
Mum is happy in Signature House, and it is home to her. The staff are very kind and caring.Anne L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

We are very impressed with the friendly, knowledgeable staffSue S(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

The activity program greatly enhances my mother's enjoyment of life at Signature.Tracey P(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Mum is happy in Signature House, and it is home to her. The staff are very kind and caring.Anne L(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

We are very impressed with the friendly, knowledgeable staffSue S(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

The activity program greatly enhances my mother's enjoyment of life at Signature.Tracey P(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Signature House is located in the heart of Dorchester and provides nursing care for residents who have physical mobility problems and those living with dementia.
Signature House forms part of Amica Care Trust, a not-for-profit organisation which strives to provide exceptional care and support to people and their families.
The home offers a safe and secure, homely living environment, with fully furnished facilities, Wi-Fi, telephone points, flat-screen TVs and a nurse call...
Care Provided by Signature House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 48 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
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public 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
Care packages are individually assessed and costed according to each person's needs.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Signature House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Signature House 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)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Amica Care
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Mandy Bugler(Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 50+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2012
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (48)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (48)
Visiting
- Visitors are welcome at any time. We have a guest room available if visitors wish to stay with us, this is at a small charge.
Parking
- There is limited parking available within the care home grounds but there is a large public car park opposite the home.
Signature House Reviews (60)
Signature House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.841) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Signature House has 60 reviews.
After a very sensible assessment, my wife was taken into care with Alzheimer's six months ago on a date and time of our choice, in a room we selected which was at once fitted out with everything we needed. Thereafter, her care was totally sensitive and complete with laundry, catering, personal hygiene and everywhere kept clean and tidy. The staff at all levels remained calm and helpful, even under stress and there was always someone able to answer our questions. Thank you Signature House.
Thank you for choosing Signature House and Thankyou for taking the time to write this review. I will be sharing your kind words with the whole team. If ever you are nearby please call in and see us.
A first December away from the family and husband, it was made very special from the activities, the music, the food, the decorations and the morale of the staff. Could not have hoped for anything better. Culminating in a Christmas Day that was truly special. Thank you all.
We are aware that Christmas can be a difficult time for some of our residents, and I am so pleased that your Mum enjoyed her first Christmas with us. Thank you for taking the time to write this review. I will share your kind comments with our team at Signature House.
When I look back, the decision to move my husband to this care home was the best one I could have made for him. He suffered from Parkinson's and Parkinson's Dementia and I cannot thank the management and staff of Signature House sufficiently for the loving care they all took of him during what turned out to be the last months of his life. Each and everyone contributed to his quality of life and well-being. It was a privilege to welcome some staff members to his funeral. Not only did the staff care most lovingly for my husband, but they also embraced me and our granddaughter whenever we came to visit. Nothing was ever too much trouble. They always had time for us and gave us their full support. I have sung Signature House's praises far and wide and will always remember all the staff with great fondness and gratitude. My thanks again to you all.
Warmest Regards.
My husband is 89 and he's had Dementia and then Alzheimer's for 9 years. He started his journey in care homes in December 2022. He was in his first home for 5 months and his violent outbursts resulted in us having to find another home. He has been in his new care home for 3 months now. I cannot fault the nurses and staff's time and dedication to looking after some very difficult patients. They are trained to pick up signals when someone could be violent. My husband is much more settled and clean. I would highly recommend this care home to anyone who has a loved one with Alzheimer's.
My mother-in-law moved to Signature House from an assisted living flat fifteen months ago. She suffers from dementia and we were concerned that the move may upset her. So we were very relieved when she moved in and was able to accept immediately that she was in a care home. The staff were very welcoming and she was happy for us to leave her there in the knowledge that she would be cared for by them. Very quickly, staff realised that her mobility was poor and moved her closer to the dining room to reduce the risk of falls. She is now very settled and always says that she wants for nothing. We are very impressed with the friendly, knowledgeable staff, the bright, clean accommodation and seeing all residents looking content and well cared for. We had a big family celebration in the downstairs social room for her ninetieth birthday. We were so pleased to see her looking so happy with all her family around her.
I am so pleased your mother-in-law settled quickly into our care home, we are aware this can often be a difficult time for both our residents and their families. A Ninetieth Birthday is a very special day and it was lovely that she was able to celebrate with all her family around her. Thank you for taking the time to write this review which I will be sharing with our team.
The activity program greatly enhances my mother's enjoyment of life at Signature. She loves yoga and all activities, but particularly those including music and singing.
There is a great sense of community at Signature and I feel any concerns I have are listened to. Many thanks!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. I will pass on your kind words to all the team. We know how important the activities program is to all our residents and I'm so pleased your mother is enjoying this.
Our 55th wedding anniversary occurred in the second week of my stay, and the staff made a huge effort to make the day very enjoyable. They fussed over us as if we were their family. When I left, they all made a point of seeing me to say goodbye.
I am so pleased you enjoyed your stay with us and that we were able to share the celebration of your 55th Anniversary with you both. Thank you for your kind comments which I will pass on to the rest of our team.
My wife spent almost two years as a resident at Signature House, and during her time there, I could not have asked for better care. The staff were lovely, treating her with kindness and friendly, caring support. It was so much appreciated by the family. I am also grateful for the kindness, time and support they always gave me during my regular visits or when discussing my wife's care needs.
Thank you very much for your kind words. I will pass these on to the staff, and we will continue to strive to give great care.
My only criticism is that I don't think there are frequent enough stimulating activities provided to keep the residents awake and alert, but I realise that staff are difficult to find for this purpose.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review. It's great to know that you are happy with your husband's care at Signature House and that the staff are friendly and caring. I will pass your kind words on to the Home Manager and staff team, as I'm sure they'll be pleased to read your review. I...
Me and my husband are extremely happy with the care our mum gets from all the staff at Signature House. From reception to the nurses and everyone in between, there is kindness, thoughtfulness and care.
Thank you so much for your review. We always appreciate such lovely comments. Signature House has an amazing staff team that works hard to ensure that our residents are well cared for. I will pass on your comments to the staff team. Thank you.
No complaints. My wife has been there since March 2019. When I visit, I am always welcomed by reception and other members of staff. When I reach the floor my wife is on, it always smells clean, and she smells nice. The staff ask if I want anything. Happy to leave knowing she's in good hands.
Thank you so much for your review. We always appreciate such lovely comments. Signature House has an amazing staff team that works hard to ensure that our residents are well cared for. I will pass on your comments to the staff team. Thank you.
My husband seems very content. I realise that with his illness, he does not partake in the activities that are provided. The staff treat him well - he is always clean and tidy when I visit and seems well cared for. I believe he is in the best place for someone suffering from his condition.
Thank you so much for your review. We always appreciate such lovely comments. Signature House has an amazing staff team that works hard to ensure that our residents are well cared for. I will pass on your comments to the staff team. Thank you.
I find all the staff very friendly and helpful, and nothing is too much trouble for them. Mum is settled and seems happy, and is more relaxed since moving to the care home. The room is clean and tidy, and it is nice to know that Mum is safe and being looked after.
Thank you so much for your review. We always appreciate such lovely comments. Signature House has an amazing staff team that works hard to ensure that our residents are well cared for. It is lovely to hear that mum is settled in Signature House. I will pass on your comments to the staff team. Thank you.
Mum is happy in Signature House, and it is home to her. The staff are very kind and caring. We really appreciate all they do in looking after all her needs. Her room is very comfortable and always clean and tidy.
Thank you so much for your review. We always appreciate such lovely comments. Signature House has an amazing staff team that works hard to ensure that our residents are well cared for. It is lovely to hear that mum thinks of Signature House as "home". I will pass on your comments to the staff team. Thank you.
Mum, who has Alzheimer’s, is cared for with kindness and compassion. She always looks happy and thoroughly enjoys the wide range of activities on offer. As her disease has progressed, I have been pleased to see that every effort is made to help her participate.
Thank you so much for your review. It is always so lovely to know that families are happy with the care being provided. Kindness and compassion are an integral part of the care that should be delivered to all our residents and pleased that you feel we achieve this. Your kind words will be passed on to the team. Thank you.
The home is always spotlessly clean, and the rooms are very well equipped, bright and inviting.
Dad was very low when he was admitted following a lengthy hospital stay where he spent most of the time in isolation. The staff at Signature have shown Dad total respect and treated him with dignity at all times, and this has improved his mood massively, to the point now that he doesn’t want to leave.
Grateful thanks to all involved.
Carol, thank you so much for this wonderful review. It is so heart warming to hear that dad is so settled and that as a family you are pleased with the care being delivered. I am very proud of the team I have at Signature House, and these wonderful comments are so appreciated by us all. I will pass on your thanks to the team. Thank you so much.
My husband moved to Signature House in May this year. He has a very nice, large, bright room overlooking the garden with his own walk-in bathroom. The staff are very attentive, and I am always so pleased to see him dressed, shaved, and hair combed whenever I go to visit him. He can manage these himself, but he needs prompting, which the staff obviously do. The staff encourage the residents to sit in the lounge rather than stay in their room, which I agree with. The staff are extremely attentive, friendly and ready to chat with the residents and their visitors.
Sheila - thank you so much for your review. It is lovely to hear that you feel your husband is being cared for as you would want. We are very lucky at Signature House that we have a great team of staff that work really hard to ensure that we deliver care in a Person Centred Manner. I will pass your kind words to the staff team. Thank you.
My husband has been a resident at Signature House since February 2022. Signature House was chosen by myself and my stepson, and we are so glad we chose it. The care is excellent. My husband has complex needs, and these have all been dealt with efficiently but, more importantly, with care. My husband is never patronised but always treated with dignity and respect. I cannot speak too highly of the staff. They are all very kind and caring - not just to my husband but to myself and our children.
Mavis - thank you so much for the review that you have submitted. It is always great to hear that we are providing the care and support that the residents deserve and that the families are happy with the care provided. Dignity and respect are something that we pride ourselves on at Signature House...
As a family, we were constantly impressed with the care you’ve given. Even through the recent difficult times, you’ve maintained the high standards you strive to achieve. Although there have been times we haven’t been able to see Mum due to Covid, it’s been nice to access Mum's care notes through the portal. It’s reassuring to know Mum is well cared for; thank you.
Thank you for your lovely response. I'm so pleased that you feel that your mum is well cared for. I know the team are passionate about delivering high-quality care.
If someone in your family needs to be in a home Signature House Dorchester is the place for them to go. My mum has been there for over three years, my family and I think she has been treated very well, it is very sad that we can't see her too often but the home does it's best.
Thank you for your review I will pass your kind words on to our team. Please be assured we know how important visiting is to our residents and their families and we are currently working towards enhancing this experience for you whilst keeping within government guidelines.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 24 June 2023Good
- 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 (2) & Events (0)
- 10 Feb 2026
For a limited time, Signature House is offering 4 weeks of respite care for the price of 3. Our respite stays provide high-quality nursing and dementia care in a safe,...
- 13 May 2025
Our remarkable community at Signature House celebrated VE Day in style with a fun-filled afternoon in Dorchester. On Monday 5th May, our incredible team at Signature House, Dorchester hosted an...
There are no upcoming events for Signature House.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 04 Oct 2020Recipient: Signature House
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Signature House.
Meet the Team (1)

Mandy is a Registered Nurse with more than 30 years experience. In June 2020 Mandy was given the title of Queen’s Nurse by the Community Nursing Charity, The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) which indicates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership. Mandy leads a team of dedicated nurses and carers to ensure residents living in Signature House receive person-centred care that is empowering, respectful, dignified and compassionate.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Signature House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Signature House has an Enhanced Service -more info.