






On the outskirts of Edinburgh in Penicuik, Aaron House is a lovely historic building comprising of the old mansion house and 2 newer wings. The care home is operated by Aurem care. The care home offers care and support to older people with nursing and care needs for up to 66 individuals and is one of the most highly thought of care facilities in the area.
The service is managed over...
Care Provided by Aaron House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 66 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
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Fees are before Free Personal and Nursing Care contribution from the government, therefore a deduction of the agreed amount from the fees per week will be provided when in place. As a care home with nursing we will only accept residential rate at the self funded nursing level. Fees are updated for April each year.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Aaron House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Aaron House 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 are over the age of 65) and Free Nursing Care funding of up to £117.10 per week. This support is not reflected in this fee amount.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Aurem Care
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Amanda Rankin (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2010
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (65)
Visiting
- Aaron House is delighted to welcome visitors at any time. Guests are kindly asked to sign in at the main reception or entrance. Well behaved dogs are also welcome to visit but must be kept on a lead.
Parking
- Ample parking in front of reception and at the top of the home.
Aaron House Reviews (49)
Aaron House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.796) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Aaron House has 49 reviews.
I feel assured that my mum is well looked after. Staff dealt with the requests in a timely manner. They are friendly and always welcome our visit. Thank you for providing such excellent care for my mum.
Thank you for this very kind review. We are pleased to hear your views. I note that activities was not scored, this might have been a missed score, our activity team are the memory makers and I am sure they will be know to you. Thanks again.
Happy with surroundings. Carers all good very helpful and nothing a bother. Can't complain about anything. Food excellent. Cleanliness great.
Thank you for your review, we appreciate your time to do this. We will continue to reflect on what we do and keep up this high standard.
All staff are always approachable. Glad the cafe is opening again.
Thank you for taking the time to review us, we appreciate all feedback and we will look at areas for improvement and make the service a great place to live. Thank you again.
Very happy with the care provided.
Thank you for taking the time to review us, we appreciate this. The team will be very pleased to hear your great scores. Thank you.
My husband has been in care now for seven months, and he seems to be happy. The carers are polite and friendly with both myself and him. Even when my husband was unwell, it was dealt with quickly. I was informed, and I was confident he was being cared for. The only thing that irritates me is things go missing; they usually turn up, sometimes weeks later.
Thank you for this kind review; we are delighted to hear your husband is happy with us. Regarding missing items, we will do what we can to reduce any distress this causes. Communal living can be difficult with others going in and out of rooms. We will be aware of this; thank you for your understanding.
Also, I think the house thinks it's for relatives visiting but a great number do not have visitors. Long days for some. Decorating the home has greatly improved it. Rooms may need looking at soon.
Thank you for the review. Our care service is 24 hours care 7 days a week, we have the same team on over the week as weekends, therefore the care should always be to the best possible standards. We do have limited need for reception team at weekends and at times there is a delay in answering the...
My mother was in your care for the last three weeks of her life. We felt she was very well cared for by all the staff. We were always made very welcome and listened to and supported through what was a very difficult time for us. Our father also had excellent care five years ago so we had confidence that it would be the right place for our mother. We thank you so much for everything.
It was a pleasure to support you and your family over the years. Thank you very much for this review, it does help us reflect and keep improving.
My mother, a dementia sufferer, was admitted to Aaron House for end-of-life care after her needs became greater than my sister and I could provide in her home. She deteriorated very quickly in her last weeks but her needs were catered for extremely well by very sensitive, caring staff. They did their utmost to ensure her comfort and dignity as far as possible. I am grateful for this. One major glitch was a completely unsupervised trip shortly after her admission. I was more than angry about this. Communication from care plan to night staff had not occurred, most unfortunate.
Thank you for this review, it is very positive. We do apologies for the emergency admission to hospital, this was arranged to provide advanced care, the intention was to ensure the best care and support possible, the team reflected on this and made the care plan clear going forward. Thanks again, we will continue to use these reviews to improve our service.
Pleasant, freshly decorated and spacious rooms with a lovely view. Staff were always cheerful and always on hand. With the least problem, I felt I could always turn to the staff and I was comfortable knowing how caring they were towards my mother. During her short stay, my mother celebrated a very significant birthday and the catering and arrangements organised by the home were wonderful. All our encounters with staff and residents were a testament to the happy environment of Aaron House Care Home.
It was a pleasure meeting your mum and all of your family, we are very pleased that the birthday was such as success. Thank you for sharing your views, we will ensure the team are aware. Thank you again and best wishes to you and your family.
On the whole, I am satisfied with my husband's care. When his spectacles (new) disappeared I was relieved that they were replaced as he wasn't leaving his room. I would like him to be offered teeth cleaning facilities (I help him when I am in) and I have to clean his fingernails almost daily.
Thank you for taking the time to review us, we have reflected on what you said and will take action to ensure a high standard of service, thanks again.
Staff accompanying my Dad to a medical appointment in Edinburgh couldn't have been nicer with him. He was cheerful and sociable throughout, glad to meet up with family members - it was like a jolly outing for him! But this has been our experience of Aaron House - staff appear to be genuinely fond of Dad, he seems to have been well entertained throughout the Covid years and appears to be happy. The care home always strikes me as a lively place with staff organising activities, not leaving residents to sit and fester. Since going into Aaron (initially with my Mum who has since passed away) he has gained weight (they seem to feed him well!) and is no longer the gaunt, isolated figure he used to be when he and Mum were struggling to go on living at home. My brother and I are very grateful for the enthusiastic care Aaron House has shown for our Dad (and previously for Mum) since he moved in three years ago.
Thank you for the review, we are always pleased to have helped. I am glad to hear you found the team so helpful. I will ensure they know. Thank you.
This review should be seen in the context of me not being able to visit Aaron House for several months due mainly to us having had Covid with a long time to recover. Before that, it was a long time since we had access to the lounge due to Covid. My previous visits to these have been very satisfactory with residents well attended and supported. The long time since I've been in the lounge is the only reason I've given a 4-star instead of a 5-star overall experience. Most recently it was proposed through Aaron House my dad visit an Edinburgh hospital for an assessment of a growth on my dad's head. He was taken by taxi arranged by Aaron House and very well supported through this visit by one of the carers who was very supportive and let me and sister have priority when we wanted to accompany him within the hospital removing this growth. The carer then supported dad back to the taxi. This and the carer's level of care was excellent.
Thank you for the review, we are always pleased to have helped. We hope to continue the service improvements and plan several new systems in the coming year.
My dad seems very happy where he is, enjoys the activities which are put on, eats well and tells me often how well he is looked after. The care staff always seem to have plenty of patience with all the residents regardless of how difficult they are.
Thank you for the review, we are always pleased to have helped. The team are very keen to hear positive feedback, there are planned improvement and I hope these help, such as a new chef team, I am sure they will bring a great level of passion to the food which everyone will benefit from.
My Grandmother moved in on Christmas Eve. What a worrying time. The staff at Aaron House made the move much less stressful as they kept me fully informed of my Gran's progress and well-being via regular telephone conversations which is ongoing. My Gran has settled in well, staff and residents alike have made her feel very welcome. On a recent visit, my Gran told me “the food is good”. Well done to the catering team, she’s a hard one to please as she loved to cook. On said visit staff were very knowledgeable with regards to safety surrounding COVID. They kept me right on LFT and made sure it was safe for me as well as my Gran. The activities team work hard to keep everyone entertained too. Her mobility is much better as the staff nurse encourages her to use her walker where possible and she is less confused as the team interaction is great for mind stimulation. What a great team!
Many thanks for such a positive review. We are delighted that Gran has settled well and is enjoying the food! I will ensure the team see your review, they will be delighted.
Mum was resident in Aaron for nearly 2 years. All the staff are very welcoming and there are lots of activities for residents if they wish to attend. The rooms are nice and there is a varied meals menu. During mum's time there, she was cared for brilliantly with certain staff members going above and beyond their duties, to make sure mum was as happy as she could be, especially during the covid lockdown. We cannot thank them enough for that.
Thank you for your very kind review. The team will be delighted to read it and will be very appreciative. I will certainly pass your thanks on.
My grandmother has become a resident at Arron House right in the middle of the pandemic and, as such, as a family, we have not been able to have what would be a typical experience in settling a relative into a care home. Despite this, we are very happy with the service provided at the home. The team are regularly in contact with us as a family, we speak to my grandmother every single day on the phone which is no trouble for the care staff and when visiting was possible (outdoors and safely) we have been able to book those visits. My gran reports enjoying the food at the home, and has on occasion cut family calls short as she is having fun with an activity or entertainment! To have still been able to have this as good experience as a family during the most unprecedented of times has been great, and I am confident that if this level of service can be provided at these times then under normal circumstances it will be even better!
Thank you for such a positive review, the team will be delighted. It is so good to hear that your Grandmother has settled so well and enjoying the food and activities. It is such a shame that we are all living through the current situation. Many thanks again.
Very happy at the level of care my mother receives. The staff are very friendly and approachable. Very satisfied at the way things have been dealt with during the recent Covid Pandemic.
Mum has been living in Aaron House for almost 2 years now. She arrived extremely frail and is now thriving. The staff are amazing and work so hard to make the place a happy home environment. They’re always so helpful and cheery. The rooms are ideal and the gardens surrounding the house are spectacular. We’re so happy Mum is living here and the staff are able to cope with her type of dementia. I would highly recommend this care home. Not having being able to visit since March due to COVID, I trust she is being well looked after and I can Skype or phone any time. They have a wonderful Facebook page now to keep us up to date with their activities and share photos. I cannot thank the staff enough for all their hard work and dedication.
Many thanks for your warm feedback, the team will be delighted. I am so pleased that Mum is thriving in Aaron House, and I hope you will be able to visit her soon!
Welcoming home with a strong focus on the residents. Activities staff provide stimulating activities for the residents, and there are interesting trips. Nurses and carers have a positive attitude. They do their best to make residents feel well cared for. The building is clean, bright and welcoming. Staff are friendly and supportive of relatives.
Thank you for your feedback. The team will be delighted to read your review. I hope we will be able to open the home again soon to visitors.
The manager of Aaron House was very quick to respond to the current Covid-19 crisis, by closing the home to visitors prior to the lockdown, which in my view has contributed to the fact that there have been no reported cases of the virus at this present time (and hopefully in the future). He has also ensured that the staff have ample PPE equipment and that the staff wear it, for both staff and residents safety. Aaron House management provide a monthly newsletter for friends/relatives, which allows a small insight into the day to day things. Since lockdown we can keep in touch via Skype, Whatsapp, Zoom, etc. as well as the humble telephone. The building may be old (there is a newish extension) but well looked after and has a large well kept garden that the residents can use when weather permits, as well as being the location for summer barbeques with entertainment. All in all, would I recommend Aaron House, I can say I most definitely would.
Thank you so much for your kind feedback on Aaron House. I will ensure the team receive your warm words. I am delighted to see you have been able to maintain contact during these strange times. I hope you will be able to visit in person again soon. Thank you again.
Regulatory Rating
Care Inspectorate (CI) Rating
Date: 07 February 2026- How well do we support people's wellbeing?Good
(4)
- 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 (5) & Events (0)
- 30 Jul 2026
Residents, families and members of the local community came together for a fun-filled open day at Aaron House care home in Penicuik, enjoying an afternoon of animals, entertainment, games and...
- 16 Jul 2026
Residents at Aaron House care home in Penicuik, part of Aurem Care, welcomed a host of four-legged visitors for a dog show that brought laughter and plenty of waggy tails....
- 22 Jun 2026
Chefs from across Aurem Care have completed specialist training designed to further enhance the quality, safety and presentation of meals for residents with swallowing difficulties. The training focused on the...
There are no upcoming events for Aaron House.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Aurem Care
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Aaron House.
Meet the Team (0)
There are no Team Members posted yet.
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