Friars Mead is a Kings Langley care home that offers an ideal environment for frail older people, overseen by skilled and friendly carers who get to know each residents' personal requirements and tastes.
A tailored approach allows carers to focus on the well-being of each resident, as well as supporting personal interests and incorporating popular activities and entertainments.
Residents are treated sensitively throughout the settling in process, with family and friends made to feel welcome which adds to the homely and satisfying atmosphere.
Group: Abbeyfield Society
Person in charge: Karoline Gullin (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Hertfordshire County Council (click for contact details)
Type of Service: Care Home only (Residential Care) – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned , Registered for a maximum of 27 Service Users
Registered Care Categories*: Old Age
Admission Information: Ages from 65 to 110.
Single Rooms: 27
Shared Rooms: 0
Rooms with ensuite WC: 26
Weekly Charges Guide: Personal Care Single £735 – £865 (These prices are only a guideline, please contact Friars Mead to find out the exact price for your requirements.)
Facilities & Services: Palliative Care • Respite Care • Own GP if required • Own Furniture if required • Smoking not permitted • Close to Local shops • Near Public Transport • Lift • Stairlift • Wheelchair access • Gardens for residents • Residents Kitchenette • Phone Point in own room/Mobile • Television point in own room • Residents Internet Access
Visiting:
Visitors welcome at anytime during the day, the same as when visiting in the persons own home. Please avoid meal times, unless you have booked in for a meal.
Parking:
The home has a very small car park for 10 cars
Latest Care Quality Commission* Report on Friars Mead: click here
* Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
The Review Score of 9.2 (maximum of 10) for Friars Mead is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 9 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Friars Mead in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 4 positive Reviews in the last 12 months.
a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating of all Reviews over all time. For each review the Care Home / service is rated Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Poor or Very Poor on a number of areas eg Staff, Management etc. The Care Home receives points for each rating as follows: Excellent = 5. Good = 4. Satisfactory = 3. Poor = 2. Very Poor = 1. These points are added up and then divided by the total number of completed ratings to generate the average rating.
The Average Rating of 4.729 for Friars Mead is calculated as follows: ( (78 Excellents x 5) + (29 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 107 Ratings = 4.729
b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 12 months. If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with 'Extremely Likely' or 'Likely' in answer to the question 'How likely are you to recommend this Care Home to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?'
The 5 points available are broken down as follows:
4 points are available for the first 5 Positive Reviews, 3 points for the first Positive Review and then 0.25 Points for each of the next 4 Positive Reviews.
1 point is available for reaching a target number of Positive Reviews based on 20% of the number of registered maximum number of service users. If the target is partially reached then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home with 50 registered maximum number of service users has a target of 10 Positive Reviews, if it has 10 or more Positive Reviews it will receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews will receive 0.7 points.
If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. The calculation is the same as above, except the points are divided by 2.
The 4.491 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Friars Mead is based on 4 positive Reviews in the last 12 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 3.75
Target of 5.4 positive Reviews (27 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 4 Reviews ÷ 5.4 Target = 0.741
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
Friars Mead has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.220) from 9 Reviews
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Marion C (Respite Resident) on Monday 12 February 2018. Relates to January 2018.
Mum was so well looked after during her respite stay at Friars Mead. The staff are caring and attentive and even though mum was only there for 3 weeks respite I know it helped her to recover from her stay in hospital. Karoline and her staff were always so welcoming to mum's family and her visitors during a difficult time for all of us.
Friars Mead is a warm and caring home where the staff spend the time to get to know each resident so they can help and support them and each resident is treated with real dignity.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 12 Feb 2018:
Thank you Marion.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Bridget T (Daughter of Resident) on Tuesday 15 August 2017. Relates to July 2017.
We are very lucky to have found a room at this Abbeyfield Care Home for the following reasons;
The staff work hand in hand to make it feel like 'home'.
It never smells unpleasant in any way which is difficult to achieve. The standard of hygiene is very high.
The staff are always smiling and cheerful. They also have staff that have been there for over 15 years.
There are plenty of activities organised.
The level of personal care my mother gets is very high.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 16 Aug 2017:
Thank you for your very kind words.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Tricia E (Daughter of Resident) on Sunday 16 July 2017. Relates to July 2017.
As I live in Australia this was my first visit to my mother since she moved into the care home.
I was pleased to find spacious accommodation, friendly and caring staff and a varied programme of activities for the residents.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 26 Jul 2017:
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by M T (Daughter of Resident) on Saturday 10 June 2017. Relates to May 2017.
My mother went into Friars Mead for respite care six weeks ago and we are hoping that she will be moving in permanently. The management and staff are caring, attentive, and welcoming to residents and visitors. My mother is encouraged to be mobile and to join in the activities. As a family, we are impressed with everything we have experienced here.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 12 Jun 2017:
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by J S (Daughter of Resident) on Monday 8 May 2017. Relates to April 2017.
It was with some regret that our family realised my mother had reached the stage in her life where she needed constant care. Moving a relative into residential care is such a difficult thing to do!
However, over the past four months, I have been very comforted by the constant kindness, care, patience and attention that my mother receives.
The staff are always at hand with a ready smile and a cheerful word for my mother, and for those of us who visit her.
Her surroundings are comfortable and pleasant and there is always something happening to add interest to her days.
She is treated with dignity and respect at all times and encouraged to continue to be as independent as possible.
I would not hesitate to recommend Friars Mead to others facing the challenges of care for the elderly.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 10 May 2017:
Thank you very much for your kind review.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by S C (Niece of Resident) on Thursday 23 March 2017. Relates to February 2017.
Accommodating and welcoming home, met by helpful friendly staff who make the house a home. I found the team approachable and caring to my aunt and ourselves. With a poor short term memory and a new environment settling down was slow, but with support, a good routine and a written programme, our aunt was calm and relaxed in her new home. Sadly, a fall meant an admission to hospital, but the transfer was managed well and efficiently. We are hopeful she will be able to return to the warm and friendly home Friars Mead is.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 10 May 2017:
Thank you very much for your kind review.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by L W (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 7 December 2016. Relates to October 2016.
My mother spent nine months at, Friars Mead, and during that relatively short period of time built up a lovely relationship with many of her carers who treated her with respect and dignity. Residents are given the opportunity for independence and space as well as caring support when needed. The environment was the style she liked and she loved the food! Friendly for visitors too many welcoming for all.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by M M (Friend of Resident) on Wednesday 13 April 2016. Relates to March 2016.
Since entering the home in January 2016 the 93 year old blind resident has settled in well due to the hard work of the staff, she is unable to join in with a lot of the activities but staff ensure that she doesn't feel left out.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 13 Apr 2016:
Thank you very much for your support.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by R R (Resident) on Friday 18 March 2016. Relates to February 2016.
3 weeks respite care. Staff very helpful and attentive. Did their best to make you feel at home. Visitors were made to feel welcome.
How likely would you be to recommend Friars Mead? Extremely Likely
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Karoline Gullin, Manager at Friars Mead responded to this review on 21 Mar 2016:
Thank you very much for your very kind words
3 Bed Vacancies
posted 30 Apr 2018
SINGLE ENSUITE ROOMS in a 26 bed Residential care home.
There are currently no Care Home Idol entrants who have performed at Friars Mead