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.
My wife was cared for with kindness and respect throughout her seven-week stay. The staff were all helpful and caring.
Leaving your mother in the hands of strangers is a huge step, especially when she has dementia and keeps forgetting that her husband of 69 happy years has since passed away. We put lots of effort into choosing the right care home and I am so pleased to say we chose a great one in Water Mill House! We live abroad so it's so important to have complete confidence in the carers looking after your loved one. We have that confidence and those around Mum have become family to her and to us. This care home stood head and shoulders above all the others we visited, we made the right choice.
Your kind words mean so much to Team Watermill who appreciate your time spent sharing this experience of our care, hopefully, it will assist others in making such an important decision. Thank you,
My mother has been at Water Mill House Care Home for the last four years. She has been extremely well cared for and the fact that she enjoys that level of care and attention allows me and my family the peace of mind to not have to worry about her and her wellbeing. The home has also been extremely well run during Covid and has not experienced the problems that other care homes have had.
How lovely for you to take time out to let others know your experience of our home. We are very proud of Team Watermill from Housekeepers and our kitchen team through to our Caregivers, who have all shown love and compassion to our Residents and their families during a tough year for us all.
Throughout Mum’s stay was a very difficult time, both with lockdown and her frail and fragile health.
At all times we were kept informed of how she was through regular consistent communication and visits when restrictions were lifted, keeping everyone safe.
The staff built up a strong relationship with Mum and as a family we knew that she would receive the comfort that we as a family were unable to give and all her need’s met.
Our thanks go to all the team at Water Mill House.
On behalf of the Watermill team I would like to thank you for your lovely words of appreciation, it means so much to the team to hear back from families and makes our work so worthwhile. Our love to you all.
The corridors and a small sitting area are cheerfully decked out with silk flowers, which the residents enjoy. On this occasion, it looked as though a bomb had gone off with flowers strewn around and chairs upended. One of the new residents was proving rather difficult and had even attacked staff. She was being moved so that she could receive the help that was required. As a member of staff, I would have been glad to see the back of her, but not this wonderful Senior, who said "poor thing, hopefully, they'll sort her out and she can come back to us". This sums up the ethos at Watermill House.
It means so much when people recognise the amazing work that our team undertake on Candlesticks where we care for those living with dementia. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences to help others who are looking to find the right environment for those they love. Best regards.
It was a very upsetting time for us all, but the nurses / carers were all brilliant.
They were so compassionate, caring and informative of what was happening with Mum.
Her room was spotless.
Everyone was so kind and supportive.
Team Watermill would like to thank you for your very kind words and appreciation, it is a privilege to be able to support families during end of life care for their loved one time. Best wishes to you and your family at this time.
I would particularly like to thank all the staff who are the carers that I speak to often on my husband's floor, who go out of their way to reassure me as to his welfare, also like to thank the member of staff in admin, and all staff and carers at the home.
Many thanks.
Best Regards
My nan is staying at Water Mill House, and we are extremely pleased with the care she is receiving. The new manager is very efficient, and we have already been invited to attend virtual relatives meetings and encouraged to contact the home with ideas we may have. I have been able to see my nan in the special visiting area, which is lovely, and my nan is very happy there.
Thank you for your kind words I am glad you enjoyed our virtual relatives' meeting which enables more people to engage and remain involved and informed. The whole team at Water Mill thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Best wishes, Victoria.
My Mum lived for the last 2.5 years of her life on the dementia level. It became her home. The staff caring for her genuinely bonded with her and she with them. Immediately we saw the huge change in her level of happiness and contentment as she benefitted from the companionship of being around people (not just the carers, but the other residents too) and the enjoyment of being able to take part in the activities offered there. As a visitor, if Mum was already happily engaged in an activity, I would be welcome to join in. The Bistro and garden are lovely. I was always impressed with how well-groomed Mum was, with her hair freshly cut in a variety of styles that really suited her. When she deteriorated very suddenly, we were kept informed and we were able to spend the whole day with her, the end of life care given in the room she had always had; no need to move her to the nursing floor. Staff supported us throughout that day with kindness and sensitivity.
Exemplary care and devotion, excellent in all respects.
I visit a dear friend who is resident in this home, and I am always truly impressed with the hospitality of all the staff. The care given to the residents is excellent, according to my friend, who now calls the place 'home'. Everywhere is always very clean and well presented, plus the activities and outings for the residents appear to be an excellent choice.
My friend describes it as 'my home' which says it all.
The managers and staff were very professional, she was treated with kindness and her care was exemplary. The home is clean and nicely decorated. My wife had the opportunity to participate in activities daily. I would recommend this home to our friends.
After my total knee replacement surgery in hospital, I selected the best place for respite care. I have stayed in other places before. Water Mill House Care Home was the best place for me. Starting from the directors going down to all levels of staff were very caring and helpful. They were always full of love and ever ready to help with anything. My room, with the en-suite bathroom, was kept very clean and tidy. All areas of the home were kept very clean. I always admired the decor of the place. I was so taken up with the beautiful paintings and pictures on the wall. The place is like a five-star hotel. It was a perfect holiday and a rest for me. There were some very good activities and entertainment throughout the week. I will always recommend the beautiful home to my friends.
I would recommend this home to anyone who needs long stay or short it is a lovely home and all the staff are so kind and caring. I would come back again.
They clearly must have a magic touch.
I have found it very interesting, with a lot going on for me.
I have been able to have a foot massage, watched a film.
I have also done flower arranging since I have been here.
Our mother spent the last six months of her life at Water Mill. We all felt that she was very well treated by all the staff and that the spirit in the home was just right. The administration and accountancy side, both of which I had direct contact with, were excellent. The visiting doctor excelled. It was a very difficult time for our mother and she was demanding. Nonetheless, she received a level of care and kindness that was exemplary.
My mother was at the home on respite care after falling ill over Christmas. The staff on the 2nd floor are all amazing and it would be unfair to name any of them. The facilities are amazing and having a separate coffee shop makes it a special more 'normal' mother/daughter time. My 90-year-old mum had to be moved into more permanent care but had finances allowed she would have stayed. Beautiful home. Amazing staff.
Health maintaining seems effective and regular. All in all, this is the best such institution I have come across.
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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