






Balgowan House is a well-established nursing home located close to the centre of Saltwood village near Hythe in Kent. The building has been extended and refurbished (completed 2016) to provide warm, welcoming and comfortable accommodation for up to forty residents.
Balgowan House is able to offer single or shared occupancy with the option of en-suite facilities in accommodation provided over two floors with two lifts giving access to all areas.
Residents are...
Care Provided by Balgowan 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
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
All fees are dependent on care needs assessment.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Balgowan House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Balgowan 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)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Integrum Care Group
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Ann-Marie Miles (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 50+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 1
Room Information
- Single Rooms (34)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (3)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (14)
- Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (1)
Visiting
- Balgowan House welcomes visitors at any time.
Parking
- Parking is available in the car park as well as unrestricted parking in Bartholomew Lane.
Balgowan House Reviews (84)
Balgowan House has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.681) out of 10, based on 22 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Balgowan House has 84 reviews.
Mum has been a resident for over 2 years now and I cannot fault a single thing. The staff are friendly, hard-working and caring from the cleaners to the managers. Mum is happy to be there and I am so grateful she got a place there as she is well looked after.
Respectful and tolerant, the staff tried to give our mother the space and freedom to be herself. Cheerful, well-meaning and patient, there was usually someone around with a smile or with an arm to help her.
However, from the viewpoint of an infirm, elderly lady, deaf, with poor sight, reliant on routine, regular and predictable help, this was not always provided. Above all, I would stress that hearing aid management is as important as providing medication. Regrettably, most staff (not all) did not provide the time for adequate daily care and maintenance of hearing aids.
Thank you for your review. Kind words and the hearing aid management will be addressed, we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.
From the moment on entering I was made to feel very welcomed. The staff are very attentive not only to the residence but to visitors alike. I've spoken to many of the relatives who all say the same our friends, our relatives, and our loved ones are looked after with compassion. During lockdown when we were unable to visit we knew their spirits were kept high and shown how to face time. I know my friend is as happy as she can be.
It is very heartwarming to know that not only our residents feel the compassion we give, but families and friends do too.
When I visit my friend in the care home I am always impressed and delighted to find the staff very helpful and happy. The care home is very clean and well-maintained. There always seem to be activities for the residents to be involved in including garden parties etc.
Thank you for such a lovely review of the home and staff.
Toilet facilities would benefit the residents who have difficulties sitting and standing, a toilet raiser would help.
All reviews and comments are taken on board in order for us to improve services and are always very much appreciated.
The staff and management at Balgowan House have been absolutely wonderful. They have gone above and beyond to support my Mum and are so kind and patient. They are always happy to give me and my sister advice and support too. The rooms are clean and comfortable and the food is amazing! My mum has settled so well and calls it "her hotel"! I just can't thank them enough for everything they have done.
What a wonderful review! Thank you so much, Janine.
Her room is spotlessly clean is the rest of the home. the food she gets always looks delicious and is specially prepared because of her dietary requirements. She even had a gluten free birthday cake made for her! Thank you all.
Thank you. All the team at Balgowan take so much pride and care when looking after our residents. Whilst our first priority is always the residents it is also so rewarding when the families appreciate all the staff do to make each resident happy and cared for.
Superb home, very caring and Mum has been happy for many years.
Thank you so much for your kind review, Gavin. Much appreciated by the Balgowan Team
The food is good and plentiful and cleanliness is paramount. Entertainment is often there too. Balgowan is an excellent home locally and deserves it.
Thank you so much, Vera. It is so rewarding to hear these lovely reviews from the residents themselves. We are so glad you are happy and well cared for by the Balgowan Team.
My father spent a contented period of two and a half years at Balgowan House. He regularly told me how lucky he was to be living there and how caring the staff were. Whilst his room was small, it was south-facing, and he enjoyed watching the sun go round. The facilities were good, including a bed with sides that could be raised at night and an air mattress on the bed to prevent pressure sores. The food was varied, and he enjoyed it. One member of staff was particularly caring and helped Dad to contact me by FaceTime twice a week. All staff were sad to see Dad move to Lincolnshire.
Thank you for your kind review; it is very much appreciated.
Each time I visit my friend, I am well received by the staff. Always offered tea, biscuits or cake. Extremely relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Thank you for your kind review. There is always tea, biscuits and cake ready for any resident or visitor who fancies them.
A very warm and caring home where my relative is well looked after.
Thank you for your kind review; it is very much appreciated, and we are so glad you were happy with the service we provide.
My overall opinion of the home is good. The staff and carers are, for the most part, kind, caring and helpful. The problem over the last months has been a shortage of staff (especially at weekends), which has an impact on everything. I feel that it's also not fair on the staff left to carry the load. Recruitment of more staff is needed now.
We also really value the hard work our current...
All staff are friendly and welcoming. My husband seems to have settled and never says anything about waiting to come home.
Thank you, Jeanne, for your kind review. He always seems so content in the home, which is wonderful.
My mum came to Balgowan House in May 2022, and I have found the staff to be absolutely amazing. They are all so very kind and caring towards all the residents. Mum has settled in well, and I believe it is due to the wonderful staff.
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased mum has settled and that you are happy with the care we provide.
I have only good things to say about Balgowan House.
Thank you, Hazel, for your positive review. It is very much appreciated, and we are glad you feel this way about the home.
Excellent care home, which I recommend to people. Excellent, friendly and caring staff. Very clean. Excellent activities, especially the "Jubille", which I followed on Facebook. I have no part in her finances, so cannot comment on value for money.
Thank you for such a positive review. It is very much appreciated by the Balgowan team, who work endlessly to make the home a wonderful environment for all the residents and their families.
Most staff are helpful, patient and understanding and do their utmost to ensure patients are safe, cared for, and importantly, content.
Thank you so much for your review. It is very much appreciated. The resident's safety, care and quality of life are what are most important to us.
My mother has been here for five-plus years and has had fantastic care. The staff are very caring also, the manager has been very helpful and supportive.
Thank you so much for your kind review. It is our pleasure to care for your mum, and we are glad you are pleased with the care we provide.
During my cousin's six-year stay here, the staff here, have almost 100% loving and caring. Despite the long hours and poor pay, they have shown nothing but love, kindness, shared humour and as much time as their workload has allowed. I cannot praise them highly enough and would wish that all care homes had such lovely staff.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was our utmost pleasure to provide the care required.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 16 January 2020Good
- CaringGood
- 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 Balgowan House.
There are no upcoming events for Balgowan House.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Balgowan House.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Balgowan House.
Meet the Team (5)

I qualified as a State Enrolled Nurse in 1983 and later as a Registered General Nurse in 2002, gaining both clinical and management experience within the NHS in both hospital and district nursing environments.
I was appointed to the position of Registered Home Manager of Balgowan House in May 2018 having previously been Registered Manager at another Kent care home.
My time at Balgowan has been incredible and have an amazing team and wonderful residents.

Lynne started her career in care here at Balgowan House in 2013 as a carer.
In 2017, Lynne left to work at William Harvey Hospital as an HCA on the Acute Medical Unit. After 2 years in the Trust, Lynne went on to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse and qualified in 2021. Lynne continued to work on the Acute Medical Unit at William Harvey Hospital until 2024.
Lynne enjoyed her years spent at Balgowan House before going on to pursue her nursing career, so when the opportunity arose to return to Balgowan as a registered nurse, Lynne was excited to rejoin the team and continue her career.
In April 2026, Lynne became the Deputy Manager here at Balgowan and enjoys working closely with her colleagues to help lead and support the home, ensuring residents and their families receive the highest standards of care and support.

Cassie Williamson started a BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies in 1997, she worked in various roles before joining Balgowan House in March 2000 as a Health Care Assistant (NVQ 3). Cassie very much enjoyed the role and remained in the post for 15 years. In 2015 the Home Manager introduced a new administration role and she was quickly identified as the perfect candidate.
Cassie is a major support to the Home Manager and everything she does is integral to the day-to-day running of the home. The role is extremely busy, but Cassie enjoys the challenges and variety each day brings. Cassie may now be doing the admin work, but she still spends time interacting with the residents and getting involved in the home’s activities and events. She is a very valued member of the Balgowan team.

Mo is the activities Coordinator for Balgowan House.
She ensures that every resident has interaction and activities each day.
All residents are considered when activities are planned - from arts and crafts to music to events.
Outside entertainers are a regular feature here at Balgowan and family and friends are always welcome.

Cathy has worked for Integrum since 2012, first at Saltwood full time, then here at Balgowan full time. She also is bank Chef between all 3 homes as and when required.
Bev has worked for Balgowan since 2016, first as a carer sometimes helping with the cooking, now just cooking part time!
They pride themselves on cooking, fresh home cooked food for the residents.
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