The Old Downs Residential Care Home Testimonials

Having spent respite care at The Old Downs I feel fortunate my husband was accepted to remain in residential Alzheimer's care. He settled in so well and this is due to the ambience of the Home, the professional care he receives and all the staff who go above and beyond to socialise with every resident. I am always made so welcome when I visit my husband and when we sit together in the conservatory or weather permitting the garden overlooking the downs, we both feel content. Thank you to all concerned for making this possible after what has been a stressful 10+ years on my husband's Alzheimer's journey.

Patricia L, wife of resident, September 2023, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

Mother spent two weeks in respite care. The initial assessment was thorough and the first visit to the Home was thorough and informative. My mum was welcomed into the Home and the activities were varied and plentiful. She thoroughly enjoyed Valentine's Day celebrations and her 82nd birthday – where a delicious cake was made. All the staff were amazing and in just two weeks I feel like I've made friends with the staff. They all worked so hard and I am very grateful for their empathy, guidance and caring.

Karen S, daughter of resident, March 2023, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

Dad has only just moved in (two weeks). It is obviously a hard transition for him, but the staff are so kind and supportive of him and are clearly doing all they can to help him settle in. The Old Downs really feels like and home and not an institution.

Bev B, daughter-in-law of resident, November 2022, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

My husband suffered from rare early onset Dementia and Motor Neurone Disease and the lovely staff looked after him brilliantly. He spent a lot of his time walking and the layout of the Home made that easy for him. It is always a difficult time when a loved one needs extra care but made so much easier when you know the team are caring, compassionate, knowledgeable and capable of dealing with all the different personalities in a quiet relaxed manner. There was a lot of fun and smiles!

Sally R, wife of resident, August 2022, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

When visiting my sister-in-law I am always made welcome. The staff are always helpful and friendly. She always gets involved in the activities. She loves the food at meal times, I always get good comments from her about it.

John L, brother-in-law of resident, August 2022, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

My father has been well cared for and loved over these last three years. The staff have been brilliant, especially in the extremely difficult circumstances with the pandemic, and have treated my father like their own relative. I am pleased that The Old Downs Residential Care Home places a big emphasis on activities and special day celebrations for the residents. The Old Downs is situated in a lovely location and the Home is not laid out with long corridors like other Homes I have visited which makes the Old Downs seem much more like a family home.

Mark R, son of resident, June 2022, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

Lovely staff here at The Old Downs, always willing to chat and listen to any concerns or worries and act on them. They put on a Jubilee party last Friday, the residents had an individual named picnic box full of goodies and there was also BBQ food available for all, with chilled drinks and lovely cakes. There was a lovely lady singer there too, who had the residents up dancing and singing - it was lovely to see the residents dancing and drifting back to their younger days, enjoying themselves with staff and partners. Their little faces were beaming! For me, it was lovely to see what our families get up to when we have not been able to see them so much, due to the pandemic. The staff went above and beyond for their residents and I hope other families appreciated the effort too. Well done to the Manager and her loyal team.

Debbie P, daughter of resident, June 2022, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

Following my recent visit to this establishment in order to make enquiries re my mother possibly residing there in the future; I would like to thank the Manager and her Admin Assistant for the excellent way in which they welcomed me and conducted my tour. I was very impressed indeed with the overall facilities and the way that the staff were seen to be supporting residents, who all seemed relaxed and happy in their lovely surroundings. I was particularly impressed by the number of well-appointed lounge areas and the dining room, as well as the ample content contained within the very well produced information pack. Out of the five Homes that I have recently visited, this one was by far the most person-centred, cost-effective and 'homely' environment that I have observed. Well done to all concerned.

Nigel L, visitor, May 2022, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

The care at the Home has been in the most part very good, some staff have gone the extra mile and been brilliant. My mother has always to my knowledge been treated with dignity and respect. The building is an old manor house, though there has been a lot of modernisation and improvements. I would recommend The Old Downs Residential Care Home to someone who is looking to place a friend or relative in a residential care setting because they have a high level of need due to dementia, as they are very experienced in caring in this field.

J B, daughter of resident, May 2022, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

It is always difficult for a relative to make that decision about a loved one moving to a care centre from living at home or community. I am pleased that I selected the choice of The Old Downs. I praise the manager and all of her team for their professional care and support given to my dad during his time at the care centre. They made his last few months of life comfortable, and he was engaged in all the activities on offer. He was a big part of The Old Downs community, always a smile on offer! I thank them for their support and kindness shown to me, it was faultless, even in the most difficult times of the pandemic.

Kerry H, daughter of resident, February 2021, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

Sadly in May last year, my husband had to go into a home. At the time of the NHS response, we did not know about The Old Downs, even though we knew the area. We cannot express enough our gratitude to the Manager and her team, and our delight that this is where he should be. As a Manager, she is an absolutely amazing person – and all her staff, whom we have met or spoken to during these difficult Covid times, are incredible people, each and everyone, who do their job so devoutly, with care and compassion. They should know how much this is appreciated by me and our family because we could not ask that he be in a better place. In every conversation, he says he loves the food, the people are kind and that he "could not fault it". Hearing those words is more than we could have asked for.

Sadie H, wife of resident, February 2021, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

I want to thank all the workers in your care homes for what they are doing to look after our most vulnerable people. If you could pass this on to all your homes but in particular to Old Downs in Hartley Kent. I live opposite that home and see people arriving for work. I am praying for protection for the staff and the residents. Thank you.

KC, March 2020, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

I am glad I placed my Dad at The Old Downs. The staff are very friendly and caring and answer any questions we have about my Dad's care. The staff keep on top of his medical needs. He is well looked after and I can now rest easy knowing he has the 24-hour care he needs. The staff always keep me informed as to his general state of mind and any health issues. The home is clean and tidy with lots of activities for my Dad to join in if he wishes.

Carol A, daughter of resident, January 2020, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

My father has been in The Old Downs for nearly 8 months now, and our whole family are extremely satisfied with the care he receives. He is very content in himself and all his medical and personal needs are met with a high level of care and dignity. The manager and staff are superb and extend their care to my mother and all of us. They went the extra mile on my parents' 64th wedding anniversary, laying on a special lunch for them both. It meant the world to my mum to have something special on their day.

SG, daughter of resident, June 2019, The Old Downs Residential Care Home

Staff have always taken a person-centred approach, making every effort to understand my mother's individual needs and wants. Especially as dementia has exerted its ever-tightening grip but staff have been consistently kind, caring and attentative. Despite their busy, demanding days, the staff still find time to smile, wave and exchange a few cheerful words as they tend to everyone's needs. Staff also work hard to create a warm and friendly atmosphere for visitors, appreciated when we too are adapting to this unfamiliar environment. Staff are welcoming, reassuring and proactive in providing support and advice. While my mother lacks the capacity to involve herself in activities, every effort is made to include her on some sensory level, be it the opportunity to sit outside over summer and feel the suns warmth or hear trees rustling. My mothers sense of taste is certainly being stimulated by the plentiful and wide-ranging food available.

AS, daughter of resident, November 2018, The Old Downs Residential Care Home.

My mum has been in the Old Downs for nearly five years now. I can only praise the manager and the entire team for their care, support and dedication to all the residents needs. Their continuing support for both my mother and I has been amazing. I cannot thank them all enough in what at times has been very difficult circumstances.

JH, daughter of resident, November 2018, The Old Downs Residential Care Home.