FAQ

Dorward House is a warm, not for profit residential care home providing 24 hour support. We offer Residential care for older adults who benefit from round the clock support in a homely setting.

You’ll find us at 24 Dorward Road, Montrose, DD10 8SB, in the heart of Montrose, with easy access by car and public transport. Onsite parking is available for visitors. Get directions here: Google Maps

We operate open and flexible visiting, because family and friends are part of life at Dorward House. To keep everyone safe and comfortable, we kindly ask that:

• Large groups or late evening visits are arranged in advance.
• Pets are welcome by arrangement.
• Please postpone your visit if you’re unwell or have symptoms of infection. If you need a quiet space for a private visit, let us know and we’ll arrange it.

• Enquiry – Contact us on 01674 673871 or info@dorwardhouse.com. We’ll answer questions and check availability or discuss how to join our waiting list.
• Visit & tour – Come and see the home, meet the team, and get a feel for daily life here.
• Assessment – You will need a care manager and be assessed as requiring care by the local authority prior to admission. Our senior team will liaise with social work and yourself or your family to understand your needs and preferences.
• Offer – We’ll confirm whether we can meet your needs and outline fees, funding options, and next steps.
• Move-in plan – We tailor your move in date, room setup, and care plan to make the transition as smooth as possible. We’re happy to work with families, Power of Attorney, and professionals to coordinate assessments and paperwork.

Our fees are clear and inclusive. A typical weekly fee covers:

• Your private room, housekeeping, laundry, heating, and maintenance.
• All meals, snacks, and refreshments prepared by our kitchen team.
• 24hour care and support, including care planning and keyworker time.
• Activities and events programme.
• GP, district nurse and allied health professional visits (NHS services are free at the point of use). Additional charges may apply for items like hairdressing, chiropody, personal toiletries, newspapers, private escorts/transport, and certain external activities. We’ll always explain costs upfront.
• For a personalised quote, please contact us.

Yes. We support local authority funded, self funded, and combination arrangements. If you’re unsure about funding:

• Speak with your local Social Work team for a needs and financial assessment.
• We’ll provide a clear written breakdown of fees, top-ups (if any), and what’s included before you decide. We’re happy to guide you through the process step by step.

We provide residential care for older adults, including support with daily living (e.g., personal care, medication prompts), companionship, and wellbeing. Our focus is on supporting older adults with a range of needs, including frailty and dementia.

• Skilled team: Staff are trained in adult support & protection, medication, moving & handling, infection prevention, and first aid.
• Care planning: Every resident has a personalised care plan and risk assessments that we review regularly with them and their family.
• Medication safety: We follow strict procedures for administering and recording medicines.
• Clinical support: We work closely with GPs, district nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals.
• Environment: Our home has secure entry, regular safety checks, call bells, and night cover 24/7.
• Feedback & learning: We welcome compliments and concerns and act quickly to resolve any issues.

Our activity programme is designed with residents, not just for them. Typical options include:

• Arts, crafts, music, reminiscence, and gentle exercise.
• Coffee mornings, gardening, baking, quizzes, and film afternoons.
• Visits from local community groups, schools, entertainers, and faith leaders.
• Trips out to favourite local places when possible. We support individual hobbies and one-to-one time for those who prefer quieter activities.

Our cooks prepare fresh, seasonal menus with daily choices. We cater for dietary, cultural, and medical needs (e.g., diabetic, fortified, textured-modified diets). Residents can dine with friends in our dining room or enjoy meals in their room if preferred. Loved ones are welcome to join us for special meals and events by arrangement.

Residents are supported by a consistent team of trained carers, senior carers, and leaders who take time to get to know each person well. All our care staff are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), and we adhere to the Health and Social Care Standards. Many of our team hold or are working toward SVQ qualifications and complete ongoing training in areas such as dementia awareness, falls prevention, and infection control. A named key worker helps coordinate care and keeps families updated.

• Visit anytime within our flexible visiting approach.
• Phone and video calls can be arranged with staff support if needed.
• Email updates and care reviews are scheduled regularly.
• We share newsletters and activity highlights by email, on social media and in closed family and resident meetings. If you live further away or have specific communication needs, we’ll set up a plan that works for you.

We follow robust infection prevention procedures in line with Health Improvement Scotland and the National Infection Prevention & Control Manual (NIPCM) guidance, including:

• Regular hand hygiene, cleaning schedules, and use of PPE when required.
• Staff training and access to clinical guidance from health partners.
• Sensible visiting guidance during periods of heightened infection risk. We’ll always communicate any temporary changes to visiting or activities and work with families to maintain contact.

Yes. Our care home is fully registered with the Care Inspectorate, the independent regulator for care services in Scotland. We undergo regular, comprehensive inspections to ensure we meet and maintain high standards of care, safety, and quality.

Inspection reports are publicly available, and we’re proud of our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. If you’d like to view our latest report it is available on the care inspectorate website at the following link: Care Inspectorate.