Watford House

Dad went into Watford House last March at the beginning of lockdown. The care he has received has been excellent. Circumstances have been difficult due to visiting restrictions, but the staff have been amazing, going above and beyond what they have to do. Encouraging contact as much as possible, via phone, window visits, facetime etc. They now have a visitors' room which is very safe and I can now visit as often as I want to. Dad looks and is happy and well cared for. I would recommend Watford House. The rural location is lovely.

Due to Covid, we were unable to go into the home, other than the visiting room. Visiting arrangements were brilliant. Staff appeared to be caring and helpful. Phone calls always answered promptly and concerns I might have were explained. 'Uncle' is very happy with his care, staff, accommodation and food!

My wife was admitted to Watford House in January 2020 suffering from Alzheimer's and having spent the previous three weeks in hospital with influenza. She was not in good health. The family had previously reviewed the accommodation and facilities at Watford House some 12 months earlier in view of her worsening condition at the time and made provisional arrangements for her to be accepted when her condition made full-time care necessary. Our decision to place her in Watford House proved to be fully justified. The care she received and attention is given by the manager and staff was beyond reproach. She was only with them a month and passed away peacefully in February 2020.

I would recommend the home to anyone looking for a place to place their loved ones. My sister and I looked at 15 care homes in the surrounding areas and found that Watford House was the most suitable place for Mum.

Can’t praise the staff and management enough for what they have done for my Mother and Father. I had to request my Mother to be moved from another care provider to Watford House. The management were brilliant at organising the move. Keeping my Mum and other residents and all staff safe with COVID testing and quarantine procedures. My Mother settled into Watford House very quickly due to the kindness and professionalism of all the staff. Unfortunately, my Father who lives at home had an accident whereby he needed respite care after spending several weeks in hospital. Watford House were able to accommodate him and able to organise a physiotherapist to aid his recovery. We as a family are kept well informed of my parents' welfare. Communication with Watford House is excellent. Thank You Watford House for your respect, dignity, professionalism and true dedication in providing top-quality care facilities.

The current management is the best there has ever been while our family member has lived there, always got the residents' needs, wishes and feelings at the heart of everything that is done at Watford House. The communication we receive is fantastic and we are always kept up to date and informed about everything that we need to be told. The staff are always friendly and approachable and really care about the residents and their home.

My mother has always received excellent care from the wonderful Watford House staff. They are professional and thorough whilst also being kind and considerate. During Covid-19 they took swift action to ensure the safety of all residents and it is a remarkable achievement, and a testament to their hard work, that they have remained virus-free. My mother was poorly during the pandemic (not CV19) and they managed to nurse her back to health, without the need for hospital admission. For this, we will be forever grateful. During these difficult months when it has not been possible to visit in person, I’ve always felt reassured that she was receiving the best possible care. We were sent weekly updates from Watford House in the form of a newsletter which proved a great comfort during this worrying time. We were also in communication with the activities team who were doing excellent work on projects such as memory boards. For all of this, the staff have our sincere thanks and deepest respect.

I can't tell you how much my sister and I have appreciated all the hard work and dedication the staff have shown to my mum who has Alzheimer's in this difficult time with Covid 19. We have had weekly emails and newsletters on all aspects of her health and safety throughout the past 10 weeks and we can't thank them enough.

My mother has been a resident of Watford House for over five years now, and I have nothing but praise for the staff and the high-quality care they give. During her period of residence, my mother's dementia has gone through various stages, some of them psychologically difficult to manage, and has now advanced to the point that she needs complete personal care. Through all this, the staff and management have responded to her with kindness, understanding and skill. This May during 'lockdown' she had her 93rd birthday. I had been dreading this, as we are, of course, unable to visit due to the current crisis, and she is no longer capable of responding to telephone or video calls. In the event we were able to stand outside the day room window and watch and wave as staff helped her open her presents, blow out a candle and have a slice of cake. She was evidently enjoying it all, which meant the world to us, and it was clear how much she appreciates and trusts the staff, as do we.

Watford House is an extremely competent care facility who care dearly for their residents. They have also been doing an amazing job during this horrible pandemic and have put the safety of their residents and staff first. They should be commended on the great work they have done.

All the staff and management went above and beyond with ensuring the residents are kept safe during the pandemic. They work really hard, keeping the home a nice atmosphere for all their residents. Everyone is very friendly and approachable.

The care is appreciated.

I'm sure I shall endorse what everyone says about how all staff have managed during this time. Though we say the words I now have an inkling of how stressful times are and how hard the staff must have worked to obey the rules and keep the virus out of the Home. Our son, a physio, is working on a Covid ward and did test positive so I begin to realise the difficulties he and your staff must be facing. I worry for you all but know that you will be following the rules in order to keep everyone safe. All carers are very special people, particularly when some of you are quite young. Well you are to me! It may be a job but it takes a special kind of person to do what you do. I can only say a massive thank you to you all and look forward to the time when I shall be able to visit and have a chat and a laugh and say it in person. Have a lovely afternoon and enjoy the afternoon tea.

I would like to acknowledge the care and dedication of the staff at Watford House, I’ve no doubt their long hours, hard work and attention to detail during lockdown has saved the lives of their vulnerable and frail residents. We owe you all a debt of gratitude for taking care of our loved ones and ensuring “We’ll meet again”. Thank you so much, on behalf of the whole family, it’s much appreciated.

We are completely satisfied with the care that my mother, along with all the other residents, receives at Watford House. The professionalism and care of the staff during the last few months of the Covid 19 pandemic has been second to none. The residents are always treated with dignity and respect and despite the restrictions that have been put in place, the warmth and home-from-home environment there has not changed. The manager and staff have gone out of their way to ensure that the residents have been protected from C19, indeed, most of the residents are unaware that there has been a crisis at all! We really cannot thank the staff at Watford House enough for ensuring the health and wellbeing of my mother. I haven't, understandably, been able to visit since early March, but I have never been in any doubt that she is comfortable and well cared for.

The first time you enter the Home everyone smiles at you; within a few weeks of your parent taking up residence everyone knows your name even though you forget theirs; when your parent settles in so quickly, despite her never envisaging needing such care then Watford House are doing something right. In fact, they are doing lots right. The care and attention of all the staff is very apparent and very, very welcome. Nobody is perfect and in the few hours I spend with my mother it would be easy to highlight the occasional slip but then I don't have to spend every hour attending to a lady who can be trying at times. To do that with a smile and with the obvious love they have for those in their care is the best testament to their professionalism. I for one am very grateful for all their hard work.

The manager took the difficult decision to isolate the home before the Prime Minister took action, in order to safeguard the well-being of the residents and it's proved to be the right decision. Utilising technology so family can keep in contact albeit remotely is appreciated and the newsletters are wonderful, enabling us to hear what's been happening, such as residents birthdays, seeing their happy smiling faces, their involvement in various activities such as painting rainbows, Easter, making cards and bunting and enjoying events such as VE Day, which must evoke memories of the war, which like now were uncertain scary times that they all had to live through. Love the Memory Boards for the residents, hopefully evoking wonderful memories of times gone by, people, places and special moments such as their wedding day, what a great idea, so thanks to the Activities Coordinator and all involved, well done! We really appreciate the team's dedication to keeping our loved ones safe during lockdown, you must all be thoroughly exhausted!

I would like to commend the manager and whole team at Watford House, for their dedication and hard work during the current pandemic. Each week I have received a newsletter, with the welcome news that the Home remains covid-free; a great achievement and credit to all who risk their lives, and the health of their families at home, to care for members of our families. Your love and kindness is appreciated very much. Whenever I telephoned I was able to speak to my cousin and was kept fully informed of the steps the home was taking to protect everyone's health. Prompt action at the outset of the pandemic has protected our loved ones and kept everyone safe. Activities in the home have continued and I was relieved that a programme of testing was undertaken in a timely manner. My thanks to all concerned - you are doing a splendid job, under unprecedented circumstances. Well done! With love and thanks.

We have been unable to visit since the Covid-19 lockdown but we receive weekly updates from the manager so we know he is well. The home has worked really hard to stay free from the virus throughout, for which we are very grateful. They continue to serve good quality meals and do interesting activities.

Knowing mum is so well looked after prior and during lockdown is a huge relief to me. I miss seeing her but know that the care given to her is first class. All the staff are caring and genuinely happy to be looking after these vulnerable people. The activities they do with the residents to keep them engaged are great, the memory board is such a great idea and helps them not to forget their families whilst they can't visit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your care and keeping everyone safe.