This care home stood head and shoulders above all the others we visited, we made the right choice.Rhoda J(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

she has made new friends and enjoys all the activities but still gets the 24-hour care she needs.J M(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

we knew that she would receive the comfort that we as a family were unable to giveAnn S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

This care home stood head and shoulders above all the others we visited, we made the right choice.Rhoda J(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

she has made new friends and enjoys all the activities but still gets the 24-hour care she needs.J M(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

we knew that she would receive the comfort that we as a family were unable to giveAnn S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Water Mill House Care Home provides expert care to adults (18+) with a range of support needs, including rehab following a stroke or amputation, paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. The dedicated team also delivers residential, nursing and dementia care with love and kindness, holding Platinum Accreditation under the Gold Standards Framework for compassionate end-of-life care.
In 2026, Water Mill House won the Palliative Nursing Home Provider Award at the...
Care Provided by Water Mill House Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Younger Adults
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 70 Service Users
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
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
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
- Day 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
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Water Mill House Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.Contact Water Mill House 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
- Carebase
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Victoria Forsythe (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 18+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (70)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (70)
Water Mill House Care Home Reviews (120)
Water Mill House Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.747) out of 10, based on 42 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Water Mill House Care Home has 120 reviews.
Mum joined the Water Mill Family November 2023 and joined in with all parts of her new life. We can't thank the team at Water Mill enough for the care and love they showed to Mum during her time there. RIP Mum.
Our mum arrived at Watermill quite poorly but the nursing team and carers took her under their wing and made her immediately welcome and part of their family. They cannot do enough for her. The weekly doctor's visits and the attention to detail of all the staff have been amazing. And although she is still poorly, we know she is comfortable and secure and on her good days, she enjoys meeting her friends in the coffee shop or watching TV in the lounge or letting me read to her in the library. She has loved the entertainment and joins in when she can with the singing. A 5-star experience for our beloved mum. Thank you to the manager and the team you really have lived up to your promises.
My dearest mum has been at Watermll Care Home since 2014. She has now been on all three floors - resident, nursing and now, dementia. Mum has always joined in with the many activities within the home and outings too, as well as getting her hair done weekly with the in-house salon. Mum has made many friends with the residents, but also with the carers who look after her. Mum used to potter in her room with her radio on or watch TV, but when she wanted a chat or company would go to the lovely bistro on-site. Mum is now on the dementia floor and all the staff are marvellous which gives us, as Mum's family, some relief and reassurance. The manager of Watermill Care Home, her door is always open if you need answers or advice to any questions or worries you may have.
I visited 4 local care homes when looking for a new care/nursing home for my partner. As my partner had previously been a resident in a care home, the experience taught me what we needed and were looking for. All 4 were clean, residents well presented, very good amenities and friendly staff. When I came to visit Water Mill it had all that and more. It has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and, a stimulating yet homely environment. It has 'soul'. My partner moved in and Water Mill delivered. The staff are calm, caring, empathetic, well trained and work well as a team. The food is excellent with a planned menu. My partner is now putting back some of the weight he had lost. We are both so happy with Water Mill.
All the carers and other staff are warm, friendly and compassionate. The BBQ party was a perfect example of this when everybody helped us and made it much easier for me with kindness and concern. I haven't been able to find out what activities my husband does apart from listening to music which he loves but I can't thank the lovely carers enough!
Highly recommend.
I visited as a daycare resident. I get a bit lonely at home all day on my own. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed my day I had my hair done by the stylist. I then had a beautiful lunch. We played a competitive game of bingo and then I had a really relaxing foot reflexology session. Great package and well worth the money. I have now booked in for fortnightly daycare.
My mother described the care at Water Mill House Care Home as "excellent" and felt that the staff did their absolute best at all times. She was made to feel very welcome and staff went out of their way to provide everything she needed during her week of respite care.
The bistro is a definite bonus too, and serves delicious lattes, which makes visiting feel like you have gone out, even though you are still in the building.
Thank you to all the team.
My mother spent the last few weeks of her life on the dementia floor at Watermill House. The family were in and out of the house a lot during these weeks including in the evenings and overnight and saw a lot of the care being given to all the residents. We were very impressed by the kindness and respect with which all the residents were treated, despite there sometimes being some quite challenging behaviours. We felt that the home was run by people who really cared about providing a safe and compassionate environment. My mother enjoyed all the activities provided when she was well and we felt that the way she (and we) were cared for at the end of her life was excellent. We are very grateful to all the staff that we can look back on this difficult time with the comfort of knowing that Mum was in the right place and with the right people around her.
We found the review meeting for my mum a very positive experience. The care home were able to talk about how they felt Mum was doing and made suggestions as to some additional activities which would benefit her - these will be added to her care plan. My brother and I were also encouraged to offer our views on Mum's progress and current position. We felt listened to and that we would be consulted if any major changes became necessary.
My husband a dementia patient (vascular) was diagnosed in 2017. He led a good life at home until 30/03/23 when he had to T.I.A's and lost the use of his arms and hands. The staff and management team have looked after my husband with kindness, dignity and humour these last five months. He was in hospital for two months. He is able to communicate with these lovely people because he has got to know and memorise their faces.
I would like to point out the exemplary care of the day nurses and care assistants for my brother. They always listened to our concerns and we felt we could ask them anything concerning my brother's care. It was a very traumatic and stressful period for us as a family. However, the staff did everything they could to help us get through this hard time. We are in awe of the staff and their commitment to care. the kitchen staff were lovely providing us with refreshments which we were very grateful for.
My mother-in-law has been a resident at Water Mill House Care Home since December 2022. She is very happy at the care home as she enjoys all the activities planned each week. The staff are all lovely, very kind and caring towards her. Previously she lived alone in a flat and had carers visiting daily. However, at the care home, she has made new friends and enjoys all the activities but still gets the 24-hour care she needs. Her family are all delighted that we chose this home
Of all the care homes in the local vicinity, Water Mill House is certainly the best, it's more like a hotel. The staff are friendly and caring, carrying out their duties in an excellent manner, despite complaints sometimes that their alarm isn't answered immediately. I explained to my husband that he isn't being ignored - just that they are seeing to other residents. He is very happy and content in his surroundings.
His passing a week later was peaceful, pain-free and dignified. The staff were awesome, so caring, kind and gentle. He passed away in a comfortable bed in a safe and secure and loving environment. I cannot praise and thank the staff and management of Water Mill House enough, it's a truly caring family atmosphere which I highly recommend.
My wife is currently at Water Mill House for respite care. The care she has received thus far from the staff is outstanding. Upon the first time meeting with management, I was comforted by the fact that my wife will be well cared for. I have since developed a great relationship with the staff and management and know that any problems that may arise will be dealt with effectively and with my wife’s best interest at heart. Thank you to the Water Mill House team for your fantastic work.
I have been placed here by the NHS as a respite after a serious leg operation. I really can't thank all the staff enough for all the help and care I received during a very difficult time in my life. What better accolade can I give them than saying should the time ever come when I need care, I would put this home at the top of the list.
All the staff at Water Mill House Care Home go above and beyond to make the residents feel at home and cared for. Their patience and kindness was so touching, the respect and tenderness shown was heartwarming. The building is well maintained, decorated to a high standard and feels more like a lovely country hotel. The food is exceptional, my mother-in-law was a very good cook and fussy about her food but could only compliment the staff for the wonderful meals. The staff were also happy to adjust meals or provide an alternative if the resident preferred. As a relative, it was such a relief and so much easier leaving her somewhere that I know was safe, comfortable and welcoming and that she couldn't be better looked after. The staff were also very kind and supportive to me and the other members of our family. There is always someone to talk to who would be happy to help or explain anything.
My husband has Alzheimer's disease, which is progressively worsening. He has been in Water Mill House for two months, during which time he has settled in far quicker than I anticipated. I think the whole process was harder for me to adjust to than it was for him. I visit frequently and am always welcomed by both staff and residents alike. I am extremely satisfied with the care my husband is receiving in a harmonious environment where he is treated with dignity and respect. I am regularly updated as to his progress and the staff genuinely care and take the trouble to really get to know the residents and the complexity of their needs. It was a decision not lightly undertaken, but definitely the right one for him. Thank you to everyone at Water Mill House.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 20 September 2023Requires improvement
- Caring Good
- Effective Good
- Responsive Good
- Safe Requires improvement
- Well-led Requires improvement
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 (9) & Events (0)
- 19 Jun 2026
Two residents from a care home in Hemel Hempstead enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they came face-to-face with elephants during a special VIP visit to Whipsnade Zoo. The lifestyle team...
- 19 Mar 2026
Passionate skier Craig Coverman thought he would never ski again after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 12 years ago. Thanks to his care home, Craig hit the slopes with some...
- 05 Feb 2026
A care home in Hemel Hempstead is looking for new recruits for its free weekly exercise class aimed at those aged 50 and older. Social Steadies takes place at Water...
There are no upcoming events for Water Mill House Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (20)
- 02 Jul 2026Recipient: Water Mill House Care Home
- 09 Mar 2026Recipient: Water Mill House Care Home
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Carebase
Meet the Team (1)
Victoria qualified as a registered nurse in 1993 and has worked in social care for 30 years, always driven by a passion for making a difference in people's lives.
Her journey began with the NHS in Lancashire, where she quickly advanced to Ward Manager. Seeking new challenges, Victoria moved south to embrace her first role as Deputy Manager in the care home sector and found her true calling.
With extensive experience in managing and commissioning care services, Victoria has successfully led both large, privately-run care homes and smaller, family-owned homes.
Drawn to Water Mill House for its warm, family atmosphere and commitment to making every day joyful and meaningful, Victoria has built strong, caring relationships with our residents and team.
When she’s not at work, Victoria cherishes family time with her husband Richard, son Harry, and Bichon Friese, Lily. She also loves to bake!
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