Highland House Care Home

The whole place is well run by the staff.

I moved my father into Highland House around six months ago, and our experience has been excellent. He had previously been in a large corporate home, and we noticed the difference immediately. I visit a couple of times a week, and the owners are often sitting at the front desk and actively running the home. No care home is perfect, though having the owners on-site means that any niggles are quickly resolved without any issues.

The home made us feel like nothing was too much and we felt the care was excellent. We chose Highland House as it is one of the few owner-run care homes left in the area and this shows in what they do.

We viewed 17 homes in the area before selecting Highland House. We chose well, the home was professionally run, quick to pick up on concerns and I was kept fully informed, without fail. The online records provided constant reassurance that I frequently viewed at all hours. Mum was transformed on admission, from staying in bed, with poor mobility and significant pain. She is now up early, far more mobile and almost pain-free. All credit to Highland House. There was a vast array of activities, cooking, crafts, gardening and superb music provision. A French chef added a real flourish which Mum loved. I never saw agency staff, such continuity was very valuable. I strongly supported the effective precautions taken during covid but the downside was that I never got to spend time with the other residents or staff, who were part of Mum’s life, that may have eased up now. 18 months on, Mum has just moved to a super home closer to me, but I would definitely recommend Highland House if searching in Canterbury.

Thank you so much for looking after our lovely father so well. Following the pandemic, it was a great relief to know that he was in such a caring environment, where his needs were put first.

My frail elderly father was so happy with the way he was looked after. He was treated with respect, kindness and dignity. He was encouraged to join in with the various social activities, he enjoyed the meals, and he so appreciated the fact that staff would make time to talk with him. I visited him every week and he had nothing but praise for Highland House. I was kept up to date by the Team Leaders on any health issues, changes of care plans, etc. and I found it reassuring to be able to access the online portal with up-to-date daily notes on his state of play. Dad was a very contented resident for 10 months before his long innings came to a close. A big thank you to everyone at Highland House.

Activities vary and the organiser has taken up some things I said Dad enjoys and has tried new things with success. Also, I notice that all staff as they go about their work will greet residents and share a moment.

The care that my father received was outstanding. The home is well managed with excellent staff. Staff really care about the residents (and their families) and do all they can. My father was at Highland House for ten months where everyone took the time to get to know him, understand his ways and ensure he was comfortable in his final months of life. The home is modern and well maintained. His room had a door and outlook to an attractive green space. There is a lovely communal outside area to sit in that we made much use of last summer. On a personal note, I will really miss the wonderful staff who have bought so much love and goodness into an otherwise difficult time. I would, and do, recommend this home to others without hesitation.

We chose Highland House because we liked the atmosphere, it was clean, spacious, light and airy, and the manager was very sensitive to our concerns. Within weeks of the move we felt relieved and confident that it was the right thing to have done, and at no time during the 2 years was there a reason to regret it. The manager and staff were kind, patient and caring and despite all the additional challenges of the pandemic, were able to make my Mum feel part of a family when we weren’t able to visit. Eventually, Mum's condition deteriorated to the point where she had to be moved into hospital where she finally passed away. We were so touched that the manager and 2 members of the care team took time out to attend her funeral.

When it was time for my mother to move into a care home we did lots of research and visited over a dozen homes in East Kent. We must have visited Highland House at least four times during that process and in the end, our decision was unanimous. We liked the atmosphere, the way the home was run and above all the patience of the staff. The flexibility to accommodate my mother's dietary requirements was very impressive. Some 18 months on we remain delighted with our decision and cannot recommend Highland House highly enough.

My mum lived at Highland House for the last 2-3 years of her life and during that time received extremely good care. Staff were wonderfully kind and caring and despite all the additional challenges due to the pandemic, they retained consistency in making sure her needs were met in the most thoughtful way. Like many older people she wasn't sure that living in a care home after living independently would work but she always maintained she was happy there.

Highland House have been fantastic over the last 18 months. We could not have asked for anymore considering the awful times we find ourselves in. It is a credit to all the staff that managed to stay free of Covid-19 and allow my aunt to enjoy her last few years.

I moved into Highland House from hospital after a fall. I was told I would not walk again. The staff helped me regain my ability to walk with a frame. They have all been amazing. I could not think of anywhere else I would like to live.

We have been very impressed with the response of the home, with clear rules put in place and regular communication. They have also helped with Zoom calls to allow us to to see Mum, with staff taking a lot of time to assist her with the Ipad.

When the home is contacted to make an appointment for a garden visit they have always been accommodating. Upon arrival temperature checks are undertaken and face masks provided, if required, and hand gel before entry. In the garden, the residents and visitors are kept apart at least 2 metres. This works well but is weather dependent. A room for inside visits during winter is going to be provided from October onward.

They have records online which I can access at any time which shows the day she's had, what she's had for dinner, fluid intake etc. Which is very important to me personally as my mother can't communicate or speak due to her stroke. I can't praise this care home enough, they've been fantastic and especially now as they've kept the home safe during this pandemic.

They have kept us updated of changes, and we can follow all of his care through the relative's gateway, which is important as we live about an hour from the home. We have pleased to visit in the garden over the last 6-weeks.

I moved into Highland House just over a year ago, after a spell in hospital, for respite care. I was so happy here that I decided to stay. The kindness, help and friendly, caring attitude of all the staff and management could not be bettered and I cannot think of a nicer place 'to end my days'.

I cannot express enough how wonderful Highland House is and I have recommended it to many people.

My mother has now been at Highland House for almost two years. I have been delighted with the care and support that she has received. I particularly appreciate the time and effort put in by the owners and the manager. They are always available to discuss any concerns and very responsive.

The family portal also means we have full access to care notes, which helps us understand what is happening with Mum.