Larchwood Care Home

108 Broad Road, Braintree CM7 9RX
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9.7 104 Reviews
  • Larchwood Care Home, Braintree
Larchwood Care Home, tucked away in a quiet, rural location just outside Braintree in Essex, provides personalised residential dementia care to older people.

Offering a welcoming setting, the purpose-built home boasts a variety of places to relax, dine and spend time with loved ones or fellow residents. Residents also benefit from a hairdressing salon, memory room and a sunny conservatory, while the attractive garden at Larchwood includes a delightful sensory area and a summer house and is the perfect place to enjoy the sunnier days.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the care sector, the friendly home manager leads the team at Larchwood to deliver the kindest possible care to residents. The professional care team takes the time to learn about each person's individual hobbies and interests, supporting residents to lead an active and fulfilling life. Whether it be continuing with well-loved hobbies or trying out something new, the detailed activities programme ensures every day offer something to look forward to.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 64 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1498

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Larchwood Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Donna Owen (Care Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (64)

Larchwood Care Home Reviews (104)

9.7

Larchwood Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.721) out of 10, based on 30 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Larchwood Care Home has 104 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Larchwood Care Home
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Total of 104, showing 81-100
Review from Lynda T (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 March 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had our regular review today, treated with courtesy as usual.


I cannot praise Larchwood and all their staff enough.

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Review from N U (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
Most of the staff are caring and kind but there are several who are lazy, inexperienced and in the wrong job. Mum is still on the same tube of toothpaste that she had when she went into the home in June 2016 as it appears that her teeth rarely get cleaned. Shower gel disappears - it gets left in the
bathroom and other residents use it. There does not seem to be much entertainment at the moment and mum is often left in her bedroom without even the TV on. She is stubborn so probably her own worse enemy but some of the carers are able to persuade her. Bedroom not very clean.
Reply from Clare Sheehan, Care Advisor at Larchwood Care Home

Thank you for your review, we appreciate all feedback received as this helps us improve our service if required. Larchwood offers a full induction programme to all new staff who are supported by a mentor to embrace and embed our core principles of providing the kindest care.


All residents have their own preferences as to where they spend their time. Options are always offered to our residents, though some residents prefer to spend time in their rooms, others prefer to be amongst their fellow residents and staff. We always encourage our residents to socialise where possible.


Our housekeeping team have clear and robust cleaning schedules in place which are reflective of our infection control policy for day to day cleaning and forms part of our resident of the day process.


We will meet with our team and ensure that your concerns are addressed and sustained. The Home Manager would welcome the opportunity to meet with you in the near future so please get in touch with the service

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Review from Chris G (Son of Resident) published on 16 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very caring. Will call if there are any problems or incidents that relate to my mother. Good value for money, activities lack at present due to relevant staff leaving. Care is taken in personal appearance with hair, nails etc. A doctor is always called if needed.
Reply from Claire Hurworth, Careline Manager at Larchwood Care Home

Thank you for your review, we appreciate all feedback received as it helps us improve our service where required. Larchwood has a schedule of planned activities which are displayed within the home. A newsletter will be sent out to all relatives to inform them of the planned activities within the service for the next few weeks, leading up to Christmas. This will be bi-monthly going forward. We have a team of volunteers who support the service which includes delivering activities to our residents. The staff and the management team are currently supporting the activity programme to ensure that it meets the needs of our residents.

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Review from S J (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Lovely, helpful staff.
Kind and caring.
My mother is treated with dignity and respect.
I feel the staff are genuinely fond of mum.
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Review from C K (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Has been nice so far. All the staff are very nice and quiet and caring and my mom is quite settled which has made the experience more bearable.
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Review from Judith L (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
There have been some issues with Larchwood, in particular, keeping the care home managers - 3 in 5 years! But, the quality of care was always good and reliable. The home has recently been totally redecorated to a very high standard, which made visiting a lot more enjoyable. All the staff seemed dedicated
to their job and on the whole, most were very approachable.
Reply from HC-One, Careline Team at Larchwood Care Home

Thank you for taking the time to complete a review. We really value the feedback provided by those who use our services.
We appreciate your positive comments which will be passed on to the team.
With regards to your comments about the Home Manager, I have now been at Larchwood for the last 3 years, of which the last 18 months as Home Manager and I look forward to continuing with the company in the future. I operate an open door policy, please feel free to call in when you are visiting to discuss any concerns you may have.

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Review from Evelyn R (Sister-in-law of Resident) published on 9 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
As I live a long way away and due to circumstances I am not able to visit now, but I use to up until last year I always found it very friendly and enjoyed visiting my brother-in-law. Now I only phone and he always seems very happy and the staff are always very polite and friendly to me.
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Review from P E M (Wife of Resident) published on 29 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Although my husband was in this home for a short while, I found it excellent. On researching homes, I visited Larchwood Care Centre on spec and was welcomed and shown around immediately. A very good sign. It was clean and the facilities appeared to be excellent as proved to be the case on my husbands
stay.
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Review from E L F (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My father moved in on the 6th September 2016. I have seen a marked improvement in my father he seems happier and talkative. The staff are excellent helping him to settle in, since he has been there a lot of improvements have neem taking place but the staff have handled it well and still seem to care
about how the residents are coping with the upheaval. I am so glad I picked this care home.
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Review from Ruth S (Resident) published on 30 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Have been a resident for four months with multiple medical problems. Was extremely ill and now I'm in good health and humour due to the wonderful care and attention I have received here. The staff are very supportive, helpful, considerate and capable in all aspects of care, even my diet problems have
been supported and dealt with. I cannot speak highly enough about this care home and would recommend them to the highest degree.
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Review from Hilary P (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother has been a resident at Larchwood since December 2015 and it would be fair to say she has taken a while to settle. However recently she said to me that the more she thought about it, the luckier she felt to have found Larchwood as a home. She still has up days and down days but hardly surprising
as she approaches 90, with confusion, poor sight and arthritis. The staff have all gone out of their way to be welcoming, kind and caring. They are always cheerful and often have a laugh with her. I can't thank them enough for helping mum feel settled.
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Review from Brenda M (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since the first day my father walked through the doors of Larchwood he has been treated with dignity and respect. It is one of the hardest decisions to make to put someone you love into a care home. This has been respected by all staff, be it the management, care staff, kitchen staff, laundry staff,
maintenance and entertainment. They have all made the move for him being an independent man, to somebody following several strokes and needs that bit of extra support, painless. I have not seen my father so happy. Thank you to all involved.
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Review from Max S (Son of Resident) published on 11 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
This relates to the intitial few days of my fathers move to the above. Excellent reception and welcoming by all the staff - very caring, allowed to settle in without any fuss. His room is well appointed with all he needs. However concerns were raised that after three days of being at the home, my father
had not had a shower or bath. We had to prompt the staff that he needs a shower or bath at least alternate days. This has been addressed and are making good progress with the new action plan. Overall I am very pleased with this start.
Reply from HC-One, Careline Team at Larchwood Care Home

We always welcome feedback especially when a resident first comes to live at Larchwood. We strive to ensure that our residents are made to feel welcome and at home during the initial period while we support them with their transition into a care environment. The issue was addressed as soon as it came to light and we will continue to work in partnership with both resident and relatives to ensure continuity of care.

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Review from John R (Son of Resident) published on 6 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has only been at the home for approx 1 month but has settled in nicely. She was shown into the home after recovering from a broken hip. At 91 years of age with dementia she has not yet complained. The staff have been great. Very helpful and caring.
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Review from Jo E (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum is extremely happy in Larchwood and very comfortable with the staff looking after her. They are incredibly dedicated to what is a very hard job. They are very respectful of my mum's dignity and desire for privacy but are always there when needed. On occasions when she has been taken ill they
have always acted promptly and done all the right things keeping me informed at all times day or night.
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Review from Joyce F (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 March 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
Although the staff cannot force residents to do anything, my dad needs exercise because of bad circulation on hospitals request, this is not being carried out. Last Sunday my daughter visited with her dog of which fluff was left on floor from her toy, this was still there Monday lunch time. His bed
was wet, when buzzer pressed to change bed it took ages for anyone to come. They stripped bed but was going to leave dirty duvet and pillows on bed. The activities are very poor, almost non existent. Some residents are just wandering around the corridors most of the time. There needs to be a great improvement.
Reply from HC-One, Careline Team at Larchwood Care Home

Thank you for submitting your review, feedback is always welcomed and acted upon.
We like to work in partnership with health professionals to provide the best level of care for all our residents here at Larchwood. We encourage our residents to exercise on a regular basis as part of their plan of care. We have a wide variety of activities throughout the home and we always encourage our residents to join in and are respectful of those that choose not to. We do have some residents that choose not to participate in activities on a regular basis so we provide 1.1 time where we spend time chatting and reading to them.


We are sorry you felt that your fathers buzzer wasn't answered in a timely manner, our staff were supporting other residents at this time, however we do endeavour to answer them as quickly as possible.


In regards to the bedding, I have addressed this with staff / housekeeping team during handover's and our daily flash meetings to reiterate the importance of infection control.

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Review from Gillian M (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Just a brief chat as mum had only been in Larchwood for a month. All okay though.
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Review from Gavin E (Son of Resident) published on 24 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
By far the most understanding and welcoming home I've experienced. As a maintenance engineer covering council run homes I see a lot of different approaches to care and Larchwood Home and especially staff are by far the most professional and supportive I've had the pleasure to be involved with.


10

out of 10 on all accounts.
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Review from Carol M (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was apprehensive about putting my mum into a care home to begin with. But when I went to Larchwood and met some of the staff, my fears were alleviated. I am impressed with the care my mum gets because her every need is taken care of, from safety; health needs; personal care such as hairdressing, pedicure,
manicure, chiropodist; activities and outings. The whole place is kept very clean and tidy and every resident is called by name by ALL the staff. I feel very lucky that Larchwood could take my mum and I think she feels that way too.
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Review from G M (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The home is very good,. Comfortable bedrooms and very caring staff. Plus plenty of good food.
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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.721)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.721) out of 10 for Larchwood Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 30 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 29 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.721 for Larchwood Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (287 Excellents x 5) + (52 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) + (5 Poors x 2) + (5 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 355 Ratings = 4.721
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Larchwood Care Home is based on 29 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 64 registered maximum number of service users is 12.8, which has been reached with 29 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 28 Feb 2025

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

Meet the Team (0)

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