Chiltern Grange Care Home

The management and admin teams provide regular communications to relatives which, under the current circumstances that prevent visiting are invaluable.

The home has managed to have in place lots of activities even through these difficult times and the staff are always friendly and accommodating. The home is clean and the rooms are spacious and the food is varied. Both residents were welcomed on arrival and I felt happy to leave them in the staff's capable hands.

My wife (a former social care officer and retired psychotherapist) and I visited and reviewed a number of facilities within 20 miles of our home to select a care home for my older sister. In our opinion, Chiltern Grange was the cleanest, provided the best range of care, the most modern, with the friendliest staff and the happiest of all those we visited. My sister has been at Chiltern Grange now for over a year and the opinion we initially formed has been substantiated in every aspect, especially in the most trying times.

The nursing home exudes a warm, friendly atmosphere. The staff are very professional and caring. The receptionist is extremely helpful and always able to answer any queries. The manager is extremely capable and is always willing to chat and discuss your loved one. You are never rushed and always given time.

Having stayed at 'The Grange' previously, I can only say I found my stay rewarding. They can only follow guidelines on Coronavirus as laid out and this has been observed very well. Overall a well-run ship. Always someone to help. Lovely garden to sit in, but the constant drone of the motorway is rather off-putting. I found it a cheerful place with most people mixing well. The staff are very good, including the office staff. Just wish there was a small shop for necessities.

My mother has been a resident at Chiltern Grange for 18 months. Her and our experience has been very positive. The care home is light, warm, clean, and well run. The staff are friendly and caring and have managed to ensure the home was COVID-free. My mother is happy with the food, the beautiful outdoor space and garden, and the activities programme.

After having a really difficult time in the last few months before coming to Chiltern Grange, it is such a relief to see Mum gradually regaining her appetite and seeing her anxieties reduce. All the staff have been kind and approachable and always have an encouraging word for Mum and us. Chiltern Grange has done everything possible to facilitate visits within the current restrictions and seem to particularly understand the impact that not being able to visit, has on those who suffer from dementia and their loved ones. We, as a family, are so grateful for all the efforts being made to be flexible with visits whilst maintaining best practice with following all the guidelines.

As things were going so well for my mother-in-law, we nominated Chiltern Grange as a possible destination for a family friend about to be discharged from hospital. Unfortunately, there is not an appropriate vacancy which says something for the quality of life being experienced at Chiltern Grange during these difficult times with COVID.

My mother was not keen to go into a home but was persuaded to for respite care while I and my husband went on holiday. On the first visit to her after the holiday, she was more alert and happy to stay at the home for a little longer and three weeks later did not want to go home at all. She always tells me how kind the staff are and how she can talk to the staff about her worries or fears. This is a great relief to me as her dementia has got a lot worse over the last year, and I was finding it difficult to converse with her over matters that may be worrying her. She also has much more contact with people of her own age and likes going to meals with them and taking part in activities. Thanks must go to the staff for making my mother so welcome, and also for making me feel that I made the right decision.

Aware of our father's prognosis, we viewed various care homes in the area, before any of us could know the added strains COVID 19 would throw at us - Chiltern Grange was our preferred home for a simple reason - the staff care and therefore you trust them to do their best. Thank you.

Chiltern Grange came highly recommended by a friend and I'm happy to say that all my expectations have been met. The standard of care has been exceptional. The staff are compassionate, they know my dads needs and throughout lockdown, the care has been organised, efficient and safe despite what the prime minister might say.

Chiltern Grange is an excellent care home that creates a friendly and welcoming environment. All the staff are excellent; very professional, courteous and have empathy for the residents they care for. The home provides a relaxing, calming and comfortable place to live. The communication between the care home and residents’ relatives is second to none, with weekly in-depth updates. Porthaven’s and Chiltern Grange’s reaction to the COVID challenge has been superb, with well thought through measures and regular communication with both residents and relatives; very impressive. It’s a pleasure to visit the home and comforting to know that my father is receiving excellent care and support.

My father moved into Chiltern Grange Care Home a week before lockdown and what could have been a very difficult and unsettling time for him, was, in fact, the best thing that happened to him. He was helped to settle in and meet everyone. All the staff are absolutely amazing and I cannot sing their praises highly enough. They not only physically care but also give emotional support. He is quite a shy person but there are plenty of activities arranged, which he is encouraged to participate in and certainly will always attend the singing on a Friday afternoon and the games of draughts. He has just celebrated his 95th birthday and had a lovely cake made for him - this made his day. Thank you very much to all staff at Chiltern Grange Care Home and please carry on as you have been doing.

The management and all the staff have done their best in extremely difficult times to maintain the very high standards offered at this home.

Where responses are satisfactory they are based on no experience as we were never allowed beyond the reception.

Mum entered Chiltern Grange for respite care in early February. Mum has Alzheimer's and almost immediately, there was a significant and positive improvement to her mood, desire to socialise, eating and general wellbeing. It was such a relief to see her happier than she had been in a long time; being continuously entertained and properly looked after. Two weeks rolled to four and onwards, to the maximum of eight weeks, at which point the global pandemic had taken hold and moving her back to independent living was clearly not an option. Chiltern Grange were so supportive at every step of the way and were able to accommodate her permanently. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming, always aware of how Mum is and it really feels like they've got to know her well in a very short space of time. The consistency of the staffing team is very reassuring, particularly during the Coronavirus situation and we Skype with her every Sunday. I feel grateful, every day, that we found Chiltern Grange.

My Mum loves Chiltern Grange and regularly tells me that we made the right choice of care home for her. The premises have the feel of a quality hotel and everything has been thoughtfully designed, from the memory displays outside each room (nicely lit display cabinets rather than simple pinboards) to the outside balcony on the first floor overlooking the garden and local countryside. The staff are very helpful and friendly and have been very responsive during the Coronavirus outbreak such as by pro-actively organising video calls between guests and relatives to ensure they aren't let feeling too isolated during the lockdown. I agree with my mum, I think we definitely made the right choice!

Our mother became a resident in January 2020. Chiltern Grange Care Home was chosen by us for its lovely facilities and activities programme. From the outset, the staff have shown themselves to be professional, caring and fun. Since January we have not been disappointed. Mum has gone from being lonely and unhappy to the exact opposite and she cannot praise more the staff and care she receives. As a family, we feel mum has all her needs met and at the same feel secure in the knowledge she is well looked after and safe.

Nothing is ever too much trouble for them.

He now enjoys his new life, spending his days being well looked after with superb nutritious meals, and many hours in the beautiful garden with the staff, and his lovely new friends. It is such a relief now to know that he is safe and well, especially during these difficult times.

I would highly recommend Chiltern Grange to anyone, as the care and compassion from all the staff - is outstanding.

There had been some areas of Chiltern Grange that needed improvement to ensure value for money. The arrival of a new locum manager in January has already seen some areas working better, for the sake of new residents and current, I hope that the lady stays. The carers are excellent and residents treated with utmost care and dignity. However, a more comprehensive activities programme is needed, and better care and attention made to smaller details.