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Help With Choosing a Care Home in Berkshire

Choosing the right Berkshire care home for your elderly relative is really important. When everyone is happy, you and your elderly relative can relax knowing they are receiving the right care in the right areas.

There are two types of care homes – residential and nursing:

Choosing a care home in Berkshire

  • Residential homes are for those who can no longer live independently and need extra support with daily tasks such as washing and meal preparation.
  • Nursing homesย are for the elderly whose illness or infirmity (including dementia) requires regular nursing care.

Aside from the internal environment of a care home, the outside local area is also important to consider. Your elderly relative may want access to local shops, a church or community groups. Furthermore, when your family visits the care home, you may want to enjoy what the local setting has to offer.

This guide will look at the most popular towns in Berkshire to choose a care home and how to search for the right one.

For shorter term care for your relative, you may be interested in Respite Care in Berkshire or Day Care Centres in Berkshire.

Find Berkshire Care Homes

There are more than 150 care homes in Berkshire, each suitable to different needs. We recommend using the comprehensive directory: Care Home UK, to search for the right care home in Berkshire. You can filter your search by geographical area and types of care provided.

The Care Home UK directory provides ratings and reviews based upon past user’s experiences. When choosing a care home, make sure to also check the CQC rating (government rating on quality of care after inspection). We recommend only considering care homes that are rated ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ to ensure your loved one is properly looked after.

Different Areas to Consider in Berkshire

Bracknell

berkshire countryside around bracknell

Originally a market town, Bracknell experienced huge growth during the 20th century in which it was declared a New Town. Today, it hosts the head-quarters for several thriving UK businesses, including Waitrose. The town is surrounded by countryside, withย Swinley Woodsย andย Crowthorneย Woods to the east and west.

Bracknell is well-served by churches of several denominations; each of which have a welcoming ethos. Age Concern run the Day Centre in the town which is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm, which has a packed schedule of events and activities for the elderly community.

Bracknell is well connected by two railway stations on the line that runs between London and Reading. In terms of road, the town is easily accessible from the M3 and M4 motorways.

Bracknell Care Home Directory

Maidenhead

Maidenhead, Berkshire

Lying on the bank of the River Thames, Maidenhead is a large market town. The centre hosts extensive shopping facilities, an eight screen Odeon and a large leisure centre. The local authority provide a Shopmobility service where those with disabilities can borrow a mobility scooter to get around the town.

There are several lively community groups that welcome elderly members. These include Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club, Royal Voluntary Service and The Women’s Institute.

Maidenhead railway station offers frequent and direct services to London, Reading, Oxford and Didcot. The new Crossrail service also stops off in the town, making Maidenhead very connected and easy to visit.

Maidenhead Care Home Directory

Newbury

Newbury, Berkshire

Newbury is a historic market town, home to the headquarters of West Berkshire council. The large market square in the town centre retains a medieval Cloth Hall and the 16th century St. Nicholas Church. Newbury lies on the edge of the Berkshire Downs, part of the Wessex Downs Area of outstanding natural beauty.

The town is home to the famous Newbury racecourse. The Hennessy Gold Cup, which normally takes place in late November, is one of the most prestigious and exciting events in the racing calendar. There is plenty of sporting activities for elderly people to enjoy in the town, such as specialised senior yoga, walking and tea dance groups.

Today, Newbury is served by two railway stations: Newbury and Newbury Racecourse, both of which lie on the Reading to Plymouth line. Road-wise, the A4 and M4 are both easily accessible and the town has a strong provision of local bus routes.

Newbury Care Home Directory

Reading

Reading, Berkshire

Situated on the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, Reading is a large, historic market town. Reading is the largest town in Berkshire and is a thriving economic and retail centre. There are three major department stores, a street market and fortnightly farmers’ markets.

In terms of the elderly community, Age UK Reading run regular coffee mornings with guest speakers and lively social clubs.

Reading railway station is a major junction on the UK’s rail network, therefore, the town is easily accessible from across the country.

Reading Care Home Directory

Slough

Slough, Berkshire

Slough is located to the very East of Berkshire, equidistant between London and Reading, whilst neighbouring Hillingdon and the county of Buckinghamshire. The town of Slough and surrounding villages are well served by a good choice of care homes.

The Slough Senior Citizens Group serves the elderly people of Slough and the surrounding areas. The Group run regular exercise groups and workshops as well as day trips to popular seaside destinations. The Slough Senior Citizens Group follow a policy of inclusiveness and all new members are made to feel welcome.

Slough lies on the intersection of the M4, M40 and M25 motorways meaning the town is very easily accessible to visit by car. The town is also well served by Great Western Railway services and is only a 10 minute drive from Heathrow.

Slough Care Home Directory

Wokingham

Wokingham, Surrey

Wokingham is a historic market town sitting in central Berkshire between Reading and Bracknell. In past surveys, Wokingham has been named one of the most pleasant places to live in the UK.

The town is home to a lively elderly community. Along with a choice of several care homes, the Wade Centre run regular lunches, events and activities to integrate people of older age within the community. There are also nine churches, each of which are welcoming and hospitable.

Wokingham railway stationย is at the junction of theย London to Reading lineย and theย North Downs line.ย The local bus service is popular with elderly residents.

Wokingham Care Home Directory

Average Berkshire Care Home Fees

How much you can expect to pay for a care home per year depends on whether or not the older person in question requires residential care only, or residential with nursing care. In the UK this is usually around ยฃ37,237 per year (residential) and ยฃ51,700 (nursing).

Given its proximity to London, the South East of England is averagely the most expensive region in the UK to pay for a care home, along with the South West. This doesnโ€™t mean that you can expect to pay the prices below as care home fees are dependent on a lot of things, such as location, facilities, space, type of care, length of care, staff per resident and preference.

ย ResidentialWith Nursing
Frail Olderยฃ41,868ยฃ58,192
Dementiaยฃ42,750ยฃ60,192

Estimates taken from a study by LaingBuisson from the Care of Older People UK Market Report 2018, adjusted for inflation

The Benefits & Drawbacks of Life in Berkshire

Berkshire is a popular place to grow old in for very good reasons. The county is home to beautiful countryside with rolling hills and woodlands along the Thames Valley. Major towns are well connected, with good public transport and a strong provision of amenities. Elderly communities within towns and villages are thriving, with plenty of specially organised activities and opportunities for those in later life. There is also plenty of choice for care homes in each area, so there is sure to be a home that suits your needs.

When relatives visit, Windsor Castle, Newbury Racecourse and Basildon Park, to name a few, all make an exciting day out. For more information, please read our Age Space guides to accessible days out in Berkshire and cultural activities in Berkshire.

Moreover, the Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is rated Outstanding by the CQC. This means that services the trust provides, including A&E, outpatient clinics and dementia care are safe, effective, caring and well-led. For more information on health and social care please visit our guide to elderly care services in Berkshire.

The main drawback to elderly life in Berkshire is that care home costs in the country are higher than average in the UK. However, if your elderly relative already has a property in Berkshire, high property prices should mean a sale will cover any associated costs of care.