
We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found BirchwoodPat H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

So pleased I chose this care homeRosemary S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)


We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found BirchwoodPat H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

So pleased I chose this care homeRosemary S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)


Birchwood House provides a caring, supportive, home-from-home living environment for older people in the Speldhurst area. The home enables residents to live full and independent lives.
Care plans are personalised to each individual's needs and personal preferences and reviews are undertaken regularly, ensuring their needs are met as their requirements change. While care staff have access to a range of specialist equipment to support the delivery of safe and adequate care.
Residents...
Care Provided by Birchwood House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 38 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Fees include all care provided however, additional costs are added for the services of the chiropodist and hairdresser should you wish to avail yourself of these provisions.
An enhancment would be requested should a resident require a level of care best achieved on a one-to-one basis.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Birchwood House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Birchwood House 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
Owner
- Malvirt Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Claire Tye (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2023
- Number of floors: 4
Room Information
- Single Rooms (30)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (3)
Visiting
- There is an open visiting policy. They feel that conections with the greater community, family and friends is vital for their well being and sense of person.
Birchwood House Reviews (88)
Birchwood House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.849) out of 10, based on 32 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Birchwood House has 88 reviews.
He was also in total control of every part of his life and when he had to let his medication be taken over, he was very anxious that it would not be right, but every time the doctor made even a small change to his meds, he was given a complete newly printed sheet of his current meds. They took the time to discuss it with him, why the changes were made, what the tablet looked like, so important to him.
My father passed away last week and the staff were marvelous all day while we were with him and amazing at the end, to both my father and the family with him.
The home is friendly, caring and my father is happy as can be expected with his situation.
Birchwood House provide personal, dignified care and freedom of choice is always offered. Individual needs are catered for and each resident has a named carer. Excellent activities and entertainment is provided on most days by the staff and outside organisations.
A nice friendly home with a relaxed homely feeling. Mum receives good care and the staff are very good. All in all, a very nice home.
Since our mother has stayed at Birchwood House and as her needs were becoming more apparent, she has been carefully looked after. The nursing care staff are very attentive and even more so as her condition has deteriorated. We are able to visit at any time, no matter what and you are made welcome every time. The meals are all freshly prepared and are of good variety quality.
I cannot praise the manager and staff of Birchwood Home too highly. Their care of my aunt over the last seven years has been wonderful. My aunt lived at Birchwood House from October 2008 until her death (naturally and peaceful) in late January 2016, and at all times she was treated with dignity, sensitivity and kindness, and I was always involved in her care and felt able to discuss anything with the manager. My heartfelt thanks to them all.
My mother moved into Birchwood House rest home in August 2013 suffering from a stroke at home in Essex. We had to find a home nearer to us in Tunbridge Wells. We looked at many in the area Birchwood stood out. It was immediately friendly, very accessible and welcoming. We had the good fortune of being offered a room in the new extension. Since then we have been very happy with all aspects of care mother receives. The care manager and her deputy run a home from home service. They get to know the residents very well and really cater to all their individual needs. All the staff are well trained, they are respectful, kind and gentle with the residents. There is always a happy atmosphere. We visit mother every 3/4 days so see the day to day running of Birchwood. We are completely satisfied that mother will, most probably end her days in comfort and care under the watchful eye of the care manager and her staff. I would recommend Birchwood House rest home to anyone who needs short or long term.
From the first telephone call, where first impressions are so important, to the daily care and comfort of my father, everything has been met to a really high standard. His room has been made his own, with his own chair, pictures family photo's and ornaments. The family can visit anytime, including the dogs. Any issues raised are dealt with swiftly and effectively by the manager or her staff. There is always a warm welcome at Birchwood Rest Home. My only recommendation would be a bigger lift.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 11 September 2018Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
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 Birchwood House.
There are no upcoming events for Birchwood House.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 23 Sep 2019Recipient: Birchwood House
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Birchwood House.
Meet the Team (2)

My first impression of Birchwood was that it looked huge, but once I came into the building, it was very warm and friendly.
My role involves overseeing the running of the home in the absence of the manager, to support our wonderful staff and residents, ensuring that all care delivered is of the highest possible standard. I ensure that all care plans are updated with any changes in our residents' daily living and health, as well as manage the staff rota.
The most interesting thing about working at Birchwood is the interesting people you get to meet and care for and learn about their lives and their families.
I’ve always enjoyed working in smaller homes that are not purpose-built. Working at Birchwood is more personal than other places I’ve worked.
The benefits of working here are working in lovely surroundings with a good team of people, as well as the training and support I’ve been offered to further my career.
Working in care is a rewarding career in itself, but working with the Birchwood team, who are warm, friendly and motivating, makes going to work even better.

We’ve been successful at Birchwood in ensuring our residents and staff continue to live and work in a safe and secure environment. My staff deserve my heartfelt thanks and huge credit in delivering a first class, personal service to all our residents and homecare clients.
We’ve continued safe and secure family visits for our residents too, with up to 3 visits scheduled every day in our secure meeting area. With alignment to all government and health guidelines, our residents have been able to stay in contact with their nearest and dearest. Very early on it occurred to me how integral it was for the residents’ wellbeing to maintain face to face contact. It’s certainly helped to maintain high spirits for all and we hope to do everything we can to continue these in the weeks and months ahead.
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