






The Elms is a large Victorian mansion set in its own extensive grounds. It is situated in the Grange area of Edinburgh.
Providing specialist service to people with dementia who can no longer live safely on their own or in another residential setting, the team are knowledgeable and caring. Staff great take care to promote every resident’s wellbeing, respecting their dignity, choice and rights at all times.
The house was built for...
Care Provided by The Elms
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Eating Disorders
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 40 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
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Hairdressing
Podiatrist
Any outings out of the home
Personal belongings (clothing, toiletries)
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact The Elms for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact The Elms 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
- Church of Scotland Trading as CrossReach
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Agnieszka Chojnacka(Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 45+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2024
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (40)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (40)
Visiting
- Open door policy visit at anytime
Parking
- Parking on site
The Elms Reviews (16)
The Elms has a Review Score of 8.1 (8.078) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Elms has 16 reviews.
Brilliant care home, staff are lovely and caring. They always do their best and work hard despite a difficult job. Supportive of the residents and their needs while also caring fir family members and friends struggling with dementia diagnosis changing their loved ones.
Pokey rooms, with the bare minimum of furnishings and equipment. Hardly any food choices, and it looks like school dinners. If eating in her room, my mother was left balancing her plate on her knee, with nobody there to help if she choked. Residents are not free to go into the grounds without being accompanied, and as the place is short staffed, they are mostly stuck indoors. Trips outside the home are few and far between. The staff are lovely, but there is too few of them, probably because they are poorly paid. My mother was there for three years, and when she passed away the manager never even sent an email to offer condolences. Do your loved ones favour and place them somewhere better...it won't be difficult to find a place.
I have a lot of confidence in the team who go out of their way to help residents feel at home.
Mum has been a resident at The Elms for almost 2 years! I was understandably nervous and anxious when Mum first moved there, however there was no need for me to feel like that. All the staff were extremely welcoming and accommodating and after 4-5 months mum had settled in nicely. The staff are compassionate towards Mum and meet all her needs. The attention to activities is excellent with the live music on a Wednesday a particular favourite as well as pet therapy, spontaneous singing and dancing in the music lounge. There are trips out and about as well one of the highlights being the walk with the lamas. There is all quite space as well if your loved one wishes to have some peace. I truly blessed to have found this gem of a care home, mum is very lucky to be able to call the elms her home.
Thank you! It is our pleasure looking after your mum
The Elms is extremely welocming with a homely atmosphere and staff who are very helpful at all times. The standard of care appears to be excellent. There are many activities taking place and there are often special celebrations e.g. easter. My only concern is that clothing and shoes go missing from residents' rooms. I completely understand why that happens and I'm not sure if there is anything that can be done to reduce this as, quite rightly, the residents have free access around the home.
I sometimes feel that communication with relatives could be improved somewhat, e.g. in terms of consistency and regularity. Ideally, I'd like a weekly report which included information on what activities my mum has been involved in. This is, however, a minor point.
Medication Forgotten - Dementia, sleeping pill, paracetamol.
Pads are regularly not changed for over 6 hours.
Fed cold food. Only two meal choices – meat or a vegetarian option.
The kitchen closes at 4 pm and the fridges are locked.
The bed was broken, and took over 10 days to get fixed.
Room buzzers, don't bother, no one comes.
Left alone in the room in a chair with no brakes on, forgotten.
Staff are lovely but The Elms is often short-staffed. More agency than permanent staff so the Elms staff are frazzled trying to show the agency staff who's who.
No consistency with staff and, therefore, poor communication, resulting in a complete lack of continuity of care.
Not ideal with a family member suffering from a debilitating and degenerative illness.
Where is the dementia ambassador?
The Elms systematically fails to meet a resident's basic needs nor does management show any signs of trying to improve and in turn meet the basic needs of a resident.
Apparently, they do their best.
The team at The Elms are wonderful. The care team are genuine and care for my dad so well, taking the time he needs to go about his day. The building and grounds are well kept and maintained and the garden is so lovely for the residents to wander around or enjoy from the rooms overlooking it. The music room and facilities are excellent and there is always a tea trolley with lots of healthy fruit, biscuits, and cake at hand. Regular updates by email on what is going on and individual contact from key worker. The care team are friendly and also provide updates when visiting. I feel relaxed knowing my dad has all his needs so well taken care of and he is happy at The Elms.
The Elms has felt like a safe place for my wife for the past three years. The staff are friendly and supportive and I trust them. There are varied activities both within the home and beyond. Staff communication with me has improved over time and I am now happy with the ways I am kept updated on my wife. One of the features which my wife and I love is the very fine garden. I would recommend the Elms to anyone who asks.
I am very thankful for The Elms because of their respect for residents, the way they speak kindly and lovingly when that can sometimes be challenging. I love the gentle redirection as needed and the non-confrontational way of addressing challenges dementia brings, this is a gift and incredibly important. Their reception of my mum when she's been out with us makes the whole process of her outing end so well... We are continually thankful to God for the way The Elms runs, well done friends.
My uncle was only in The Elms for four days before he sadly died but we could not fault the care he received. All the staff treated him with respect and dignity. They were keen to get to know him and his history, his likes and dislikes. The manager came and introduced herself and explained the plan for his care. We were impressed with the compassion and interest his key worker showed him. The home was clean and well-staffed. There were lots of activities going on.
I think all staff are amazing, love the friendly atmosphere and the care they give.
Always excellent care. Empathetic and caring staff. Never any issues. Coming up to two years now for our relative and it has been consistently good throughout covid and afterwards. Even though these were difficult times.
Food is fresh and cooked on-site by the chef. Management organises nice outings and entertainers/visitors coming to the Elms. (Building up again since Covid)
Mum is comfortable there and after looking at many homes very happy we chose it.
I feel really lucky to have my mum living at The Elms. The staff are friendly and interact with residents. I feel like my mum is loved and cared for. She regularly takes part in activities and outings. Our family are also welcome when we visit.
I get regular updates about him and have always had easy access to management staff with any queries.
Regulatory Rating
Care Inspectorate (CI) Rating
Date: 14 July 2025- How well do we support people's wellbeing?Very Good
(5)
- How good is our leadership?Very Good
(5)
- How good is our staff team?Good
(4)
- How good is our setting?Good
(4)
- How well is care and support planned?Good
(4)
Bed Vacancies
2 Bed Vacancies
Posted: 09 July 2026Self funding
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for The Elms.
There are no upcoming events for The Elms.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for The Elms.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for The Elms.
Meet the Team (3)

I have worked at The Elms since 2006 working my way up to Manager of The Elms.

I have worked at The Elms since 2011. I love that every day at my work is different

I started at The Elms when I was 17 as my first care job and have enjoyed it ever since.
I love spending time with the residents and supporting them with activities of daily living.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Elms
What types of Care is The Elms registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Eating Disorders are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does The Elms have?
There are 40 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at The Elms?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Stairlift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is The Elms to the centre of Edinburgh?
1.1 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact The Elms to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Elms has an Enhanced Service -more info.