






Firstlings has been established since 1986 and has an excellent reputation within the area. Firstlings is located in Maldon and is very near to lots of local amenities. The home welcomes elderly people and elderly people with dementia.
Firstlings is beautifully presented throughout and offers residents a clean environment in which to stay. Carers pride themselves on maintaining high standards at Firstlings and always push themselves to do even better.
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Care Provided by Firstlings
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 32 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Firstlings for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Firstlings to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Sohal Healthcare Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Tina Bentley (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2018
Room Information
- Single Rooms (32)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (26)
Firstlings Reviews (76)
Firstlings has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.672) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Firstlings has 76 reviews.
Every member of staff from management, carers, entertainment, maintenance, domiciliary to kitchen staff give such a high standard of care, delivered in a professional but friendly, caring way.
All of my family, my mother and myself were always greeted with a smile and they were all so welcoming.
In respect of my cousin, who was a resident at Firstlings Care Home for a period of twenty months, I cannot speak more highly of the love, care and respect given by the staff and management. As a relative, we were treated with respect at all times and advised by the staff of anything that we needed to know in respect of the health and well-being of our cousin. They are wonderful people as well as being extremely professional.
I visit my aunt regularly at Firstlings, the staff are very helpful, the home is always kept clean and my aunt is very happy here. She is kept clean and tidy and loves her manicures there. Would highly recommend this care home.
I visit my aunt at Firstlings at least a couple of times a week and can say she is very well cared for. She particularly enjoys the in-house entertainment including bingo and singing and also getting her hair done as she has always looked after her appearance. The staff are very professional but also friendly, the home is welcoming and clean and I am very grateful for how happy my aunt is here, it's an amazing home and I highly recommend it.
My friend seems happy and content and is always clean and happy when I see her. Her mental capacity has deteriorated over the year she has been resident, but I would have expected that as this was the primary reason, she needed 24-hour care as even with the support of carers in her home her overall health was deteriorating, however, her particular physical health issues which were ongoing issues with swollen oedematous legs have improved 100% and I think this is due to the care of the home but also that she is now well nutritioned and her every need is met. She has her hair done weekly which she loves, and a paper delivered every day, at home she had lost interest in reading. I am always treated well when I visit and I now find that I can spend quality time with her catching up on things, and on the advice of the carers now know how to manage her memory loss and talking to and listening to her in the time and place she is on that day. The staff are caring and supportive.
When I call they answer with manners and politeness. They always made to feel very welcome and my lady is always very clean and very happy and well looked after, the room is clean and tidy and I get offered a hot drink on arrival.
Mum's interactions with the staff show how much they care for her and also how cared for she feels. With Alzheimer's, her reactions are genuine and it's always comforting for us to see how well the staff know Mum and care about her as a person, not just a resident.
Even when stretched, the staff have time for you and listen to your questions or concerns. There is real stability amongst the staff too which is hugely important for anyone with dementia, but also their family.
We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Firstlings and cannot thank them enough.
Having regular hair appointments has been good for her.
There is plenty of stimulating entertainment and activities for each individual's needs.
The home is spotlessly clean, with five-star nutritious and appetising food.
Mum has only been here a month so a bit early to comment but all seems good so far. She is bedridden but is kept clean and comfortable the staff do a very good job and we are pleased overall with the care she is getting.
Our mum is very happy here, mum still thinks that she is in her own home doing all her own washing, cleaning etc and we know she's not. However, it just proves mum is happy. She eats well, is sleeping well and loves telling everyone what to do. We know that she is safe and well and if ever she is unwell the doctor is called and she is seen the same day so that is very important to us. The staff are all wonderful and from what I have seen they love their job.
Our experience of the home has been excellent. The carers are thoughtful and tireless, can't do enough to help. We have visited the home a lot and each time the residents are treated with complete respect and kindness and their needs are taken care of. The chef and kitchen staff are amazing and cook fresh, nutritious, tasty-looking food each day. There is support from nurses where needed. The residents are kept entertained with various activities during the day by people who genuinely want to be with them and who get to know each person and their needs/quirks. There are two comfy lounges where they can sit, chat, watch telly etc. My mum didn't want to go into any care home, because she was afraid of change. In fact, she just couldn't manage at home.
Firstlings dealt with this transition very sensitively and mum soon settled in and is so happy and smiley each time we go. I wouldn't want to leave her with anyone else.
Mum had to be found a care home at very short notice and it was also during Covid. After an initial telephone conversation then a zoom call with the deputy manager I knew that this place was the best home for my mum. I was not able to view it prior to her moving in (due to Covid) but once I was allowed to visit I was very pleased I had made that choice. Every single one of the staff I have come into contact with since mum moved in (April 2021) has been lovely and also know my mum personally, she is not just a number. The home is small in comparison to some others, but I think that suits mum as it definitely feels more homely. Mum has dementia so is not really able to speak up for herself but I have no concerns about her care whatsoever. Firstlings is a lovely place for her to be and peace of mind for me too.
My mother-in-law has been in Firstlings for six and a half years and has been so well looked after. It has been like a home from home for her. She seems to have aged very little considering she is 101, which is indicative of the quality of the tenderness and care she is given at Firstlings. Family visitors are also treated as important to the well-being of the residents, and she is able to benefit from regular visits that Firstlings encourage.
During the past 18 months throughout the covid pandemic, the care staff in Firstlings have been amazing in caring for mum, and keeping me up-to-date with all the safety precautions necessary for the well-being of residents and visitors. They must have had to work beyond the call of duty and I thank them for all they have done and are still doing.
Firstlings are amazing with mum. I wouldn't have her anywhere else. The staff are wonderful.
I have always found the staff at Firstlings to be caring and kind. The care provided is faultless and I never have any concerns about how she is being treated. I was totally confident that she was being well looked after during the year or so when I was unable to visit. Thank you Firstlings!
The home is always clean, I am very happy with all aspects of the care that my mother receives.
Both of my parents have been residents of Firstlings, and the personalised care and support they have received have been excellent. The staff and management take time to get to know their residents and personalised care to their individual needs. I am very content that they have my parents best interest in mind at all times.
Beautiful home, staff and food. Can't complain about anything. My wife is looked after ever so well.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 02 October 2019Outstanding
- CaringOutstanding
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveOutstanding
- SafeGood
- Well-ledOutstanding
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Firstlings.
There are no upcoming events for Firstlings.
Awards / Recognitions (10)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Firstlings
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Firstlings
- 28 Feb 2019Recipient: Firstlings
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Firstlings.
Meet the Team (2)

My name is Tina, I have worked at Firstlings since 1999, progressing from the role of Junior Carer to Registered Manager in 2009. I'm extremely passionate and caring and have adapted to the many changes that have been introduced within the care sector. My ethos is to be the voice for my residents whilst accommodating their individual needs.
We have been awarded several accolades over the years and continue to receive some great testimonials from the families of our residents, not least of which was to be accredited with an "Outstanding" rating by the CQC, which is indeed a testament to the sheer dedication of every valued member of my team.
Of worthy mention, is the fact that I also worked alongside the parliamentary review for care homes, to give some real insight into our world and the many challenges that we continue to face, both operationally and commercially, in our assertive effort to deliver the very best level of care within our community.

I have worked at Firstlings since I was 20 years old. I joined as a Care Assistant, then moved on to Senior, where I worked night shifts for 15 years before taking up the role of Deputy Manager in 2009.
Firstlings is more than your place of work, it is also like being at home.
I enjoy all aspects of my job and find my role very rewarding, one aspect being the end of life care. To support our residents and their families whilst ensuring everything is in place such as Farleigh Hospice, anticipatory medication and to ensure their passing is pain-free and dignified. I feel the last part of the care you can finally give is a great honour.
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