A day in the life at Montrose House

Montrose House is our multi award-winning, CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ residential care home.

Montrose in the morning

A typical day at Montrose House begins with staff arriving and greeting any residents who are already up. These simple morning check-ins help set a positive, calm start to the day before everyone heads into the kitchen for a drink and prepares for the shift ahead.

Around 7.30am, the handover from night staff takes place. This is when we share any important updates from overnight or previous days, especially for team members who have been off. We also review the day’s task list and delegate jobs, so everyone is clear on their responsibilities. From 8am to 10am, the keyholders carry out the first medication round, supporting residents to take their medication safely. While this is happening, the rest of the team assists residents with personal care and provides breakfast.

The morning can be busy and varied. Depending on the schedule, staff may support residents with community access, medical appointments (including mental health reviews), social outings such as to the shop or pub, or trips into town. We also check in with residents about their meal preferences for lunch and dinner from our four-week rotating menu. Routine health and safety checks and support with laundry are fitted in around this work.

Lunch at Montrose House

Lunch is served between 11.30am and 12pm, offering options such as sandwiches, soups, pancakes, or eggs. The keyholder then administers midday medication. Our next handover happens between 1.30pm and 2pm, led by the morning keyholder and joined by the staff starting their shift. This includes passing the sleepover keys to the incoming sleepover staff member, who will complete the medication duties for the rest of the day and following morning.

What happens in the afternoons?

Afternoons follow a similar pattern to the morning. Staff continue supporting any scheduled activities or appointments, and preparations begin for the evening meal. Residents are encouraged to be involved in the kitchen if they wish. Others may take part in baking, bingo, watching YouTube, or simply chatting with staff. Often these conversations lead naturally into key-working sessions.

Winding down for the evening

The evening meal is served around 4.45pm, after which staff tidy and clean the kitchen. Residents often choose to help, and for those with mobility needs, we adapt tasks like drying up so they can still take part. Evenings offer a mix of relaxation and social time. Some residents gather in the lounge for TV or a Netflix movie, with support from staff. Others prefer games, crafting, colouring, or spending time in the kitchen.

Later in the evening, staff support residents who need assistance with personal care and getting ready for bed. The keyholder completes the final medication round between 8pm and 10.30pm. Just before ten, handover to the waking night staff takes place, ensuring the night team has everything they need. Sleep-in staff head to bed at 11pm, ready to assist the night staff in emergencies if required.

Throughout the day, all staff record interactions on Nourish, our digital system, ensuring accurate and up-to-date notes that support consistent, high-quality care.

This steady routine, supported by teamwork and communication, is what keeps Montrose running smoothly. Every task, every interaction, and every moment of support makes a real difference to our residents’ daily lives. It’s the collective effort of the whole team that makes this possible.

Thank you to Gary and the Montrose Team for sharing this with us.