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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Reviewer Connection to Alderwood Care Home
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Review from Louise P (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have never seen our Mum so happy. She has settled so well at Alderwood and it is so nice to come and visit to see her happy and laughing.
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Review from Carol G (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since my mother moved into Alderwood I have found management and staff helpful, caring towards residents and their families. The home provides much stimulation to residents, both mentally and physically. Entertainment and trips out in the community. Music and signing are very popular and plays an important
part in their lives, prompting memories of their younger days. There is a hair salon - My Mum loves her hair done, puts a smile on her face. I love the beautiful garden - a gardening club for those who enjoy this activity. All I can say is thank you for making such a difference to my mother's life. Love you all.
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Review from Lyn S (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 October 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been a resident at Alderwood Care Home Colchester for the past five months and we are delighted with the superb care given to all the residents there. The staff are all trained with no agency staff which gives important continuity.
All the staff, from the manager down, are very friendly
and caring and engage with the residents all the time and care about their families too, who are always welcome.
It is so good to know our mother is happy and so well looked after and with different activities and outings to enjoy.
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Review from Carol I (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 October 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since looking mum at the start of the year, both parents were in Alderwood, the staff have been so understanding and helpful with dad.
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Review from P L (Son of Resident) published on 26 October 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother can be a "difficult" person sometimes. I have observed only patience and kindness to her, always allowing her to be herself. Solutions are found to any problems and the family kept informed of any problems, health issues etc as appropriate.


My mother is as happy and contented as she is

ever likely to be because of the care and support given. I can sleep at night knowing she is safe and cared for.
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Review from C C (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We looked at many homes before choosing Alderwood and my father was adamant only Alderwood would do after visiting and meeting the manager and the home.
This was still a frightening process for me and my father, "the unknown".
But the transition was so smooth, now a few weeks on, my father receives
absolutely wonderful care and compassion and truly feels he has made the right decision.
All our stress and worries have gone - could not be happier.
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Review from Valerie W (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum was unfortunate to have only lived at Alderwood for just seven weeks before sadly passing away. The love and care she received from the moment she moved in was excellent and with encouragement from the staff, she regained her enthusiasm to join in all activities on offer.
I would highly recommend
Alderwood to anybody in need of an excellent care home. All staff are so dedicated to their profession.
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Review from Jill F (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 9 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Alderwood is superb, I feel like I am treated like one of the family. Wonderful carers and nurses always ready to help and support me.
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Review from L G (Friend of Resident) published on 8 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are very, very helpful.
Always polite and always ready to help or to talk to you.
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Review from J F (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The home is lovely and it is hard to find fault with anything at all. The staff are kind, caring and nothing is too much trouble.
The home is spotless and I would just like to say that now at this time of year how much hard work has gone into making Christmas as nice as possible.
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Review from Carole V (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has vascular dementia and I needed help to look after her. The manager offered to take my mother for day care. Firstly one day a week, then two and now every day until a room becomes available. The staff are exceptional, they really care about my mother and cater to her every need. Nothing
is too much trouble and my mother is always happy to come each morning and always has good days at Alderwood Care Home. I am just waiting for the call to say she can become a resident which I am sure she will love!
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Review from Lianne D (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am writing to bring your attention to the excellent care my mother received whilst a resident at Alderwood Care Home, Essex. Alderwood had been mum's home for nearly 3 years and we have always thought that we were lucky to find such a place. What attracted us to Alderwood was not just the facilities
(which are excellent), it was the friendliness, the fact that Mum could get up when she wanted and go to bed when she wanted and particularly, that she was free to wander and not herded into a lounge. Each day there was always something happening and even between activities/evens there was music playing and residents interacting. It is striking to us that everybody, irrespective of their job, interacts, cares and treats the residents with respect. We believe this is down to the Manager and the senior staff's leadership style, creating a strong team with all the skills needed to ensure a caring and safe environment. One of the carers described working at Alderwood as being part of a family and looking back, it is this that probably makes it so special. We were always happy with mum's care, however we cannot describe how wonderful it was in her last few days. The number of people who came in to see her, each genuinely sad, was very comforting. In Mum's last few years when she felt strongly about something she would throw her drink over someone - this must have been a challenge. This was not in Mum's nature before the dementia and the way the staff coped with it was admirable. There were two carers who proudly said they thought they were the only two not to have received the drink!. The care that everyone gave us during those last few days was "over and above" and very comforting. Obviously we knew the day staff but had not had much contact with the night staff until those last few nights - they were also very friendly and helpful and it was apparent that they had also cared for Mum and knew her personality. Mum's funeral cortege left from the home and we returned there to celebrate her life. This eased the stress of organising/celebrating mum's life, the room was beautifully but subtly decorated, the food was lovely and the staff who helped were welcoming and thoughtful. Mum's carers popped down to see us and pay their respects to Mum and again I cannot say how comforting it was for us in such a relaxed atmosphere and also comforting for Mum's family (who travelled some distance) to see where she had lived and the care she had received. So, we would like to thank everyone at Alderwood who make it such a special place; we cannot name one individual as there are so many who were outstanding in their care of Mum and us.
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Review from H I (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My dad received excellent care at Alderwood from the start to end of life. I cannot praise the home enough. We looked at other homes prior to choosing Alderwood - and the only one for us was Alderwood and never regret the decision.
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Review from Eddie (Son of Resident) published on 27 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
It was a difficult decision for myself, brother and sisters to find accommodation that would care for my dad especially facing the fact he would not come home again. Staff at Alderwood surpassed our expectations - dad was happy and staff made every effort to make him feel comfortable, fixing up his
room, telly, pictures making it feel homely. There was a smile on his face when the staff came in the room and knew he could have between banter, between especially the manager and staff at the home. Chef done very well with the food. The staff were with dad right up until the end. Thank you for the excellent care we as a family highly recommend.
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Review from Ralph C (Wife of Resident) published on 27 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I could not possibly fault the care home.
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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.”

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