Deciding that you or a loved one might need a little extra help can feel like a big step. It often comes with mixed emotions and questions about what kind of care is right for you. At Kew Care Group, we understand how personal this journey is. Our friendly team is here to guide you through every stage — from exploring residential care options to understanding when respite care or more specialised dementia care might be the right choice. We’re proud to run some of the most trusted Bristol care homes, known for their warmth, compassion, and exceptional standards.
This page brings together helpful advice on recognising when more care might be needed, exploring your choices, and discovering what life in one of our homes is really like. You’ll also find practical tips for preparing to move in, settling comfortably, and understanding care fees and funding. Whether you’re beginning to explore care homes in Bristol or simply want to know more about long-term residential care, our aim is to help you feel informed, confident, and cared for.
It’s not always easy to recognise when you might need a little more help or to start thinking about care options. We’re here to guide you gently through your choices and answer any questions you have, big or small.
Realising that you need a bit more care — or that it might be time to think about moving into a care home — can feel strange and unsettling. We know how difficult these decisions are and how much thought goes into planning the next stage of life. That’s why we’re here to help and support you every step of the way.
You’re always welcome to pop in for a chat, ask questions, or visit our homes to get a feel for what might suit you.
Home care can be a great first step when you need a bit of extra support, having someone visit regularly to help with personal care, medication, or daily tasks. It can help take the pressure off your family a little bit too.
All care providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). You can find local services, home care and care homes, and check their inspection ratings on the CQC website.
We’re proud to say that two of our four Kew Care Group homes are rated Outstanding, putting them in the top 3% of care homes in the country, and our other two are rated Good.
You can also read reviews from residents and families on carehome.co.uk, which gives you a real sense of what daily life is like in each home. Links to both the CQC reports and reviews are available on each of our care home pages.
Moving into a care home can feel like a big change, but it’s also the start of feeling supported, safe and cared for every day.
Living in a residential care home brings round-the-clock security, comfort and support from a friendly, highly trained team. We take care of everything from housekeeping and laundry to personal care and medication, so you can simply focus on living well.
Most importantly, it provides good home-cooked food, companionship, and a sense of belonging — the things many people miss when living alone.
Your bedroom is your own space, furnished with your belongings — photos, blankets, favourite furniture, whatever makes you feel at home. You can enjoy quiet privacy when you want it or spend time with others in the communal areas and garden.
We’re not a nursing home (which are for people with complex medical needs), but we focus on comfort, independence, good food, and meaningful daily interactions.
Many new residents tell us that time with family and friends becomes even more special after moving in — visits are filled with laughter, company, and reminiscing, rather than the worries of care and chores.
Finding the right care home is a very personal decision. We’ll help you explore your options and feel confident in your choice. We suggest using the CQC website to find local providers, and carehome.co.uk to read first-hand reviews.
Social workers, GPs, district nurses, and even family and friends can often recommend homes they know and trust.
Age UK has a brilliant list of questions to consider when you visit — it’s worth looking through before you go:
Age UK – Choosing a Care Home
You’re always welcome to come and see us — by appointment or just drop in. Many people like to join us for a meal or a day, perhaps even for a hair wash or cut if that’s something that has become tricky at home.
We also offer day care and short respite stays, which are wonderful ways to get to know us before making any long-term decisions. These stays allow families and carers to have a rest or a holiday, and give you the chance to spend some worry-free time in our home without commitment.
It’s often through these short visits that people realise just how warm and friendly our homes feel and how much independence they can retain with the right support.
Planning ahead makes everything feel calmer and helps you settle in with confidence.
A little planning helps you feel organised and at peace. Here are a few things that can make your move smoother:
We’ll be with you every step of the way.
Your first day is all about feeling welcome, comfortable, and safe.
You’ll be warmly welcomed by our staff team, shown to your room, and helped to unpack and settle in. We’ll spend time chatting with you and your family about your preferences, routines, and support needs so we can tailor everything around you. We will grow your personalised care plan with you.
There’s no rush to join activities or meet everyone right away — we’ll move entirely at your pace. You can choose to have meals in your room, in the dining room, or even in a different sitting room with friends or family.
We welcome visitors at events, trips and activities too, if your family or friends have a specisl talent, interest or topic then we would love to share it. Visitors are always encouraged, especially during those first few days, and pets are very welcome too. We often have PAT dog visits and love to see the joy they bring.
By the end of your first week, most people find that the faces and spaces feel familiar. We’ll already know how you like your hot drink, where you like to sit, and whether there’s a newspaper you want to read while you enjoy it.
We get to know every Resident as an individual — respecting cultural, spiritual and social needs — and always offering choice, independence and understanding.
It takes time to feel at home in a new place, and that’s okay. We’ll move at your pace and help you settle comfortably.
Your first week might feel a little strange — new routines, new faces — but we’ll take it one step at a time. Our kitchen team can make almost any food you fancy, almost any time! From full meals to simple favourites like soup, beans on toast or a late-night snack — we’ll make it work for you.
We’ll help you keep up your usual routines and stay connected with local clubs, friends, and family. Parties and special occasions are always welcome — we love to help organise and celebrate them.
Our activity and wellbeing calendar offers a mix of group and one-to-one sessions — from music and reminiscence to gardening, crafts, puzzles, and light exercise. We also love it when Residents share their own skills and stories.
If you enjoy helping around the home — maybe setting tables, folding laundry, or picking vegetables from the garden — you’re more than welcome to join in.
We always encourage feedback and ideas. It helps us improve and tailor your care, and keeps our homes growing in the direction our Residents choose.
Everyone’s journey is unique — some people stay short-term, others make our home theirs for years.
Some people join us for a short stay to rest, recover, or give family carers a break. Others stay for months or years, becoming part of the family.
We work closely with our local GP and District Nurse teams, caring for people through every stage of life, including end of life if that’s your wish.
Occasionally, someone’s needs change and very specialist nursing or dementia care is required. If that ever happens, we’ll help you and your family find the right home — but our aim is always to care for people right to the end, wherever possible.
We’ll take extra care of you when you’re unwell, with warmth, comfort, and the right support.
Your health and safety are always our top priority. We encourage all Residents, staff, and visitors to stay up to date with vaccinations to help protect one another.
While coronavirus is no longer reportable for care homes, we still follow the latest Government guidance on flu, COVID-19 and other infections. Our infection prevention measures remain thorough and consistent.
If you’re ever feeling under the weather, we’ll make sure you have what you need — whether that’s a quiet day in your room, your favourite meal, or a visit from our GP or District Nurse team.
We also kindly ask visitors not to come if they’re unwell — it helps us keep everyone in the home safe.
Understanding care fees and funding can feel overwhelming, but we can advise and point you in the right direction. We know finances can be a worry when arranging care. We’ll help you understand everything clearly from the start.
Our fees include almost everything — your care, meals, laundry, and daily life — so there’s nothing unexpected to think about once you arrive. Extras include hairdressing, chiropody, private taxis, newspapers, or items from our small in-house shop (sweet treats, toiletries, etc.).
You’ll receive a Service User Guide that outlines what’s included in your fees and introduces you to our wonderful team.
If your savings or property are above £23,250, you’ll be self-funding. Once your funds drop below that, the local authority will carry out a financial assessment and contribute accordingly. Please let us know in advance if this is likely, so we can support you through the process.
We always do our best to keep Residents with us wherever possible — sometimes that means moving to a smaller room to make it work financially.
NHS funding:
If you need continence products, the NHS supplies these after a simple assessment, which we can arrange for you.
For more detailed financial guidance, visit:
Age UK – Paying for Care
We’re here to support you from your very first question to every day you spend with us.
Our homes are more than places of care — they’re communities full of warmth, laughter and comfort. Whatever stage you’re at in your journey, we’re here to make sure you feel valued, listened to, and at home.
If you have any questions about our care services or care homes, please make a care enquiry.
