Dorset House is a safe and homely residential and dementia care home in the heart of the Hamworthy community in Poole.
Dorset house has 48 single bedrooms and two double bedrooms plus plenty of communal areas where residents can socialise or relax, including six lounges and a lovely, large, secure garden.
The experienced and well-trained team at Dorset House provides compassion care for those who can longer live independently, helping people who...
Care Provided by Dorset 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 52 Service Users
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
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
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
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Dorset House for full pricing details and T&Cs.Contact Dorset 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
Group / Owner
- Care South
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Tracy Jennings (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (48)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (3)
Dorset House Reviews (105)
Dorset House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.791) out of 10, based on 43 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Dorset House has 105 reviews.
I have only moved here in the last week. Everyone is very helpful from the chef, activities team, maintenance, carers, nurses, admin, home manager, housekeeping and any others I've forgotten. All first class.
Thank you for your five star review, it means so much to the team. Wishing you all the best.
We bought our dad to the home in November 2022 due to his health. We as a family felt that he was treated with dignity and respect. He always enjoyed a coffee and ginger nut biscuit looking out at the garden. The staff were always on hand and friendly. We as a family would recommend the staff and the home to others. Great animal activities, he always enjoyed them.
Thank you for your kind review, I will be sure you let the team know. Wishing you and your family all the best.
Absolutely excellent in all ways, the care was exemplary, the meals were amazing, the room was excellent, management and staff were excellent although only there for a week my mother didn't want to leave. Five-star service.
Thank you so much for your 5* review, it means so much to the team to read reviews like this, thank you!
My husband was placed in Dorset House until a home package was found, after a long time in hospital. What a lovely place Dorset House is, everyone is happy, helpful and very caring. My husband greatly improved in the few weeks he was there and I would recommend Dorset House to anyone.
I am so pleased to read your husband has improved since his stay with us at Dorset House, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
The care that my mum has received at Dorset House has been exceptional since she was admitted two months ago. After several placement moves and a period of poor health, it was such a relief that she settled so quickly. With the support and kindness of the staff, she is progressing physically and emotionally. The manager and her team have created a caring ethos that is nurturing and stimulating. My mum is enjoying all the activities and it's lovely to see her so relaxed and happy after such a difficult time.
Thank you for your lovely comments, it really is wonderful to read how well your mum has settled at Dorset House. I will ensure the team is passed on your feedback, wishing you all the very best.
From her first day earlier this year, she was welcomed with open arms by every member of staff. Not once has she ever said I want to go home, which I was dreading.
The staff go above and beyond their duties to ensure all residents' care and needs are catered for. Always keeping residents entertained with activities and trips out, something Mum missed when she was at home, she now has the confidence to do these things again.
The summer months were wonderful being able to sit in the lovely gardens with her new friends, something she had missed so much.
I know Mum is safe, happy and well cared for in Dorset House with a home-from-home environment which is just what I wanted for her. So happy we made the right choice.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I am absolutely delighted to hear how well your mum has settled into life at Dorset House, it really is a wonderful home and am so grateful of your comments. Wishing you and Mum all the best.
We have been very pleased with the care and support of my mother for the last four years. It has been a very difficult time for Dorset House, managing all the challenges pertaining to the pandemic but they did so admirably. The staff who work in this home are lovely, friendly, kind, thoughtful and work very hard. The facilities are very pleasant, clean and bright. Mum always looks nice and is definitely well cared for. Thank you to everyone at Dorset House.
Thank you for your kind words, it really does mean so much to all of the team at Dorset House. I am so pleased to read that mum is enjoying her stay with us. All the best.
Mum was with Dorset House for 6 weeks before passing away. She was suffering from late-stage Alzheimer’s and had been stuck in hospital for over 4 months due to bed shortage during Covid. She had a lovely room at Dorset House overlooking the pretty garden. Although Mum was unaware of where she was, the staff were all extremely kind and helpful to her and they made her as comfortable as possible. I and my sister found the staff always happy to talk to us and to keep us informed of Mum's care. Special thanks to the staff who helped us through the tears!
Thank you for taking the time to leave Dorset House a review. I am so sorry to learn of your mum's passing, thank you for your kind words, it means everything to the staff.
Very kind and friendly care staff who always made time to talk. Good food. I was welcomed immediately and treated with respect and I thoroughly recommend the care home. I had a lovely time visiting, it felt like a happy place with a good team spirit. Thank you for looking after my husband so well.
Mum was settled in with such loving care that on the first evening there - she said she was happy and showed that she was satisfied that a good choice of placement had been made.
Every member of staff we have met regardless of their role or job title has exuded the same caring attitude towards us all. We are very pleased with everything and most importantly - Mum says it’s lovely - and the food is great! What more could we want?
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I am delighted to hear that Mum is settling well and I will be sure to pass on your fantastic review to all the staff at Dorset House. Many thanks again.
Over the last two years, I have not been in the home other than the gardens outside and the area provided at the rear of the building because of Covid. This service for the visitors was good and I was satisfied with it on the whole.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am pleased that you're satisfied with Dorset House. All the very best.
I was due to visit my mother who is a resident in Dorset House on Wednesday but came down with Covid a few days before. I was partly concerned as, in my Mothers Day card, I had put that I would be visiting that day. I rang the home and arranged for my brother to take my place for the visit and asked to book in a FaceTime call instead. This the staff were able to arrange for the same Wednesday. This duly took place with the resident entertainment member of staff in attendance to make the, more difficult chatting (where mum is fairly deaf) more easily achieved. I am full of praise for all the staff with whom I have come into contact. In my marking below I have only put satisfactory in some sections as I have not been able to see sufficient, other than the one interview room, so far.
Thank you for leaving your review. I'm sorry you came down with Covid and hope you're feeling better. I am delighted to hear we were still able to facilitate a visit with Mum albeit virtually. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
My father was a resident at Dorset House for just under three years and I can honestly say that he could not have been in better hands during his time there. Not only did the team at Dorset House manage the Covid pandemic with great skill and efficiency (not a single case occurred), they are incredibly caring and dedicated and ensured that my father settled in well and was treated with dignity and compassion at all times. The home has always welcomed visitors (Covid rules applied) and I was always made to feel part of the Dorset House family. The building itself is a little dated, but always clean and the importance lies in the quality of leadership, the team of staff and the happiness of the residents. I can't recommend them highly enough.
My husband has been in Dorset House for over two years and we have been extremely pleased with the care he has received. His brother-in-law (his sister died of dementia several years ago) is in a different care home and although posher is always short-staffed and I don't think is nearly as good as Dorset House.
All staff are very helpful. Mum is very happy there and enjoys the activities.
About three years ago Mum had some issues with one particular staff member but these issues were resolved and the staff member has left.
I think the facilities at Dorset House are in need of a major update, but despite this the care given by all the staff there is first class and nothing is too much trouble.
Mum often remarks how well they look after me and how good the food is. During the recent Covid crisis many care homes had infections and sadly deaths but Dorset House, because of the prompt measures taken by management (ahead of National Measures), managed to keep Covid out.
So well done to all staff who worked so hard in very challenging circumstances, to care for with dignity frail and vulnerable people.
Dorset House is home to many residents and all the staff do their very best to make it really feel like home.
I am always greeted by smiling faces, the staff go out of their way to help me. My husband is always well presented, he is not the most easy person but the staff always look after him with great care.
Dorset House cared for my dad with compassion and genuine love. The staff are amazing, full of fun, happy to help with anything. Always cheerful and smiling. My mum is living in Dorest House at the moment, and I couldn't be more reassured about the support she is receiving.
Much happier and content in this care home than a previous one.
Dorset House may not be the most luxurious of care homes but it does have some of the best staff. From the manager to the care staff to the kitchen, laundry and throughout it has wonderful people. The staff are local and many have been there for a number of years - they do actually care. I'm also impressed by the administration. During the covid pandemic, they have managed very well enabling garden visits during the summer while building a room for autumn/winter visits - excellent forward planning. Thanks.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 01 September 2022Good
- Caring Good
- Effective Good
- Responsive Good
- Safe Good
- Well-led Good
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 (21) & Events (0)
- 24 Jun 2026
The Poole community united to help a special Hamworthy care home resident to mark her 101st birthday in style. Pat, who lives at Dorset House care home, on Coles Avenue,...
- 02 Jun 2026
Dorset care home residents delighted in a memorable musical afternoon created especially for them by the BSO, Care South and JPMorganChase. Hosted at JPMorganChase’s Bournemouth campus, the midweek event included...
- 27 May 2026
Communities across the south of England gathered at Care South’s care homes to share experiences and raise awareness during Dementia Action Week. Karen Hodges, Group Dementia Lead for Care South,...
There are no upcoming events for Dorset House.
Awards / Recognitions (10)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Care South
Meet the Team (1)
Tracy started in the care industry in 2012 and worked her way up to Registered Manager by 2017, having achieved her Level 5 Qualification. She is committed to ensuring high standards of care and attention to detail are delivered to all residents. She is passionate that they live in a happy and relaxed environment.
Tracy says “I believe the most effective way to bring out the best in a team is to be a good role model and work with staff to ensure they have a voice which is heard; engaging the team in decisions and processes which affect both them and the residents. I focus my work on the belief that, if my team is happy and supported in their work, this will be reflected in the care they provide to our residents.”
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