
Mum is always treated well. All the staff are kind and friendlyFiona W(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Without exception the staff are kind, friendly and understand the dementia journeyRos P(Daughter of Resident/Service User)


Mum is always treated well. All the staff are kind and friendlyFiona W(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Without exception the staff are kind, friendly and understand the dementia journeyRos P(Daughter of Resident/Service User)


Designed exclusively for people living with dementia, Fernhill offers specialist care within an environment thoughtfully planned to help residents navigate daily life with greater ease while encouraging independence wherever possible.
Life at Fernhill is centred around smaller household communities, allowing residents to build meaningful relationships and enjoy a calm, supportive pace each day. Familiar spaces, sensory gardens and carefully designed surroundings provide reassurance, while themed areas throughout the home encourage reminiscence,...
Care Provided by Fernhill
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 58 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
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- 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 Fernhill for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Fernhill 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
- Colten Care Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Lorraine Bell (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2012
Room Information
- Single Rooms (58)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (58)
Visiting
- There are no specific visiting hours at Fernhill; all that is asked is you let the home know you are in the building by signing in on the iPad in Reception. If you are visiting outside of Reception hours, ring the bell and a member of the team will assist you.
Parking
- Parking is available on site at Fernhill, and all visitor parking is clearly marked. When coming to view the home, please get in touch and a space can be reserved.
Fernhill Reviews (109)
Fernhill has a Review Score of 10 (9.975) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Fernhill has 109 reviews.
My mother is happier and more active than she has been in years. The staff cannot be praised too much.
It was apparent from chatty staff and mothers response she is very happy and cared for. Mother even said she is happy and loves her surroundings, she is more active than she would have been at home.
Everyone is so friendly and helpful, greeted us like old friends when we returned! The residents seem to be very happy as they are treated so well by the staff. The residents are taken out on interesting bus rides etc and they enjoy the visiting entertainers - especially the musical ones.
The activities are exceptional.
The environment is homely.
I would highly recommend.
Management and staff very very helpful.
Fabulous, caring staff. Kind and generous. Dad is very happy and it is a relief to know he is well cared for.
This was my husband's second visit for respite care. I feel confident leaving him there so that I can have a break. It is not easy to walk away even if it is only for two weeks but he does enjoy himself and loves all the good food that is available. I can also be included in some events and the coffee shop is a great place to have a chat.
She is now connecting with people and indeed going out on social outings with other residents and 1-1 carers and companions.
I would recommend Fernhill highly.
All the staff were supportive and caring throughout her stay. Excellent communication with the family throughout her stay and short hospital stays. Plenty of activities and staff actively engaged
During all the time my sister spent at Fernhill she was treated with both kindness and dignity and all the staff went above and beyond what might be expected to keep her comfortable and pain-free during her last days.
Since my mother’s move to Fernhill, I have felt confident that she is being well looked after in a genuinely caring environment. All the staff are very friendly, professional and supportive towards both Mum and me and any new situation that has arisen has quickly been addressed to ensure Mum’s safety and comfort. Whenever I speak to staff, I have the sense that they really know Mum, understand the issues that affect her and by finding out more about her life, are keen to treat her as the individual she is. Thought is also clearly being given to how she is dressed each day, something that would matter to her. The home has a calm, relaxed atmosphere and always looks clean and well presented. The decision to move a loved-one into a care home is never straightforward but having found Fernhill I have been much reassured.
I wanted Mum to live closer to me now that she needed full-time care. After a long search. I chose Fernhill as Mum's new home. From the first moment I walked in, met the team, I knew Mum would be safe, treated with dignity, supported and encouraged to be her best self to enjoy life. I can truly say Mum has been the happiest I have seen her in years. Mum and I have always been treated with respect, listened to and action taken on any concerns or worries we have had.
On this visit all the staff I saw were very friendly and would answer any questions I had openly and honestly. My Mother and the other residents I saw are well cared for and any needs they had were dealt with quickly and efficiently. My Mothers room is very clean as are all the common areas. I am very glad that I chose Fernhill for my Mother to stay in.
My Husband is very well cared for in a lovely6 environment. All the carers are marvellous, the home is a friendly place, always making you feel welcome and nothing is too much trouble. There are some good activities and trips for all to take part in. The food and drink very good and special cakes for different occasions, all very good. It has been very comforting for myself and two Sons to see my Husband happy in his own way and settled in such a lovely place Fernhill.
Fernhill has been mum's home for the last 8 years in which time she has been cared for and looked after very well. The staff are dedicated and always very willing and kind. I have peace of mind when I leave that she will be loved and properly looked after. There is nowhere like home but this comes pretty close. Well done Fernhill.
Sadly, she passed away there on the 2/4/2018, she was at peace there, comfortable and warm. I cannot put into words how much they looked after her, all the staff were so helpful and caring,
They couldn't do enough, right to the end.
My first visit to Fernhill and an absolute pleasure to be there. The staff are very welcoming. Very relaxed and nothing is too much trouble. Such a lovely place and lovely surroundings.
Staff have always been very helpful.
He is looked after extremely well and his room and surrounding lounge and garden are beautifully maintained.
I find the management and staff extremely professional in every respect and are always willing to help with any respect of my friend's care.
I would certainly recommend Fernhill to my friends and family.
Fernhill at Ferndown Dorset is part of Colten Care, my uncle has been a resident from April 2017. I was at first, nervous of my uncle going into a dementia care home but Fernhill has been excellent in their care for him and also supportive and reassuring to other family members. They have an open door policy for visitors so are not able to hide anything.
They are real and genuinely support my uncle, all the staff from the cleaners, chefs, carers. The management is very approachable with questions and any concerns and answers are received quickly and efficiently. With my uncle's condition, it is clear to me that he is well cared for and in an excellent caring environment. Fernhill is and has been, outstanding.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 31 October 2019Outstanding
- CaringOutstanding
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveOutstanding
- SafeGood
- Well-ledOutstanding
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 (4) & Events (0)
- 09 Jul 2026
More than 35 managers in various roles have participated in Colten Care’s third-level ‘Excel’ Leadership & Management Course in the past 18 months to two years. They include the group’s...
- 18 Feb 2025
A Strictly-style ballroom dance competition supported Colten Care has raised more than £80,000 for a Dorset-based palliative care charity. Forest Holme Hospice’s Strictly Extravaganza, which had headline sponsorship from Colten...
- 18 Feb 2025
Colten Care has trained 32 team members as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) to help colleagues maintain and improve their work-life balance. Colten Care has prioritised the training as part...
There are no upcoming events for Fernhill.
Awards / Recognitions (11)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Colten Care Ltd
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Colten Care Ltd
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Colten Care Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Fernhill.
Meet the Team (2)

Lorraine leads the team and is ultimately responsible for every aspect of life in the home, ensuring the highest standards of care and service are delivered. Her door is always open if you have any questions or queries.

Lexi is responsible for leading the team of registered nurses and carers to meet the individual needs of the resident, through the delivery of consistently high levels of clinical care.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Fernhill to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Fernhill has an Enhanced Service -more info.