Three months ago I contacted Raj, the manager, on the advice of Earl Elliott, manager of Magnolia Court. I rang Raj on a Thursday afternoon and requested a meeting that evening. Raj accommodated my request that very day. The following Monday, the exceptional head of the nursing team Zorica visited my beloved 88 year old mother and her live-in carer at home to undertake a pre-admission assessment. The following Wednesday my mother became a short-stay resident. Three weeks later my brother and I made this long-stay (permanent), thanks to the ever-responsive nursing and care team. I liaise with Zorica (who is both compassionate and can-do in her whole modus operandi) and/or Saba (the delightful carer who looks after Mum most) every day. My Mum is an intelligent, elegant, private lady and three months after she arrived, she is as happy as can be expected suffering from Alzheimers and she lives safely, without pain or fear. I have tremendous appreciation for the TLC my mother receives. Everyone goes out of their way to try to make her happy. And they collectively endeavour to create a cheerful, friendly and inclusive atmosphere for the residents, with plenty of music and other activities. On the one occasion when my Mum was taken ill on a Sunday morning (with what turned out to be a chest infection), Zorica had the doctor there within a couple of hours and antibiotics were administered that same day. Those quick reactions indicate a highly professional and attentive focus on the individual residents of Chalfont Lodge and their personal needs. My respect continues to grow.

I feel this home should not be open. It took me a year to have the mental inclination to write this review. I was not at all happy with the care my 94 year old mum received in Chalfont Lodge. In fact she became withdrawn and compliant. She learnt to be alone. There was no chance of emotional support and physical support was inconsistent. She started saying things like "I suppose I'll just have to put up with it". And "I don't know much, I just do what I'm told" She couldn't call anyone from the end of the long corridor around the corner. Other people could be heard calling for help and sometimes no one came. I told staff. She didn't have mental problems after her stroke apart from short memory of the present moment. She had become blind in her good eye after the stroke and did not hear well. She had pain on her right side due to the stroke so screamed in pain sometimes when touched unexpectedly by a person she had not seen or heard. She was not suffering from dementia. My mum was discharged by the discharge officer of the stroke ward at Luton and Dunstable Hospital to Chalfont Lodge as a step down bed to be assessed. I was told the social worker would help me to get her nearer. Mum was already on end of life care. She was supposed to be kept comfortable. She had a living will. I was so upset that she was sent 25 miles from her home and difficult for me to visit often due to working and the distance plus expense of fuel. The social worker was elusive and seemed only interested in mums financial situation when she first spoke to me. I sent her a text regarding her attitude to which I never received a reply. Our conversation was altogether upsetting and not focussed on the loving care of my mum. Whilst in the home my mum had a short catheter fitted constantly and could be found daily lying on it with her bare skin unable to do anything. It was so degrading and uncomfortable for my mum. She pulled at it with her hands and there was a constant smell of urine around her. One day I saw the urine in the catheter was so dark it looked like there was blood. I asked the male nurse in charge if mums kidneys were breaking down. He said no but that she was dehydrated due to not drinking much. Bear in mind that she was unable to get any drink for herself! She had obviously not been helped enough. I stayed for about 5 hours that day and rehydrated her myself as I was appalled to find only a beaker of thickened water by her bed. She was thirsty and enjoyed some squash and she was also hungry so I got her some yoghurt. The next day I went back and found 4 different choices of drink by her. I explained what I had found the previous day to the staff on duty which had changed from the previous day. I knew this male carer to be attentive. He assured me that she would not be dehydrated on his duty. I fought to get mum near to me and eventually after 3 months got her into Dunstable where she passed away 3 weeks later. When she arrived at the new home I found there was no catheter. I asked the nurse to tell me when her catheter was removed and was told that there was no mention of a catheter in the hand over records! I called Chalfont Lodge 3 times and spoke to the female nurse in charge to find out when the catheter was removed. Each time she had to get off the phone quickly and never told me! Draw your own conclusion. My mum was not fitted with a catheter at the new home. She had spent 3 months lying on the catheter which wasn't mentioned. I wanted to complain about the home but it was all so painful and I didn't know who to speak to. They tried to keep my mum there and did not care about the distance from me. The manager got the continuing health care contract assigned to themselves without my knowledge which may be why mum was there for 3 months. I think my mum suffered more than she needed to by being admitted there. It was a totally undignified neglectful existence in my opinion. It is understaffed to the extent that many residents are not cared for adequately in my personal opinion.

I carried out my work experience at their physiotherapy department, it was honestly a great honour working alongside such humble people, the residents were taken care of beautifully, and the staff was great to chat to. It really was a delightful experience to work alongside physiotherapist lead, Mansukh and get involved in the amazing work she does, would definitely recommend the care home!

As a local business who has been in the village for over 30 years Flowers Unique, we have had numerous great experiences of Chalfont Lodge since it opened its doors. From the staff who work there to the residents who receive bouquets and flowers from loved ones through my company. I have very rarely come across a more organised and caring team within the local care community and they are a great asset to our local community here in Chalfont St. Peter . My kindest regards Mark Flowers Unique

Very caring, clean and conscientious care home. I have worked as the Podiatrist for Chalfont Lodge for 15+ years now. I have seen consistently good levels of care from all staff and all clients are well looked after and happy. Chalfont lodge is specifically good at catering to adults with varying levels of care requirements. Carers are well trained and the back office administration works efficiently.

I used to volunteer at Chalfont Lodge, and I can honestly say before then I had always been dubious about coming to care homes, I’d never really been in one and didn’t know what to expect. To start, the home is beautiful the staff are all very friendly and welcoming. But more importantly the residents are all so happy! They are all like a giant family and it’s an honour to be a part of it. I couldn’t recommend a Nursing home more.

I have been seeing the various activities you have been doing for your residents and they are all remarkable as you make them feel human and worthwhile which make their stay with you enriching😘

Lovely place where we have the priviledge of taking a regular short service each month! The staff are amazing, caring and friendly and many of the residents love singing along to the old songs. It is wonderful to get to know people and hopefully brighten up their day for a short period in this way!