






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.
We are so pleased that Dad was recommended to go to St Cecilia's two years ago, since then it has been his home and we have enjoyed visiting him there with all the wonderful staff who look after him.
He settled really well, really quickly, and since joining the small number of residents has been happy, comfortable and safe.
His room is immensely clean and tidy and the food always looks freshly prepared and appetising. Dad looks so well and is obviously happy there. The carers look after all the residents with dignity and affection, they know each of them very well and are always smiling, cheerful and welcoming.
We would have no qualms about recommending St Cecilia's to anyone, we feel very fortunate to have Dad there.
The staff make a point of sitting with and being company for the residents on a one-to-one basis as often as time allows: no-one is ignored. Any small disputes which arise are quickly and amicably settled.
St Cecilia is a lovely, welcoming care home for residents and their family. My Mum has been there for nearly a year now after being moved on from two previous homes with her supposedly difficult behaviour. St. Cecilia have never said they couldn't manage with my Mum and have taken the time and care to get to know her individual needs and ways and manage them really well with care and attention. They never once said they couldn't cope with her and she has settled really well. Dementia is such a horrible disease and effects everyone differently and you need a care home like this that takes the time to get to know the individual and manages their needs appropriately. It is a small home and nothing fancy, but it's the personal touch that matters and this is just what my Mum needed. It has put my mind at rest, after years of struggling to look after her at home, that she is now safe and being well looked after. Can't thank them enough for the fantastic job they all do every day.
This dementia care home is amazing! They treat my dad and all their other residents with dignity and love like they would their own family member. The staff have the time to sit with a resident and help them sip their tea, talk to them or just hold their hand! When I was there last, a lady needed to go for a diabetic eye test, but instead, they told her she was going out for cake, with the boss, but would just have to "pop to the opticians on the way"! Apparently, they did indeed stop for cake whilst they were out! If a resident enquires when they're going home they say, they'll give them a lift a bit later when the rain has stopped! Then bless them they forget. This is the perfect way to keep the residents settled and calm.
Once a week is music which when my dad was better he loved! He would dance around the room with a tambourine whilst a man played 'roll out the barrel ' on the piano!
Another thing they do is have canine therapy, where a dog comes to them to talk to!
The personal care mum receives is second to none. The staff all care and show great love to the residents and I could not praise them highly enough. They are very welcoming and approachable, and show a great understanding of the nature of dementia, treating all residents; even the most disruptive as individuals. Mum is a person, not a bed number and I have total confidence mum could not be in better hands.
My Mum is no longer lonely and frightened. I speak to her regularly, you can phone at any time and no-one ever seems rushed or too busy to speak to you about any concerns. She is clean and warm and well cared for.
There is always some activity going on, which keeps my Mum amused and I particularly like the fact that there are only a dozen or so residents. Carers have time to get to know all the residents well.
This is a sad time for all the family, dementia is a very cruel illness but we have nothing but praise for St Cecilia.
Mother-in-law has now been resident in St Cecilia's for 2 years and is very settled and content there. Despite her degree of dementia, the staff always take the time to engage with her and she is always full of smiles.
St Cecilia is a home that looks like ... home! The staff there act like ... family! How refreshing! On visiting many care homes 6 years ago, desperately trying to find the right one for our father (now in late stages of dementia), St Cecilia stood out a mile. From the moment we walked through the door, we were welcomed like old friends. The staff really care and are very open and honest and supportive when it comes to having to deliver difficult information. There are no uniforms here - thank goodness!!! I think uniforms can be intimidating and although have their place in general hospitals, this is a place where the patients will most probably live out the remainder of their lives here and if that life can be lived in comfort with kind caring people, with a more informal relaxed atmosphere, then that has to be a good thing.
The care and kindness given at St Cecilia is what I would wish for myself and I a very grateful my father has these amazing people around him at this time.
The acre provide is excellent. The staff are warm, kind, very lovely. My mother has been in St Cecilia with Alzheimer's disease for 10 years. The support we have received from staff is exceptional and the love for my mother is outstanding. My mother has had 24 hour continuing care for the past 8/9 years with all her abilities gone. The staff have made our mums life possible.
Mum settled in quite quickly and the years of worry for us have melted into the past. I would recommend St Cecilia's to anyone that requires dementia care and will do so without hesitation!
My wife had to be moved urgently from a care home because she was at risk of harm and very upset. Within a few days of experiencing the love and care at St Cecilia she was feeling much happier and we the relatives were able to leave her after visit knowing she was being cared for so well. We were also made welcome at every visit, no matter what time. We feel deeply inundated to the manager and his staff.
Our dad has been in St Cecilia since 2011 having been transferred from a previous dreadful care home. The difference with St Cecilia was a world apart. The carers ARE carers. Would highly recommend. We would not wish for our dad to be any else.
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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