The Old Vicarage Residential and Dementia Care Home

My mother has been a resident of the Old Vicarage Residential and Dementia Care Home since March 2023. She is now 88. Throughout her time there she has been very well looked after, she has felt safe and secure, and she has often said the staff are kind and caring. She has her own ensuite room with her pictures around her, her medications are taken care of, and she enjoys the activities arranged and the short trips family members arrange away from the home. The care staff keep us fully informed of any medical issues and mishaps that arise. We are so grateful to all the staff at The Old Vicarage for taking care of my mother so well.

It’s a difficult process for an elderly person to leave their home and move somewhere different. The management and staff made the transition for mum as easy as possible. It’s never a smooth path for residents living in a care home because of their various issues, but again the staff are very good at helping mum with such difficulties as they arise. The activities that are arranged for residents are great. It’s difficult for such activities to be both engaging and inclusive but the staff seem to manage it.

I have been and continue to be impressed by the care given to my mother who is suffering from dementia. She has been at the Old Vicarage for 2 years and throughout, as her dementia has progressed, the care has been wonderful. The carers are able to tell me about my mother's day, what she has done and how she has been. They know her well and they are always welcoming when I or my family visit. I feel confident that my mother is well cared for. There are daily activities such as crafts, exercise and other activities such as fireworks, animal visits, and lunches to which families are invited. The garden is wonderful and my mother has spent many a day sitting out or walking around it. It is a wonderful space for the residents to enjoy and one which many care homes are lacking.

My mother has been a resident at The Old Vicarage for more than 2 years and feels very safe and well cared for. The staff are kind and helpful and nothing seems too much trouble. There are plenty of interesting activities to take part in and visiting is very relaxed. Communication with relatives is very good.

My mother was at the Old Vicarage for 9 years and throughout her whole time there the staff have been brilliant. I couldn't fault their attitude and attention to detail. My mother was very content for the entire time which contrasted greatly with the care home where my mother-in-law lived. There was constant stimulation with various activities and a great dela of patience shown with teh elderly residents. I have recommended the Old Vicarage to everybody who has asked about it.

There is not one particular incident I can single out, but my father is well cared for with warmth and humour on an everyday basis. The home has a warm, friendly atmosphere and a feeling of extended family amongst staff and residents. I feel they understand my father and his needs and know I can relax knowing he is in safe hands when I’m not around.

My mother originally went in for respite care, decided to stay and ultimately passed away there. We feel extremely fortunate and a debt of gratitude. A view shared by mum.

Mum moved into The Old Vicarage in the spring of this year. My sister and I had previously visited and were impressed and had brought Mum back to view it herself. Despite having early dementia, Mum was the focus of the visit and conversations and opinions centred around her. The staff were very friendly and made time to chat to us. When Mum eventually moved in, she was made to feel very welcome and an effort was made to help her settle in. The ability to visit Mum is very flexible which is wonderful - staffing is consistent and they have clearly got to know Mum well. She is happy and looks well cared for. I feel confident that I could visit at any time and see the same consistently high level of care. Mum has particularly enjoyed the social activities organised and an effort is made to provide relatives with a varied weekly programme. This has really helped Mum's social skills as she was starting to get a bit isolated before the move. She loves attending the Chapel service and joining in.

The Old Vicarage is a lovely care home, it has a nice feel when you walk around and the staff are all very helpful and caring. Like anything, there are always things that can be improved when getting into the detail, but I feel my mother is in safe hands and that she is as happy with her situation as she can be, given her own physical limitations. I would have no hesitation in recommending the Old Vicarage and would encourage anyone considering it to go and have a look for themselves. There is nothing hidden, you get what you see. There are no staff employed with the sole purpose of selling you a place, everyone working there has a role to play in the running of the home, and they are all prepared to try and help with any request you make of them. I feel very happy that we were able to get my Mum a room here.

I have known The Old Vicarage nursing home (with parents as residents), over the last ten years. Over that period of time, the home has steadily improved to a point where I am very pleased to be able to write this review and recommend this home unreservedly. The quality of care is extremely good (both the nursing side and in the dementia unit) and is the most important factor when selecting a home. As my parents have aged and their needs increased (sometimes very quickly) into full nursing and advanced Alzheimer's, the Vicarage adapted the provision of individual high-quality care, by a dedicated team of carers led by experienced and committed nurses. In addition, daytime activity staff supports all residents in an inclusive family atmosphere. Catering, cleaning and maintenance staff contributes positively to the overall excellent running of the home and take pride in their work. The manager and deputy expect high standards; ensure good communication throughout, good continuity of care and a home that runs smoothly and happily. Recent End of Life care for one of my parents was handled sensitively and considerable support was given to our family from all staff. I have and will continue to confidently recommend this home to friends and family.

The nursing staff, management and many of the other staff members were kind and caring and treated our father with respect. They also provided great emotional support to us (his daughters) especially in the last few days of his life.

Everyone was welcoming, friendly and caring. Dad was encouraged to take part in all the activities and a member of staff would always come to his room and remind him and take him along. Dad enjoyed the Church service every week in the Chapel. One of the staff offered to take dad to the cricket ground next door to watch a match. At the weekend college students came and engaged in conversation with any resident who was alone. The student I met was very polite and interested. Occasionally the agency night staff were a little rushed but other than this the care and attention was excellent.