Dorset House

I visited my friend at Dorset House in October and, as always, impressed that there is never any unpleasant smells as you walk into the home. The place is always clean and tidy with modern and comfortable furniture in the lounge areas. My friend's room was also clean and tidy and she appeared to have everything she needed to hand. She doesn't take part in activities, but the rest of the residents appear to be enjoying themselves at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party event. The staff are always lovely, efficient and easy to talk to. I have no hesitation in thinking my friend is in the best place for her.

My mother is now so deaf and blind, it is very difficult for new people to communicate with her. Since coming to Dorset House, despite her increasing frailty, she is so much happier. The staff all try to get to know and understand her, and she has great confidence in them, and has recovered some of her confidence in herself. There is a lovely relaxed and unhurried atmosphere here and the opportunity to knit again with assistance has really helped my mother to feel like herself again.

My father was admitted to Dorset House from the Hospital and was very frail through Pneumonia and many falls at home. The staff have helped him regain his confidence with his mobility, and have fed him so well, that he has put much-needed weight on. They have encouraged him to join in with Activities and generally start socialising again. This was always a temporary placement and he has now moved into permanent care, elsewhere in Dorset due to family reasons. If he could have stayed at Dorset House, I would have been more than Happy. I can not thank all the staff enough for their care, their commitment, their friendship and laughter. Very welcoming Home.

My husband was admitted to Dorset House from hospital in April. I received a phone call the same day to say he'd arrived and settled it. I visited the next day and was shown the lounge, garden and his bedroom. The staff were very courteous and helpful nothing was too much for them. I visited the home 4 times a week due to the bus times, I could only stay 45 minutes but my husband understood this. At first, he kept saying he wanted to come home - this was impossible due to the lack of amenities and getting upstairs. Eventually, he accepted this and was happy there. He was known for walking around the corridors and garden. Then at 3:00 pm was the highlight - tea and 2 chocolate biscuits. The staff were superb no fault or worries, though any problems they phoned me.

On arrival, the staff were professional and pleasant and also asked if we would like to be taken to the room. Everything was much cleaner and there were no unpleasant smells. We are very pleased with how Dorset House has changed under new management. The Duty Manager talked to us and assured us my brother-in-law would have a wonderful birthday with cake for the next day. She also reassured us as we had not been able to visit for a while.

On the whole a happy place for the residents to be in and always given a very nice welcome at the entrance, this is important to me and somebody is around if you need them, especially to use the bathroom and carers are always very patient with the residents.

Nothing too much trouble.

My brother is very happy in Dorset House and I would recommend it to anyone.

My mother, who is in her mid-nineties, suffers from severe Alzheimer's/dementia and was discharged from the hospital to Dorset House on a discharge-to-assessment arrangement after having a series of (known) falls at home, which led her to be hospitalised. The team at Dorset House gave my mother excellent care and support in helping her with her needs due to her condition. When visiting Dorset House, I’m always welcomed and told how well my mother is responding to being in a vibrant and stimulating environment, which she was not experiencing at home living on her own, where she had become quite withdrawn. The rooms are bright and clean, and my mother really enjoys the freshly made meals. She also enjoys taking part in the many varied activities that the team organise. The manager and all the staff are always friendly and approachable and take time to discuss any questions that I’ve raised.

Making a choice and selecting a residential home should not be underestimated. We selected Dorset House due to the following - The money has evidently been spent in the best interests of the residents, on hand unlimited snacks, appropriate activities, homemade food and plenty of it. Money spent on staffing allowing for almost a one-to-one experience for the residents, speaking of the staff, they are wonderful angels with a jolly atmosphere filling the care home, enveloped with empathy.

My lovely dad went into this home in July 2022. He had dementia but he was still relatively with it. For the initial two weeks, he was crying and wanted to go home which was very distressing. I would visit several times a week and take him out for a half of Guinness to the pub, so I was there a lot. I had removed him from another home. I am so glad I did. There are other homes which are shinier and newer but I made the right decision choosing Dorset House. He ended up liking being there and said it was like a 'holiday camp' I won't list the staff by name (they know who they are) but they do such an important job and were so good to my dad. I can't praise them enough. I'll miss my visits.

Can’t thank the staff enough for the care they gave our mother. Lovely warm and friendly atmosphere. Mum felt very safe and looked after and talked highly of everyone. She even got cups of tea in the middle of the night. So a great thank you to all of you.

Mum is well and truly looked after. All her needs are met to a true high standard, from personal care through to food and drink and activities, long may it continue for her.

Dorset House came highly recommended by some dear friends of ours for the high level of care and compassion shown to residents. My wife has been a resident since October 24th, 2021 through the difficult time of the COVID-19 outbreak. I have always been deeply blessed by the loving care she has been shown and the warmth of welcome I have received. The staff are really wonderful at organising activities. Thank you to the wonderful management team.

I have visited a few times and always experienced the same high standards. I can only comment on the communal rooms so did not feel able to give a standard, however, the communal rooms are excellent, I do not know the charges made or the management so cannot comment.

Excellent caring care. Happy attitude of the staff. The home is part of the local community in Hamworthy and Poole. The home and its staff are welcoming and friendly and clearly very fond of the residents that they care for. They are kind and considerate to me in all communications, in person or by phone and always keep me informed.

Mum has only been in Dorset House a week and all of the team there are excellent. From the beginning of making the enquiry to move Mum in on respite, they couldn’t be more helpful. She has made friends, loves the food and really likes staff. Every time we visit, she only has positive things to say, which is amazing and she is now talking about going out on trips and maybe staying as a permanent resident. Thank you to everyone at Dorset House, I really value everything you are doing and we, as family, can’t thank you enough.

I'm very happy with my mother's care. She has settled in well and loves the garden and the minibus trips.

Overall my aunt is well looked after. I appreciate the hard work of all the staff in what is not an easy job. I find her room rather bland and could do with a revamp, in fact, the whole place could do with brightening up - a paint job.

Nothing is too much bother.