The Poplars Care Centre

158 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone ME16 8SU
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9.3 95 Reviews
  • The Poplars Care Centre, Maidstone
Welcome to The Poplars Care Centre in Maidstone, Kent. Within easy reach of the town centre, this delightful friendly home offers 24-hour care for those over the age of 65. The home is blessed with a long-serving team of nursing and support staff that provide high-quality, person-centred care within a homely environment. They offer flexible long-term, respite and post-operative care.

The Poplars is a large detached house, comprising 56 bedrooms, 15 of which are companion bedrooms for couples who wish to share. Most of these bedrooms come equipped with an en-suite as standard. The team encourage residents to furnish their new surroundings with familiar pieces of furniture and personal possessions to make them feel truly at home. While the bedrooms provide a tranquil area to rest and relax, the light and airy dayrooms offer residents the opportunity to catch up with friends over a pot of tea, enjoy one of the guest entertainers or simply recline in front of their favourite films.

At The Poplars, they encourage residents to take part in a range of engaging activities based on their lifestyle needs and preferences. Many activities take place within the home environment and include garden parties, barbecues, flower arranging, arts/crafts and quiz nights. They empower individuals to enjoy those everyday routines they cherish, whether that’s having a salon blow-dry and manicure or keeping up to date with their favourite sports team. All are encouraged and available. As well as being encouraged to enjoy the home's magnificent landscaped gardens, residents also enjoy regular days out to Canterbury and seasonal trips to the seaside.

The professional catering team deliver nutritionally balanced meals that are appealing to residents. Their professional food suppliers specialise in delivering high-quality food designed specifically for the healthcare sector.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Learning Disability / Autism
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 71 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1600
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1600
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1600
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1600
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1600
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1600
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1850
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1850

These prices are only a guideline, please contact The Poplars Care Centre to find out the exact price for your requirements.

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 £254.06 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Dorcas Mukuzwazwa (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2007

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (41)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (15)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (4)

The Poplars Care Centre Reviews (95)

9.3

The Poplars Care Centre has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.336) out of 10, based on 38 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Poplars Care Centre has 95 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 70
  • 18
  • 2
  • 1
  • 4
Date Published
  • 95
  • 6
  • 14
  • 38
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Reviewer Connection to The Poplars Care Centre
  • 37
  • 18
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
Total of 95, showing 1-20
Review from C C (Friend of Resident) published on 22 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Utmost respect for all the residents and every one is treated with care and love. Keep up the good work.
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Review from Ann M (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This care home is absolutely amazing. My mum had given up and was very reluctant to integrate with other residents. She was admitted with extreme open leg wounds that hadn't shown signs of healing whilst she had spent 2 months in hospital. On arrival her wounds were inspected/swabbed only to find
both legs were infected. The nurse, who is the most awesome nurse, set a treatment plan deciding what bandages, how often to change them and her knowledgeable and positivity was very reassuring. She also spent hours getting mums feet back to good health due to shedding skin after being neglected in hospital. She has been an extraordinary influence on my mums physical and mental recovery which has been nothing short of a miracle. EVERY member of staff has contributed to improving her wellbeing with their genuine love, care and patience. Mums legs are healing, she is now enjoying good times in the lounge with the other residents. Thank you to all you precious angels at Poplars.
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Review from L R (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 April 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is the 1st encounter of a care home I have had so I was not sure what to expect. It became clear from early on that the staff make the home. There has been a low turnover of the care flow which is wonderful. The continuity for both my mother who has dementia and for me and my family cannot be underestimated
. The home has a strong leadership flow and continue to make improvements.
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Review from H F (Sister-in-law of Resident) published on 2 April 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have no complaints, he's very well looked after. I would be the first complain if he wasn't.
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Review from Andrew W (Son of Resident) published on 27 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Without exception all of the staff display care, consideration and patience with all the residents. Dignity is maintained at all times. But most importantly, everything is done with a ready smile.
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Review from Nancy W (Wife of Resident) published on 25 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We found the staff were (are) all so helpful and also cheerful. Very polite, it is a pleasure to see them all, knowing they give their all 100% in sometimes difficult circumstances. I would certainly recommend The Poplars Care Home and if I am unfortunate enough to need care I hope I would find a home
like this.
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Review from J S (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The ladies and men that care for my mum in my eyes is fantastic they are all so helpful and nothing is too much trouble and the lady who does the cleaning is wonderful can't tenner her name my mum loves her but a great place
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Review from D G (Husband of Resident) published on 11 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are so good with my wife nothing to much trouble for them. The care is so good. My wife looks so much better since she has been here I would recommend it to anyone.
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Review from Sue N (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum has been very well looked after since she has resided at The Poplars. The care staff really do care and support staff are very friendly and helpful as well. The food is plentiful & nicely presented even though mum has to have hers pureed. Mum's clothes are always clean and she herself is kept clean
too. Health & safety rules are always followed & people come in regularly to check on mum's well-being. I have no complaints whatsoever on the care mum receives.
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Review from Kim B (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum has severe alzheimers and requires understanding, support and compassion. On our last visit we saw nothing but this from all the staff we came into contact with. They treat Mum with dignity,respect and patience.
Mum has been in the home for over 4 years now and I have never had any concerns regarding
her care. Communication is good, they all understand her needs and she is always clean and suitably dressed.
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Review from Lesley W (Wife of Resident) published on 20 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Carers are very attentive in looking after my husband and his needs are mostly met. I do think the carers should have training on dealing with diabetics on knowing what their diet should entail according to each individual needs and understanding the consequences of sugars being too high or too low.
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Review from G L (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 27 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My nan was put into The Poplars Care Centre home after a stay in hospital, they welcomed nan with balloons, activities, daily care for her to the best they can yet still making my nan feel independent. Nan then got the ok to go home which only lasted a couple of weeks and she was back in hospital. The
only care home she wanted to go to was here. My nan has been on her own for many years yet at Poplars she has someone always walking past asking if she ok, she has endless cups of teas, her hair done when she wants and all the family can go visit her. With all the staff being so welcoming and the residents, nan's got a great group of friends now and she happy and wanting to stay at Poplars for the rest of her life and as a family we know she is safe and cared for. Not more we could ask for.
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Review from Gillian K (Resident) published on 6 January 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My experience here has been beyond my expectations. The care and treatment I have been receiving has been exemplary. The staff are very helpful and caring at al times of the day or night. The food is very good with choices available on request. Overall my continuing stay here to convalesce has been
a very pleasant experience and I would recommend The Poplars to anyone.
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Review from Zena T (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 October 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The home looked after my mum really well. Always making sure she had enough to eat, and was drinking enough, kept clean and tidy.
Always very polite friendly with family visitors. She loved the sing songs they had and the baking and they Always sent pictures to keep you updated.
I would recommend
them.
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Review from L M (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 September 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Mum has been well cared for, she had behavioural issues which is very demanding but the staff have built great relationships with her and listened when I've suggested ways that will help her and relieve some anxieties! She had staff that she now considers family and they address her as such! Thank you.
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Review from Vicky A (Friend of Resident) published on 20 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Lovely home with cheerful staff, some food is disgusting and could be a lot better. Need some work on home and is undergoing at the moment. Some staff need pulling up and maybe more training, they need cleaning staff as they expect carers to do it, also proper kitchen staff this will give carers more
time for the service users there.
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Review from Jean B (Friend of Resident) published on 13 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have visited this home on many occasions and I have found this place to be very clean and spotless, the staff are very polite and welcoming, friendly and helpful anytime when I visit, there always seems to be lots of activities and different things for the residents to do which I feel is very good,
in my opinion this is a very nice place to go.
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Review from J R (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My experience of The Poplars during the four years Mum has been a resident has been very good. We are always met with a cheerful greeting from the many staff members who are readily available whenever needed. Mum's needs have been accommodated from the beginning and we have been kept informed of any
health issues. The entertainment staff are second to none with daily activities that all residents are encouraged to join in with. All in all a caring and friendly place.
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Review from J H (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum became a resident at The Poplars in March 2024. Prior to March, she had stayed there for four short periods of time following medical procedures. She always said that if she needed to move permanently to a care home The Poplars is where she would prefer to go. As a family, we were relieved that
she managed to get a placement there.
I'm so impressed with the standard of her care. The staff are so professional and hardworking. As a team, they create a calm and well-managed environment. When I visit they are always so friendly and welcoming. Their smiles mean a lot. I notice how caring, gentle and respectful they are towards my mum. In my opinion, her palliative care is exceptional. She is always clean and comfortable. Her room is always clean, bright and well-ventilated.
I'm well aware that I would not be able to care for my mum to anywhere near the standard that the staff do. I'm truly grateful to them all. I hope they realise how good they are!
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Review from N H (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 27 May 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5
I would not recommend this home. My relative was placed here from hospital but deteriorated very quickly, ending up back in hospital again with a broken hip. She was not well cared for, I used to have to cut her nails and clean her ears, basic hygiene. The food was reheated and unappealing, often I
would help feed her because she was left to do this for herself. Her room was not always clean. Many personal items were lost or misplaced. The home felt chaotic and noisy, staff made us feel like an inconvenience for asking questions about her health condition. The doctor rarely visited and was not very good at communicating to the family. Staff communication was also poor and as English is not their first language, it was very difficult for my relative to understand them. They often lacked empathy and patience when she was having a bad day. A very small number of staff are friendly, caring and approachable, most are very much the opposite, including the manager. Avoid this place if you can.
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Current Review Score: 9.3 (9.336)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.3 (9.336) out of 10 for The Poplars Care Centre is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 38 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 33 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.336 for The Poplars Care Centre is calculated as follows: ( (299 Excellents x 5) + (81 Goods x 4) + (15 Satisfactorys x 3) + (12 Poors x 2) + (37 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 444 Ratings = 4.336
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Poplars Care Centre is based on 33 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 71 registered maximum number of service users is 14.2, which has been reached with 33 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 15 Jul 2024

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (8)

Meet the Team (1)

Dorcas

Dorcas Dorcas

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2021

I have been in the Care industry for almost 20 years. I have worked in residential, nursing and dementia care homes in various capacities. My passion is to ensure that care is a positive experience for our residents and ensure they live a meaningful life. I am passionate about what l do and my outlook is to ensure that our residents create memories and the relatives get peace of mind. My team and l have a shared dedication to enhance the quality of life of our residents and ensure that they live a fulfilled life. I am dedicated to ensuring that l lead my team to be the best they can be.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Poplars Care Centre

What types of Care is The Poplars Care Centre registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability & Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does The Poplars Care Centre have?

There are 41 Single Rooms and 15 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at The Poplars Care Centre?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room & Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is The Poplars Care Centre to the centre of Maidstone?

0.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact The Poplars Care Centre to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Poplars Care Centre has an Enhanced Service - more info.