JENNY BARHAM (DAUGHTER)

Overall Highfield is excellent in every respect. We are SO pleased and grateful that Mum is so happy and settled at Highfield House and that she is being looked after SO well.   We couldn’t have found a better place where we are confident that she is safe and this gives us all peace of mind. It’s great that Mum is enjoying life there and has made quite a few friends.  Thank you very much to Rachel and to all the staff.

PHILIPPA BIDDLECOMBE (DAUGHTER)

Well done! This has been a trying time for everyone, something we have never experienced before. There has been no doubt that the Residents wellbeing and the safety of the staff as well has been the main priority! We congratulate you all for remaining so ‘up beat’ and positive throughout, which has been reassuring for the residents as well as the families.

Regular communication has been received and frequent updates have been appreciated. This has been very professionally managed, and taken with the utmost seriousness

We have been very reliant on the staff to observe strict guidance and rules and this has been evident in their commitment to the Home being their priority.

The Management team go out of their way to keep us informed. This is supported by conversations, text messages and emails.

You are doing a fantastic job, we are truly appreciative of your passion and dedication to the residents, and cannot thank you enough for all your kindness and support to us as well!!!! You are all amazing!

SANDRA O’SULLIVAN (DAUGHTER)

I could not be happier with Highfield. The care is everything we had hoped it would be for our dear Mum. She has the love and support we had always hoped she would receive.   Thank you all.

LYNNE HARDING (DAUGHTER)

Healthcare is very good and largely due to the vigilant monitoring systems in place.     The meals are excellent and tailored to the needs and tastes of all residents. Nothing is too much trouble. The residents are looked after very well indeed with their best interests and quality of life at the forefront of all decision making. I have been 100% confident in Highfield’s approach to dealing with the Pandemic. I do feel involved which is very important as I live a long way from Highfield. We even managed a four-way video call to discuss the Annual Review.   I cannot thank Highfield staff enough for all they have done to keep the residents safe and secure both physically and mentally during this Pandemic. What a brilliant team you all are!

SUE MAUGER (NIECE)

We cannot fault the quality of care that my Aunt has received since September 2016 when she became a resident at Highfield House.     Always a very wide and varied choice of activities for those who wish to partake. The monthly programmes arranged during the current Covid19 lockdown have been very resourceful and interesting for the residents. We know that every precaution is taken to protect all the residents whenever necessary. We value being informed of any falls etc. which my Aunt may have through her misjudgement of actions and appreciate the way that the staff ease these situations. It also helps us to be informed of any minor illnesses. Rachel and staff must be highly congratulated on their achievements to safeguard all at Highfield, and the family has been relieved to know she is in good capable hands. There have been no complaints but any problems have been met with compassion and concern.   For instance, when my Aunt was taken into hospital recently, it was early in the Covid19 situation when no doubt the staff were even more busy than usual, and Rachel personally visited Yeovil Hospital to ensure she was being properly attended to even though it was late evening, at the same time as informing me of the details.   As the family do not live nearby this response is highly valued and appreciated. As mentioned previously, there is a very homely and friendly atmosphere at Highfield which emanates from the top.

CHRISTINE GARTELL (DAUGHTER)

Good standard of care, run by the most amazing team, who are always smiling and nothing too much trouble. Always a very good atmosphere

RESIDENTS COMMENTS JULY/AUGUST 2020

Staff are always kind and polite

Staff are kind and loving to me

I am looked after with dignity and respect

I have made suggestions that have been acted upon

It is a privilege to be independent at my age

My independence is important to me

I can remain as independent as I like

Staff are always available for a chat

I feel if I ever need anything there is always someone that can do it

I am settled and have felt safe during the Coronavirus pandemic and privileged that Highfield House remains free form Coronavirus

Living at Highfield is like living at home

I would say it is very well run and very caring

SANDRA O’SULLIVAN (RELATIVE) FEBRUARY 2020

I would like to thank Highfield for their compassion shown to mum every day. The staff gently encourage mum and other residents to engage in activities every day. This has an uplifting effect on everyone, both staff and residents, resulting in a closer community. Even when mum doesn’t physically join in she enjoys listening to what’s going on and feels part of it. If we have any concerns or requests Highfield acts promptly, which is reassuring. I would also like to thank Rachel and her professional staff for gently guiding myself and sisters through the sad path of Dementia. Without their support this would be a hard time for both mum and us.

ROBIN BALME (RELATIVE) FEBRUARY 2020

I’d just like to say all the team at Highfield House offer such great service to my partner’s aunt and all the other residents at the home. Every request at any time is answered with unfailing good cheer and promptness. Often in the face of some quite challenging conditions (“Lady” Katherine !) And that really is all the proof needed that you’re all doing a brilliant job, Katherine herself thinks you’re all amazing and she’s a very hard woman to please!! Well done everyone.

HANNAH SIDA (RELATIVE) FEBRUARY 2020

My aunt has been living at Highfield House for over a year now. In the year before she arrived at Highfield, she had deteriorated considerably due to early stage dementia and a loss of mobility which had left her increasingly isolated. She was miserable most days that we spoke and felt like life was conspiring against her at every conceivable twist and turn.

At Highfield House the staff do everything they can to make the residents feel comfortable and well cared for; more than this, there is a camaraderie amongst them which has brightened up the final period of my aunt’s life beyond anything we might have wished for. A big thank you to all the staff and to Rachel for all that you do.

SUSAN FONE (RELATIVE) JANUARY 2020

I thought you should know how absolutely delighted I was to arrive this morning to find ‘a staff member’ in Mummy’s room simply ‘chatting’ with her and keeping her company. I cannot tell you how happy this made me. It is this sort of thing that makes you and your team outstanding. Bless you. The care Mummy is receiving via all the staff and the affection you show her is beyond price.

LISA CLOTHIER (RELATIVE) JANUARY 2020

I would like to say that your team at Highfield are always most welcoming and friendly when I visit. They always have smiles on their faces and interact with the residents with respect and empathy and show genuine kindness towards all.

PATRICIA SKINNER (RELATIVE) JANUARY 2020

When ever i speak to anybody about your care home I always say how wonderful it is and how all my worries about Mum are taken care off. It is like a home from home the staff are like friends and are always happy and smiling which means they are happy too. They do there upmost to make Mum comfortable, cared for in every way, ready to do anything for my Mum, making sure that if she doesn't feel well they give her something to relieve her simptons and make her comfortable or get her seen by the doctor if required. They will chat to Mum if she is down and pop in through the day to say hello and always with a smile. They encourage Mum to join in with activities, go on trips (which she loves) and go to the dining room for lunch. Nothing is too much trouble for them and I know how happy Mum is living at Highfield. One last thing Mum recently lost her twin sister but was not able to travel the 3 hour journey so the staff organised for her to send off a balloon which was a lovely thing to do and helped Mum to say goodbye. Thank you all at Highfield there is nowhere else I would rather Mum be.

JENNY BARHAM (RELATIVE) JANUARY 2020

The staff at Highfield House are outstanding, looking after our Mother with exceptional care and support, often going that extra mile to make sure she is happy and settled. This gives our family peace of mind and confidence that she is so well cared for and happy. Lead by Rachael who is a great role model and very thoughtful - for example organising a farewell balloon for our Mother to release in memory of her twin sister when she was not able to attend the funeral. We couldn’t have found a better care home for our Mother.

GILLIAN DAY (RELATIVE) JANUARY 2020

Highfield House is such a warm and welcoming atmosphere with staff who are so dedicated to the care of the residents. My mother is so happy there and is well looked after. It is such a relief to know that she is in a safe environment but good food and good company. She is after all 98 this year.

SUE MAUGER (RELATIVE) JANUARY 2020

The dedicated Care Team at Highfield House have made such a difference to my Aunt’s happiness and health with their outstanding care and compassion along with their exceptional professional expertise. Every member of staff always has a cheerful smile and will have a chat, not only to residents but also to their visiting family. Nothing is too much trouble for them and as the family all live some distance away, their friendliness and helpfulness in keeping us informed is so important to us and appreciated. Thank you all so much.

SUSAN FONE (RELATIVE) JUNE 2019

"I have absolute confidence in the really loving care which is given to Mummy. Many of the staff take great care when helping her choose what she is to wear that day. They recognise that Mummy has always been very colour conscious and likes to wear co-coordinating outfits and jewellery. This shows great sensitivity to the individual's dignity as a human being. The opportunities to make choices diminish for people in a residential home and these small opportunities are of increasing significance. It just takes a little extra time, but the benefits to the individual resident and to the carer and their relationships, is enormous. I am impressed by the details of the annual care review. I am grateful to Rachel and the staff for implementing individual records of actual amounts drunk (not just drinks handed out). This monitoring of fluids has had a direct benefit for Mummy in that since December she has not suffered a UTI. Thank you!"

A RESIDENT JUNE 2019

"Its very nice and comfortable here and Castle Cary is easy to get to"

A RESIDENT JUNE 2019

" I feel like everybody here is willing to talk and to listen"

A RESIDENT JUNE 2019

"They do all they can, I am very happy here"

SUE MAUGER (RELATIVE) JUNE 2019

"It is always interesting to receive the monthly Activities Calendar and we are impressed with the variety of events"

JENNY BARHAM (RELATIVE) JUNE 2019

"Cannot fault anything - excellent staff, facilities, activities - very happy atmosphere and everyone seems well and settled. We couldn't have found a more perfect place for our mother. Thank you all for everything

you do"

A RELATIVE JUNE 2019

"Before she had dementia, our Mother took great pride in her appearance. It pleases us greatly to see that care and attention to her hair and clothing is being taken"

A RELATIVE JUNE 2019

"I would like to thank you for all you do at Highfield to make out Mother's life as happy and fulfilled as possible. I am so grateful for the high quality are you provide and that you are always striving to improve on your already excellent standard of provision"

A STAFF MEMBER - JUNE 2019

"The care of the residents is our first concern. We all work as a happy team. Work is like my second home."

A STAFF MEMBER - JUNE 2019

"We go over and above what is expected of us. The care team are brilliant. I feel I contribute to making our care service excellent and that I am appreciated"

A STAFF MEMBER - JUNE 2019

"We have a strong team and we all support each other and help each other and the home is well managed"