Upper Mead

My mother came to Upper Mead in December 2023 following complications of a stroke. She was nursed until April 24, when she sadly passed away. The care and kindness of the team at Upper Mead was second to none. The care was very personal and our family were very supportive through this time, kept informed every step and nothing was too much trouble. I cannot recommend Upper Mead enough for the care of the elderly. Thank you so much for all you did for Mum.

Thank you to them all for making those last few weeks bearable.

Dad has been at Upper Mead for five months. I give them 10/10 for excellent and compassionate care by the management team headed by the manager, the superb and professional nursing team, the compassionate carers, kitchen staff, cleaners and laundry ladies and the ever-ready maintenance team. Dad is well looked after 24/7 in what is now his home from home. The genuine quality of friendliness and happiness in Upper Mead is palpable.

Since my mother has moved into Upper Mead, she has been happy and well cared for. I find that the staff are always friendly, courteous and professional. Mum receives a good standard of care. I have observed that the home priorities health and safety and it is clean, without being clinical. I am particularly impressed with the amount of varied activities taking place. The lounge/dining area where these take place, has a happy, homely and relaxed atmosphere. Well done to all the staff who work so hard to keep the residents happy and well.

Upper Mead is the best by far. It has a lovely atmosphere. The staff are lovely and the ladies who manage the home are brilliant. I cannot speak highly enough of this nursing home.

We were so lucky that Upper Mead had a vacancy just when we needed it most! The staff are so friendly and kind and the care my mum receives is the best! We visit regularly and there is always a different activity going on for the residents! The home always has a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Would highly recommend.

The care given to my dad was excellent. The staff are just lovely, and that shows in the way they are with the residents, who are all happy and looked after. The whole team show a great level of empathy and understanding; nothing is too much trouble. Highly recommended.

My husband entered Upper Mead in November 2020 when his care needs exceeded what I was able to give him at home. It was difficult for me to “let go” after 20 years of caring but seeing that my husband settled in straight away, was happy and well cared for, made it so much easier for me. The staff are friendly, welcoming, professional and caring and my husband is always treated with respect and dignity. During a period of illness last summer he received every nursing care and medical attention and I was always kept informed. Upper Mead has a real feeling of being home, rather than “a home” and my husband enjoys the activities that are on offer, particularly the regular singing sessions. I have been impressed by the professionalism of the staff who have balanced the need to keep the residents safe during the pandemic with the need for them to live their lives to the full. I am now able to enjoy spending time with my husband, knowing that his needs are being met.

My sister transferred to Upper Mead Care Home from another care home a month ago and I must say that the transformation this has made in her life has been fantastic. She has been really welcomed and has become her old self again. She holds herself differently, is more happy, focussed and engaged and has rediscovered a sense of purpose in befriending another woman with acute difficulties. The team at Upper Mead have been really kind and pragmatic and have made personal connections with her across the whole range of roles. I feel that I could not have made a better move for her, which is a tremendous relief for me. The buildings and layout are really good, the food is excellent and the activities team are bright and engaging. Her personal care has improved a lot and she looks so much better. They get her quirky sense of humour. She says that “it is all really rather wonderful“ which is very high praise coming from her. Visiting is easy and nice in all weathers.

Mum has been in Upper Mead for over 2-years and has been very well cared for. When we went into lockdown in March, I was very concerned how Mum would cope without any visitors as she loves to see people, but the staff have been fantastic and looked after her as part of a family rather than just a resident, and because of this, she has remained content and stimulated which is so important for someone with dementia. When I see Mum, she is always clean and tidy and smiling (apart from the odd grumpy day), and I feel confident she is being well looked after, which gives me great peace of mind. The staff have to work incredibly hard but are always cheerful and approachable. If I have any issues, I know they will be listened to and feel able to talk to the management freely. After visits, Mum is happy to return to the main seating area, which she recognises as home, and this is a real measure of how well she has been looked after.

Mum went to Upper Mead on 18 November 2019 after 13 weeks in the hospital finally diagnosed with delirium/dementia and too weak to walk. Mum is a naturally unsocial person and has lived on her own for 20 years, but in a week or so she had been on an outing and had made a friend. She was also walking with the aid of a zimmer. Although mum has deteriorated over the last year and spends more time in her room because of her heart condition that makes her tired, she is extremely well cared for by the excellent care staff, and on my last visit recently proudly showed me her painted nails done by Upper Mead staff. Mum also has her hair cut and blow-dried which makes her looks lovely. Last Christmas Day we were invited to join mum and her friend for Christmas lunch for a very small cost. We had a lovely time. It is a shame COVID has got in the way this year but we know mum is in very capable hands. Thank you, Upper Mead.

Accepted my now 93-year-old father into Upper Mead just before lockdown in march. He wasn't really looking after himself properly and felt it was the best place for him for the time being. The staff has turned dad around finding him much healthier and mobile now, he’s loving the entertainment and stimulation. He loves the care and the way everyone looks after the people in the care home. I've always found the staff extremely caring, never anything too much trouble in these very difficult times. In August dad decided to stay as he loved it so much, that says it all. Please note I can't answer all the question from personal findings below as I haven't been inside properly because of restrictions, of which I totally agree with. Dad gives me a good update so I have a fair idea.

I can not praise the staff at Upper Mead enough! Staff are friendly, helpful and willing to go that extra mile not only for our cousin but for us, as we live quite a distance away. Our cousin is happy and feels she is looked after very well. Staff have been brilliant with regards to providing a safe and caring facility under the difficult times of Covid. A huge thank you to all the staff at Upper Mead!

Looking forward to my next completely COVID safe visit.

Upper Mead is looking after my mum, and looked after my father, who sadly died earlier this year. Although clearly under pressure, Upper Mead has coped well with Coronavirus, working out its own methods to enable visits and video calls. The staff show great empathy and ability when dealing with my mum, who is hard of hearing and suffers from Alzheimer's. They are caring and good-humoured. The home appears to be managed well, although like most care homes it struggles with understaffing. Every time I have visited I have been treated respectfully and there is clearly a good atmosphere. I would recommend Upper Mead.

Having spent many hours (up until lockdown) visiting my mother, a resident at Upper Mead for just over two years, I wish to say how thankful I am to the brilliant team. The care and compassion shown to mum in this warm, friendly and welcoming home is simply exceptional. The last couple of months have been extremely difficult for all, I can't thank the team enough for their care, reassurance and dedication to the residents. I have been able to talk to Mum through the window on loud speakerphone, also via video. Mum reassures me; 'don't worry, I am being well looked after by these lovely people, I enjoy food and the entertainment'. On VE Day, photos were sent of the celebrations, I spoke to Mum through her window, she had so enjoyed the day.

I would like to leave this review for Upper Mead as I feel that the care my husband is getting is truly amazing. The care staff are all my heroes during this pandemic and it is so reassuring to feel that my husband is safe and well looked after in these difficult times. No words can ever be enough to thank everyone for the care they have given to my husband and for giving me peace of mind.

Warm and friendly on all counts with respect to the care provided for the residents, very nurturing nursing care provided and activity staff too, especially the day staff. Management work well with those on the ground to ensure a lovely atmosphere for residents. My Dad really loved it here. Thank you for the excellent understanding and care you gave him throughout his stay with you all.

The manager is excellent and very approachable.

It was a worrying time when the only lift broke for many days, residents were stranded upstairs and staff over-worked in running lounges and meals on 2 floors.