Welcome to
Rochester Care Home
Robert Bean Lodge, Pattens Lane, Rochester ME1 2QT
New care enquiries: 01634 775 979
All other calls: 01634 831 122
Rochester Care Home in Kent
At Rochester Care Home each resident is different, and we never forget that.
We pride ourselves on the quality of the residential, respite, palliative and end-of life care we give to people living with dementia and cognitive impairment.
We do everything we can so our residents feel completely safe, cared-for and happy. Rochester is a real home for life and we work hard to support residents to have choice and control over their lives as much as possible, as their needs change.
We’re proud that the CQC has given Rochester a rating of ‘Good’.
As well as caring for our residents we care about their families too.
Our door is always open for a chat, and our residents’ and families’ forum, surveys and suggestion box give everyone connected with the home a chance to get involved and have their say.
About our home
At Rochester Care Home we’ve created a relaxed and homely environment for all our residents.
The building is single-storey and purpose-built with four areas. Each area had 14 bedrooms around a lounge/diner. Residents are welcome to join in activities in any of the areas.
There’s plenty of space to sit outside at Rochester – residents have a choice of gardens and courtyards to enjoy.
The bedrooms
There are 56 bedrooms for people living at Rochester. Many of our bedrooms look out or have direct access onto one of our gardens.
All our rooms have en-suites or washbasins in the room. The rooms without an en-suite have accessible shower rooms and bathrooms nearby.
Each bedroom’s front door is a different colour, with a door knocker, which makes it more recognisable. And we encourage our residents to personalise their rooms with their own photos and furniture.
Personal possessions help residents feel at home, and provide extra stimulation and time for reminiscence. They also give our staff an important understanding of a resident’s personality, history and what’s important to them.
Staff training
All our staff go on an intensive three-day Agincare training course before starting at Rochester.
As well as regular reviews and supervisions we carry out mandatory annual and two-year refresher training. We also have specialist training covering subjects such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke and Parkinson’s.
Social activities
We’re lucky in that we can borrow the minibus from the Napier Day Centre next-door, which is also part of the Agincare group. Trips out include the garden centre, and even the pub on occasion, if that’s what residents choose to do that day.
Animals are always really popular visitors at Rochester. As well as therapy dogs, we have larger four-legged friends in. On a sunny day our garden is a great spot for residents to have an ice cream, followed by cuddles with a Shetland pony or a donkey!
Being part of the local community is important to us. We want the people we care for to be connected, not isolated. We have church visits every week and often have local schoolchildren coming into sing. A local consultant and his family come and volunteer with us.
We have strong, lasting relationships with the friends and families of former residents. A local teacher, whose grandfather was a resident here, brings chocolate eggs in for all our residents at Easter.
We can also provide:
- Twice-weekly hairdressing sessions
- Chiropodist services
We also welcome residents arranging for their own hairdressers and chiropodists to come into Rochester.
Food and nutrition
Good, wholesome home-cooked food is essential at a care home. We have two cooks and three kitchen assistants, who prepare a great variety of traditional home-cooked meals.
Unhurried mealtimes are really important to us. We encourage our residents to eat together as there are so many social and nutritional benefits.
However, people can choose to eat their meals in their room too, if they prefer.
We have picture and written menus. But we always re-offer before serving, to check our residents haven’t changed their minds about what they’d like to eat.
We cater for all dietary needs, from Coeliac and gluten-free, to no-sugar. We’re also experienced at serving specialist food and making sure what we serve is the right consistency for residents.
Our cooks always ask for feedback from our residents, and are more than willing to adapt menus.
Our kitchen has a 5* ‘Very Good’ rating from the Food Standards Agency.
Read more about food and nutrition in our care homes.
Our Staff
“I’ve worked for Agincare for more than 20 years. I’m passionate about my job and want the best for our residents. Yes, there can be challenging times, but the diversity, personalities and warmth of the people we care for makes it all worthwhile.
I do my best to lead our brilliant team in a way that’s right for our residents. Many staff have been here for a good while, which makes for a really settled and person-centred team.”
Irene Kinslow
Registered Manager
Tour our Rochester care home
Features
- Caring and experienced staff
- Delicious home-cooked meals
- Interesting activities
- Secure courtyards and gardens
- Many bedrooms with direct access onto a garden
- Call bell alarm system
Types of care we provide
