
The care she had was brilliant, with many activities to keep her entertainedJessica H(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

Every member of staff, whatever their role, gave their absolute all every single dayMarielle S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Thank you to all staff and management for Mum's continuing care.Margaret T(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

The care she had was brilliant, with many activities to keep her entertainedJessica H(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

Every member of staff, whatever their role, gave their absolute all every single dayMarielle S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Thank you to all staff and management for Mum's continuing care.Margaret T(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Situated in the heart of Kent, Abbotsleigh Care Centre provides older people with tailored residential, nursing and dementia care with compassion, dignity and respect. Residents and their families feel supported by the Home's expert care teams. With a physiotherapist to support residents with rehabilitation, enabling day or short-term placements, physiotherapy services also help with improving residents’ strength, reducing falls and improving overall well-being.
The Home offers single room accommodation, most...
Care Provided by Abbotsleigh Care Centre
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 61 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
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- 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
- Bar/Café
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The Self-Funded Nursing Care weekly fee does not include the NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC) fee. The weekly fees do not include personal expenditures such as hairdressing, chiropody, physiotherapy, opticians, dentist, transportation, cost of outings, newspapers subscription, escort fees etc.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Abbotsleigh Care Centre for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Abbotsleigh Care Centre 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)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Nellsar Care Homes
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Joy Cagande (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 55+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: -1
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (58)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (3)
Visiting
- The home operate an open-hours visiting policy, which means relatives and friends are welcome to drop by and see their loved ones at any time. Families are always welcome to join their relatives for afternoon tea or lunch if booked in advance.
Parking
- The home has a large car park to the front of the property.
Abbotsleigh Care Centre Reviews (120)
Abbotsleigh Care Centre has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.854) out of 10, based on 18 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Abbotsleigh Care Centre has 120 reviews.
My mum was only at Abbotsleigh for a short time, but she was so well cared for. She died with dignity. The staff were so lovely to me and my family as well as my mum. My mum was washed and had clean clothes every day, the room was clean and always smelt nice.
Thank you for this very important review. The manager and the whole staff team have specialized in providing the very best palliative care (GSF) which reflects the individual wishes and needs of your loved one and also supports families through a desperately sad time. From your feedback, the staff...
My nan lived here for four years and had been moved around from multiple care homes before. The care she had was brilliant, with many activities to keep her entertained, and the staff were all very helpful and kind. I’m glad my nan finally got the care she deserved in the last stages of her life.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I will pass your kind words on to the staff.
The care home is spotless and we thoroughly recommend the attentive staff.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I will share your kind words with all staff.
We cannot thank them highly enough for the end-of-life care they gave to Dad and the support they gave to us was exceptional during this sad time.
We would highly recommend this care home.
On behalf of everyone here at Abbotsleigh Care Centre, I would like to thank you for the wonderful feedback, Helen. Your comments will be fed back to the staff to show them that their efforts are appreciated and recognised. We will be missing you all. Thank you again for your review.
Excellent communication and updates.
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Jackie. I will share your kind words with all staff.
Very happy with the care my nan is receiving. The staff are very friendly and welcoming.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I will pass your kind words on to the staff.
Really good, the staff are helpful, they are amazing.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I will pass your kind words on to the staff.
Since my relative came to Abbotsleigh Care Centre almost six years ago, she has been consistently treated with care, good humour and dignity, She could be difficult to manage, even aggressive occasionally but the staff were patient. Staff worked hard to engage her and while she had capacity, she responded well to their efforts, she enjoyed their company and remained communicative and sociable for much longer than we imagined, thanks to them.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I will pass on your positive feedback to the team.
Abbotsleigh specialises in dementia care, so it would not be the right home for everybody but for my sister, with her Alzheimer's diagnosis, it was the ideal choice. The home made regular efforts week by week to keep themes and topics that patients could relate to where they were visible and the kitchen cooperated in this. Nursing care was skilled and professional and the management was consultative but firm and clear standards were set and maintained.
Thank you for your kind words. I will pass on your feedback to the team and please feel free to contact me if you believe that there are any improvements needed to our service.
Great care and kindness. Good advice and recommendations. My father has improved sing being here.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I will share your kind words with our staff.
Having researched and visited many care homes, Abbotsleigh Care Centre outshines them all by far. For the few days, my relative was in their care, she was treated with utmost kindness and dignity. I cannot fault the staff in any way. They came across as one big family and we were kept informed of our relative's condition at every point. Nothing was too much trouble and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their undivided devotion and for all they did for our relative and us.
Thank you so much for your lovely words, Jill. Such feedback is gratefully received and is a statement to the hard work and dedication of our team. I will ensure the staff see your great review.
Sadly, my mother was only in your care for a short period of time before passing. The care, attention and professionalism given to my mother and I were excellent. Your line of communication was brilliant and also in helping me to prepare for the worst. Abbotsleigh Care Centre and the staff offer a real family atmosphere which I hope will continue for years to come. A very big thank you to one and all.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Neil. It was our pleasure to look after your mum and your positive feedback means so much to the staff here at Abbotsleigh.
Whenever we drop in to visit, we find my sister-in-law beautifully cared for, always clean and comfortable in a nice, cosy room. I visit my nursing homes during my professional life and Abbotsleigh Care Centre is one of the best.
On behalf of the manager and her excellent team, I would like to thank you for this very positive feedback. The fact that it is based on both your professional and personal experience means so much, and I will ensure that all staff are aware of your comments, and I will remind them to be proud of all they do, so hard and so worthwhile.
I can't praise the staff highly enough for all that they do for my mum. I know that she is safe and being well looked after which would be impossible for me to manage. They are also very supportive to me.
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Teresa. Your feedback is very important for staff morale and for us, as we always aim to improve our service.
Abbotsleigh Care Centre is the best. The staff, management and all that work there are very caring and supportive. The room my Dad is in is very homely and he is very happy. I know when I have visited my Dad and go home I do not need to worry about going home and leaving him with the staff and management. I thank you all for the love and care you have given him.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Diane. I will pass on your feedback to the team.
The home and staff have been exceptional in the care of my uncle. They are always friendly and keep me informed on any activities or changes.
Thank you so much for your feedback and for taking the time to review the home, it is very much appreciated.
Very attentive service. Could not do enough to make the visit comfortable for both the service user and visitors. Was a little perturbed to see not a lot of communication with some of the other service users I felt was required. Did not affect us or our visit.
Thank you so much for taking time to share your experience. I am glad you had a nice visit and you felt welcomed. Please feel reassured that we are going to look into your concern and will try our best to make it better.
Mum has been in the care of Abbotsleigh for the past 2 years. Throughout this time I have always found the staff to be pleasant and caring. Obviously, there have been restrictive difficulties visiting during this time but I feel I can have trust in the staff who are always cheerful and able to assist where ever they can.
Thank you so much for taking time to share your experience. I am really happy that our team offered you reassurance and gained your trust.
When I visited the staff were very friendly, also very helpful.
I can't thank you enough for all you did. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Megan. I will pass on your feedback to the team.
The home we chose for mum was based not only on the quality of the building, furnishings and care planning, but we needed to ‘feel’ that she would be in a loving environment. Abbotsleigh Care Centre hit the mark on all counts, faultless every visit and went beyond care homes I have been involved with. I cannot recommend this home enough, because the staff go the extra mile to ensure the residents are surrounded by love, given the attention needed medically and family kept up to date with any changes. Thank you for looking after my mum with the respect and dignity she would have wanted, I will always be in your debt for that.
Thank you Neal for your kind words. On behalf of myself and the team, we are grateful to have been able to look after your Mum and it has been our pleasure to meet you all.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 14 December 2018Good
- 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 (29) & Events (0)
- 30 Jul 2026
Our residents were treated to a fantastic afternoon of live entertainment when Caz and Ellie arrived in full ABBA costume, ready to perform some of the band's greatest hits at...
- 16 Jul 2026
Our annual Wimbledon-themed party returned to our Care Home in Staplehurst on Friday 3 July, bringing together our residents, families, colleagues, volunteers, and guests from some of our sister Homes,...
- 25 Jun 2026
We were delighted to welcome singer Michael, a new performer to our Care Home in Staplehurst, for a wonderful afternoon of live entertainment recently. Michael treated our residents to a...
There are no upcoming events for Abbotsleigh Care Centre.
Awards / Recognitions (7)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Nellsar Care Homes
- 30 Jun 2021Recipient: Nellsar Care Homes
- 28 Feb 2020Recipient: Nellsar Care Homes
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Abbotsleigh Care Centre.
Meet the Team (13)

Joy joined Abbotsleigh Care Centre in November 2015 as a Registered Nurse and has grown with the home over the years, progressing through leadership roles before becoming Home Manager in April 2026.
Passionate about creating a true sense of home, Joy leads with warmth, compassion, and a strong commitment to person-centred care. She strives to ensure that every resident feels valued, respected, and supported to live as independently and comfortably as possible, with care tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
Abbotsleigh Care Centre is a welcoming Dementia and Nursing Care Home in the heart of Staplehurst, Kent. Set within a charming building that combines traditional character with beautifully refurbished, modern facilities, the home offers a peaceful and tranquil environment surrounded by landscaped gardens.
With 58 bright and comfortable bedrooms - most with en-suite facilities - Abbotsleigh provides a safe and homely setting.
The home features two dedicated units, Red Admiral and Holly Blue, alongside inviting communal spaces, including spacious lounges, dining areas, and a private atrium for meaningful time with loved ones. Residents also benefit from a dedicated Sensory and Stimulation Room, supporting wellbeing and enriching daily life through engaging activities.
Under Joy’s leadership, the focus is on delivering high-quality, compassionate care while fostering a positive and inclusive community for residents, families, and staff. Families are encouraged to be part of their loved one’s journey, with open communication and personalised care plans ensuring that every individual receives the very best support.

Alexandra has been part of the team at Abbotsleigh Care Centre since 2016, when she initially started as a Registered Nurse.
She then progressed to Unit Manager, followed by Head of Care, before taking on the role of Deputy Manager in April 2026.
Alexandra takes great pride in being part of the home and feels a strong sense of belonging within the team.
She is passionate about supporting our residents, their families, and our staff, and believes that kindness, trust, and teamwork are at the heart of excellent care. In her role as Deputy Manager, she is committed to creating a positive and supportive environment where residents feel safe, valued, and truly at home, and where staff feel encouraged and respected.

Andrea joined the Abbotsleigh team in August 2024, bringing experience from both graphic design and healthcare environments. She initially joined as part of the Activities team before transitioning into her current role in 2025. Andrea is a strong communicator who is passionate about strengthening connections with residents’ families and friends, ensuring they feel welcomed, informed, and valued as part of the Abbotsleigh community.

Jacqui joined Abbotsleigh in July 2021 and takes pride in ensuring her responsibilities are completed efficiently, accurately, and to a high standard. She manages staff administration with care and attention to detail, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing staff support throughout their time at Abbotsleigh. Jacqui is also committed to maintaining accurate resident administration and works closely with Head Office to ensure smooth and consistent processes.

Chris joined the team in May 2020 and is responsible for maintaining the warm and welcoming environment at Abbotsleigh. A qualified plasterer by trade, Chris brings a broad range of maintenance skills to the role and is always willing to assist wherever needed. He communicates well with the management team, staff and residents alike and takes great pride in both his workmanship and his ability to provide practical solutions whenever he can.

Jeetu joined Abbotsleigh in January 2021 as a Registered Nurse and was promoted to Unit Manager of Red Admiral in 2022. She is a passionate Infection Prevention and Control Champion, committed to maintaining a clean, warm and welcoming environment that supports the health and well-being of residents. Alongside her nursing responsibilities, Jeetu supports the team through an open-door approach and works closely with the management team.

Sreeja joined Abbotsleigh as a Registered Nurse in December 2020 and has since progressed to Unit Manager for Holly Blue. She takes great pride in her nursing role and in building strong relationships with residents and their families, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care. As Skin Care Champion, Sreeja is committed to developing and applying her expertise in this area. She enjoys leading her team of care and domestic assistants and works closely with the management team to create a positive, supportive environment for residents and their families.

Drawing on her experience in resident liaison and wellbeing activities, Kirsty also continues to provide valuable support across the home to residents, colleagues and the management team.

Alex joined Abbotsleigh in 2016 as a Healthcare and Kitchen Assistant, progressing to Chef after one year and becoming Head Chef in 2019. He is passionate about providing residents with nutritious, enjoyable meals that support their health and wellbeing, and values engaging with residents to gather their feedback. Alex also enjoys working closely with the Activities team during events, preparing barbecues and creating themed menus inspired by destinations visited by relatives on virtual cruises.

Esme plans and oversees a wide range of activities and events, encouraging residents to take part in meaningful, person-centred experiences that help them maintain existing skills, develop new ones, and promote independence, while always respecting personal choice.

Leigh is one of the original members of the team and worked at the home as a Carer prior to Nellsar taking over Abbotsleigh. She is a highly respected and valued team member with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Over the years, Leigh’s role has evolved significantly, and she now draws on her diverse skills as a Senior Carer, Continence Assessor, Moving and Handling Champion and Minibus Driver. She also supports the Activities team and assists the nursing team on both the Red Admiral and Holly Blue units with medication rounds and care documentation.

George joined Abbotsleigh in June 2019 as a Senior Nurse. He plays a key role in ensuring the smooth and effective running of the home during the night, overseeing both the care and nursing teams. George is committed to maintaining high standards of care and ensuring residents feel safe, comfortable and well-supported at all times. He works closely with colleagues to provide responsive, person-centred care and offers guidance and leadership to the team throughout the night.

Known for her friendly chats with residents during her rounds, Staffy takes great pride in her work and in making sure everything that comes through the laundry is returned in pristine condition.
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