have embraced the “Putting people first/personalisation agenda and can demonstrate and innovate approach to empowering people to have more control over the support they need in their lives.

Demelza Lamport Coles, Manager for the home commented “the home has transformed itself over the last 9 months.  We have really embraced the journey and developed a home that puts the resident at the heart of what we do”. 


The home has now completed a period of refurbishment making it Dementia Friendly, organise trips to the community, pet therapy, a sensory garden, visits from local community groups and significant 1:1 support.

Mehul Shah, Director it is really impressive how the team have worked hard to keep the home running in what has been a difficult period.  It is now great to see the home reaping the benefits of such efforts and being recognises as a quality home providing good Dementia Care.  Our CQC rating has improved within a short period of time and more importantly the feedback from residents, families and visitors has been really positive on the transformation.

 www.centrumcarehomes.co.uk

Great British Care Awards.jpg

'Fog' by Molly Howick, aged 13

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We thought we’d share this beautiful story that was written by Molly Howick. Her mother Mary sent in this piece of writing that her 13 year old daughter Molly wrote, for the BBC ‘500 words’ competition. It’s told from the point of view of her grandmother, who has dementia. We are sure that the below would resonate with many of our residents and their loved ones.

I stared down at the aged, withered photo in my hand. A beautiful young lady was beaming up at a man whose arms were draped around her shoulders protectively, his chin was held high, a wide grin lighting up his face. You could tell by the adoring look in their glistening eyes that they were basking in eternal, unconditional love. I wasn’t sure about many things anymore, but I knew for certain that their love would endure. Slowly, I turned my head to face the man sitting next to me. His hair was as frosty white as icing sugar, and his chocolate brown eyes stared straight into mine-reassuring me. I peered down at his wrinkled hands, which he was rubbing together nervously.

Quickly I looked back up and croaked in my husky voice “who are they?”

“It’s us my love. Remember?” He replied in a soft, calm voice.

I glanced back at the picture, before moving my eyes up to my pale, skeletal hands. How could that innocent youth in the photo be me, and the handsome man in the photo was unfamiliar. I could sense the anticipation growing as the man waited for an answer.

“No, I don’t remember that, and I don’t remember you!”

As soon as the words had left my mouth the man’s sorrowful eyes glazed with tears, like a tank filling with water. He tried desperately to fight them back, but a single tear escaped rolling slowly down the crumbling mountain of his face. He shook his head, muttering hushed words underneath his breath. As I watched him cry, I understood that it was my fault. But what had I done except tell the truth? Was I meant to remember this man? What I did know was that he was my oxygen, constantly there for me.

“Sorry” I stammered through the blankness of my faltering mind.

“Don’t ever apologise my love” he replied with a voice thick with emotion, “it’s not your fault. Just know that.”

His final words continued to whir around and around my head, smothering me in a layer of confusion. Hesitantly, I reached out my hand meeting his halfway. We sat joined like this for what felt like forever, it made me feel safe, secure.

If only it could stay like this, but the fog surrounding me gets denser and denser every day.

They keep telling me I have dementia, to me it’s just a meaningless word, but it’s not only me who suffers.  Every name I lose sight of, every face I can’t quite recall causes devastation. It’s like throwing a pebble into the sea, it triggers ripples all around. Waking up each morning and having to walk through an isolated forest, searching desperately for a piece of recognition, just something to call mine. It scares me beyond belief. But then through the mist will appear a bright familiar light guiding me to safety, through the depths of my foggy mind. The man whose heart will always be mine."

Molly Howick, Age 13
Chichester, West Sussex

Mayor visits Teignmouth Care Homes, Croft Lodge and The White House

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On Wednesday 12th September 2018, Councillor June Green, the current Mayoress of Teignmouth visited the quality Devon Care homes, Croft Lodge and The White House to see the great work since the homes have been under new ownership just over four months ago.

The Mayoress had the opportunity to meet residents, staff, families and the management team. She was impressed with the positive efforts by all in the running of both care homes and commented on the efforts being made by all to deliver quality care to the residents.

The Mayoress then opened the afternoon tea where everyone enjoyed homemade scones, sandwiches and tea/coffee.

Here are a few photos from the afternoon:






Out Now: Summer 2018 Newsletter

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Our team have been working hard in the last 12 weeks - find out what we've been up to in our latest newsletter: 

"Hello, and welcome to the first edition of the Centrum Chronicle - a quarterly update from Centrum Care Homes. Well, what an 12 weeks we’ve had - yes it really is only 12 weeks since we bought Croft Lodge and The White House on 10 May.

There’s been a lot going on in that time - and like an iceberg you can probably only see 10% of it. We’ve been working hard to make improvements both big and small - so here’s a bit of a run down for you...."

Download our newsletter to read more