
The accommodation is excellent and the staff are caring and professional.Victoria L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

You treated us all as part of a family. I can’t thank you enough for the care you gave.S M(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

I could not recommend Bedford Charter House more highly if I tried.Caroline F(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

The accommodation is excellent and the staff are caring and professional.Victoria L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

You treated us all as part of a family. I can’t thank you enough for the care you gave.S M(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

I could not recommend Bedford Charter House more highly if I tried.Caroline F(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

Bedford Charter House is a purpose built care home with a warm, friendly and homely atmosphere. Unlike many care homes, Bedford Charter House is proud to have a reception service which is operational during office hours.
The care home offer a wide range of activities to meet the needs of all residents to help stimulate and entertain them during their stay with us. Bedford Charter House can accommodate a number...
Care Provided by Bedford Charter House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 72 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Bedford Charter House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Bedford Charter House to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Good to Know
Owner
- Bedford Citizens Housing Association Ltd
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Rebecca Reason (Head of Care Services)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2015
- Last Refurbishment: 2015
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (72)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (72)
Bedford Charter House Reviews (44)
Bedford Charter House has a Review Score of 8.9 (8.932) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Bedford Charter House has 44 reviews.
There are activities every morning and afternoon, from games and armchair exercises to bingo, gardening club, singing and occasional events.
Meals can be taken in the dining room with social engagement.
Everything has been thought of, from labelling washing for the laundry to hairdressers.
Care plans are shared and reviewed regularly. They are proactive in watching BMI and fortifying meals as needed. Any additional medical needs are scheduled in the plan. There's a GP surgery linked to the home.
It's been a relief to have 24 hour care, with staff on hand to arrange medical help as needed.
Mum is happy and busy, more than we could have hoped for at this stage.
Rooms are a good size with big windows.
Thanks to all at Charter House.
As she still had some mobility initially, she enjoyed the varied activities, participating in quizzes, games, and singing amongst other things. Those were just some of a huge variety. With reducing mobility, she spent most of her time in her room, but staff popped in regularly to ensure she didn't feel lonely. She needed an increasing amount of support - feeding, toileting, all personal care, etc, but we were never made to feel like she was taking a disproportionate amount of staff time. All the staff - management and admin as well as the carers - were friendly and professional, and took an interest in her.
Relatives are kept very involved, with access to electronic notes, participation in care planning where appropriate, quarterly relatives' meetings, etc.
My mother, who had Alzheimers, lived at Charter House for 6 years. Throughout her time there, the care was exceptional. She had become unsafe living at home and we were relieved when she moved into Charter House where she was safe and was being looked after by professional people. The kindness, empathy and professionalism of the staff both to us and to Mum has been exceptional - everyone from the seniors, reception staff, carers, activities staff, housekeepers, caterers - everyone has been lovely all the way through. They have become like a second family to us and the dignity and respect afforded to mum, particularly in her last few days, was really moving. Charter House itself is spotlessly clean, nicely decorated, light and airy with views over the immaculately kept garden or Kimbolton Road. It is very well managed and response to issues is always prompt. I cannot recommend it highly enough and we will miss everyone there as it has become an integral part of our lives.
Bedford Charter House has a lovely atmosphere. It is light and airy, and a welcoming scent as you enter. Staff are very friendly and become like new family members. They care for my husband as I would have done when I cared for him at home. The garden is lovely and cared for so walking around it is a lovely peaceful experience. The manager is very approachable and caring too.
Care is good and some staff are a lot more experienced than others. Sometimes feel care needs to be more tailored to resident and give resident more personal choice. Security, facilities and activities are excellent, rooms are a good size and residents feel safe and comfortable. Well managed and management will readily address any issues.
The home is spotlessly clean and secure, decor modern, the food varied and tasty, the record keeping excellent and response times to necessary interventions quick and efficient. The activities schedule is amazing with something happening, AM and PM, every day of the week and the residents encouraged to take part.
It really is a lovely home and you felt that you were part of the Charter House family from the moment you walked in by all the staff. Unfortunately, my wife's needs changed to nursing care so we had to move on.
Wonderful food, I will miss it!
Great activity programme, so appropriate for the service users.
Sadly, Dad deteriorated rapidly after his 101st birthday and the end-of-life care (from everyone, from reception through the carers to management) was excellent, for which we will always be grateful.
Better than I could have imagined. I was so happy and cared for.
The dementia unit is, firstly, very secure. It also has a dedicated team of staff which, in itself, is helpful to dementia residents who will appreciate a continuously steady team of carers. Our father seemed relatively settled and had good positive relationships with staff members. Whilst never easy to deal with our father, due to his problems, the staff were always very happy dealing with him and were very saddened to see him pass away. I'd like to pass on my personal, huge thanks to the professional service that the whole team at Charter House has provided. Thank you.
The staff were always attentive and her care was tailored to her needs. Always polite and treated Mum as an individual.
Room and wider areas always clean.
Laundry done in a timely manner.
End-of-life care was excellent.
Thank you.
My mum was in Charter House for only ten months, and during that time, she was very happy, enjoying her own room, some of the activities and the relationships that developed with other residents, as well as staff. As a family, we are so grateful for the care, support, compassion and friendliness given to Mum and to us; nothing was too much trouble. The staff looked after her as if she was one of their own family, especially during the last month or so as Mum's health gradually deteriorated. We would like to send a big thank you to all at Charter House.
Bedford Charter House Care Home was professional, compassionate and flexible from the very first phone call when I enquired about respite care for Dad. As an example - it was just five hours from that first call to Dad settling into his room! Although his stay was not meant to be permanent the team gave him the same amount of attention as if it were. The transition to a permanent stay there was also seamless. The facilities and variety of activities are excellent and the consistency of personnel is impressive. On top of all that, it was immensely reassuring to know that as a housing association, the owners of Charter House were not continually motivated by profit-making. All in all, Dad's experience there, right up to his final stay in hospital, was five stars!
My father was in Charter House for only 10 weeks but from beginning to end he was looked after with such care and compassion. He loved the food, enjoyed the activities and found that staff were very responsive to his needs.
I could not praise too highly, the professionalism, dedication to their work and kindness to my wife during her stay in Bedford Charter House from August 2017 until her sad death on the 10th of August this year. The staff went out of their way to comfort and help her in the last weeks as her life drew to a close also their consolation to me after her death.
Reception was very professional and polite, and the standard of nursing and care was very good. Gave my father the care and respect he needed during his stay. Good communication with his relatives. The family would like to give this care home a big Thank You!
The atmosphere created was a friendly one and so several residents took both my husband and me under their wing. My husband was young for a care home, so he did not join in many activities but there was a fair range. His room was excellent with enough space and the opportunity to personalise it as much as he wanted. And the cleaners were stars! Again, friendly and kind and very good at their jobs. And the laundry man deserves a medal. My husband had coeliac disease and also became quite difficult with food hence 3 stars. As my husband had to have many trips to the hospital, I was also glad for the efficiency of routine and emergency medical care.
Thank you to all the team. You were there at a very difficult time and came up trumps.
Covid restrictions were in place for a lot of the time, and again the staff policed this well.
Initially, Mum was in for some respite care, but it became obvious that Mum needed full-time care, we did look at a few other homes, but thankfully, a room became available in Charter House, which was a relief for the family.
They bring smiles and laughter to Mum and have indeed become members of her extended family.
It is a great comfort to know Mum is happy.
He was worried about having respite, but he knew I needed a break. He loved the food and the choices. He was with people who do not have dementia, which was of great concern to him. The room he had was on the ground floor, and he loved that. He is quite happy to go in again, which is a great relief to me.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 17 August 2021Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
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There are no upcoming events for Bedford Charter House.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
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Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Bedford Charter House.
Meet the Team (4)

Marie joined BCHA in February 2017 following a long and interesting career at BPHA as Head of Supported & Retirement Housing. Marie brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge; she believes that BCHA has a very strong staff team and Board who are enthusiastic about what the organisation does and the role they play in delivering great places to live and high-quality care and support to residents who need it.

Daria has worked in Charter House for a few years now. She enjoys her role as a day care manager, and the difference BCHA make to our residents every day. Daria uses the latest technology when managing the care setting and is helping to improve the service we provide. Daria is focused on our residents and provides the highest quality of care.

She is very passionate about her job and believes In giving the best care possible to all our residents. She has always been a peoples person and is passionate about she does and making a difference in people’s lives.

Day Care Manager
Frequently Asked Questions about Bedford Charter House
What types of Care is Bedford Charter House registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Bedford Charter House have?
There are 72 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Bedford Charter House?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Bedford Charter House to the centre of Bedford?
0.5 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
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