I would like to share my experience of Arlington Lodge in Royal Leamington Spa, as the daughter of my mother who resided there.We chose this beautiful retirement living lodge initially based on its location within a short walk to the town centre and Jephson Gardens. It meant my mother could wander in for a coffee and catch up and do her shopping independently, but that wouldn't cost a fortune if she wanted to catch the bus or get a taxi back from town.The Lodge is located along a beautiful, residential, tree-lined avenue that is peaceful and safe, with parking and sunny, manicured gardens. That was the second reason we felt the Lodge was a good fit. I wanted to make sure my mother felt safe and relaxed but could confidently invite friends over. The Lodge takes security very seriously, so Mum knew that if she wanted to go away and visit friends for a few days, her apartment would be safe. She wouldn't have to worry about it.It was also important that Mum could see greenery, as we all know it's good for mental health, and she had her own patio and garden area to tend to, if she wanted, although the official gardeners look after the gardens.The Lodge, most importantly, has an emergency Careline system installed, which offered peace of mind to us both. In fact, all apartments are designed to make living easier as you get older, with little maintenance and most costs known in advance (a bit like how an all-inclusive holiday offers reassurance when it comes to outgoings).Mum was very independent, although she did attend some of the events organised, and the coffee mornings were a great way of finding out what was happening and catch-up with others.Arlington Lodge proved to be a great choice for my mother and for me, as it took away worries for her and worries for me. I knew she enjoyed independence yet wasn't alone; she was safe (really important to me), and she was happy in her home and garden.
