Genuine companionship through our support
When Hazel Watson’s dementia and mobility needs increased, her daughter Helen found reassurance, consistency and genuine companionship through the support of Caremark Leeds.
For Helen, the decision to move back to Leeds from Canada was life changing. After 38 years overseas, she left behind her home, her work and family to be with her mother, Hazel Watson, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,
Hazel, a former teacher of 49 years, has lived a very interesting life. Born in Bradford, she moved to Leeds during the Second World War. She later went to teach in Africa, where she met her husband, John. After decades abroad, Hazel returned to Leeds, where she lived independently for more than two decades.
But as Hazel’s dementia progressed, her daily routine became increasingly important. Familiar faces, regular timings and patient support were not just helpful — they were essential. Helen first sought support through another care agency, but the experience left her deeply worried.
“It was like day and night between the two agencies,” Helen said. “With the previous agency, there was a different person on a different day at a different time. There was no consistency in my mum’s routine.”
A routine restored
Caremark Leeds stepped in at short notice towards the end of 2025, bringing structure back into Hazel’s day-to-day life. The team rebuilt the routines Hazel knew and relied on, from mealtimes and medication prompts to laundry, hydration, hygiene and personal care.
“The team stepped in on short notice and picked up Hazel’s routine as if they had always been in the role,” Helen says.
That reliability mattered enormously to Helen, especially because Hazel’s dementia meant that consistency could reduce confusion and anxiety. The same carers arriving at the same times became part of Hazel’s rhythm, helping her feel safer and more settled at home.
“For people who have dementia, having the same person coming at the same time each day becomes part of their routine,” Helen explains.
“That was absolutely essential, and I really appreciated that Caremark understood that.”.
Care that went above and beyond
For Helen, the difference was not only in what the carers did, but how they did it. She says the personalised approach showed in the small, everyday interactions that helped her remain connected.
“The carers that were attending to my mum would laugh and joke and share stories,” Helen says.
“When my mum would sit and eat her lunch, they would chat with her. So, there was a lot of social interaction.”
Helen particularly praised carers Toluwalase, Mandeep, Sunita, Milly and Navjot for maintaining Hazel’s care routine and her sense of humour. Tolu, she says, developed a special bond with Hazel.
“Tolu always makes Mum smile, laugh and joke around,” Helen says.
For a daughter who had uprooted her life to support her mother, that warmth made an enormous difference. Helen said the carers took a personal interest in Hazel’s history. They treated her as a whole person, not simply as a list of care needs.
“The most important aspect I have appreciated over the months is how the carers engaged Mum in conversation and taken a personal interest in her history,” adds Helen.
One of the clearest signs of Helen’s trust came in December 2025, when she returned to Canada for a 10-day visit. After her previous experience with care support, leaving Hazel was a major leap of faith. But her carers took over Hazel’s full caring routine while Helen was away.
Helen adds: “From my previous agency experience, it was a total leap of faith. I was relieved that even in my absence they didn’t miss a beat. They maintained Mum’s care routine and consistency while I was away.”
That trust grew so strong that Helen eventually felt able to stop monitoring the care through cameras she had installed after the earlier problems with the other agency.
“I came to trust and fully rely on the Caremark team and was able to turn off the cameras and not observe the daily standard of care,” says Helen.
They have become extended family
After eight months of support, Hazel moved into residential care on 10th August 2026. It was a difficult step as Hazel was understandably sad to leave the home she had known for 22 years. But Helen says the move became necessary because of Hazel’s increasing mobility issues and the number of falls she had experienced.
Had there been space for 24-hour support at home, Helen said she would have wanted Caremark Leeds to continue providing that care.
“If there had been space to do that, believe me, Caremark would have got that job,” Helen says.
“Hands down, the experience from start to finish has been phenomenal.”
Looking back, Helen said Caremark Leeds helped her carry the practical and emotional weight of caring for Hazel. With her own family far away in Canada, the carers’ presence gave her reassurance and reduced the sense of being alone with the responsibility.
“Without the team of wonderful carers, I would have had a much tougher time managing Mum’s care and would have certainly felt more overwhelmed,” says Helen.
“Her care team have felt like extended family, especially given that my own family is so far away in Canada.”
“Not only do her carers deserve recognition and thanks for the standard of care they have consistently provided, but they have also been the frontline face of Caremark and good stewards for the agency.”
About Caremark Leeds and Caremark Bradford
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from a little extra support at home, please view our home care services in Leeds and home care services in Bradford or call our friendly team today on 0113 264 4466.