






South Cary House is a converted Grade II Georgian house, with redevelopment having made the most of its homely qualities to benefit older people with care needs.
The focus is on quality of life at all times, taking pride in a good staff to residents ratio and with an experienced team that specialise in a wide range of needs, including palliative care.
The accommodation is organised to suit a choice of lifestyle,...
Care Provided by South Cary House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 23 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
Other Care Provided
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Pricing is subject to an assessment of care needs and the room chosen. Please contact us for more information.
Contact South Cary 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
- Avon Care Homes Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Anna Dunford(Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2026
Room Information
- Single Rooms (23)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (23)
South Cary House Reviews (43)
South Cary House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.849) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time South Cary House has 43 reviews.
South Cary House has a very warm, friendly feel. All the residents are made to feel that it is their home, not just a home. All the staff are always friendly, cheerful and caring. Activities are arranged every day, nearly always twice a day. Even when, like most businesses, they have struggled to recruit staff, the residents have been well looked after. I don't think Mum could find anywhere better or more suited to her needs.
Thank you so much for your kind words; I will pass this on to the staff.
Mum has lived at South Cary House for over seven years. The staff are unfailingly friendly, caring, cheerful and accommodating, coping fantastically throughout COVID. The assortment of dogs trotting around the house definitely make it feel like a home rather than an institution. The regular updates on social media are excellent and enable us to see what Mum has been doing (even though, sadly, she cannot remember). As mum becomes more frail I have found the staff tremendously supportive (for me, as well as her) and I cannot thank everyone enough for all they do.
Thank you for your lovely review, we are so glad you are enjoying our social media updates, it's lovely doing the activities with them and sharing it all with you. It's great having the dogs being part of the team, as the residents enjoy their company.
I will visit a friend twice a week who lives in South Cary House and everyone is helpful and friendly, from the girls that keep the rooms immaculately clean to the management staff. The gardens are lovely to sit out in the warm weather and there are daily activities to take part in, if you wish to.
Thank you for your lovely review, we agree that the gardens are a beautiful place to sit in the warm weather.
My mother was cared for at South Cary House for nearly seven years and in all that time the quality of the care and the compassion shown was exemplary. Her room was ideal, looking onto the garden, but the care and love shown by the staff was everything we could have asked for and we always felt so reassured that she was safe.
What kind things to say about South Cary House, it was a pleasure to look after your mum, she always managed to make us smile with her sense of humour.
My father has received exemplary care at Sout Cary House. The staff really care for each resident and go the extra mile to attend to their needs and to make sure they feel happy, cared for and loved. I couldn't ask for better. I'm just so sorry he's had to leave, as his needs are now greater than they can provide. He was very happy there.
Mum had a ground floor garden-access room near the small sun lounge in the newer part. She was always well dressed, with attention to hair/earrings. Continuity can be challenging, with many staff/changing rotas. Constantly worn name badges would assist.
Whilst having many advantages, one downside of a small care home is that the number of residents with good cognition can be low; Mum rarely engaged in activities she thought childish and, except at the beginning and the end, did not make friends as we had hoped. Ideally, carers would have had more time to engage individually, especially as Mum became less able. The roaming dogs were welcome. The garden is beautiful, just needing more attention to paths.
There have been a number of welcome changes during Mum’s stay e.g. a new telephone system and access to staff out of hours.
The care and attention given to Mum and to us during Mum's last days were exemplary.
It was a pleasure caring for your mother, and she will be missed; she enjoyed a large selection of the activities we offered and some not so much. Having such a diverse client base within the home, we look closely at the activities and try to make them inclusive of everyone and something everyone will enjoy.
South Cary House is a fine old Georgian house that has been well adapted to the needs of those in care; it exudes a homely familiarity, and I would be very happy to spend my final days there!
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this fantastic review. It was an absolute pleasure knowing mum and having her here at South Cary House; she is missed. We are very pleased that she is settled into the new care setting.
Lovely house and gardens and general atmosphere.
Always gives a clean and fresh impression on entering.
Well-appointed bedrooms and a welcoming lounge.
I would, and will, recommend this care home to anyone, based on the last twelve months of my sister's life there, which she was able to appreciate until she died.
Warm regards.
Mum has been at South Cary for over five years, and the care and concerns for her from the staff have been excellent. I have always felt she is being extremely well looked after. When visiting, the staff have always been helpful and friendly. A superb place.
Kind regards.
My mother recently passed away in South Cary House, having lived there for 4-years. At all times, she received friendly, considerate, dignified and appropriate care, especially mindful of Mum's increasing dementia and general frailty. As an extended family, we always felt close to what was happening with Mum... and enjoyed following the Facebook entries and receiving the weekly social calendar to see what Mum was going to be doing. We were always made to feel very welcome when we visited Mum - and my children loved running around the beautiful gardens whilst we enjoyed a cup of tea with Mum. Mum's special diet was catered for, and staff went out of their way to ensure Mum could attend their in-house classes events (like dancing, singing, shows and films) so that she was kept entertained and active. As Mum's health declined, we became aware of the very loving aspect of the care that was being given - and we could not think of a better place for Mum to have lived out her last years.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review; we are very grateful for your feedback. As a team, we work very hard to provide the highest level of care and provide a fun and caring environment for our residents. We were so fond of your mother, and she will be deeply missed by all of us.
Visiting my parents at South Cary House on a sunny day in the garden, I was able to stay with them while they and some other residents ate a delicious al fresco fish and chip lunch. One resident joked; "all we need now is come seagulls", and within 5-minutes, staff had put a soundscape recording of seagulls and lapping waves - a lovely response which made a very jolly atmosphere! The pudding was a very high quality - fresh fruit salad with fresh cream or ice cream. After lunch, a carer played with the dogs on the lawn, throwing them sticks and doing some tricks with them, to the amusement of the watching residents. For those like Mum, who has Alzheimer's, watching this held her re-experience the sort of joy she used to get from her own dog years ago, which she can't do now. My parents really enjoyed their lunch, and it was lovely for me to witness the respectful, warm, and cheery interactions of the staff with the residents that make it such a lovely home for my parents to spend their final years.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We always take great pride in our activities, and it is lovely to hear such positive feedback.
South Cary House has provided an excellent, friendly, home from home environment for the last 8-years. The staff have been unfailingly kind and caring and treated my mother with respect (especially in her last days). The family have always been welcome, and the management has dealt with Covid with fineness that has ensured that the home has remained Covid-free. I can strongly recommend the home.
My mother recently died in South Cary House having lived there for 8-years. She was happy and well cared for during her time there and was cared for in a very sensitive and dignified way at the end. The staff were exemplary in their support for us as a family in her last days and respected her wishes at all times.
Thank you for your feedback; Mum is truly missed by the staff and all the other residents; she has a special place in our hearts
Lovely culture - atmosphere, staff demeanour and co-operativeness, being patient, respecting resident, going to great lengths to maintain residents dignity, great attention to communications with relatives.
Coping brilliantly in the strange relentlessly challenging times.
Activities are very good given the limitations of the house.
We have told our sons, this home is where we want to go if we require residential care.
The team at South Cary House provided exceptional care to my mum and our family when we needed it most. Every single individual treated Mum with love, compassion and care, respecting her dignity at all times. We simply cannot express how grateful we are to the entire team, it restores my father in humanity to see such thoughtfulness and care. I would have no hesitation in recommending South Cary House to anyone who finds themself or a member of their family in need of care. A beautiful home, in a lovely, calm setting, offering care and kindness above any expectation. Thank you.
The care home was always ready to listen and gave very attentive support care and nothing was too much trouble.
South Cary House was always spotless with flowers on the tables in the dining room. There was great attention to the activities which were held in the afternoons. The lovely garden was always a favourite on sunny afternoons. The help and guidance and supportive care to my mother in her final days were outstanding. I thoroughly recommend this home.
Management and employees very kind and caring.
I have had a relative in South Cary House for the past 13 years. Firstly my Mother and then my Aunt. My Mother chose South Cary House and was very happy there. She was given the respect she deserved and always with a smile. My Aunt had to be homed as an emergency and there was a beautiful room all ready. She was confused but safe and happy.
Good food, kind and attentive staff and a lovely room overlooking the garden.
Previously my aunt, who was a very difficult lady, was also well cared for.
A really caring team led by Sally who looked after my increasingly immobile mother until she passed away recently. A homely and informal atmosphere, with excellent carer's attention to particular needs. Medical support called in when needed, and despite considerable bed care required for my mother latterly, she didn't suffer from bed sores due to very regular attention, turning etc. Monitoring processes in place so that (in her case) there was good continuity between shifts to ensure fluids and food and feeding were understood.
For the more active residents, a good social circle takes them out from time to time, while in-house entertainment features quite regularly. The dining room food seems well prepared, and most residents meet for lunch together in an intimate dining room. The garden is well cared for and has been improved in the last year, and is large enough to walk around. An older style building with character makes for a very homely feel.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 30 November 2017Good
- 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.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for South Cary House.
There are no upcoming events for South Cary House.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 21 Oct 2020Recipient: South Cary House
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for South Cary House.
Meet the Team (1)

Anna is a compassionate and innovative care manager with an extensive career in the care sector. She is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care for residents while supporting their families and leading a positive, motivated team. Anna brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role, ensuring residents receive safe, excellent care while enjoying a fulfilling and meaningful lifestyle. She thrives on enhancing the well-being of those in her care and is committed to helping residents live life to the fullest.
Anna is passionate about creating a warm and supportive environment where residents feel valued and respected, and where staff feel empowered to provide outstanding care. She strongly believes that care should go beyond meeting clinical needs and focus on ensuring residents are supported to live an enriching, comfortable, and enjoyable lifestyle. Her unique approach and compassionate leadership help to promote continuous improvement and a culture of kindness throughout the home.
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