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.
My Aunt was at Dorset House for nearly two years and in that time she blossomed and was very happy with the care she got and she loved the big garden. The staff was always kind to her. Very sorry when she had to leave as she misses the staff and friends she has made there.
Although the rooms are generally rather small and most have no ensuite toilets, the standard of care is faultless. Our mother has been a resident for many years now and is content and happy here. We have never found faults with any of the carers, who work together as an excellent team.
Sadly about 12 months ago, her condition deteriorated considerably. She has been cared for by a lovely team of carers who have given her dignity and a high level of care now she needs it most. We are so thankful she lives at Dorset House.
Having had a hip replacement, I spent a week at Dorset House after leaving hospital. The word care is in every aspect of the day and night. The staff are really super at what they do. Nothing is too much trouble and they made me feel special, as they seem to do with each of the residents. Very tasty meals and a very homely atmosphere. All in all, five star.
I think my Mum enjoyed her stay in Dorset House, especially the garden. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The only thing was that I don't know whether Mum had a shower as her towels were unused. Also, I did ask for her hair to be washed and blow dried, but this wasn't done.
My father is very content living at Dorset house. He appears to enjoy his surroundings and the care workers who care for him.
My mother became a resident of Dorset House last year. During that time she has been cared for very well. She is always presented clean and tidy and the staff always show care to my mother. She's settled in well with the other residents. She has joined in leisure activities and goes for trips in the van. If Mum is poorly at all we are phoned immediately which is very reassuring. Her room is always clean and washing is done as required.
My mother is in Dorset House. I have always found them to be proffessional and caring. Knowing that she is looked after properly gives me great peace of mind.
I’m very pleased with the standard of care my mother receives. All your staff at Dorset House are very caring and helpful. Mum loves the attention she receives from all the staff and loves the food. It’s unfortunate that the toilet and bathing facilities are shared, but if they were en-suite facilities we probably couldn’t afford to keep Mum with you. I know Mum is happy and safe with you.
They are good with activities and outings in the minibus.
Dementia is a horrible disease to live with, but I have no hesitation in recommending Dorset House.
My father has been in care at Dorset House since May 2016. I have always found all the staff to be helpful, friendly and supportive through a range of issues with my father. My father is very happy and I couldn't ask for more.
My husband was looked after pretty well but was very dehydrated on return home from respite. I suggest that a jug/beaker of water could be supplied to all, especially in hot weather. Also he had a fall which left him with a large bruise on his side. I was notified of this but felt it was minimised. He didn't eat very well but that was his choice. The staff were kind and helpful. My husband enjoyed seeing the wildlife in the garden but was glad to get home.
Thank you for your feedback. Dorset House has, throughout the summer, put in place very comprehensive arrangements to ensure good hydration for all residents. Jugs of fluids are routinely taken around to bedrooms each day as well as the tea and coffee trolley twice a day and of course drinks at...
Overall I would say that I am happy that dad is in Dorset House. Most of the time he is dressed well and clean. The one thing that I would say needs attention is the lack of activities and entertainment. The two activity ladies do their best but I have been to other homes in the area and there is something happening every day. This is not the case in Dorset House. The residents are generally sleeping.
Every single member of staff treats mum with dignity and kindness. They are aware of her personality and treat her accordingly and she responds well to all the staff and despite her Dementia, she has said on occasions that "I like it here and everyone likes me" and I don't feel that more can be asked of any care home.
The feel of the place is very pleasant and friendly. Personal care for my father over the past nine months has been very good. The staff are very professional and pleasant, friendly to residents and families. The home all been well kept and clean.
This conversation was agreed when talking to other families. Other than that no worries!
Thank you for your review and the feedback. We are constantly refurbishing and upgrading our homes and will look at the shower room situation at Dorset House to see if there is scope to make improvements in this area.
The staff are very caring and I cannot praise them highly enough.
Since entering the home my father's wellbeing has improved immeasurably. He is now well looked after and this is showing through in his general appearance and health condition. The staff, from management to the care nurses to the cleaners are magnificent - so attentive and caring toward all residents; friendly and helpful to relatives and visitors.
The condition of the home from location to facilities to cleanliness and all round ambience cannot be faulted.
I would thoroughly recommend Dorset House to anyone.
The staff was always friendly and always treated mum with respect and dignity. I am very grateful for care and kindness that my mum received from all staff and management.
I would like to thank all of the staff for their professionalism and dedication to ensuring that my uncle is cared for to the highest standard.
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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