
Balnacarron is a happy home and is on the side of residents and familiesL G(Son of Resident/Service User)



Balnacarron is a happy home and is on the side of residents and familiesL G(Son of Resident/Service User)



At Balnacarron Care Home, located in the beautiful town of St Andrews, the team provide personalised residential and residential dementia care to older people.
Balnacarron boasts a selection of specially designed dining areas that provide the perfect space to share meals with fellow residents, or family and friends. The catering team prides itself on ensuring that each meal is an enjoyable experience for every resident and visitor to the home....
Care Provided by Balnacarron Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 35 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
Other Care Provided
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Balnacarron Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Balnacarron Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
Support you may be entitled to
- If you choose a care home based in Scotland, you may be eligible for the Scottish Government's Free Personal Care funding of up to £260.30 per week if you're over the age of 65. This support is not reflected in this fee amount.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- HC-One
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Olga Jankovska (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2020
Room Information
- Single Rooms (33)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (1)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (19)
Balnacarron Care Home Reviews (58)
Balnacarron Care Home has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.751) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Balnacarron Care Home has 58 reviews.
A levelled garden would make an enormous difference to the quality of residents' lives, including my brother-in-law. They could enjoy the fresh air and a lovely outside space. Research does make it very clear that being in the air, sunshine and nature are all valuable with particular references to dementia.
Thank you very much for your lovely feedback about Balnacarron. It is very unfortunate that our outside space is on a slope and there is very little we can do to make this accessible to our residents. I would like to reassure you that we take every opportunity to encourage and support our residents to spend time outside in the sunshine and will often visit the local parks and beaches.
Safe environment for patients with heart and dementia problems. Kindly staff, always making one feel they have all the time in the world for you even though they are very busy. Good, regular meals.
Have been very obliging at catering requests.
Since the appointment of the new Home Manager at the beginning of this year the home has moved into the 'excellent' bracket. The Manager leads from the front and is highly organised, which has given the staff a boost, and reassurance to the residents.
The Activities Coordinator should also be mentioned - she gives her role 110% and brings the light of happiness into tired eyes, as she encourages residents to actively participate in events and activities.
Balnacarron is a happy home and is on the side of residents and families when dealing with the enhanced bureaucracy that has resulted from the pandemic.
My mother has been a resident for five months. I have found all the staff to be caring and supportive to mum and to me as her health has deteriorated.
The way you are made to feel is so welcoming and friendly. The care they get is outstanding and always spotlessly clean.
Difficult to review as I have not been inside since March. However, my father seems very well cared for and the staff understands his needs. Any concern has been passed on to me and the doctor has been called for with any health concerns. I feel the home has been very proactive in keeping COVID at bay and am very appreciative of that. Unfortunately, the entertainment officer has been absent since the start of lockdown, but there is now a new one and things are happening again.
I have appreciated being able to visit indoors as my wife did not cope with being outside in the garden. Staff were very caring and considerate.
My mu has just been in Balnacarron for three weeks and is now at the end of life stage. The management and all staff are excellent. Nothing is too much bother, in attendance at all times making Mum as comfortable as possible.
This is very comfortable. Very friendly. Nice staff.
My mother has been in Balnacarron Care Home for around six weeks and I think she is settling in well. This is due to the friendly and efficient staff and management team who work there. The very pleasant surroundings and the lovely, cheery atmosphere. My mother is enjoying the nutritious meals, excellent care and attention and she has a comfortable room, kept bright and clean. She is enjoying the games entertainment especially the music. Well done and thank you to all Balnacarron staff and management!
My Father in Law stayed in the Balnacarron for almost 2 1/2 years. He settled in immediately thanks to the homely and welcoming atmosphere provided by all of the staff. He had a quirky sense of humour and was always ready with a response to the banter with the staff. When his health deteriorated, and it became clear that he would not recover, staff could not have done more to support both him and us, his family. The Balnacarron became part of his family too and he was cared for with fondness. Humour and a lot of heart, going above and beyond for his comfort. They are a truly wonderful and committed team and it was a privilege to have them care for my Father in Law to his final breath. Wonderful people. Forever grateful!
All staff very friendly so Mum is well looked after and we have no worries.
Lovely people, very helpful, lots of care.
Wonderful place, very nice staff, would definitely recommend.
Everyone is very helpful.
I can only describe my experience in relation to my cousin.
He seems settled and reasonably happy and cared for.
The home looks clean and well maintained.
Excellent attention, staff, facilities and care.
My friend spent nearly a year in this home and was looked after exceptionally well. The staff treated him with great respect and dignity.
Can't find fault with staff or facilities, everything is satisfactory. I wouldn't think twice about recommending it to anyone else. Good management and team.
Regulatory Rating
Care Inspectorate (CI) Rating
Date: 04 March 2026- How well do we support people's wellbeing?Very Good
(5)
- How good is our leadership?Good
(4)
- How good is our staff team?Very Good
(5)
- How good is our setting?Good
(4)
- How well is care and support planned?Good
(4)
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (14) & Events (0)
- 23 Dec 2025
On Friday 19th December 2025, Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North East Fife, visited HC-One Scotland’s Balnacarron Care Home in St Andrews, Fife to recognise the home’s commitment to exceptional care...
- 13 Oct 2025
Residents and colleagues at HC-One Scotland’s Balnacarron Care Home, in St Andrews, Fife, were delighted to welcome two special visitors on Monday 6th October, when Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North...
- 04 Jun 2025
HC-One care homes across Britain are preparing to open their doors to welcome in visitors from their local communities to join them in this year’s Care Home Open Week celebrations...
There are no upcoming events for Balnacarron Care Home.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Balnacarron Care Home.
Meet the Team (0)
There are no Team Members posted yet.
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