The Orchard Nursing Home

Only marked safety as poor as the movement sensor isn’t always on in my Dad’s room and there are not always staff with the residents in the sitting room - so my father has had more falls/been discovered later than would otherwise be the case.

I would definitely recommend The Orchard.

I am extremely happy with the home and would be happy to recommend the home for either respite or long-term care.

My Dad came to The Orchard for respite care, this was so I could go in and see him, as he lives a long way away from me. Our family have never had to use care homes or elderly care before, so we were somewhat nervous. However, all I can say is that the care staff and nurses made my dad and us feel very welcome. The care he received was excellent, loving and understanding. They very quickly got to know his needs, he thought the food was amazing (this from a fussy person). The room was good, and if we had stayed longer we could have made it more of a home-from-home. The activities looked excellent and Dad did join in and enjoyed them, but he also was allowed respectful 'me time' too. They have a statement in the home which says that the workers are coming to work in your home, as the Orchard is the home of those that live there. All the staff take this on board. My biggest thing was that the home was not awkward about my many visits nor how many times a day I came to see him.

I have been very pleased with the care received by my partner who is struggling with his mobility and cognition. All the staff are lovely with him and very friendly and caring. It is a great comfort to know that he is receiving such excellent care and warmth.

Kind and helpful staff taking care of my dad 24 hours a day. The Orchard Nursing Home have been very supportive and always ready to listen.

My mother was at The Orchard for nearly 7 years. She was always treated with respect and care. Her room was bright and airy and her clothes were always neatly washed and pressed. The carers were all aware of my mother's needs and if she needed anything, they would always let us know so we could bring it in for her. We got to know all the carers and nurses on the second floor very well and felt like part of the family at the home. Although my mother could not really participate in any of the activities, the activities team always included her.

it was Mum's birthday on Aug 20th. The staff made her a cake and brought it in and sang happy birthday to her. This was organized by the activities coordinator on the 2nd floor. It was a really lovely touch. Mum has been in the Orchard since April 2021 with severe dementia. She's well looked after and I see the same staff regularly, whenever I visit. The staff keep regular contact with us (Mum cannot really communicate with us now) and let us know whenever there is an issue or Mum needs something bringing in.

I searched extensively for a placement for a loved one for whom the placing was of an urgent matter. I was impressed with the home from the reception I received on arrival. The place was clean and the decor pleasant. I was given a tour of the home and while walking around was told what the home had to offer. The lady showing me around knew and greeted all the patients by name but what impressed me the most was that, while viewing the patio and garden, she noticed that a resident was cold, walked over and adjusted a blanket around the lady with a kind word. The lady with me was not a nurse hence my pleasant surprise at her actions. My friend was admitted shortly after this first visit. The nursing staff keep me informed of anything relating to my friend's welfare and do their very best to see to his needs. It gives me comfort knowing he is in good hands and that I can continue giving personal care to my loved one without having to contend with the day-to-day needs he has.

Couldn’t have been more impressed by the way The Orchard treated my grandfather. The staff were both diligent and kind, keeping him comfortable in his last moments. They were also very compassionate and allowed my mother and me to stay as long as we needed to, by his side at the end. Really impressed by their service.

The Orchard Nursing Home in St Albans is a happy place to stay. The staff are cheerful, kind and professional. The food is good, there is a library, activities to take part in and a garden to enjoy throughout the year.

I have been a volunteer for nearly three years and have enjoyed my weekly visits to The Orchard very much. I have always been made most welcome by staff and residents alike and treated as an equal.

We have been at The Orchard for nearly three years, and I cannot fault their support and care. When you move your relative into a home, you do all the research you can and hope that you have made the right decision – with The Orchard, I can truly say that we have found another family. This choice is reflected in my grandmother daily; she is treated with care and respect, has ‘in-jokes’ with each member of staff, and even on the worst days of her dementia, knows how safe she is. During the height of the pandemic, the staff at The Orchard mitigated as much fear and confusion as possible, bringing a spirit of camaraderie and security. The reassurance I feel in our decision is unquantifiable. Being able to visit her without any concerns is wonderful and has given us back our relationship without the additional stresses and worries of caring. Thank you all. So very much.

The Orchard has become the next best thing from home for Dad and in some ways the best place. He has now been a resident for just over 4 years and in that time he has never complained to us about the care he is receiving. We witness on a daily basis the friendly and caring atmosphere generated by all the staff. Any requests made by us on Dad's behalf have been acted upon in a speedy and professional manner and we know all the staff put the residents' needs first. Dad needs encouragement to join in with activities and the Well Being team are always up to get him involved in things they know he will enjoy. Dad had to spend some time in hospital earlier in the year which really affected him physically and mentally. On his return, the nursing and care teams have made every effort to get Dad back to where he was. When Dad is having a good day the way he interacts with the staff is a joy to be seen. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Cannot say it enough.

The Orchard nursing home was the perfect place for me to recuperate after surgery on a fractured ankle. The staff were warm and friendly and I enjoyed socialising with the residents. Constructive feedback would include fitting larger sheets and duvets on beds; more extensive gluten-free food provision and when you update the room alarm system, make sure that the sound only goes to the staff who need to hear it.

My mother-in-law spent ten weeks at The Orchard between December 2021 and March 2022. We chose The Orchard based on recommendations by friends which was then backed up by a very favourable initial visit. From the outset, we were highly impressed by the professionalism of the staff and the care and individual attention given to the residents. Every effort was made to help her settle and the team were keen to find activities to suit her needs and interests and to get to know her as an individual. Residents are encouraged to mix and get to know one another, yet there is also respect for privacy and a resident's personal space. All family members who visited her, remarked on the friendly and caring family-like atmosphere. I have no hesitation in recommending The Orchard and in fact, have done so both during my mother-in-law's stay and afterwards.

The Orchard staff have been amazing, the activities team have really kept my mum occupied and the care shown has given us the satisfaction to know we made the right decision. I have visited lots of care homes in my occupation and this is certainly the best.

My husband moved here to the dementia ward one week ago and I felt really happy from day one! The staff (which is the most important aspect, in my opinion, of any care home) are all absolutely lovely. The level of staff on the unit is high enough for them to take time with each resident, I see staff continually talking to all the residents and treating them with kindness, dignity and even affection which really made me feel emotional. My husband is a high needs patient with advanced young onset dementia (FTD) and motor neurone disease. He has lost the use of his arms so he is very vulnerable and unable to do anything for himself. Knowing that the staff here are patient and kind is really reassuring. The management team are accessible and willing to help with all requests, where physically possible. In addition, the food is fabulous, the nursing care so far has been amazing with great attention and interest being shown in his condition and adjustments to his diet made almost immediately.

My fiancee has been at the Orchard since May 2019. I could not have wished for a better care home for her after her severe cognitive impairment. The nurses and carers are wonderful with her showing empathy, respect and dignity. The whole team have shown her and me, so much love and care I cannot express my gratitude enough. Wonderful, wonderful people.

My father has been at The Orchard for three weeks now. The way in which he was admitted, cared for and encouraged has been fantastic. He has gone from being bedbound to being up and in a chair/visiting the lounge/taking part in daily activities, even if in his room. Calls and visits are allowed, and sensibly and carefully monitored. All in all, a fantastic home for Dad.