14 Best Dementia Care Homes in the UK | Dignified and Compassionate Care

We have a range of dementia care homes that support people with various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, Vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.

If you’re currently a carer for a family member and are looking for a dementia care home then we’ve made this search much easier.

Here, we’ve highlighted fourteen of the best care homes for dementia in the UK, along with how these homes are designed to benefit residents and what you should be looking for when choosing a dementia home.

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Explore our best dementia care homes:

1. Cambridge Grove - Cambridgeshire
2. Portsdown View - Hampshire
3. Alston House - Hampshire
4. Cofton Park Manor - Birmingham
5. Lovell Place - Bristol
6. Meryton Place - Bath
7. Appleby House - Surrey
8. Harton Grange - Tyne and Wear
9. Lucerne House - Exeter
10. Maids Moreton Hall - Buckinghamshire
11. Mercia Grange - Birmingham
12. Perry Manor - Worcestershire
13. Sway Place - Hampshire
14. Hassingham House - Norfolk

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What is a Dementia Care Home?

Dementia care homes specifically cater to people living with dementia. Their aim is to reduce the symptoms of the condition where possible. Dementia care homes have trained staff who are experienced in dementia care to ensure residents are safe, comfortable and secure at all times.

Dementia care homes can either be residential care homes, nursing homes or both. Either way, they’re specially designed to create familiar environments that help residents keep their independence for as long as possible. Carers and nurses work closely with residents and their families to best understand the person they’re caring for, allowing staff to provide dignified and person-centred care.

Understanding your loved one’s past can greatly help with reminiscing and day-to-day communication, as people living with a type of dementia like Alzheimer’s may remember things from years ago while still experiencing short-term memory loss. This memory loss can be assessed within a memory clinic.

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How Are Dementia Care Homes Designed?

Specialist dementia care homes are often purpose-built to provide the best possible care while making day-to-day life as comfortable as possible for residents who require 24/7 care.

Simple building plans and carefully selected colours on doors, carpets and corridors allow residents to recognise where they are, helping them to more easily reach their destination. This also reduces anxiety when feeling lost.

Specialist dementia care homes are designed to ensure residents have easy access to all parts of the building and gardens, with secure doors to the outside of the property that prevent wandering. This gives residents the freedom to safely explore the home and enjoy the garden as they please. Sensory gardens are often found in dementia care homes. These include features and plants that stimulate the senses through touch, sight, taste and hearing - and are of huge benefit to people living with dementia!

This design strikes a balance between independence in care and safety. Though easy access is important, proper signage, dementia-friendly furnishings and clearly defined areas all help residents remain independent, safe and secure.

Dementia villages are also designed in a similar way.

Creating a familiar environment

Dementia is often an unpredictable condition, so creating familiarity is really important. Specialist dementia care homes offer homely environments and comfortable living spaces where residents can build relationships and spend time with recognisable faces.

To further create a sense of familiarity, personal belongings may be placed outside each resident’s bedroom. This will help them recognise where they are to reduce confusion.

Lighting is also an important part of dementia care, with sundowning being a common occurrence for people living with dementia. Controlling the lighting allows for a gradual change that helps residents understand what time it is while reducing dark areas that may otherwise create anxiety.

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Care Home Dementia Units

Some care homes have separate on-site dementia units, rather than fully specialising in dementia care. These are sometimes known as EMI units (Elderly Mentally Infirm), though nowadays many homes will instead refer to them as a ‘dementia care unit’ or ‘specialist dementia care unit’.

An EMI unit within a care home is a separate section or floor that accommodates residents with advanced dementia. These residents may have difficulties with their behaviour or emotional wellbeing. People staying in an EMI unit have likely had dementia for some time, meaning their symptoms will be heightened.

EMI units have specially trained staff - such as mental health nurses - on duty 24/7 to provide all necessary care and support. These nurses will be highly skilled in all aspects of dementia care.

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How to Find the Right Dementia Care Home

There are some questions you can ask and things you can look out for, to find out how suitable a dementia care home is for you or your loved one:

• How many carers are trained in dementia care?
• What qualifications do these carers have?
• Is the home well-lit?
• Does the home’s design allow for easy access throughout?
• Is there a sensory garden?
• Can bedrooms be personalised to create a familiar environment?

You can follow the tips in our article on how to choose a care home for more information.

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Our ‘Outstanding’ Rated Dementia Care Homes

You can use our care finder tool to search for dementia care homes. Each of our homes states the main types of care offered, so you can easily see whether dementia care is offered by a home near you or your loved one.

Below, we’ve highlighted thirteen of the best dementia care homes we offer, many of which are rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission - the highest grade a care home can receive.

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Cambridge Grove in Cambridgeshire

A brand-new care home in Cambridgeshire, Cambridge Grove offers people living with dementia a luxurious lifestyle and spectacular surrounding views.

A purpose-built home, Cambridge Grove has been specifically designed to allow dementia residents to live their lives to the full while remaining safe, thanks to specialist care techniques catered to the individual.

At Cambridge Grove, your loved one will also benefit from a stylish private suite or a spacious bedroom, along with a range of thoughtfully designed and friendly communal spaces. This care home even has its own cinema room!

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Portsdown View in Hampshire

Having recently opened, Portsdown View Care Home is all-inclusive and offers an amazing experience to a maximum of 71 residents.

A purpose-built care home, Portsdown View is packed with state-of-the-art facilities, including a café and restaurant, a cinema room, a communal and private dining space, a reading room, a beauty salon and an activity room. As a home offering specialist dementia support - including Alzheimer’s support - many of these activities are geared towards people living with a form of dementia.

Situated in the Hampshire town of Havant, the dedicated team at Portsdown View prides itself on offering a brilliant standard of care, allowing residents to lead fulfilled lives - including dementia residents.

A nearby train station and other convenient transport links means residents have easy access to the beautiful Hampshire countryside as well.

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Alston House in Hampshire

Located in the charming town of Eastleigh, Alston House Care Home is a brand-new, state-of-the-art home providing several types of care, including compassionate and respectful dementia care.

Throughout Alston House, you’ll find stylish and comfortable living spaces, many of which are perfect for people living with a form of dementia. Every en-suite bedroom has been designed using a range of colours and fun themes, while there are also private suites with patios overlooking the idyllic scenery.

Some of the most popular activities at Alston House in Hampshire include arts & crafts, gentle exercise, meditation, wellbeing classes and book clubs. What’s more, many of these exercises can be tailored to people living with dementia.

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Cofton Park Manor in Birmingham

At Cofton Park Manor Care Home in Birmingham, your loved one will receive around-the-clock dementia care within comfortable surroundings, by a dedicated care team who will look after them on an individual and person-centred basis.

Cofton Park Manor is also located near other popular locations in the West Midlands like Bromsgrove and Redditch, so your loved one will have plenty of places to explore on days out of the home.

One of our favourite things about Cofton Park Manor is the balconies offering amazing views stretching across the surrounding countryside. Here, residents can spend time with each other, or with their family and friends.

We’ve also partnered with Cofton Park Manor to bring you some incredible discounts, including two weeks of free care (such as dementia care) after six months of permanent residency.

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Lovell Place in Bristol

A brand-new and state-of-the-art home in Bristol, Lovell Place Care Home is purpose-built and offers a variety of care types, including compassionate dementia care tailored to your loved one’s individual needs and requirements.

At Lovell Place, 24/7 care is provided to residents who need it by a committed and supportive team of care assistants. Residents also have access to a dedicated Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coach. It’s this person’s job to ensure every resident receives care in a nurturing and fulfilling environment.

This beautiful home boasts spacious and bright bedrooms - all of which are equipped with en-suite bathrooms. A range of colours provides a comfortable and warm environment for people living with a form of dementia, while residents also have access to facilities such as idyllic gardens, an activity room and even a cinema room.

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Meryton Place in Bath

Meryton Place Care Home offers support across a number of care categories for up to 80 residents, including dementia. This recently opened care home in Keynsham in between Bath and Bristol employs a team of dedicated carers who will be more than willing to go the extra mile in making sure your loved one receives 24-hour person-centred care where needed.

The award-winning ‘Homemakers’ at Meryton Place (the care home staff) will focus on the small details, to ensure every day is special for your loved one and all their requirements are taken care of.

Meryton Place gives residents with dementia an all-around fulfilling and enriching experience, thanks to exceptional facilities such as a wellbeing and beauty salon. Here, your loved one can get a haircut, a manicure, a pedicure or a different type of beauty treatment - allowing them to feel fresh and confident!

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Appleby House in Surrey

Appleby House care home is an award-winning home in Epsom, Surrey. As one of the best dementia care homes, Appleby House has an impressive reputation for its innovative approach to elderly care, including dementia care.

Here, staff find out all they can about your loved one’s interests, needs and personal values, so they can be matched to a suite where they’ll be alongside like-minded people. This dementia home also finds innovative ways to support people in making choices about their daily lives, including using a dot voting system that enables all residents to be included in the decision-making process.

Shona Bradbury - the home manager at Appleby House - won ‘Best Dementia Care Manager’ at the National Dementia Care Awards in 2022.

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Harton Grange in Tyne and Wear

Set within lovely grounds, Harton Grange care home is a purpose-built residential and dementia care home in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, that provides personalised care to older adults. The home is an integral part of the local community and provides a range of accommodation and services for older people in need of support.

Harton Grange also provides specialist support for individuals living with dementia in their bespoke Memory Lane Community. Here, care is focused on independence, choice and promoting dignity through a person-centred approach.

This specialist dementia unit has invested in a Magic Table - an interactive light projector designed to support people living with dementia through mentally and physically stimulating games. These meaningful activities make a huge difference to the wellbeing of residents living with dementia.

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Lucerne House in Exeter

Lucerne House care home in Exeter provides expert dementia, residential, nursing and respite care to those in need. At this home, the dedicated activity team ensures residents are always kept busy through a range of activities that are tailored to the interests and likes of each individual.

Lucerne House specialises in dementia care through its bespoke Memory Lane Community. Staff at this home have worked with Dementia Care Matters to improve the quality of life for people living in this dementia unit and have achieved the independently awarded confirmation of quality - Butterfly Service status - in September 2013.

The home has secure and wheelchair-accessible gardens, including a sensory garden, making Lucerne House one of the best dementia care homes in England.

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Maids Moreton Hall in Buckinghamshire

The luxury Maids Moreton Hall care home is situated on the peaceful outskirts of Buckingham, Buckinghamshire. This home provides dementia, nursing and residential care, along with short-term respite care.

This beautiful and modern care home offers its residents a range of premium facilities - many of which will benefit people with dementia - including a cinema and hair salon. Residents can also enjoy comfortable lounges, a welcoming café and a brilliant selection of ensuite bedrooms.

The landscaped gardens in particular provide the perfect setting for somebody with dementia, with this outdoor space overlooking the village church and offering a peaceful environment for residents and their loved ones.

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Mercia Grange in Birmingham

Providing a full range of round-the-clock care for older adults, Mercia Grange care home in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, is divided into smaller suites across each floor. The relaxing atmosphere this creates is especially beneficial for residents with dementia.

There are lots of other design aspects that Mercia Grange utilises to help people living with dementia feel at home and be able to find their way around with little or no assistance.

Some of the most popular facilities at this dementia care home include a café, activity room, cinema, library, pub, hair salon, gardens and even a minibus for days out.

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Perry Manor in Worcestershire

Located in the beautiful city of Worcester, Perry Manor care home boasts an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission. This Worcestershire home has a brilliant care team who are committed to providing a range of personalised care services to older people, including dementia, residential and nursing care.

Perry Manor has been designed to enhance the quality of life of every person living there with dementia, regardless of individual needs. The home has its own coffee shop, bar, beauty salon and cinema, so your loved one can continue to get the most out of each day.

As one of the best dementia care homes, the team at Perry Manor will spend time getting to know your loved one, including care needs as stated in their care plan or care package for the elderly, hobbies, likes and dislikes.

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Sway Place in Hampshire

Sitting in the beautiful New Forest National Park, Sway Place care home offers its residents a truly stunning location. This Hampshire care home provides dementia and residential support, along with short-term respite care.

Sway Place isn’t just in an amazing location; the building itself is also gorgeously designed and provides luxurious comfort across every area, including stylish lounges, a peaceful library and five-acre grounds.

Sway Place has something for everybody and provides high-quality dementia care that aims to enhance residents' quality of life. This care home offers a varied activity programme, with outings to local areas of particular interest to residents.

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Hassingham House in Norfolk

Hassingham House care home in Hingham, Norfolk provides care to the elderly and those living with dementia. This quaint location is the perfect place for your loved one to receive dementia care. This home has maintained its ‘Outstanding’ overall rating from the CQC, placing it amongst the top 4% of homes in the country.

Hasingham House has lots of specialist facilities and equipment for residents living with dementia, including music and sensory facilities that allow residents to reminisce and recall happy memories. There’s also an idyllic courtyard and sensory garden.

The carers at Hassingham House pride themselves on offering a superb standard of care for all residents. This home comprises 44 spacious single bedrooms, all of which are equipped with en-suite toilets.

Many sections of Hassingham House offer a lovely view of the landscaped gardens, which residents and their loved ones are free to walk in whenever they wish.

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Lottie matches care seekers with the best dementia care homes for their needs. You can also request a free care home shortlist from our care experts, who will share homes matching your budget and location.