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Robert Mair spoke with Tina Freed and Lynda Penfold, managers of Linda Lodge in Sutton, Surrey.
In this article:
Location of Linda Lodge
CSCI report and cost
Manager’s view
Life in Linda Lodge
Location of Linda Lodge
Situated in the commuter town of Sutton, Surrey, Linda Lodge is a converted period building in an affluent leafy suburb only a short walk from Sutton town centre and local amenities.
CSCI report and cost
Linda Lodge has yet to be rated according to CSCI’s current star-rating system.
Its last published inspection took place in June 2007, where it met standards relating to ‘Health and Personal Care’, ‘Daily Life and Social Activities’ and ‘Complaints and Protection’. In other areas, minor improvements have been recommended and the home has worked hard to achieve these.
The home has 26 beds and specialises in the care of frail elderly and mentally ill over-55s. A bed at Linda Lodge costs £425-£460.
Manager’s view
Linda Lodge is a family-run business, owned and operated by sisters Tina Freed and Lynda Penfold. Having inherited the home from their father, they have stayed true to his vision by providing family-orientated care in a relaxing and stress-free environment.
To help the staff achieve this aim, Tina and Lynda are eager to spend as much time on the floor with the residents as possible. This has helped them to develop an understanding with the residents so they can tell if anything is wrong – particularly those with mental health conditions. Lynda says:
“We take people with depression or schizophrenia – where their condition is controlled by medication.
“We’ve also built up good relationships with local doctors and psychiatrists so we can ring them if we feel someone isn’t very well and they’ll come in as quickly as possible.”
As well as monitoring the mental wellbeing of their residents, the staff at Linda Lodge are also keen to let the residents live independently, meaning they are free to go out when they please – so long as they tell the staff where they are going. Lynda says:
“People think that once they come into the home they can’t go out again, and that’s simply not true. Some go to the shops and a couple go to the pub. The residents are quite independent – they just live at Linda Lodge”
Life in Linda Lodge
Linda Lodge is a deceptively large care home, which makes the most of the space available. A large conservatory at the rear of the home ensures social areas are open and light and the dining room and entrance hall are inviting and rustically charming.
Numerous pictures of 1950s film stars and musicians adorn the walls, as well as pictures of Sutton from years gone by. These act as a talking point for the residents – and prove a useful tool for the staff’s reminiscence work.
Other activities in the home include board games, quizzes and bingo. The staff also take the residents on walks around Sutton and for afternoons out at local pubs.
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