The Old Rectory Retirement Home

My 91 yr old Mum has been at the Old Rectory Harbledown Carehome, since mid August she did not want to come, after a few months of a hospital stay. Mum does not have dementia but needs all round care, with high level needs. I have always found the staff to be understanding from the beginning. They are kind, considerate, cheerful, professional and give Mum good care. The building is not the fanciest or most up to date looking, but it is clean, well ordered and homely. It smells clean and fresh upon entering. The staff work very hard to maintain high standards of care. The food is well balanced, some days tastier than others. There are organised daily activities and festive celebrations: eg: summer party/Halloween/Easter/Christmas. Mum could be in another place and not so happy. Whilst she doesn't want to be in a Carehome, this is a good choice, as it is smaller in size and the staff are welcoming. I like them very much and am thankful for all they do in caring for our Mum. Thank you

The staff are friendly, caring and welcoming to visitors. I have witnessed their prompt response to buzzers. Thanks to the staff teamwork my sister is clean and cared for. She has not lost weight so obviously taking the time to feed her as she is not able to care for herself. The manager has been very helpful negotiating with K.C.C. so we didn't have the stress/need to move her to another care home. The family's input as to her care has been welcomed and we are kept informed of any changes promptly. Thanks to all the team.

Family friendly home, clean, staff are lovely. Sarah is a lead carer whom I find easy to speak with and if there is a problem its dealt with immediately. Very professional organisation.

I foudn it a very friendly, caring + efficient residence. Always clean. Very cheerful staff + management that was helpful but respected peoples privacy.

It is a very caring, friendly and efficient place, very cheerful staff - management was very helpful + professional and respected resident privacy. To be recommended!!

Sunday visit in her room before lunch. Staff were all really friendly, kind & caring. No concerns about the room or quality of care. Staff seemed experienced & knowledgeable. The building is lovely & seems well-maintained. Thank you for everything you are doing.

My brother went into The Old Rectory after 18 mths of hospitalisation. Respite etc, he moved in on the 25th September and the difference in him is so pleasing to see. He look much better, has different activities to join in, enjoys the food and is happy there. We cannot praise the staff and Christine (manageress) highly enough, friendly, caring and very welcoming. They are just lovely.

My visit coincided with the Old Rectory late Summer Party. What a fabulous event to get know all the staff in an informal way. The dancing was exceptional as was the food. It was evident that a lot of work and thought had gone into planning and organising the event. A reluctant relative spent over four hours enjoying herself.

It was fantastic to have an afternoon of good food, music and entertainment shared with all the residents and their families. This re-confirmed the caring ethos we have seen at the care home since our first introduction. Thank you.

Mum always looks and smells lovely, which is down to staff care, as she cannot do this for herself, we are very grateful for this. She has gained weight, so staff are clearly taking time to feed her, as again, she can't do this for herself. Staff are kind and courteous at all times. We have only praise for staff's attitude and effort. Food always looks and smells good. Thank you for caring so well for my beloved Mum.

My dad spent 6 months at the Old Rectory and we were very happy with the staff and management, It is a tough job and all the staff are extremely kind and caring. It is a lovely care home because it is small and personal. We get to know the carers and management over the 6 months and feel comfortable leaving dad in their care.

She has now relaxed and she is enjoying her time at the Old Rectory. As a family, we are delighted and also appreciate the way the staff care about not only Mum but all of us. Mum's contentment is a relief to us all. Well done Old Rectory.

My aunt has been at The Old Rectory nearly six months now. The tone was set even before my aunt moved in when the then Manager and Deputy Manager came out to visit my aunt in the hospital facility she was in at the time. They established a real connection with my aunt during that visit, which made a favourable impression on her and meant that she looked forward to moving in when a place became available.

The Old Rectory is small, homely, light and airy. On the whole the food is good, plentiful and served at regular times.

For me the home’s greatest resource is its staff. That is what I see in terms of the stability of its regular core, a number of whom have been there for some time. They are kind, helpful and welcoming of visitors at any time. More importantly, my aunt perceives them as kind and that is the most important quality for her. From what I can see the new Manager has continued what was working well before. There has always been an air of calm about the place.

The Old Rectory Retirement Home is an attractive period House set in splendid grounds near Canterbury. The rooms are bright and airy and the establishment is spotlessly maintained by a kind, attentive and patiently good-humoured team led by the Home Manager and the previous Home Manager. My late father could not have been better cared for and made to feel more at home in such a way that his last months were enriched despite a gradual decline in health due to chronic maladies. When Dad first arrived at The Old Rectory he told us it felt like ‘being in a 5 Star hotel.’ My family had no doubt he would be well looked after and indeed he was. The high standards of cleanliness, the excellent quality of the food and above all the constant support of an efficient, diligent team are praiseworthy. We thank you all and we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending The Old Rectory Retirement Home.

Having moved my mother from a larger residential home, we have found The Old Rectory to have a warm and homely atmosphere. The staff are very caring and are encouraged to interact with the residents. This leads to a better understanding of the resident's needs and preferences. Activities are available for residents if they wish to join in. The front door can be opened by residents if they wish to go out, hence my mark of good as opposed to excellent for security.