






Rated CQC 'Oustanding' in Caring (October 2025). Unlike large corporate facilities, St Cecilia is a warm, family-run home where residents are treated like family, not numbers. Specialising in dementia care for over 30 years, the home prides itself on a true 'home-from-home' atmosphere filled with laughter, home-cooked meals, and genuine affection. Situated in a peaceful Edwardian house near Westbourne, St Cecilia offers a cosy, personalised alternative for those seeking the very best care.
Care Provided by St Cecilia
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 15 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
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Stairlift
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact St Cecilia for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact St Cecilia 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
- St Cecilia Care Dorset Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Robin Hiney (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2007
Room Information
- Single Rooms (13)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (1)
St Cecilia Reviews (52)
St Cecilia has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.527) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time St Cecilia has 52 reviews.
All the staff are friendly, there is always a welcome and offer of a drink however short the visit. My friend has dementia and was so distressed in the previous home she was in but the patience and empathy from the staff has made such a difference to her. The staff are always with the residents and I have never seen any of them appear stressed or look as if they would rather be somewhere else. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I do not know what their fees are and have not eaten there and have only witnessed a few activities as I usually visit in the evening so that is the reason I have only put good for some of the options as they have to be completed with no option for not knowing.
My father has been at the home for over 3 years now and in that time the manager, senior staff and the team have always shown him great understanding and care to what can be a very challenging illness. Whenever we visit, they are always extremely welcoming and friendly and the overall atmosphere of the home gives us great comfort that he is in the right place. I would have no hesitation in recommending St Cecilia.
The patients always look clean and cared for.
I am also impressed to see how the staff handles each person individually.
I would not hesitate to recommend St Cecilia.
As I became a State Registered Nurse in my early 20's I was very interested to visit my relative in St Cecilia. This I do every Sunday and I have always been very impressed with the kind atmosphere and the care all the residents receive. The residents are always looking very clean and tidy and I know that they enjoy their lovely meals. They are always given immediate attention when needed and when I leave I always feel that all the residents are in good, safe hands. I recommend this home.
From the very first time that we went to St Cecilia, we were very impressed. The welcome by the staff was warm and friendly even though they didn't know us. The whole atmosphere of the place was homely and inviting. All the residents looked content and were clean and tidy and cared for. If we were ever in a position where we need care for a family member, we would be very happy for them to be looked after there. Well done to all the staff.
I would have no hesitation in recommending St Cecilia to anyone requiring dementia care.
I would highly recommend placing a family member or friend that needed this level of care.
This is definitely a home and one where we as the siblings should never have any worries or regrets for loved ones being there - well done the manager and the gang, you've set the bar for others to follow!!! :)
My father seems very content and happy there, always smiling which is a good sign.
Although it has the atmosphere of a family home with lovely staff, it is also run very well and we are kept informed of any developments or health issues.
I would not hesitate to recommend the home and hope my father can stay there for as long as possible.
My mother has been at St Cecilia's since 2009. 9 years. My father was caring for her at home, it was too much for him. He was fading fast. I tried my mum in 2 other dementia care homes. They were too big, my mum was distraught in them. They didn't understand how to care for people with dementia. St Cecilia's is one big family home. Only 14 residents and today in 2018 there is still a group of the same staff that greeted my mum in 2009. The low staff turnover says it all. This care home understands how to be with people with dementia. Love and kindness surround the residents and my mum has flourished there. She is happy and content. Over 9 years her condition has changed and the staff lovingly adapt their care to her needs. Once my mum was in the care home my father, my sister and I could get on with our lives again. We knew that 24 hours a day our mum was being looked after properly. I recommend this care home to anyone whose relatives or friends need dementia care.
Continued care with kindness. understanding and infinite patience in a warm friendly yet efficient environment. I cannot fault St Cecilia's in any way and feel fortunate to have found such a place for my mother. Overall quite exceptional.
They keep in contact on a regular basis and provide updates and let me know if there are aspects of my mum's wellbeing they feel I should be aware of. It truly is a care home because without doubt they do care!
Fantastic staff and a really warm and friendly environment, they make you feel very welcome when you visit and it is obvious they care and look after all the residents really well. I live a long way from the care home but they always respond to my calls or emails and let me know how things are going.
As soon as you walk through the door you are greeted with smiling welcoming faces. The Manager and his Staff are truly wonderful and nothing is too much trouble for them. My husband always looks well dressed and clean shaven, personal care is really superb. The Manager and his team are with their charges 24/7 and radiate love and compassion. The residents and visitors alike are treated with care, dignity and respect.
My husband used to get quite aggressive before he went to St. Cecilia but he has become calm and content. It is so refreshing that there are no uniforms which all adds to the feeling of being one happy family.
I thoroughly enjoy visiting the Home as it makes me feel like a family member.
I have no hesitation in strongly recommending St. Cecilia to anybody requiring specialised care as this Home is second to none. My husband receives the best care possible.
St Cecilia's is a very special place. The home is clean, tidy and well maintained. The staff deal so well with all residents and care given is amazing. The residents are safe, well looked after and all health issues are top priority. Always a warm welcome and friendly reception for visitors. A very special home.
I have been involved with caring over many years and am aware of how these people should be treated. It was so good to see the friendly atmosphere at St. Cecilia's and also the homely way it was run.
I would have no problem to recommend this home especially for people who are unfortunate enough to develop Dementia.
My mum has severe Alzheimers and was not managing in her own home. I had viewed several homes from the large to the small. St Cecilia was recommended by Social Services as it is a small home and so would best suit my mum's needs. Instantly on viewing, I felt that this was the one.
I was impressed by the time that the manager gave me and no pressure was put on me, to make a quick decision. It feels very homely, the staff know their residents and their families extremely well. They are very caring people who do their utmost for their residents. My mum is cared for extremely well and is thriving in this environment. She has put on weight and is much happier, enjoying the company of the staff and residents. Her room is large and airy but she only goes there to sleep - preferring to be in the company of others. I have complete faith in the staff and feel reassured that the right decision was made to place my mum here.
St Cecilia is a lovely, warm, friendly care home which is small enough for the wonderful staff to get to know all of their clients and families who visit, very well. We feel our father-in-law is in totally safe hands and his needs are met fully.
He is happy, clean, comfortable - we can't praise the manager and his staff enough.
Thank you.
I can't recommend St Cecelia's highly enough; it’s splendid. They care for Mum with complete love and devotion. She’s lived 7 years in this warm-hearted, welcoming, super friendly, highly professional dementia care home. Mum was considered 'too challenging' for two other homes. We tried St Cecelia's, desperate to find a loving, caring, home-from-home after our ailing father (82) couldn’t cope 24/7 with mum; an incredibly energetic, active, chatty, bright and lively woman with rapidly worsening dementia. Mum couldn’t have fallen into better hands! The staff quickly gentled her into relaxing and being content, smiling and happy, as she's continued for the last 7 years. Many staff who greeted Mum in those first days, in 2009, are still there now. The extremely low staff turnover in St Cecelia's speaks volumes, fostering a true 'family atmosphere'. Besides the loving care and professionalism we always see in practice, we’re always so welcomed – greeted with genuine warmth day or night. Five stars!
It has been a while since doing a review on this fantastic dementia care home called St. Cecilia and its only right to compliment the management and team.
My Mother has been at St. Cecilia since 2015 and has settled in very well. The management and team have made my mother very welcome and also myself and other siblings when we visit. I do take mum out on a regular basis which gives her a break from the home and some quality time with me. The staff have also provided me with protection for the car seats.
Whenever I go round to see my mum, everyone is always happy in the jobs, giving caring attention to the residents, helping them with whatever is needed.Nothing is any trouble and will always endeavour to accommodate any need or requirement.
Without a shadow of a doubt, I would recommend St.Cecila Dementia Care Home to anyone that is trying to find a great, genuine, warm heawarm-hearted home.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 29 September 2025Good
- CaringOutstanding
- 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.
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