The Old Vicarage Care Home

It will take some time (a lot) for the ethos of the organisation to be understood or even apparent. There are signs that it will be, only time will tell.

My mother enjoyed an excellent six-week stay to convalesce after a serious fall. She is now back at home. We found all the staff friendly, flexible and caring.

I have been very impressed with the cleanliness, friendliness and general running of the Old Vicarage Care home.

All the staff are helpful and friendly. The interaction between the staff and my father has been wonderful, very supportive. I never go home after visiting worried about his welfare and have complete confidence that they will care for him to the best of their ability.

Very happy with The Old Vicarage Care Home. My mother is very settled being a resident for the past 16 months and she recommends it to her elderly friends.

The staff are always bright and have time for the residents. No matter how busy they are, the home is clean, bright and a happy place to be in, with lovely gardens and extensive views across the Dorset countryside. It really is a happy home.

Mum's key worker phoned us before our visit to make us aware of a small deterioration in her memory and that Mum may not recognise us. She also asked us to leave feedback on how we thought Mum was. Happily, Mum did recognise us, so our feedback was positive. It is this attention to detail and keeping relatives informed that makes The Old Vicarage Care Home such a marvellous place.

We cannot visit as often as we'd like but knowing mum is in such a caring and lovely place is a great comfort to us.

It is a wonderful setting with lovely rooms and garden and views. Best care home in the region. My mother is very content.

My mother was treated with the greatest respect and kindness. She was made to feel nothing was too much trouble. The staff are extremely approachable and always keeping a watch out for the residents. I cannot praise this establishment highly enough.

My father came into The Old Vicarage with emergency respite needs. He has since become a full-time resident. Our family was very impressed with the way the initial contact and admission was made, we have found the management to be approachable and open and the staff to provide a very good level of care. Dad's personal needs, both physically and mentally/emotionally have been assessed and met. As someone used to working in medium-sized organisations, I am impressed by the balance between necessary systems and checks and personal, friendly and supportive responses to individual needs. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the environment well-kept and interesting and there are plenty of activities for residents. I most appreciate the way that The Old Vicarage has worked hard to meets Dad's need for order and understanding, and the sense of partnership that has been created between management, staff, Dad, family and statutory services (especially doctor).

I would not want my Mum to be anywhere else.

When my mother was mobile she really enjoyed the activities, company and quality of the food at The Old Vicarage. Now that she is no longer mobile I can see that she is usually smiling, even though her sight and hearing have diminished. Carers are very attentive and regularly check on her well-being.

My mother has been at The Old Vicarage for 5 years now. She has vascular dementia and all the memory and cognitive problems associated with the condition. The Old Vicarage has provided her with a stable environment, caring and compassionate staff, plenty of entertainment and overall, excellent care. Most important to her, she has her dog with her as The Old Vicarage is pet-friendly.

My mother is looked after very well and the respect she is given is great. She has been with The Vicarage for 2 years and is stronger now than when she became a resident. She is very happy and who wouldn't be with the care and attention she is given.

My uncle has received excellent care, the staff are friendly and welcoming, whenever I visit people are always popping into his room with small tasks to do. The food is well presented and appetising. I have and would recommend this care home.

My Grandmother moved to The Old Vicarage recently due to struggling at home and loneliness. Since being at The Old Vicarage she has gone from strength to strength, she is enjoying living again due to the hard work and dedication of all the staff. The staff have got to know her and are aware of what she likes and doesn't like and they have worked with this, providing the care and stimulation that she wants. My Grandmother is respected and is cared for in a caring and dignified manner, she has complex care needs and this is addressed accordingly and in a way in which my Grandmother is happy with. The family are thrilled with the service that is provided at The Old Vicarage, we feel really rest assured that our loved one is happy and cared for.

My mother has been in this home for over 3 years now. She is suffering from dementia as are many of the residents. I have never seen any of them treated badly and all are treated with respect. Great effort is made to stimulate and provide entertainment. The gardens are a great pleasure for my mother. I always feel listened to by the staff and they do their best act on any suggestions I make about her care.

I visited the care home during the Christmas period and from the onset, I was overwhelmed by the warm and friendly atmosphere which was present throughout the home. At the time I visited a Christmas event was held for the residents and their families. It was lovely to see the residents enjoying the festive season, singing Christmas carols, having a visit from Santa Claus and tasting Christmas treats. The smiles on the residents' faces was a joy to see. I had a tour of the care home and the clean and comfortable surroundings, as well as the professionalism of the staff, did not go unnoticed. It was evident that nothing was too much of an effort for the staff. I was informed that events are held regularly for the residents, their families and the locals which I thought was absolutely excellent!

My mother is deliriously happy at The Old Vicarage.

My only comment is that there a lot of staff (a good thing) but its not at all clear who does what. Job titles etc are professional terms which are not intuitive to a lay person. A clear staff structure chart would be helpful.