The top care homes in Essex

If you’re considering residential care for your parents or loved ones in Essex, the following eight options may be worth considering.

Kathryn Court

84 Ness Road, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea, SS3 9DH

Care home in the centre of town. Registered for 52 people aged 50 or older in 48 single and 2 shared rooms.

Suitable for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, old age, physical disability and sensory impairment.

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Alderwood Care Home

39 Essex Hall Road, Colchester, CO1 1ZP

Large privately owned purpose-built care home for 65 elderly people aged 65 and over. All single en-suite rooms. Lift. Service users receive nursing, residential and dementia care. Offers palliative care, respite care, day care and convalescent care.

Suitable for those living with dementia and old age.

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Firstlings

7 The Street, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4NB

32-bed home for service users with dementia or old age owned by Sohal Healthcare Ltd. All single rooms, 25 of which have en-suite facilities. Suitable for people aged 65 and over. Situated close to shops and public transport.

Suitable for those living with dementia and old age.

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The Laurels

130/134 Church End Lane, Runwell, Wickford, SS11 7DP

Offers residential care for up to 32 service users in the categories Dementia and Old Age. 27 of the 32 single rooms have an en-suite WC. Admission for service users aged 75 to 100. Services include day care and palliative care.

Suitable for those living with dementia and old age.

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Corner Lodge

185/193 Meadow Way, Jaywick Sands, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 2HP

Purpose-built home offering secure environment for service users with dementia. Registered for 48 people aged 65+ in 44 single and 2 shared rooms. 37 of the rooms have an en-suite WC.

Suitable for people with dementia, old age, physical disability and sensory impairment.

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The Corner House

67/69 Wash Lane, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1DB

Large care home offering residential care for up to 57 service users aged 65 and over. The home has 47 single rooms and 5 shared rooms. 40 of the rooms benefit from an en-suite WC.

Suitable for learning disability, dementia, mental health condition, old age, physical disability and sensory impairment.

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Little Wakering House

367/369 Little Wakering Road, Little Wakering, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, SS3 0LB

Small care home specialising in the care of people with a wide range of mental health issues. Specialist care categories include anorexia and bulimia, self-harming, schizophrenia and challenging behaviour. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

Suitable for service users between the ages of 18 and 65.

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Baycroft Great Baddow

Molrams Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 7TL

64-bed care home with nursing for people aged 55 and over. All single rooms with en-suite facilities.

Suitable for people with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, sensory impairment and stroke as well as old age and physical disability.

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Frequently asked questions

How will my loved one settle into a care home?

It’s completely natural to be apprehensive when a loved one is moving into a care home. You will no doubt have questions about how well they will settle in and what will be done to make them feel at home.

Experienced and compassionate residential care home staff will have lots of ways to help your loved one settle in, so you should speak to them about your concerns. There also things you can do, too, however. Ensure your loved one has precious photos and any favourite mementos or keepsakes in their new room to make it as homely as possible.

If you’re worried about your loved one settling into a home, perhaps live-in care might be a better option. In this case, he or she remains in his or her own home and it’s the carer who will fit around their pre-established routine.

To learn more about how these two types of care compare, read our guide care homes vs. live-in care.

What activities do live-in carers support?

In short, all of them! One of the main advantages of live-in care is that your loved one will be supported in all their day-to-day activities, ensuring that they stay as active and as independent as possible.

For example, the carer will support your loved one if they want to visit friends and family, go to the shops, pursue their hobbies and pastimes, or enjoy a spontaneous outing.

While residential care homes might offer a planned programme of activities, these may not suit every resident. With in-home care, your loved one can keep doing the things they love, while enjoying 24/7 practical support tailored to their individual needs. Contact us on 0333 920 7214 to find out more about live-in care.

What kind of care do nursing homes provide?

Nursing homes provide a comprehensive package of care for elderly residents. This may include personal care such as help with bathing and eating, social care, companionship and even medical care for those who need help and support 24 hours a day.

If your loved one requires a high level of care but is unwilling to enter a nursing home, home care can provide a viable alternative that allows them to stay in their own home, surrounded by familiar possessions and enjoying the support of friends and family.

Private care is often more cost-effective than a nursing home and it provides bespoke care that is personally adapted to your loved one’s specific needs.

Elder live-in care: How are carers selected?

Carers who will be looking after your loved one in their own home are carefully vetted and checked, and are recruited not only for their qualifications and training, but also for their empathy and real-world caring experience.

Other important attributes include that the carer speaks excellent English and is good at communicating with people who may find hearing or speaking difficult. Unlike care homes, which have large staff teams working in shifts, live-in care is a very personalised service, with the cared-for person at the centre of the daily routine and activities.

As well as the vetting process, carers must provide two references and are also assessed to see whether they need any further training in order to meet the needs of the particular individual they will be caring for.