
The staff are are caring, kind and extremely patientA B(Relative of Resident/Service User)

My auntie loves the food and enjoys interacting with the other residents and the staff.Agee H(Niece of Resident/Service User)


The staff are are caring, kind and extremely patientA B(Relative of Resident/Service User)

My auntie loves the food and enjoys interacting with the other residents and the staff.Agee H(Niece of Resident/Service User)


Hillcroft House, located in a tranquil area of Stowmarket, Suffolk, offers a warm and inviting environment where residents are encouraged to personalise their fully furnished rooms with cherished items, creating a true 'home from home'.
The dedicated care team at Hillcroft House is selected not only for their professional skills but also for their warmth and compassion. They provide round-the-clock support, respecting each resident's dignity and individuality. Regular assessments ensure that...
Care Provided by Hillcroft House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
- Younger Adults
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 43 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
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Palliative / End of Life Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Hillcroft House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Hillcroft 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
Group / Owner
- Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Cathrine Arbon (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 60+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2003
Room Information
- Single Rooms (41)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (1)
Hillcroft House Reviews (113)
Hillcroft House has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.582) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Hillcroft House has 113 reviews.
Residents have their independence and walk about and are busy. The staff take care of family too. Not enough room on here for my comments, the main point is mum is very happy and settled.
Thank you for your lovely comments. Staff appreciate the positive feedback and its a pleasure to care for mum.
I would also like to thank you for your support with activities and treats that you bring for our residents. Thanks again for your support.
Regards
Amanda
The care and understanding to my husband was faultless. The staff couldn't do enough for making him feel welcomed, involved, included. The deputy manager was fantastic as was the activity coordinator. He was only there for a brief time but was happy whilst there. He even started to put on weight. The food was appetising especially the desserts! Fantastic staff!
Good staff excellent housekeeping. Good menu for patients and very varied entertainment.
Having worried about my brother going into residential care, I am extremely happy and grateful to Hillcroft House! He has settled in wonderfully and the standard of care. Real care and stimulative activity and a very comfortable and clean environment and friendliness has helped him enormously. Well done Hillcroft House!
Hillcroft House is a clean, friendly and safe place for my father. I feel very comfortable that he is in the best possible place. I am greeted by the friendly and professional staff, whenever I visit the standard of care is exceptional with lots of activities and interaction to keep all residents involved and occupied. First class.
A safe haven where I feel confident my father is receiving the very best care. All of the carers are lovely, friendly and always smiling. Nothing is too much trouble and the rooms feel like home from home.
My Mum was a resident at Hillcroft for just over 2 1/2 years. She loved the company and the activities and entertainment, especially Elvis. The care she received was excellent and during the last six weeks when her Alzheimer's took its final hold, we received such caring support and nothing was too much trouble, even in the early hours of the morning. We are still coming to terms with our loss and I have not been able to go back to visit the staff but I know when I do the welcome will be warm; it's like having another family.
It has been a learning curve into the life of someone with dementia.
Staff are pleasant, helpful, approachable and always willing to assist.
The staff here are wonderful. They could not possibly do more than they do and so cheerfully.
Hillcroft provides a caring, friendly environment for residents with dementia. The standard of care is high, the care workers attentive to the needs of the individual residents with concern for their welfare and comfort and obvious priority. The home is well organised and the rooms pleasantly decorated and furnished, providing light, airy spaces for the residents.
Mum came into Hillcroft on 19.01.18. I have been extremely pleased with the care she is receiving. Hillcroft as a whole is a very good care home. All areas are comfortable and clean. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The staff interact well and treat residents with kindness and dignity.
I think Hillcroft House has a lovely atmosphere, very clean and tidy. Care staff are very prompt, kind and caring. I visit regularly and I am made to feel very welcome. I sometimes have lunch with my husband and they are very enjoyable. My husband is so well looked after and I can relax.
My mother has found it difficult but has started to settle in now. The carers do their best.
The home is clean and the food is adequate though not brilliant.
Otherwise, it's a very good acre home.
Our Dad was cared for by Hillcroft House from January 2014 until his peaceful end in October 2017. The facilities were exactly what Dad needed to cope with his Parkinson's Disease. The home provided excellent security. Dad's changing needs over time were met with great care and attention to detail. The decor and furnishings of the home were excellent with good comfortable beds and chairs. Food, personal hygiene, healthcare and entertainment were very good as were visiting doctors, chiropodists, hairdressers and entertainers. During summer months the home regularly took able residents out in a minibus for a change of scenery. Regular updates were provided to us regarding Dad's needs and to address any issues arising. In summary, the wonderful staff and the facilities in Hillcroft House were excellent over nearly 4 years of Dad's care. The administration of Dad's account was perfectly managed by Healthcare Homes too.
All the staff are always caring and helpful. When visiting mum she is always happy and content. Food is amazing. Daily activities are excellent and mum always participates. My mind is at rest knowing how well my mum is looked after and loved in such a happy home.
My husband has been in this home nearly a year. He is very settled and enjoys playing ball games, table tennis and musical afternoons. He enjoys his meals and is well cared for, clean and dressed. The staff are very caring and friendly.
My mother has been in Hillcroft House about two years. She is looked after very well. She is happy and content. The food is good and the staff are excellent. Her room is sunny, which she needs as she is registered blind. As mother takes all her meals in her room she panics when there are a lot of people around so prefers to stay put in her room. Her chair gets very grubby and needs cleaning more frequently than it currently does.
Dear JC
Thank you for your positive review.
As discussed when you brought the matter of Mum’s chair to my attention on 1.8.17 the housekeeping team and I have agreed to check daily and clean Mum's chair as required to better meet standards.
Please do not hesitate to contact me again if you feel we are not meeting your Mum's needs.
Kind regards
Amanda.
We are a year on now and the compassion and care remain steadfast. The team have become an extended family to us.
Thank you for meeting our relative's physical and emotional care needs so well and allowing us to continue to be a family.
Overall, our family have had a good experience with Mum's care at Hillcroft House. She did have some problems settling in as she had already been in hospital with a broken hip, then moved to a rehabilitation centre. By the time we took her to the care home she was very stressed and anxious, but the staff reassured us that she would be fine after a while.
She had quite a few falls to begin with but now she is a little better with her mobility as she is settled now and is more used to her routine and using her frame which is good as it helps her to remain mobile. She also goes out for lots of day trips with the family which she enjoys.
The one problem we had was with her room as it was at the end of a corridor and other residents would wander in, which distressed Mum greatly. With the help and support from the manager, this has been resolved and Mum is now in another room where she has a little more privacy, so, therefore, she is much happier.
The food is of a very high standard which we feel is very important and also helps with Mum's wellbeing. The entertainment is fantastic and Mum really enjoys the music events (especially Elvis!). Also the activities such as flower arranging and making decorations at Christmas, Easter etc.
We feel that every effort is made at the home to make residents as comfortable and content as possible. We also feel that we can approach the management with any problems or issues we have and this is very reassuring.
My relative has only been with the home for a month. On moving in he has been supported by all the staff and the help and care has been amazing. His needs are very different due to his age and diagnosis but the staff have adapted to his needs amazingly well. He is happy and settled already. He reports the food is good! His room is lovely with garden access. We look forward to him now getting involved in trips and outings now he is settled and familiar with the staff. Thoroughly recommend.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 18 October 2022Good
- 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 (2) & Events (0)
- 10 Sep 2025
Hillcroft House in Stowmarket, part of the Healthcare Homes group, is proud to announce that Cathrine Arbon has joined as its new Home Manager. Cathrine brings extensive experience in nursing...
- 13 Nov 2024
At Healthcare Homes, we believe in the power of nature and community to uplift and enhance the lives of our residents and service users. This year’s InBloom 2024 competition brought...
There are no upcoming events for Hillcroft House.
Awards / Recognitions (10)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
- 28 Feb 2023Recipient: Healthcare Homes Group Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Hillcroft House.
Meet the Team (5)

I’m a qualified Registered Nurse with over 12 years of healthcare experience, including time in the NHS. I love being part of the home environment, supporting residents with their goals, and creating meaningful memories together. Living just five minutes away helps me stay connected to the local community and build strong relationships.

I decided to work at Healthcare Homes as I liked the opportunity of a challenge and I was very keen to work with those with dementia. Healthcare Homes was recommended to me by a local private social worker who praised the home. I enjoy all of my working days, never a dull moment.
Spending quality time with residents is very important and always brings a smile. I always have a sense of satisfaction at the end of each day knowing that the residents have been so well looked after and are happy. Knowing you have made a difference in someone’s day in a positive way makes working very worthwhile.

I enjoy working in a happy environment and cooking tasty, home-cooked meals for residents. With Level 3 qualifications in Food Hygiene, cookery, and hospitality supervision, I listen to residents’ feedback and value their company while making sure every meal feels like home.

“I started working at Healthcare Homes in 2011; I wanted to join as I wanted to challenge myself in taking up a kitchen role after working in domestic services. To be good in this role I believe you have to be passionate about food and cooking a varied menu and be understanding of resident requirements. The biggest challenge in my professional career was coming from Thailand, I had not baked a cake in 40 years, now I bake one or two every day!”

I enjoy being part of a supportive team where everyone works together to provide the best care. I focus on enriching residents’ lives by offering therapeutic activities that they find meaningful and enjoyable, while also taking time to engage with them on a personal level to bring joy to their day.
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