
The home is always spotlessly clean. It is a very well-run home.Judith A(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

She has the best view and a comfortable room. The facilities are lovelyS T(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

major transformations to make it even more ‘dementia friendly’S D(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

The home is always spotlessly clean. It is a very well-run home.Judith A(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

She has the best view and a comfortable room. The facilities are lovelyS T(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

major transformations to make it even more ‘dementia friendly’S D(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Derwent Care Home is situated in the Derwent Valley, within the hamlet of Low Westwood immediately to the west of Hamsterley in County Durham. The River Derwent flows at the bottom of the valley, over which the care home benefits from wide-ranging and stunning views.
The care home offers residential care, dementia care and respite care. The modern and spacious home, located over three floors, has forty-four purpose-built and attractively decorated...
Care Provided by Derwent Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 45 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
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Contact Derwent 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
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Mariposa
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Julie Baron(Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2024
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (45)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (1)
Visiting
- Visitors are always welcome at Derwent. Please visit the main reception area on entry to the home, and a member of friendly staff will be able to assist you.
Parking
- Dedicated parking at the rear of the building. Vehicles and belongings are left at owners own risk.
Derwent Care Home Reviews (119)
Derwent Care Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10, based on 56 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Derwent Care Home has 119 reviews.
I consider myself very lucky that my mum is so well looked after in an excellent environment with professional staff.
The staff are friendly and polite. The home is clean and tidy as well and grandma is much happier now she has moved into the home.
I love that Mum is here. As an ex Age UK CEO I understand how to review care and have nothing but praise for the home, in particular, the staff are lovely, helpful, friendly and kind. The food always looks lovely. Rooms and communal areas clean and warm. Mum's dementia has progressed but feels confident she is in the best possible place, getting the best possible care.
If I have to end up in a care home, this would be top of my list.
I could not fund a care home that provides as much care as this home does.
Knowing that my mother's needs are being met means that the stress we were under has greatly reduced.
I have no hesitation in recommending Derwent to others.
A very warm welcome to the care home, was offered refreshments, felt very comfortable and at ease.
She enjoys her time and she is becoming used to her new carers which is a great comfort to me.
I am so happy in this lovely home and the lovely staff and the lovely handyman and manager and staff. This home is near to perfection as can be.
Staff very smart in new uniforms.
I was made very welcome with tea and biscuits in the conservatory. My grandad was very happy in the lounge with his magazine and music playing in the background.
My grandad is very well looked after by the staff here. I am always made to feel welcome by the carers. The home is always clean and tidy and always looks nice. It doesn't feel like a residential home which my grandad and I both like. I especially like the new decor in the home. Very happy with the way the residents and carers interact.
A very friendly care home and I am always made to feel welcome when I come to visit my dad. I am always offered refreshments or if it is meal time, an option to have a meal with him. It doesn't feel like a care home. Just one big happy family. All staff work very hard to care for my dad as well as others.
My mother resides in the home and has done for the last three years. All the carers are extremely caring with her and show a high degree of empathy with her and with our family. The manager is approachable and efficient. As a family, we are very happy with our mother's care although sometimes we feel that the staff are stretched at times being able to cope with the resident's needs.
We are very happy as a family, with the care our mother receives. The staff and management are wonderful, but feel that they are stretched at times! Over the last 3 years the staff seems to have diminished!
My husband has enjoyed his stay in the home. He has been well cared for. He has enjoyed his stay very much.
Overall, I recommend this care home to anyone.
Over the moon with the home, service, fantastic care given to my dad. Would recommend to family and friends.
Would like to thank all staff.
The home is very well kept and has a good aura.
I'm so happy to know that my Mum is happy and well cared for. I'm so glad we chose Derwent Care Home and would recommend it to anyone looking for a place for an elderly relative.
I took Mum out on Sunday and when we returned she told the carers 'it's lovely to be back'. Brilliant recommendation from a resident ??
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the manager and her staff for all they do.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review, we really do value the feedback we get. We strive to provide a pleasant and enjoyable living environment for our residents and we are glad your mum is happy at Derwent.
He states the staff are efficient, friendly and caring in their delivery of care and the food was excellent.
Care staff were a visible presence and a thank you to the care taker who went out of his way to provide a TV.
Overall a very pleasant stay and he will be happy to return.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, we really do appreciate the feedback. We are pleased to be able to support your family and that your father was comfortable during his stay.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 23 October 2019Good
- 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 Derwent Care Home.
There are no upcoming events for Derwent Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 01 Feb 2018Recipient: Mariposa
Meet the Team (1)

We would like to introduce Julie Baron as the Home Manager at Derwent Care Home. Julie has excellent experience in the health and social care industry and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in the sector. We are delighted to have Julie leading our fantastic team at Derwent Care Home, and looking forward to seeing the impact she makes on the home.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Derwent Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Derwent Care Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.