Reviews for Rivermead Care Home

Great home! Staff are very welcoming, and a pleasant atmosphere 👍

My Mum in Law was cared for here during the last 10 months of her life. She had dementia and required a lot of support to achieve basic task. She was encouraged to stay as independent as possible. Her room was nice and had its own washing facility and toilet. The bed was electronically adjustable which was important during the latter stages of her life. Meals were plentiful and of great quality, these always included 2 choice of starter, mains and pudding. Activities were provided including the occasional trips out. What really makes this a five star home are the outstanding care teams, lead by nurses experienced in caring for the elderly. I never saw any resident treated with anything less than care, courtesy and respect. There is obvious fondness for the residents, even the most demanding. Visiting is any time so this is not a show put on just during visiting time. At the latter stages of Mum's life we were with her around the clock the care and respect shown to residents was also shown to us. No care home can ever be as good as you would like it to be but Rivermead comes close. I was so glad we chose this home, the outstand staff reduced the guilt I felt about having to put Mum into care.

"My father had to go into care due to both dementia and prostate cancer. The manager is an amazing manager, so caring and understanding and made this process non-stressful and as easy as it could be. A truly fantastic asset to the company. The unit leader has just been the best caring for my dad. Thank you so much."

James B
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.92 out of 5

"I cannot fault Rivermead. The staff were extremely kind and welcoming. Excellent care and time spent making sure my husband had all he needed. Plus very open to my visiting at all times."

Elise C
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.92 out of 5

"My late father spent the last 18 months as a resident in Rivermead. We couldn't have asked for better support for him - the nursing care is second to none. Dad had lost the use of his legs due to a spinal injury (before admission) and he also had complex medical needs. He was treated with utmost respect and dignity, with constant liaison between Rivermead Nursing Team and his GP. Every effort was made to give him a fun Christmas too! The kindness to us all as a family will never be forgotten."

Kylie A
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"My uncle was anxious about his move into Rivermead but soon settled in and has been cared for extremely well. All staff have been warm, friendly & professional."

Robert S
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"She has been pleased with Rivermead and prefers it to the other homes she has been in. Just 1 thing to bring up she is able to walk with a frame but she does need to walk a little everyday to retain her mobility. She has not been walking on her 2 previous visits because it was deemed too dangerous. Her physiotherapist says that if required she will send a letter explaining that she can walk ok."

William W
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.17 out of 5

"My dad became a resident at the end of Dec 2024. The staff could not have been more welcoming. They have been friendly and caring towards both him and myself."

Shaun W
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"Mum was moved to Rivermead Norton on the 14th February 2025 where she had a lovely room overlooking the garden and fields with horses, squirrels and a hen. The care was extremely good she was assisted with all her needs from bathing to feeding. After spending 7 weeks in hospital it was a huge relief to the family so we could spend a lot more time with mum. We were made welcome anytime of the day so the whole process was made much easier for everyone. Thank you to all the staff."

S F
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"Excellent - everything very food - particularly the food. Staff are very pleasant."

J K
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.92 out of 5

"My husband has now been at Barchester Rivermead Care Home for about 10-months. He was a bit difficult and can still be at times. The staff deal with him in a lovely and kind manner, with patience and humour to name but a few. I now have peace of mind that he is safe, clean and well-fed. Thank you."

Sue M
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"Visited today to see my Mum, She was in a tiki bar activity. It was a magical experience she was so happy sipping her cocktail and wearing her feather garland. The songs were perfect and triggered memories which we were able to talk about. She knows lots of words and joined in with the singing, clapping and tapping her feet. She enjoyed laughing at me when I wore a sailor hat and tried singing the words. We were so privileged to be part of the session and see Mum so happy."

Andrew S
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"Very pleased with the care my mother receives. Lovely staff. Wonderful care home. Mother is very happy and settled. Food is beautiful, cannot fault Rivermead Care Home. Pleasant surroundings and bright clear rooms. Would recommend it to anyone."

Carol H
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.92 out of 5

"Moving to a care home after 75 years of an astonishingly independent lifestyle is no easy decision, but the superb staff at Rivermead did everything possible to ensure that my sister-in-law quickly felt that Rivermead is now her true home and a happy one. The standards of care, the cleanliness, the food and the effort made to ensure my sister-in-law's determination and individuality are fully respected impress all her family every time they visit. It's to the great credit of Rivermead staff and management that such high standards have been achieved and maintained during the last few difficult years."

D S
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.92 out of 5

"Father is making progress. His needs are being met and getting the care I hoped he would."

T S
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.44 out of 5

"My husband was in the memory lane unit for 15 months. The care given to him always encompassed his best interests. His needs were always considered and met. The staff cared for him and got to know him; they supported us as a family."

S G
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.08 out of 5

"My mother was cared for at Barchester Rivermead Care Home for a little over three years. During the whole time she was there. My family and I were delighted by the wonderful care she received."

John H
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.58 out of 5

"My husband was fast-tracked to Barchester Rivermead Care Home from the hospital for end-of-life care with Alzheimer's disease. I could not have wished for better care for him after the bad experience he had suffered. Everyone treated both him and me with utmost respect, cared for him gently and sympathetically and kept me informed. I have no hesitation in recommending Rivermead and its staff and am deeply grateful for their help when he passed away."

A C
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"I find the care home very good and friendly and all carers are friendly, kind and very helpful."

Edward C
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.00 out of 5

"Very good all-round care. No fault to find in general. Everybody is very helpful and kind. My wife is very well cared for and turned out immaculately every day."

Allan V
carehome.co.uk rating: 3.75 out of 5

"I have, with my family and friends, visited my husband, who has been looked after in Rivermead since December 2022. It has been a very emotional year for all the family, but thanks to the wonderful staff, we know he is well looked after, and it has made it much easier for all the family to visit. We are always made welcome, and we can't thank all the staff enough."

Heather S
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.67 out of 5

"My aunt was given lovely care from all the staff. Her care towards the end of life was wonderful, very respectful and dignified. The staff were also so caring towards her family."

Beverley M
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.58 out of 5

"My mother has been in Memory Lane for about six weeks now. She is very happy and content, more than she was at home, which we never thought possible. This is because the staff are wonderful in every way. They are professional, caring and have the skills necessary to help with my mother's dementia. She is clean and well dressed, her hair looks lovely and staff even give her a manicure from time to time. Barchester Rivermead Care Home is a happy place, the delicious food is freshly prepared each day and the activities are fun and appropriate. I couldn't recommend Rivermead more highly."

Ali M
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"This is an amazing place and I can't thank them enough for the love, care and compassion they are showing my dad. All the staff we've seen are so positive and encouraging. My Dad enjoys his own company and they are giving the perfect balance between encouraging friendships and letting him choose to be in his room. Thank you."

H H
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.17 out of 5

"Amazing staff, really friendly and caring."

Ben C
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"Whenever we come, I'm always happily surprised at the excellent level of care the patients are getting. The staff have a very good and professional manner, treating people with dignity. Thank you."

Chris C
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.58 out of 5

"Lovely friendly yet professional staff. They made my husband very welcome and reassured about his respite stay. They encouraged him to be independent and to manage his time as he wanted, enabling him to join in with activities such as the exercise classes and quizzes. This was our first experience of respite and we would certainly return to Rivermead in the future should we need to."

N H
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.83 out of 5

"My husband transferred to Barchester Rivermead Care Home from hospital, he suffers from Parkinson's disease and other medical issues requiring complex nursing. He is making slow progress thanks to all the wonderful staff who are very caring, kind, respectful, encouraging and patient. Not just to the residents but also family members. Management too, they are always willing to help and give advice when needed. Rivermead is the most caring home that any of our family and friends have had to stay in."

D A
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.83 out of 5

"Incredibly caring and proficient staff at Rivermead who always have the time of day for residents and their families. Always looking to improve their levels of care and going above and beyond. Plenty of renovation work going on too to improve the care home and facilities."

A L
carehome.co.uk rating: 3.92 out of 5

"My uncle's move to Barchester Rivermead Care Home was handled smoothly and with care. He had, in his previous care home, spent all of his time in his room. The caring staff at Rivermead soon encouraged him to spend time with the other residents in the lounge, to eat in the dining room and to join in with their activities. I cannot thank all of the staff enough for looking after him so well, right up until he recently passed away. This was dealt with in a sympathetic, sensitive and dignified manner."

Mandy W
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.42 out of 5

"Although Mum was only here for a month, I couldn't have wished for any better surroundings and care. We met some wonderful, genuine caring staff there in our short time and the surroundings and facilities were second to none. It may sound cliched but we will definitely miss Rivermead."

Chris C
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.83 out of 5

"From the moment I arrived, the staff were friendly, helpful, kind and cheerful. The room was pleasant and the comfort had been well considered. The food was of good quality with an interesting and varied menu. Diverse activities were organised and I was kept well informed of what was going on."

Mary B
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.08 out of 5

"From the first day my uncle arrived, he has been cared for and made to feel at home. After being in many times to visit him and when telephoning I, too, feel part of the "Barchester family"."

A T
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.92 out of 5

"The staff have all been wonderful, very kind, thoughtful and kept us informed. Sadly, my sister was unable to stay as Barchester Rivermead Care Home was unable to cater for her needs."

Lesley C
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.64 out of 5

"Wonderful carers. All staff are very helpful. Nice, clean place. Could not have been any better. Thanks for everything. Very cheerful. Not any faults."

Norma F
carehome.co.uk rating: 5.00 out of 5

"My mum is very well cared for. All the staff are very good at their jobs. Genuinely fond of mum, even when she is fractious with them, cannot fault them. They always ring if need to and also show us details of injuries she has received due to falls she has, which is very reassuring to us as a family. All in all, her care is excellent. My husband and myself are also treated with great kindness, whenever we visit."

S S
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.58 out of 5

"Rivermead helped our family at a very difficult time when Mum needed specialist care. From day one, the staff have treated her very professionally and cared for her needs. During this difficult time, they have kept us updated with any changes to Mum and been very accommodating with our weekly visits. During Mum's stay so far, her general health has improved dramatically."

Brenda W
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.67 out of 5

"My mother spent over 3 years with you. Very good care. Excellent food and friendly staff. Great atmosphere most of the time."

D W
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.50 out of 5

"My father was admitted to Rivermead after spending 3 months in the hospital. The management and staff made my father feel at home from the start. The care home is clean. The staff are all very friendly and approachable. My father has made very good progress, built his strength back up and now ready to mix back out into the community. Would I recommend Rivermead to anyone? Most definitely."

A C
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.83 out of 5

"Dad has some of the best care living at Rivermead. The only thing is that some key staff have been moved to the other unit, which in my opinion would upset residents."

S B
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.58 out of 5

"Rivermead has been in complete chaos for months. No manager, no senior nurse. Too many agency staff at weekends who have no idea of resident's needs. Staff try hard but difficult for them in the circumstances. Let's hope it improves soon."

E B
carehome.co.uk rating: 3.33 out of 5

"Recently under new management after several months of instability. New management seems promising but too early to asses as few improvements made so far. Environment is pleasant, bright and clean. Refreshments for visitors available in reception area which is appreciated. Staff generally very friendly but not proactive in supporting and engaging with residents, likely due to staffing levels and long shifts. Communication between staff/management and relatives could be improved, and documentation regarding care not readily available. Some hygiene issues (bathing, hand hygiene and dental care) brought forward but not yet resolved. Sometimes difficult to contact relative by phone, especially at the weekend. Care appears to be confined to the time constraints of the carers rather than the needs of the residents."

E S
carehome.co.uk rating: 3.50 out of 5

"Under fairly new management so some areas that are presently unsatisfactory hopefully will be improving. Surroundings are very pleasant. Staff, on the whole, are friendly, helpful and caring. However, we have had issues with personal care including bathing (which is being addressed) and hand and mouth hygiene. Food and drink is usually of a reasonable quality but not very flexible if a resident would like something more unusual or changes their mind. Staff are not proactive in offering alternatives. Hard to justify very expensive fees."

M B
carehome.co.uk rating: 3.92 out of 5

"I have always been impressed with the quality of the care/nursing staff at Rivermead nursing home. They deal with the most challenging of care needs and treat everyone with courtesy and respect. Tonight I have been sitting with my very ill Mum in law and witnessed the night team at work. These ladies came on at 8pm. It's now past 1 am and I haven't seen them sit down once! They have checked in on us four times, changed and turned my mum in law twice. Every room has been checked regularly and they have responded to at least four alarms. Every Person has been treated with care and respect. Nursing homes can never be as perfect as you would want for you mum or dad but with cares like these Rivermead is probably as good as it gets for dementia suffers."

Susan B
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.50 out of 5

"The staff at the care home seem to care for my mother in law and look after her as well as they can. Sometimes she can be cantankerous, so she is not always easy to help, but they seem to calm her down."

John S
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.67 out of 5

"First of all, I would like to say how impressed and grateful I am to all the staff at Rivermead for the sterling effort they have put into caring during the last eight months. I realise the extreme pressure they must have endured and appreciate it. Regarding the visiting questions, I'm not sure that I agree to the visiting vigil being relaxed at the moment, the virus is very fickle and difficult to read, testing seems to be far from reliable. Yes; I would love to be able to visit my husband, although I am fortunate to be able to FaceTime him each day, but having just experienced a further lockdown because a family member recently contracted the virus, I'm not confident. Finally, I understand that in the event of claims being made as a result of treatment during the course of coronavirus, and I'm sure that lawyers will be very keen to do so, the Government has agreed to indemnify the hospitals, but not nursing homes? Which seems disgraceful."

J G
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.50 out of 5

"My mother has been a resident at Rivermead since June 2016. Her needs are complex, including severe dementia caused by brain damage, resulting in intermittent challenging behaviour. The care has been exemplary throughout, I'm totally reassured that she is looked after with compassion and skill. The staff have always been fully involved, very approachable and have supported me recently with issues arising from external agencies. The environment is always clean with stimulating images and artefacts throughout the communal areas. Even during difficult periods, her personal care, hair and hygiene are good. Rivermead has been our lifeline - I can't envisage my mother's life elsewhere."

Dorothy B
carehome.co.uk rating: 4.92 out of 5