The Poplars Care Centre

158 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone ME16 8SU
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9.3 90 Reviews
  • The Poplars Care Centre, Maidstone
Welcome to The Poplars Care Centre in Maidstone, Kent. Within easy reach of the town centre, this delightful friendly home offers 24-hour care for those over the age of 65. The home is blessed with a long-serving team of nursing and support staff that provide high-quality, person-centred care within a homely environment. They offer flexible long-term, respite and post-operative care.

The Poplars is a large detached house, comprising 56 bedrooms, 15 of which are companion bedrooms for couples who wish to share. Most of these bedrooms come equipped with an en-suite as standard. The team encourage residents to furnish their new surroundings with familiar pieces of furniture and personal possessions to make them feel truly at home. While the bedrooms provide a tranquil area to rest and relax, the light and airy dayrooms offer residents the opportunity to catch up with friends over a pot of tea, enjoy one of the guest entertainers or simply recline in front of their favourite films.

At The Poplars, they encourage residents to take part in a range of engaging activities based on their lifestyle needs and preferences. Many activities take place within the home environment and include garden parties, barbecues, flower arranging, arts/crafts and quiz nights. They empower individuals to enjoy those everyday routines they cherish, whether that’s having a salon blow-dry and manicure or keeping up to date with their favourite sports team. All are encouraged and available. As well as being encouraged to enjoy the home's magnificent landscaped gardens, residents also enjoy regular days out to Canterbury and seasonal trips to the seaside.

The professional catering team deliver nutritionally balanced meals that are appealing to residents. Their professional food suppliers specialise in delivering high-quality food designed specifically for the healthcare sector.

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Care Provided by The Poplars Care Centre

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Learning Disability
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 71 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Cancer Care
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • End of Life Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care
  • Physiotherapy
  • Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Dorcas Mukuzwazwa (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (41)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (15)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (4)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: No
    • Last Refurbishment: 2007

Funding & Fees Guide for The Poplars Care Centre

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,200
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,200
    • Self-Funded Nursing Care from £1,200
    • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care from £1,200
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,200
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,200
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care from £1,200
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care from £1,200
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact The Poplars Care Centre to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access

The Poplars Care Centre Reviews (90)

Total of 90, showing 1-20
9.3

The Poplars Care Centre has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.280) out of 10, based on 34 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Poplars Care Centre has 90 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 65
  • 18
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  • 4

Date Published

90
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20
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56

Review from J S (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The ladies and men that care for my mum in my eyes is fantastic they are all so helpful and nothing is too much trouble and the lady who does the cleaning is wonderful can't tenner her name my mum loves her but a great place

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Review from D G (Husband of Resident) published on 11 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are so good with my wife nothing to much trouble for them. The care is so good. My wife looks so much better since she has been here I would recommend it to anyone.

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Review from Sue N (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has been very well looked after since she has resided at The Poplars. The care staff really do care and support staff are very friendly and helpful as well. The food is plentiful & nicely presented even though mum has to have hers pureed. Mum's clothes are always clean and she herself is kept clean
too. Health & safety rules are always followed & people come in regularly to check on mum's well-being. I have no complaints whatsoever on the care mum receives.

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Review from Kim B (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has severe alzheimers and requires understanding, support and compassion. On our last visit we saw nothing but this from all the staff we came into contact with. They treat Mum with dignity,respect and patience.
Mum has been in the home for over 4 years now and I have never had any concerns regarding
her care. Communication is good, they all understand her needs and she is always clean and suitably dressed.

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Review from Lesley W (Wife of Resident) published on 20 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Carers are very attentive in looking after my husband and his needs are mostly met. I do think the carers should have training on dealing with diabetics on knowing what their diet should entail according to each individual needs and understanding the consequences of sugars being too high or too low.

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Review from G L (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 27 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My nan was put into The Poplars Care Centre home after a stay in hospital, they welcomed nan with balloons, activities, daily care for her to the best they can yet still making my nan feel independent. Nan then got the ok to go home which only lasted a couple of weeks and she was back in hospital. The
only care home she wanted to go to was here. My nan has been on her own for many years yet at Poplars she has someone always walking past asking if she ok, she has endless cups of teas, her hair done when she wants and all the family can go visit her. With all the staff being so welcoming and the residents, nan's got a great group of friends now and she happy and wanting to stay at Poplars for the rest of her life and as a family we know she is safe and cared for. Not more we could ask for.

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Review from Gillian K (Resident) published on 6 January 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My experience here has been beyond my expectations. The care and treatment I have been receiving has been exemplary. The staff are very helpful and caring at al times of the day or night. The food is very good with choices available on request. Overall my continuing stay here to convalesce has been
a very pleasant experience and I would recommend The Poplars to anyone.

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Review from Zena T (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 October 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The home looked after my mum really well. Always making sure she had enough to eat, and was drinking enough, kept clean and tidy.
Always very polite friendly with family visitors. She loved the sing songs they had and the baking and they Always sent pictures to keep you updated.
I would recommend
them.

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Review from L M (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 September 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Mum has been well cared for, she had behavioural issues which is very demanding but the staff have built great relationships with her and listened when I've suggested ways that will help her and relieve some anxieties! She had staff that she now considers family and they address her as such! Thank you.

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Review from Vicky A (Friend of Resident) published on 20 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Lovely home with cheerful staff, some food is disgusting and could be a lot better. Need some work on home and is undergoing at the moment. Some staff need pulling up and maybe more training, they need cleaning staff as they expect carers to do it, also proper kitchen staff this will give carers more
time for the service users there.

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Review from Jean B (Friend of Resident) published on 13 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have visited this home on many occasions and I have found this place to be very clean and spotless, the staff are very polite and welcoming, friendly and helpful anytime when I visit, there always seems to be lots of activities and different things for the residents to do which I feel is very good,
in my opinion this is a very nice place to go.

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Review from J R (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My experience of The Poplars during the four years Mum has been a resident has been very good. We are always met with a cheerful greeting from the many staff members who are readily available whenever needed. Mum's needs have been accommodated from the beginning and we have been kept informed of any
health issues. The entertainment staff are second to none with daily activities that all residents are encouraged to join in with. All in all a caring and friendly place.

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Review from J H (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum became a resident at The Poplars in March 2024. Prior to March, she had stayed there for four short periods of time following medical procedures. She always said that if she needed to move permanently to a care home The Poplars is where she would prefer to go. As a family, we were relieved that
she managed to get a placement there.
I'm so impressed with the standard of her care. The staff are so professional and hardworking. As a team, they create a calm and well-managed environment. When I visit they are always so friendly and welcoming. Their smiles mean a lot. I notice how caring, gentle and respectful they are towards my mum. In my opinion, her palliative care is exceptional. She is always clean and comfortable. Her room is always clean, bright and well-ventilated.
I'm well aware that I would not be able to care for my mum to anywhere near the standard that the staff do. I'm truly grateful to them all. I hope they realise how good they are!

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Review from N H (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 27 May 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5

I would not recommend this home. My relative was placed here from hospital but deteriorated very quickly, ending up back in hospital again with a broken hip. She was not well cared for, I used to have to cut her nails and clean her ears, basic hygiene. The food was reheated and unappealing, often I
would help feed her because she was left to do this for herself. Her room was not always clean. Many personal items were lost or misplaced. The home felt chaotic and noisy, staff made us feel like an inconvenience for asking questions about her health condition. The doctor rarely visited and was not very good at communicating to the family. Staff communication was also poor and as English is not their first language, it was very difficult for my relative to understand them. They often lacked empathy and patience when she was having a bad day. A very small number of staff are friendly, caring and approachable, most are very much the opposite, including the manager. Avoid this place if you can.

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Review from Rita B (Cousin of Resident) published on 20 May 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I find the staff to be very polite and friendly. Rooms always clean, always very helpful.

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Review from Gwen W (Partner of Resident) published on 9 May 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the first visit, it is obvious the standard of care is excellent. As visitors, my son and I were made to feel welcome and given refreshments. The food looks and smells appetising. The hygiene level is superb. Services and activities are encouraging. In all, a lovely home.

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Review from Phil W (Son of Resident) published on 9 May 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care and treatment given to my dad is exceptional, absolutely fantastic. Also, the support and communication with me and my family have been second to none.

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Review from L H (Son of Resident) published on 9 May 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5

All I'm going to say is please please do not let your relatives go into this appalling care home if you can call it a care home. The place is old and needs a good refurbishment smells quite bad is very noisy and not relaxing for the residents or visitors. Has a big staff turnover lots of agency staff.
Food is also appalling. My mum had a horrible time at this care home unfortunately for legal reasons not allowed to specify. Management are also arrogant and appalling, do not listen to worried relatives and frankly do not care.

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Review from Richard H (Friend of Resident) published on 21 March 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Visiting my friend, he was more sleepy and less alert than on previous visits.
Staff are very helpful and kind.

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Review from Robert P (Resident) published on 21 March 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care centre is excellent.

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Current Review Score: 9.3 (9.280)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.3 (9.280) out of 10 for The Poplars Care Centre is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 34 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 29 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.280 for The Poplars Care Centre is calculated as follows: ( (259 Excellents x 5) + (76 Goods x 4) + (13 Satisfactorys x 3) + (12 Poors x 2) + (37 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 397 Ratings = 4.28

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Poplars Care Centre is based on 29 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 71 registered maximum number of service users is 14.2, which has been reached with 29 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 15 Jul 2024

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Good

  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (8)

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Meet the Team (1)

Dorcas

Dorcas Dorcas

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2021

I have been in the Care industry for almost 20 years. I have worked in residential, nursing and dementia care homes in various capacities. My passion is to ensure that care is a positive experience for our residents and ensure they live a meaningful life. I am passionate about what l do and my outlook is to ensure that our residents create memories and the relatives get peace of mind. My team and l have a shared dedication to enhance the quality of life of our residents and ensure that they live a fulfilled life. I am dedicated to ensuring that l lead my team to be the best they can be.


Frequently Asked Questions about The Poplars Care Centre

What types of Care is The Poplars Care Centre registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Respite Care, Learning Disability, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

What additional types of Care does The Poplars Care Centre provide?

Palliative Care, Convalescent Care, Physiotherapy, Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit, Own GP if required & End of Life Care are other types of care provided.

How many Rooms does The Poplars Care Centre have?

There are 41 Single Rooms and 15 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at The Poplars Care Centre?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room & Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is The Poplars Care Centre to the centre of Maidstone?

0.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.