Alderwood Care Home

39 Essex Hall Road, Colchester CO1 1ZP
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10 95 Reviews
  • Alderwood Care Home, Colchester
Alderwood Care Home provides award-winning, person-centred residential, nursing and dementia care from a skilled and passionate team. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission* (CQC), it is also accredited by the Gold Standards Framework for compassionate end-of-life care.

With a focus on making life meaningful, every day, residents enjoy a fun and varied schedule of activities and events designed to support their health and wellbeing. These include live performances from local entertainers, music and movement classes, pet therapy visits, craft workshops, and regular excursions to local places of interest in the minibus.

Alderwood is a beautiful, stylish and comfortable home featuring welcoming en-suite bedrooms, spacious lounges, a bustling brasserie, cinema, and hair salon. The home is surrounded by a large, landscaped garden, which plays host to regular community events and the residents’ Gardening Club.

Underpinned by strong community links, Alderwood runs a ‘wishing tree’ initiative, working with local partners to grant residents’ wishes, big and small, as well as frequently welcoming school children to enjoy the company of the residents.

As part of Alderwood’s commitment to providing outstanding care, the long-standing team receives on-going training, professional development and guidance to support all residents to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Families know their loved ones are being cared for by a trusted and reputable team, who work together with the residents’ best interests at heart.

*awarded December 2020.
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Care Provided

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 65 Service Users

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
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Smoking not permitted
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Television point in own room

Funding & Fees

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Nikki Leaney (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (65)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)

Visiting

  • Residents' visitors are always welcome, with no restrictions as to times/days.

Parking

  • Free on-site parking is available.

Alderwood Care Home Reviews (95)

10

Alderwood Care Home has a Review Score of 10 (9.956) out of 10, based on 23 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Alderwood Care Home has 95 reviews.

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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Alderwood Care Home
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Review from Suzanne H (Daughter of Resident) published on 17 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been at Alderwood Care Home for nearly two years now. She has dementia and at the age of 97, is very cantankerous! The manager and all staff in this wonderful home are exceptional and I can’t thank them enough for their care and compassion at all times. An exceptional care home.
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Review from Mary W (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 17 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Alderwood is the only place my mother-in-law would like to be other than her own home. She has dementia, but recognises Alderwood is now her permanent home. The staff are caring and kind under the supervision of their excellent manager. The food is excellent, well served and presented. Equipment enabling
my mother-in-law to partake in activities and rest is excellent. It is also comforting for the family to know a local GP visits regularly.
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Review from Ian H (Son of Resident) published on 17 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful care from the staff at Alderwood Care Home over the past four years. They showed special care and sensitivity in the last few days of my dad's life. He was treated with dignity and we, as family, were kept informed and made welcome.
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Review from Gill M (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since my mum became a resident at Alderwood Care Home. I have found the staff to be very caring and supportive. Always prepared to help with any concerns. They make great efforts to hold activities to include family members. We, as a family, feel safe and secure in the knowledge that Alderwood takes
such great care of her.
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Review from Linda L (Sister of Resident) published on 25 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care of residents in Alderwood is exemplary. The manager leads by example and sets the tone for the whole organisation. The staff are kind, loving, caring and professional. My sister has been a resident since 2016 and is happy and well cared-for. The food, all made in house by the dedicated chef
and his team, is excellent and there's a wide range of activities to keep residents engaged. The whole place is spotlessly clean and having a hair salon and other facilities in house is the icing on the cake. Visitors are welcomed and the frequent events, particularly during the summer, make everyone feel part of the Alderwood family. I'm so delighted that we found such a fantastic place for my sister to live out the rest of her life.
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Review from Liz S (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Absolute fantastic. We cannot praise the Alderwood Care Home team highly enough. They are caring. professional and kind. It really is an outstanding home in every aspect and we wouldn't want our parents to be anywhere else. Thank you so much for all you do.
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Review from Jacqueline S (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been in Alderwood Care Home for just over four and a half years. It is the best decision I have made, the care is second to none. She is loved, fed well and any personal requirements she needs are done with a smile. I can thoroughly recommend Alderwood to anyone who is in the same position
I was, and you can be reassured your loved one will be treated with respect and love.
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Review from Wendy W (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum is very happy, settled and joins in with activities most days.
Staff are wonderful. Very caring and patient.
Facilities are clean and comfortable
Overall very happy with all aspects of Mum's care and day to day living.
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Review from Joy C (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum has been a resident at Alderwood Care Home for nearly a year now and is living with Alzheimer's. We can't thank the wonderful staff enough for supporting my mum after she broke her leg recently, she is now up and walking about and back to her old self with the support of everyone. The Activity staff
are wonderful, events are always going on and we especially enjoyed a recent resident/family/friends BBQ. We are always made to feel welcome, thank you.
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Review from Amanda P (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father has been a resident in Alderwood Care Home, in the dementia ward, since 11 Feb 2021.


The care home manager has been absolutely amazing since day one when she took the time to send an email confirming his arrival and what he was doing - making pizza and being charming.


The next amazing

thing for me and my family was a video meeting set up so we could see and talk to him on his birthday which was very emotional because of the Covid Pandemic I had not seen my father since November 2020 when he first went into care.


He has a lovely room overlooking beautiful gardens, his own on-suite and it is always spotless. All the staff are so friendly and happy and the food is fabulous - a major concern to me as my father has a great appetite.


Although my father's dementia is now far more progressed and he no longer knows who I am, he always gives me the biggest smile on my visits and usually has crumbs down his top from his latest snack.

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Review from M K (Wife of Resident) published on 24 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The rooms, staff care and overall experience is splendid. My husband has settled in so much better than I expected. The atmosphere is delightful and the staff and management so helpful. The ability to visit at any time and it is made possible that I can have dinner or lunch with him so comforting.
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Review from Terence R (Husband of Resident) published on 24 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Can’t thank the staff enough for the times they have pulled my wife through a number of illnesses that she has suffered.
We are lucky the home has a great manager, who has so much experience in caring for the residents.
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Review from Sharon B (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our mum has been a resident in Alderwood Care Home since June 2022. Mum has dementia and was extremely anxious at the thought of leaving her home and moving to somewhere new. The care home manager took the time to visit mum prior to the move to introduce herself and to reassure mum that she would be
moving to a place where she would be well cared for. We cannot praise the staff highly enough for making the move as stress free as possible and for the continuing support they have given to both mum and us. The staff look after mum with kindness and compassion. Everything about the home is amazing - wonderful staff, lovely food, activities every day, a happy atmosphere and excellent management of mum's nursing needs. We feel that Alderwood provides the best of everything and it is a great comfort to feel that our mum is so well looked after
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Review from Bridget J (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 27 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We had two other care homes to view when we visited Alderwood but we knew instantly this was where we wanted mum to live. The manager was so helpful and friendly and the team really cared for mum after a few days she looked like the lady we knew before her hospital stay. Everything about this home is
magnificent, the bedrooms are beautifully furnished as are all the communal rooms. There is a hairdresser/nail bar/cinema/massage room. We always took a peek at the menu when we visited and the choices were excellent all home cooked by the resident chef. There is also a private family dining room for celebrations. More importantly, the care and respect they show their residents and their families is outstanding. Mum passed away in her room with no drama and all the dignity she deserved With special thanks to the Manager and her team.
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Review from J B (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff at Alderwood Care Home have been very kind and accommodating to my father, which has continued beyond his initial arrival.
Cannot fault the comfort and warmth of his new home and the opportunities he has had are beyond what I could offer myself.
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Review from M H (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff at the home are always responsive to the individual needs of residents and their families. Mum's care is constantly reviewed and adjusted as her condition progresses. The atmosphere is always friendly and calm. The activities are varied and frequent. I have peace of mind knowing that Mum could
not be better looked after.
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Review from Janet W (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum moved to Alderwood shortly after the death of her husband when she was 99. She has dementia and unfortunately can be aggressive and challenging. But the team at Alderwood have worked wonders. My mum is now calm, smiling and sociable, and she really enjoys all the activities. I find the staff
so kind and thoughtful and am relieved to have found a home where she is safe and so well looked after.
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Review from Zelda G (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Alderwood and their staff have made my Dad happy, safe and comfortable in the short 4 months he has been with them. The activities are fantastic, the food is excellent and the staff are very diligent. It is well-managed and I feel as if my Dad is in the right place.
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Review from J P (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A really amazing, special place. We are very lucky to have found Alderwood to look after our Mum. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff who are some of the happiest, kindest people I have ever met. Lots of fun days out, lots of entertainment and activities throughout the day - mum is totally stimulated,
never bored and looked after fantastically well. Thank you, Alderwood!
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Review from John W (Son of Resident) published on 24 October 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother came to Alderwood in March 2021 and she was severely depressed and giving up on life. The Home Manager and Nursing team have been truly wonderful in giving mum her life back, which is the best life she has had in years. Mum does so many fun activities, going out on outings all of which she
loves, and is now interacting well with everyone, smiling and laughing which we haven't seen her do for a long time before she came to Alderwood. We now get to enjoy our happy mum when we come to visit and really can't thank Alderwood enough for this.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.956)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.956) out of 10 for Alderwood Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 23 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 23 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 4.956 for Alderwood Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (260 Excellents x 5) + (12 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 272 Ratings = 4.956
  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 Alderwood Care Home is based on 23 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 65 registered maximum number of service users is 13, which has been reached with 23 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: 19 May 2018

Overall Outstanding

  • Caring Outstanding
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Outstanding
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Outstanding
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 (22)

Meet the Team (1)

Nikki

Nikki Leaney

Job Title: Home Manager

Nikki has been qualified as a nurse for over 30 years, with 23 years of experience in specialised care for the elderly in the private sector.


“Every day I feel lucky to be in a profession that I truly love and to be part of so many people’s lives. I’ve had so many heart-warming and humbling experiences over the years with some truly amazing rewards.”

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