St Michaels Homes

After much soul searching, and looking at a lot of care homes (well my sister did!), at 97 years old, we decided that Mum needed looking after. My sister and I highly recommend Dudbrook Hall and it’s wonderful caring staff and management. Dudbrook Hall is spotless and all the residents are spotless too. There is a lovely family atmosphere and the Entertainments Manager does a great job in entertaining the residents. There is a varied entertainments programme and the more able residents are taken on trips out. We are very confident that Mum is being well looked after and is safe and loved. Thank you to all at Dudbrook Hall. Just to finish by saying if you have any concerns they are always addressed.

Having chosen Dudbrook Hall for mum, l believe I made the best decision for her. She is cared for with much love, kindness and compassion by all the staff.

Having suffered a serious fall last year, mum at 98, has been nursed back to good health. My sincere thanks goes out to all those who have helped to achieve this.

I’m certain she would not have survived her hospital experience without the intervention of the Senior Staff at Dudbrook Hall. Thank you so much.

My Mum became a resident at Dudbrook Hall in 2007. We looked at at least another 7 care homes before we chose Dudbrook Hall, and it was the best decision we ever made.
Mum had dementia which progressed over the years. We know she was loved by all the staff. I feel I am an extended part of the family and always made to feel welcome. I get invited on day trips and want to continue to be part of the family, despite Mum sadly passing away just after her 90th birthday.
All staff from Domestics, Kitchen, Carers, Managers, Directors and of course the Activities Lady make the home a really welcoming place and I would highly recommend Dudbrook Hall and have done so to people that have asked me.

After being told by the staff at the hospital that my mother could no longer cope at home, even with carers, and that she should be moved to a care home as soon as possible, I began the search. I visited several potential homes, but none of them seemed right for my mum, I was getting desperate, but when discussing the rather emotional challenge with a colleague, he mentioned his mum frequently visits friends at Dudbrook Hall and was full of praise for the place and the staff.

I immediately drove out to the home and met with the manager, she was fantastic and understanding and showed me around, it just felt right for my mum. The manager dealt with the hospital and within a day my mum was being cared for by the fantastic team at Dudbrook Hall. Nearly four years later, she’s still there and getting the same level of care, even though her dementia has made it challenging for the carers they still care.

My mum moved into Howard Lodge last year as she had dementia. From the first enquiry to moving her in the staff at Howard Lodge made the process so easy and were amazing at helping mum to settle in. What I thought was going to be a really difficult transition was actually incredibly smooth. I cannot recommend this care home highly enough. All of the staff are really patient, caring and go above and beyond the call of duty.

My mother in law has been a resident of Howard Lodge for 18 months now. During her time here, we as a family have found the staff caring and friendly, the home clean and all of my mother in law’s needs are met to the best of their ability.
We have seen her slowly decline with dementia over the time she has been here and the staff not only support her but the family as a whole during stressful times. Care plans are discussed with us on a regular basis to ensure that we are aware of everything that is changing towards Mum’s care and if we have any concerns they are discussed immediately. We have access to Mum 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and have always been happy with the care that she receives at whatever time of day or night we have turned up. We feel that rather than lose our mum we have gained a Howard Lodge family.

Our mother was taken in on Dec 29th, 2016 and to say that she would have tested the patience of saints would be an understatement but the care, attention and patience she received was second to none. She found it difficult to settle and was also obviously in failing health, both physically and mentally. She was also particularly hard to please because she had herself owned and run care homes and knew exactly what she was doing. All the team, from senior management down to her individual carers and assistants on Honeysuckle were absolutely first class. We were enormously grateful for all their help, support and their understanding of our plight as a family. The place itself is a palace and spotlessly clean. The rooms are lovely and the setting is out of this world. We have no hesitation in recommending Howard Lodge Care Centre and would almost put our own names down but hopefully will not need to for a while yet.

My mother lived in her new home, and that is what she called Howard Lodge, for only a few months. The final chapter of her life was exceptionally happy. I cannot thank the team at Howard Lodge enough for their love and kindness to her. She settled in very quickly and felt safe and cared for. It is never an easy decision to take but in hindsight, I would make the exact same decision and choose Howard Lodge. The place is bright, modern and clean. The reason, however, why it is such a great place is the staff. Without exception they were fabulous. I cannot think of a time they were sitting in the office -they were always sitting chatting or helping the residents. I unreservedly recommend Howard Lodge to anyone thinking of a care home.

The care that the staff provide is excellent, my mum has many problems which all the staff understand and care for her as if she were their mum or nan.

This home gives me peace of mind everyday that my mum is loved and cared for at all times.
I am always informed of any changes and feel very comfortable with all the staff and management whom are all extremely approachable.

Rooms are very spacious and having their own bathroom is great.
Everyone is encouraged to make their rooms feel like home with personal belongings so they feel at home.
The care this home shows is 100% person centered care and that is the most important thing I believe for families knowing your loved ones are cared for.
Well done to all Howard Lodge staff you should all be proud of the job you do.

We have viewed over 30 care homes in Essex and have stayed in two others (both bad experiences), prior to this our loved one was at home with us for four years until the progression of the disease became too much, so this has been a long process to find somewhere that we are okay with. This is by far the BEST care home there is. The design of the home with separate units for the various stages of dementia is perfect. The staff always know exactly what is going on with my loved one and are pro-active and on the ball to alert us to any issues. They want to work with you to find the best solution. It is not about profits it is about real care looking after people who are very ill. Every leader who I have met whether it is unit manager, manager of home, housekeeping manager is dedicated to doing the best for the residents. My loved one has severe Alzheimer’s at a young age and so can be very challenging, the carers are always patient and caring. Thank you to all.