The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Castle Hill, Hartley, Longfield DA3 7BH
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9.8 55 Reviews
  • The Old Downs Residential Care Centre, Longfield
Situated in the pretty village of Hartley, near Dartford, The Old Downs is a residential and dementia home caring for up to 41 residents. Nestled in beautiful surroundings and gardens, the character home has been at the heart of the local community since its beginnings in 1887.

Beautifully retained period features complement the modern facilities at The Old Downs and the spacious home has been tastefully extended to provide a light and airy conservatory that boasts beautiful views across the valley. The onsite hair salon and beauty room is perfect for a bit of pampering, while the various lounges offer different places to sit and relax.

The Old Downs’ Recreation and Well-being team ensures residents have access to tailored activities and entertainment seven days a week, to suit each person’s hobbies and interests, on an individual and group basis. Residents enjoy regular outings to nearby garden centres, a variety of arts and crafts, pet therapy, live music and professional entertainers. Residents are also encouraged to remain active and pursue hobbies and interests, both old and new.

As advocates for tailored nutrition for older people and those with dementia, Nellsar employ a Head of Nutrition and Wellness for their homes. The Old Downs acknowledges that nutrition and hydration are an integral part of good health and well-being, and the catering team provide tasty nutritious meals and snacks to residents every day.

The Old Downs also benefits from a well-being team of fully-qualified holistic therapists who use nurturing touch, complementary therapies and relaxing treatments to improve residents’ quality of life and sense of well-being.

Employing the Care Vision® digital care management system throughout the Home ensures that the entire care service delivery, recording and reporting systems are optimised and centred around residents and their personalised care.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Learning Disability / Autism
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 41 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Convalescent Care
  • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Stairlift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1300 – £1350
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1300 – £1350
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1300 – £1350
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1300 – £1350

Fees do not include hairdressing, chiropody or occupational therapists.

These prices are only a guideline, please contact The Old Downs Residential Care Centre 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

Person in charge

  • Nicoleta Cristescu (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 55+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2025
  • Number of floors: 3

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (37)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (2)

Visiting

  • The home maintain an open-hours visiting policy, which means relatives and friends are welcome to drop by and see loved ones at any time. Families are always welcome to join relatives for afternoon tea or lunch if booked in advance.

Parking

  • Plenty of onsite parking available.

The Old Downs Residential Care Centre Reviews (55)

9.8

The Old Downs Residential Care Centre has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.786) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Old Downs Residential Care Centre has 55 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to The Old Downs Residential Care Centre
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Total of 55, showing 21-40
Review from Bev B (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 24 November 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Dad has only just moved in (two weeks). It is obviously a hard transition for him, but the staff are so kind and supportive of him and are clearly doing all they can to help him settle in.
The Old Downs really feels like and home and not an institution.
Reply from Jacqui Shuttleworth, Operations & Compliance Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you for this positive review. Although your dear Dad has only been with us a short time, we are pleased that you feel our home is homely and not institutionalised. The team at the home dedicate their time and energies to making The Old Downs a 'home from home' as far as possible, and it is good to hear this is being achieved for you and your Dad. Hopefully, he will settle soon and feel at ease. With very kind regards.

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Review from C S (Husband of Resident) published on 12 September 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My wife has been a resident for just over a month and she seems to be settled and getting used to her new home. I try to visit once a week and take her for lunch. She is always well groomed and presented but I was disappointed to find her blouse and skirt very wet at 11am, probably since breakfast.
The facilities and activities are restricted due to covid regulations. Hopefully, they will soon end and everyone can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. Overall, very good and most importantly, the staff are excellent.
Reply from Jacqui Shuttleworth, Operations & Compliance Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you for taking the time to write a review for us. I am really pleased that your dear wife has settled into the home well. You mention that she is normally well groomed and presented. I am sorry that on this one occasion we had not met the previous standard you both rightly expect. The wetness was maybe due to the drink which is offered mid-morning. However, we will look into this. You have said the team are excellent, which is lovely to hear, and would also make it unlikely that your dear wife would have been left in wet clothes for a protracted length of time. We will also look at the practices for visiting and activities post-Covid. As you say, we are now returning to some sense of normality and I would hope that you will be noticing this very soon. The team and I look forward to welcoming you to the home on your future visits and having you share in our activities and hospitality. With very kind regards.

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Review from Sally R (Husband of Resident) published on 1 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband suffered from rare early onset Dementia and Motor Neurone Disease and the lovely staff looked after him brilliantly. He spent a lot of his time walking and the layout of the home made that easy for him. It is always a difficult time when a loved one needs extra care but made so much easier
when you know the team are caring, compassionate, knowledgeable and capable of dealing with all the different personalities in a quiet relaxed manner. There was a lot of fun and smiles!
Reply from Gillian Dixon, Operations & Compliance Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you so much for the glowing review for The Old Downs home and our team. It is appreciated very much and will be by all the staff team when we share this review with them. I know the staff were eager to do their very best for him, undertaking additional and specialised training to manage his rare and complex condition and to support him in the best way possible. He was truly a lovely man, a big part of The Old Downs and very much loved by all at the home, he is truly missed. Thank you.

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Review from John L (Brother-in-law of Resident) published on 24 August 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
When visiting my sister-in-law I am always made welcome. The staff are always helpful and friendly. She always gets involved in the activities. She loves the food at meal times, I always get good comments from her about it.
Reply from Gillian Dixon, Operations & Compliance Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you so much for taking the time to review our home. It is a privilege to be caring for our lovely residents and we are so pleased to hear that your family member is happy and enjoying the care provided. We do have a wonderful, warm, kind and caring staff team at the home and they will be very pleased to hear your positive feedback - thank you.

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Review from Mark R (Son of Resident) published on 27 June 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father has been well cared for and loved over these last three years. The staff have been brilliant, especially in the extremely difficult circumstances with the pandemic, and have treated my father like their own relative. I am pleased that The Old Downs Residential Care Centre places a big emphasis
on activities and special day celebrations for the residents. The Old Downs Residential Care Centre is situated in a lovely location and the home is not laid out with long corridors like other homes I have visited which makes the Old Downs seem much more like a family home.
Reply from Gillian Dixon, Operations & Compliance Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this very positive review. It is important for us to know if we are doing well and that residents and families are happy with the care we provide - I will ensure that the staff team are made aware of your lovely comments - especially the activities team, who go above and beyond to ensure there is an exciting activities program to entertain, occupy and stimulate the residents. Thank you.

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Review from Debbie P (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 June 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely staff here at Old Downs, always willing to chat and listen to any concerns or worries and act on them. They put on a jubilee party last Friday, the residents had an individual named picnic box full of goodies and there was also BBQ food available for all with chilled drinks, and lovely cakes.
There was a lovely lady singer there too, who had the residents up dancing and singing, it was lovely to see the residents dancing and drifting back to their younger days, enjoying themselves with staff and partners. Their little faces were beaming. For me, it was lovely to see what our families get up to when we have not been able to see them so much, due to the pandemic. The staff went above and beyond for their residents and I hope other families appreciated the effort too. Well done to the manager and her loyal team.
Reply from Silvia Barret, Operations & Compliance Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely review. I am really happy that you had a lovely time with your loved one and the other relatives and friends. Your opinion is very important to us.

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Review from J B (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 May 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The care at the home has been in the most part very good, some staff have gone the extra mile and been brilliant. My mother has always to my knowledge been treated with dignity and respect. The building is an old manor house though there have been a lot of modernisation and improvements. I would recommend
The Old Downs Residential Care Centre to someone who is looking to place a friend or relative in a residential care setting because they have a high level of need due to dementia as they are very experienced in caring in this field.
Reply from Caroline Cheeseman, Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you for your review and for recommending The Old Downs for prospective families and for the recognition of our brilliant staff.

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Review from Kerry H (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
It is always difficult for a relative to make that decision about a loved one moving to a care centre from living at home or community. I am pleased that I selected the choice of The Old Downs. I praise the manager and all of her team for their professional care and support given to my dad during his
time at the care centre. They made his last few months of life comfortable, and he was engaged in all the activities on offer. He was a big part of The Old Downs community, always a smile on offer! I thank them for their support and kindness shown to me, it was faultless, even in the most difficult times of the pandemic.
Reply from Jacqui Shuttleworth, Operations & Compliance Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you so much for these lovely words for the management and team at The Old Downs. It is so good to hear that the home gave you and your father such a good care experience and that you felt supported by the team.
In these days of covid-19, it has fallen to the team in the care home to try to alleviate the distress of not having indoor visits from family members, and we are thrilled that you feel Dad had a comfortable and engaged life with us.
Sending sincere condolences for your loss.

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Review from Sadie H (Wife of Resident) published on 26 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sadly in May last year, my husband had to go into a home. At the time of the NHS response, we did not know about The Old Downs, even though we knew the area. We cannot express enough our gratitude to the manager and her team, and our delight that this is where he should be. As a manager, she is an
absolutely amazing person - and all her staff whom we have met or spoken to during these difficult Covid times, are incredible people, each and everyone, who do their job so devoutly, with care and compassion. They should know how much this is appreciated by me and our family because we could not ask that he be in a better place. In every conversation, he says he loves the food, the people are kind and that he "could not fault it". Hearing those words is more than we could have asked for.
Reply from Caroline Cheeseman, Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you for the wonderful review of The Old Downs. After such a tough year it really does bring us joy to have such kind words. It is lovely for the staff to have this recognition especially as we have been unable to see many relatives face to face at the moment. It is a pleasure looking after your Husband.

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Review from Carol A (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am glad I placed my Dad at The Old Downs. The staff are very friendly and caring and answer any questions we have about my Dad's care. The staff keep on top of his medical needs. He is well looked after and I can now rest easy knowing he has the 24-hour care he needs. The staff always keep me informed
as to his general state of mind and any health issues. The home is clean and tidy with lots of activities for my Dad to join in if he wishes.
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Review from Sharon G (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father has been in The Old Downs for nearly 8 months now, and our whole family are extremely satisfied with the care he receives. He is very content in himself and all his medical and personal needs are met with a high level of care and dignity. The manager and staff are superb and extend their care
to my mother and all of us. They went the extra mile on my parents' 64th wedding anniversary, laying on a special lunch for them both. It meant the world to my mum to have something special on their day.
Reply from Kirstie Newell, Marketing at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Dear Sharon, thank you for your lovely review of The Old Downs. We kindly welcome all feedback, as it is invaluable to us in supporting our Continuous Improvement Programme. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us and are delighted that your father is so happy with the Home, and that you all feel like part of The Old Downs family. We always love celebrating special occasions and it’s lovely to hear that your parents enjoyed their anniversary together, with a special lunch.

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Review from Andrea S (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff have always taken a person-centred approach, making every effort to understand my mother's individual needs and wants. Especially as dementia has exerted its ever-tightening grip but staff have been consistently kind, caring and attentative. Despite their busy, demanding days, the staff still
find time to smile, wave and exchange a few cheerful words as they tend to everyone's needs.


Staff also work hard to create a warm and friendly atmosphere for visitors, appreciated when we too are adapting to this unfamiliar environment. Staff are welcoming, reassuring and proactive in providing support and advice.


While my mother lacks the capacity to involve herself in activities, every effort is made to include her on some sensory level, be it the opportunity to sit outside over summer and feel the suns warmth or hear trees rustling. My mothers sense of taste is certainly being stimulated by the plentiful and wide-ranging food available.


I really do appreciate the level of care and safety provided.

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Review from I R (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 19 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very satisfied with the overall care and professionalism of the staff. Improvements could be made in the common areas as there is always a very unpleasant and unfortunate odour which could be mostly eliminated with a review/improvement to the air circulation, also air fresheners. As my grandchildren
alway ask why does it smell so bad.
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Review from Janice H (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has been in the Old Downs for nearly five years now. I can only praise the manager and the entire team for their care, support and dedication to all the residents needs. Their continuing support for both my mother and I has been amazing. I cannot thank them all enough in what at times has been
very difficult circumstances.
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Review from Jane B (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
When my mother first took up residence in The Old Downs the atmosphere in the home was happy and jolly if at times a bit chaotic! I was always offered a drink and if it was a meal time when I was there, something to eat.


Sadly it no longer seems a happy place, this may be due to the very high dependency

of many of the residents and seeing to their personal needs is a non-stop occupation. I travel almost three hours to get there and I am never offered a drink even when the drink trolley is being bought round. If the home was as it is now when I was looking for care I do not think it is the place I would have chosen.
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Review from Anne T (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum is as happy and content as she is able due to her Alzheimers. Mum is always clean and eats well.
Staff are friendly and helpful both when visiting Mum or having to make a call to the home.
The home is well kept and all the rooms are clean, you can observe that residents are well looked after.
Activities are often on the go, whilst Mum often declines to participate she is encouraged but her ultimate wish is respected.
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Review from Margaret O (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Most care staff are excellent. Unfortunately, due to a couple I can only score good. This does not reflect night staff as I only meet the day staff.
Always need more staff as they are very busy and gives them less time to interact with residents. This is not a criticism of the staff.
Senior carers
are excellent.
Reply from Caroline Cheeseman, Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you for your review. I am pleased that you find most of our staff excellent and would welcome any feedback where you may feel that we can improve.

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Review from Peter (Son of Resident) published on 31 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother is in the home. If there are any problems with her the staff call me straight away. She is very well looked after and the staff are very friendly. She seems very happy there.
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Review from Lorraine N (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Dad has been here since February and I can't speak highly enough of the care he has received. It was a hard decision to move Dad to a home but has been made easier knowing how happy and settled he is here. We are always informed of events we can attend as a family and are welcomed every time we visit
with a cup of tea and a biscuit or homemade cake which is delicious!
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Review from Linda M (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum had to be admitted to hospital. All staff were excellent making sure she had drinks, snacks and belongings to take with us.
Returning early hours to home staff again made her comfortable, making tea, snacks. Thank you to all staff members doing an amazing job.
Reply from Caroline Cheeseman, Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Centre

Thank you for your review. At The Old Downs, we want our residents and families to be supported whether at home or away. Going into hospital is a daunting experience for those living with dementia and for their loving family members that go with them. Anything to help.

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.786)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.786) out of 10 for The Old Downs Residential Care Centre is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 16 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 16 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 4.786 for The Old Downs Residential Care Centre is calculated as follows: ( (152 Excellents x 5) + (30 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 187 Ratings = 4.786
  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 The Old Downs Residential Care Centre is based on 16 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 41 registered maximum number of service users is 8.2, which has been reached with 16 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: 29 Jul 2024

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 (5)

Meet the Team (1)

Nicoleta

Nicoleta Cristescu

Job Title: Joined: 2025

I am delighted to embrace my role as Home Manager at The Old Downs Residential Care Home. When I began my journey as a Nurse in 2014, I never could have imagined the incredible path it would take me on. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working in the Adult Social Care sector, with the past six years spent as Deputy Manager at one of Nellsar’s Nursing Homes –  Meyer House – in Erith.
 
I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, including completing my Level 5 in Management in Adult and Social Care and being honoured with the Queen's Nurse award in 2023. These milestones reflect my deep commitment to delivering high-quality care and continually striving to improve the experiences of our residents.
 
But even with the recognition, I have always believed that the true heart of care lies in the relationships we build with those we serve, and the team members who make that care possible.
 
This belief has guided me to an exciting new chapter at The Old Downs, a stunning, character-filled period building from 1887. From the moment I stepped into the Home, I felt its warmth and charm, and it immediately captured my heart. I experienced a sense of belonging not just in the building, but in the welcoming, family-like atmosphere fostered by our team members. It was this spirit that inspired me to take on this new challenge in a Residential Care setting.
 
While I’m no stranger to Nursing Homes, transitioning to The Old Downs feels like a fresh and exciting opportunity to build upon my experience. My goal is clear – to make The Old Downs the community's finest care provider, delivering exceptional living experiences for our residents while providing their loved ones with full peace of mind.
 
Our team at The Old Downs is truly something special. Every team member is dedicated to making a difference to the lives of our residents, and part of my role is to help keep that passion and commitment alive. Together, we can continue to improve our practices, adapt to new needs, and create a truly unique, nurturing environment for everyone here.
 
Ultimately, I want our residents to feel like part of a family and for their loved ones to know that their care is in the best hands possible. This is the heart of our mission – delivering care that goes above and beyond while focusing on each person’s individuality while upholding the values we hold dear.

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