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Tara's Retreat is dedicated to providing residential care for older people and for those with dementia related needs. It has been designed and equipped...
Care Provided by Tara's Retreat Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 69 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
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Residents Kitchenette
- 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 Tara's Retreat Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Tara's Retreat Care Home 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
Group / Owner
- B&M Care Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Karen Langley (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (69)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (69)
Tara's Retreat Care Home Reviews (40)
Tara's Retreat Care Home has a Review Score of 8.4 (8.367) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Tara's Retreat Care Home has 40 reviews.
Following all the Covid related delays we finally managed to move my mum from the North West down to the South East and Tara's Retreat was the perfect care home destination. It was such a shock that my mum's stay was so short but I must say a big thank you to all of the staff. The care and empathy you showed were simply amazing and as a family, we are very grateful.
Your work is much appreciated by us all.
We decorated her lovely room with her own possessions and furniture and it's been kept impeccably clean.
The staff are very professional and extremely friendly and any concerns are quickly reported, recorded and dealt with.
My mother has been involved in many activities, from day trips and social interactions and her old humour and wit have returned.
I would highly recommend staying at Tara's Retreat. It's a safe, almost family-run atmosphere OAP home.
My father-in-law is extremely well looked after at Tara's. The staff are all great and know him very well. I couldn't praise Tara's more. Thanks.
Warm and welcoming care home. All the staff are very friendly, caring and show respect to residents. Residents are listened to regarding meetings and changes are made to keep everyone happy. Fantastic activities (varied and fun) especially the singer. Rooms could be larger but nice to have ensuite. Can't find any faults and always recommend Tara's to all who ask.
On arrival for my visit today I was greeted by the manager and reception staff. Both were very keen to bring me up to date with the improvements to the building works. Having then arrived on mum's unit greeted by the staff were bright and cheerful and happy to tell me how mum was getting along. Very thrilled with B & M Tara's Retreat. Mum loves it and is thriving with her dementia.
Very nice people, lovely setting and everyone are so kind, good care.
This is a very good home with an excellent manager supported by caring and helpful staff. The facilities are well laid out with easy access to the combined dining and lounge area. The gardens provide a safe and secure outdoor area, pleasant and well maintained. We are happy with this home for our relative.
I have found that all the carers are lovely - jolly and friendly and more importantly are caring and kind to mum. They are very patient and they are good at encouraging residents to get up if they are a bit reluctant to get up or move into the day room. Mum loves it when the sixth formers come in on a Friday afternoon and she enjoys the singing and activities.
Good staff, caring approach, pleasant and well-kept facilities.
The rooms are always spotless and there is a feeling of a family, friendly environment.
Carers are always friendly and have my mother's wellbeing always at heart.
Would recommend this home to anyone.
There are frequent activities ranging from quizzes and Bingo to trips out - even a day at the seaside. Nothing is too much trouble. Mum's key worker communicates regularly with me and always informs me of any concerns as soon as they arise.
Mum is very happy at Tara's and I'm sure this is due to the calm atmosphere and wonderful care she receives.
Lovely and friendly home.
Mum came to Tara's in December 2016 for 2 weeks' respite as her husband was in hospital. Unfortunately, he died in February and so mum's stay has become permanent. The family are all very pleased with the care provided and the caring staff. They are all very kind and showed sensitivity and support during a very difficult time. The staff will always go out of their way to help however they can. The activities provided for residents are varied and plentiful. The accommodation is bright and cheerful and always kept very clean and tidy.
I am a student who volunteers at Tara's Retreat every Friday. The staff at the home are warm and friendly. The care home is a supportive environment providing the best possibly care to its residents.
My mother has been with Tara's for nearly four years after I had looked after her for nearly 15 years. I was diagnosed with cancer within six months of my mother entering Tara's Retreat Residential Care Home. The staff just took over and I know she was in safe hands. They have carried on in the same manner to this day.
I am a carer from an outside care company and visits some residents for companionship and to sometimes take them out. On every visit, I am extremely impressed with every aspect of care at Tara's. It is a warm, friendly environment and the staff and carers are all very very happy and willing to help residents and visitors with any needs. A joy to visit here.
The care in this home is excellent, but I am the only one that can go out by myself. I would like to find a resident that is able to go out with me sometimes. I play bridge twice a week and go to the excellent 'Silverthread' at the village hall every other Friday. The activities are mainly for those who have vascular dementia or are incapacitated in some way. Everyone would benefit greatly if a film or usual DVD was shown to the residents once a week. I would also like an outing for shopping once a month. The bus service is very poor to St. Albans. No chemist or bank in Sandridge.
I have nothing to compare with but my impression is of a very good standard in most aspects.
Good service. Kind, excellent. Good facilities. food good, allowed to go out.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 16 June 2018Good
- 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
12 Bed Vacancies
Posted: 17 August 2026Private Residential and Dementia Care
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Tara's Retreat Care Home.
There are no upcoming events for Tara's Retreat Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (5)
- 28 Feb 2019Recipient: B&M Care Ltd
- 01 Feb 2018Recipient: B&M Care Ltd
- 01 Apr 2017Recipient: B&M Care Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Tara's Retreat Care Home.
Meet the Team (1)

I was appointed as Home Manager at Tara’s Retreat Care Home in Sandridge in 2017, after working in the same position at B&M Care’s sister home in St Albans, Clare Lodge. Like many other B&M Care Home Managers, I started my career as a Care Assistant and progressed ‘through the ranks’ to Deputy Manager. In addition to my experience, I have completed a number of qualifications, including several NVQs in Health & Social Care, as well as the ‘Champion of Dementia Care’ programme run in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Society.
Welcome to Tara’s Retreat, a real home from home, where community spirit and your wellbeing are our priority.
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