Ultimate guide to care homes in Reading

In Reading - one of the largest towns in the UK with a growing demand for quality care, the care home options are diverse, each offering unique strengths to suit different preferences. Here you can find care homes that cater to a wide range of needs, from residential and nursing care to specialised dementia support.

With a 17% increase in residents over the age of 65 since 2011, the area reflects a rising need for care providers that prioritise safety, dignity, connection, and a meaningful lifestyle.

The challenge lies in finding a care home that feels like the right fit, where the atmosphere, care quality, and sense of belonging come together seamlessly.

This guide moves beyond generic rankings or inspection scores. Instead, it explores the things that make a care home truly exceptional: highly personalised care options in comfortable surroundings that give each and every individual a deeper sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.

Whether you’re seeking cutting-edge facilities, expert dementia care, or a close-knit community vibe, we’ll help you navigate Reading’s care homes with clarity and confidence, ensuring you find a place that feels like home.

What to look for when looking for a care home

Finding the best care homes is not just about looking for basic services that every provider strives to offer like good quality care, friendly, attentive staff members, and decent meals.

Of course, those things are important, and all care homes should have a great atmosphere and provide personalised care.

However, the best care homes in Reading are the ones that go one step beyond those basics. These are the premium care homes that offer the highest standards of care, a touch of luxury, and the kind of amenities that really set them apart from standard facilities.

These could include things such as:

Upscale facilities and amenities

Most, if not all care homes include a lounge area, visitor rooms, ensuite bedrooms, and 24-hour staff support. However, the best care homes will include those little added extras that make life just that little bit more comfortable. These could include things such as luxury spas, in-house cinemas, libraries, outings and more. So, if you are looking for the best care homes in Reading, look for ones that transform later-life care into a lifestyle experience, offering comforts and conveniences that feel indulgent yet reassuring.

High OpenScore

OpenScore is a score out of 10 that helps you to see at a glance which care homes offer the very best quality of care. It uses over 60 data points aggregated in real-time that reflect the services and support provided. Although many standard care homes offer good care, the top care homes should offer consistently excellent standards across staffing, safety, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

The best care homes not only have an OpenScore but they also have a high score between 7 and 10, which places them in the top tier of care homes.

Fantastic Atmosphere

All the best care homes should have a great atmosphere. Instead, there is a difference between a care home that feels like a pleasant facility, and one that feels like home.

There are many elements that contribute to a great atmosphere in a care home. This includes having a diverse and thriving activities calendar that has been created with the unique preferences of the residents in mind. It also includes having warm, friendly and attentive staff members that really take the time to get to know each and every resident. They should feel like family, as opposed to detached carers.

Luxurious design

While not everyone prioritises interior design, it is certainly something to consider if you want to go beyond the standard offering. High-end care homes often have spacious, beautifully designed rooms, which exude comfort and elegance. If you are looking for care homes in Reading, look for the ones where extra attention to detail has been paid to the look, and feel of the care home. Does it feel luxurious when you walk around? When visiting in person, does it look the same as it did in the marketing and glossy brochures?

How to find the top care homes in Reading

So now you know what to look out for, the next question is how do you find care homes in Reading that have all of those features and extra touches?

Autumna makes it easy to shortlist care homes based on your requirements. One way is to head over to our homepage, choose the care you need, type in Reading and press enter. You will then be able to see a list of all the care homes in the Reading area.

You can also use the ‘Additional Filters’ tab at the top of the results to search for care homes that have the specific amenities and features you are looking for.

Alternatively, we have a care finding tool that can do all of the legwork for you. Simply answer a few quick questions and it will help you to find an even more personalised list of care homes.

Featured care homes in Reading

Below we have shortlisted some of the care homes in Reading which are recognised for their high standards of care, great atmosphere and high-end facilities.

Sonning Gardens Care Home

Nestled in the charming village of Sonning, a picturesque nook by the River Thames, Sonning Gardens Care Home offers a haven of elegance and warmth for those seeking exceptional care. When exploring care homes in Reading, this gem, part of the esteemed Avery Collection, stands out for its unique blend of luxury and heartfelt hospitality. The care home is highly regarded for exceptional care, backed by numerous positive reviews and an excellent OpenScore.

It is surrounded by two and a half acres of landscaped gardens, which are perfect for reflective moments or lively chats with new friends. The home’s restaurant elevates dining to a fine art, serving gourmet meals that are personalised to the tastes of residents.

A dedicated hair and beauty salon invites residents to indulge in pampering, while for entertainment, a cozy in-house cinema room hosts movie nights. It also has a pet-friendly policy that welcomes furry companions.

Sonning Gardens creates a strong sense of community, offering a vibrant calendar of activities ranging from poetry readings to scenic outings along the Thames.

Parsons Grange care home

Parsons Grange - a member of the Care UK group - is a purpose-built sanctuary in Shinfield that creates an atmosphere that feels more like a luxury resort than a traditional care facility.

What sets Parsons Grange apart is its embrace of residents' individuality and independence.

While many care homes design their activities around the preferences of their residents, Parsons Grange takes this one step further by actively encouraging residents to take on meaningful roles in the home, from leading activity classes to assisting the maintenance team.

This philosophy of positive risk-taking promotes genuine freedom and choice, allowing people to maintain their sense of purpose and identity.

Weekly intergenerational sessions bring local schoolchildren together with residents, creating meaningful relationships across generations; while music ensembles and pet therapy sessions provide entertainment and healing as part of their themed activity days.

The Devonshire

The Devonshire care home is located in the quiet village of Tilehurst and offers a warm, inviting retreat where care feels like a heartfelt embrace. For those exploring care homes in Reading, this standout residence, part of the not-for-profit Maria Mallaband Care Group, blends luxury with a genuine sense of community, creating a place where every day brims with possibility.

The Devonshire boasts a dedicated pet therapy program, where visits from animals like those from Boonies Pet Therapy take place on a regular basis. Its newly refurbished interiors, with 137 thoughtfully designed rooms, offer cosy lounges perfect for intimate gatherings or lively events like the MMCG Master Chef cook-off where culinary creativity shines.

It also hosts a diverse range of activities like choir performances and special guests who provide entertainment and celebrations. These activities are constantly updated to reflect the evolving wishes of its residents.

Abbeycrest Nursing Home

As a member of the Aria Care group, Abbeycrest Nursing Home offers a holistic and highly personalised approach to care that balances alternative therapies with traditional person-centred care and artistic pursuits.

Their reflexology sessions soothe both body and mind, while their art club encourages individuals to tap into their creativity and form new friendships.

For those who prefer not to take part in larger gatherings, the team arranges tailored one-to-one activities that reflect personal interests. Staff pay close attention to the small details that matter, whether that’s knowing someone’s favourite meal, the time they like to wake up, or hobbies they enjoy. The home also has strong links with local schools, creating opportunities for intergenerational activities that many families value.

Parkside Care Home

For those exploring care homes in Reading, Parkside Care Home stands out with thoughtful features that make daily life engaging and comfortable for care seekers.

There is no ‘typical day’ in Parkside Care Home which boasts a diverse calendar of activities such as monthly themed events, festive celebrations and cultural activities. It also holds a tea club that meets frequently and aims to combat loneliness by encouraging residents to make new friends.

Regular visits from local school children create heartwarming connections, while a mobile library stops by often, offering a chance to pick up new reads or revisit beloved books.

Parkside Care Home is part of Bupa Group and emphasises independence. It also offers residents the opportunity to join its activity clubs which offer everything from gardening to crafts. These touches make Parkside more than just a standard care home, but a place where life feels meaningful and connected.

Looking for care homes in Reading?

So, we hope this blog has helped you make a start in your search for care homes in Reading. if you need a little extra guidance, our supportive team is here to listen, answer your questions and support your next step. Contact us on 01892 335 330.