carehome.co.uk 122 reviews

Dementia
Care

Caring for your loved one with expert support.

Included in Our Dementia Care

Residential & Nursing Care

Expert care for Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body, Parkinson’s, Frontotemporal, and mixed dementia.

Personalised Care Plans

Compassionate, dignified care that supports emotional and physical wellbeing for individuals living with mild to moderate dementia.

Dementia-Friendly Environment

Featuring clear signage, lighting, décor and layout for comfort, safety, and engagement.

Namaste Care

International therapy programme to aid relaxation and connection through bespoke sensory care.

Meaningful Activities

Entertainment and outings to stay connected to hobbies and feel part of the local community.

Home Comforts

Enjoy a trip to the hairdressers, an afternoon movie or relax in the sensory garden with countryside views.

What is Dementia Care?

At Water Mill House, we provide specialised, compassionate dementia care. Our approach promotes emotional wellbeing, mental stimulation, and a sense of community. Our team understands the challenges of dementia, offering personalised care that focuses on dignity and comfort.

We support people living with different types of mild to moderate dementia. This includes Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body, Parkinson’s, Frontotemporal, and mixed dementia.

Working in partnership with the resident and their family, we ensure their life history helps to inform their care plan. This knowledge shapes the way we engage and comfort to make a positive difference to the lives entrusted to us. Team members take the time to build trusting relationships with residents enabling them to deliver heartfelt care that meets their needs and wishes.

What our Families Say

My mother spent the last few weeks of her life on the dementia floor. We were very impressed by the kindness and respect with which all the residents were treated. The way Mother (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.

Sue C

Resident’s daughter

My dearest mum has been at Water Mill Home since 2014. Mum is now on the dementia floor and all the staff are marvellous which gives us, as a family, relief and reassurance. The manager’s door is always open if you need answers or advice.

Louise

Resident’s daughter

This is a model care home… Clean, friendly, bright, nice and modern with private bathrooms… My mother-in-law went into the care home with advanced dementia and actually felt happier knowing she had what she needed on hand. An excellent care home.

Laura

Resident’s daughter

My parents both have dementia and have been residents at Water Mill House for two years. They enjoy a wonderful standard of care from staff who are kind, engaged and observant about their needs.

Jane

Resident’s daughter

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Care that promotes Hobbies and Interests

We believe that dementia should never stand in the way of enjoying the things you love. Residents are empowered to live in the moment and enjoy a range of daily enrichment and wellness activities. These include art therapy, strength and balance training, reminiscence, pampering, and pet therapy. Plus regular visits from performers and our Duke of Edinburgh youth volunteers, who uplift us with their energy and enthusiasm.

Everyone is welcome at our popular Knit and Natter, Saturday ramble and gardening clubs. These groups help residents stay connected to their hobbies and taking pride in their accomplishments. Each week we also explore new and varied places of interest on our private minibus, from local tea rooms to historical sites.

Ready to find out more?

Namaste Care

Namaste Care creates moments of joy and connection for residents who struggle to communicate. The internationally recognised therapy programme is rarely seen in care homes. It was originally designed in the United States more than 20 years ago to enhance the lives of people living with advanced dementia. It provides an immersive experience stimulating all five senses and uses sound, massage, aromatherapy, and calming lighting, to create a spa-like atmosphere.

Running regularly in our Zen Den, the sessions align with dementia care best practice to support dignity and relaxation. Delivered in small groups or private sessions, residents experience comfort and pleasure through the healing power of touch. Awesome sky-scapes and personalised photos and videos are displayed using a projector for a truly bespoke experience.

The sessions offer numerous benefits including improved sleep and engagement.

Making Dreams Come True

Our Wishing Well initiative runs throughout the year to create personalised experiences for our residents to treasure. We believe it’s never too late to fulfil long-held dreams, and encourage everyone to participate. Often, it’s the little things that mean the most, from growing a bumper crop of tomatoes for David, a former Spitalfields barrow boy, to arranging a champagne birthday tea for Queenie and her family. No matter how big or small, we love the challenge of creating these special moments for everyone in our care.

The Wishing Well Experiences to Treasure

Linda

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

Linda fondly remembered flying kites with her father as a little girl. Armed with supplies, we took to the skies at Dunstable Down. Linda said: “Although it was almost 70 years since I’d done it, the memories came flooding back and it was so much fun!”

Romayne

Keeping En Pointe!

Professional dancer Romayne yearned to watch a ballet again. So, we arranged a special visit to the Bovingdon Dance Academy to watch rehearsals. Romayne said: “It means the world to me that I can continue my love for dance at Water Mill House.”

David

Bumper Harvest

David worked at Spitalfields and longed to rekindle his love of gardening. So, we ensured he had everything he needed to produce a bumper summer crop. David said: “I’m delighted with what I’ve been able to grow at Water Mill House!”

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Dementia-friendly Environments

Our home is purposefully designed to prioritise the comfort, safety, and engagement of our residents.

Set over three floors featuring clear signage, contrasting door colours and soothing lighting, plus an intuitive layout, Water Mill House is designed to encourage safety and independence. Residents are supported to enjoy a range of luxurious in-house facilities, from a pamper in the hair salon to an afternoon movie in the cinema or a round of snooker in one of the lounges.

Our beautiful grounds provide ample opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and secure setting. Whether taking a stroll or spending time in our thoughtfully landscaped and accessible gardens, our spaces promote relaxation and sensory stimulation.

How does Dementia care work?

We understand that choosing the right care home for a loved one can be one of the most difficult and important decisions anyone has to make. We recommend first shortlisting homes that meet the level of care and support your loved one needs, before arranging visits. Speak to friends and healthcare practitioners for recommendations too. Our guide will help you navigate your care journey with ease.

Download Guide

When caring for someone living with dementia, simple changes can make a big difference. Whilst names or events may become hard to recall, the feelings associated with a loved one or a treasured memory, may likely remain. Reminisce about happy times spent together, or current news and events that link to their interests.

You can help a person living with dementia by:

Chatting about the weather, food, family and pets
Using props to connect with them – share a photo, or a story, a song
Not asking them to remember, they can’t
Validating their feelings, not correcting them
Helping them identify what they need if they are upset
Reassuring them with a hug, or holding their hand
Engaging them by singing a song or asking for their help with a daily task

Whether you’re exploring full-time care or need advice on caring for a loved one at home, our team is here to help.

Family and friends are a vital part of Water Mill House life, and we welcome them with open arms at any time. Visitors can enjoy a meal, take part in an activity or simply pop by for a cuppa and a chat.

We’re always on hand to answer any questions you may have, or to update you as to how your loved one is getting on. Our monthly resident and relative meetings are streamed to give everyone an opportunity to share feedback and ideas. Whilst our carer events provide professional advice on things such as funding care and understanding dementia.

Care homes When is the right time for a care home, and who decides?

Deciding when to move a loved one to a care home is never easy. Often, the right time comes when dementia symptoms significantly affect daily living, safety, and wellbeing.

If your loved one is due to be discharged from hospital, it’s usual to be given just a short timeframe in which to find a suitable care home. Family members, alongside healthcare professionals, play a key role in this decision. A care assessment will then be carried out by the prospective care home to confirm they can meet your loved one’s needs.

Choosing a Care Home Guide