Dementia care home near Derby
The Firs is a small, family-run care home in Breaston, a village between Derby and Long Eaton. We care for up to 28 older people, and many of them are living with dementia. Our team includes Dementia Champions, every member of staff completes experiential dementia training, and families are welcome to visit from 9am to 10pm every day.
We are registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide residential care for people living with mild, moderate and advanced dementia, both for permanent stays and for respite. If you are looking for dementia care in Derby, or for dementia care homes in Derbyshire close to Long Eaton and Ilkeston, we would be glad to show you around.
Who our dementia care is for
Most people come to The Firs when living at home has stopped being safe or manageable, even with help. That might follow a fall, a hospital stay, or months of a husband, wife, son or daughter caring through the night. Some residents arrive in the earlier stages of dementia and settle in while they can still take part in choosing their room and routine. Others come to us when their dementia is more advanced.
What our residents have in common is that they need residential care: help with personal care, support at mealtimes, reassurance and company, and 24-hour support. We are a residential home, not a nursing home, and we are honest with families about what that means (see "If needs change" below).
How our staff are trained
Good dementia care depends on the people giving it. Every member of our team completes experiential dementia training, which is designed to help staff understand what daily life can feel like for someone living with dementia, from confusion in a busy room to the frustration of not being understood. Our Dementia Champions support the rest of the team day to day, sharing practical approaches and helping colleagues respond calmly when a resident is anxious or unsettled.
The home is led by our Registered Manager, Josie Wilson, who has more than ten years' experience in care and holds an NVQ Level 4. Because we are small, the same familiar faces look after residents each week, and staff get to know each person's history, habits and preferences. That familiarity matters a great deal to someone living with dementia.
A day at The Firs
There is no fixed timetable that everyone has to follow. Some residents like an early breakfast; others prefer a slow start. Our staff work around each person's routine rather than the other way round.
Three home-cooked meals are served each day and staff give whatever help is needed at the table. Our Activities Coordinator, Amelia, plans a weekly programme, which we share on our Facebook page so families can see what is coming up. Recent examples include a Wizard of Oz "Yellow Brick Road" afternoon, an Oktoberfest afternoon and birthday celebrations, as well as park walks, pet therapy visits and our Summer Fayre in July. Residents join in as much or as little as they wish, and there is always the option of a quiet chat or one-to-one time with a member of staff instead.
A GP holds a weekly ward round at the home. District nurses, chiropodists, audiologists and speech and language therapists visit as needed, and a hairdresser visits weekly.
The house and garden
The Firs is a family home built in 1908, set over three floors with a stairlift, and refurbished in 2025. We have 24 single rooms and 2 companion rooms for couples, which can make a real difference when one partner is living with dementia and the other does not want to be apart. Residents are welcome to bring their own furniture and belongings to make their room feel like home, and photographs and familiar objects can be a real comfort to someone living with dementia.
Residents can spend time in our communal lounges or in the garden in good weather, and there is a private car park at the front for visitors.
Visiting and working with families
Families can visit from 9am to 10pm every day. You are welcome to join in an activity or simply sit in the garden together. We see families as part of the care team. You know your relative's life story, what calms them and what upsets them, and we build that into their care plan from the first day.
We keep families informed about any changes in health or wellbeing, and we are always happy to talk things through, whether that is about a difficult day or a change in medication agreed with the GP.
If needs change
Dementia is progressive, and it is important to understand what a residential home can and cannot offer. We are registered to care for people with advanced dementia, so many people can stay with us as their dementia progresses. The Firs does not provide nursing care, however. If a resident's needs change so that they require a nursing home, we will talk with you openly and plan the move together with you, the GP and the local authority, so that it happens carefully and at the right time rather than in a crisis.
Dementia respite care
We also offer short respite stays for people living with dementia. Respite gives a family carer time to rest, recover from an illness or go away, knowing their relative is safe. It can also be a gentle way to try a care home before deciding on a permanent move. Rooms are sometimes available at short notice. Read more on our respite care page.
Paying for dementia care
Our fees start from £1,200 a week and are published in full on our care home fees page. The fee includes accommodation and utilities, three home-cooked meals a day, activities, laundry, weekly hairdressing and 24-hour care. Private transport and specialist equipment are charged separately.
We accept residents who pay for their own care, as well as those funded by Derbyshire County Council or Derby City Council (with or without a top-up), and people funded through NHS Continuing Healthcare. The fees page also explains deferred payment agreements.
Arrange a visit
The best way to judge any care home is to visit, ideally more than once and at different times of day. Families rate The Firs 9.7 out of 10 on carehome.co.uk, and we would like you to see for yourself why. Call us on 01332 872535 or email director@thefirsderby.co.uk to arrange a visit, and you can bring your relative with you if they would like to come. Our guide to questions to ask when visiting a care home may help you prepare.
You may also find these pages helpful:
Frequently asked questions