






Careford Lodge is a purpose-built residential care home that provides outstanding care and accommodation for just eighteen older people.
Located in the popular village of Merriott, in the county of Somerset, the property is situated within its own spacious and attractive grounds which border with horse paddocks. The grounds offer extensive gardens with numerous seating areas; all located conveniently for the benefit of residents and visitors.
Refurbished in 2025, accommodation is...
Care Provided by Careford Lodge
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 18 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Accommodation only
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Please enquire direct for further information about our fees.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Careford Lodge for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Careford Lodge 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)
Good to Know
Owner
- The New Careford Lodge Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Laura Zbijowski(Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 1
Room Information
- Single Rooms (18)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (8)
Visiting
- Visitors welcome at any time.
Parking
- Car parking available in own grounds.
Careford Lodge Reviews (33)
Careford Lodge has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.557) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Careford Lodge has 33 reviews.
As a retired GP, who has dealt with many care homes and nursing homes, I can say with absolute confidence this is the best care home in the area. Also, my sister-in-law is looking for a care home for her mother and is looking for one just like Careford Lodge, she thinks it’s the best she has seen.
Our mother moved into Careford Lodge in October 2016 after a serious fall and hospitalisation. Thankfully, she was able to stay actively mobile in this safe and very caring Home. She could be as private as she chose or join in with a variety of activities and be sociable depending on her mood. Careford Lodge is a homely, comfortable environment providing pleasant rooms, tasty meals and a relaxed caring atmosphere. It feels like part of the local village community. The team is patient, kind and very understanding of residents’ needs. We, too, have felt very welcome and “part of the family". We have found communication with the manageress easy and effective. We had hoped our mother would be able to see out her days in Careford Lodge but sadly her health has deteriorated such that she has had to move to a Home with advanced dementia and nursing care. Throughout the move, the manageress and her team have been extremely caring and supportive. Thank you from mum and the family.
Thank you very much for your review and that you felt your mum experienced a smooth transition process.
My Mother moved into Careford Lodge in February 2018 following around six weeks in hospital. During her time in hospital, she became increasingly immobile and institutionalised. Since moving into Careford Lodge she has become her old self which is a joy to see. Her care is excellent. She takes part in the activities, loves the food and social contact, and feels safe. I could not wish for a better environment for her. Additionally, I am in regular contact with the Manager who is always helpful and responds to any queries I might have in a timely manner.
Thank you Jenny for your review it is a pleasure to care for your mum. Her mobility has significantly improved since being discharged from hospital and she participates in most of the activities. I am very pleased that you are pleased with the service being provided.
Careford Lodge is an exceptional establishment. The staff there are wonderful - endlessly caring, friendly, patient and prepared to go well beyond the norm to make sure all the residents are not only comfortable and healthy but feel very well looked after too. The catering is excellent and there are plenty of activities laid on for those who wish to take part. All this in a modern, well-maintained building. This is definitely the place I would choose for myself.
Thank you very much Time for your review. It is a pleasure to look after your aunt. With kind regards Tracey
The homely and friendly atmosphere combined with the excellent facilities make Careford Lodge a real haven. Each and every resident is treated with great respect and dignity and individual needs are well catered for. My 100+-year-old aunt concluded last year that she could no longer sustain living alone. Since becoming part of the Careford Lodge community, her health, safety and security are very much improved. It is a great comfort to myself and the wider family to know that she is so well looked after. The whole Careford Lodge Team is to be commended for its excellent work.
Thank you for your review Alistair, it is a great pleasure to look after your aunt. Kind regards Tracey
A lovely, homely, caring home from home that gives my mother and myself the peace of mind knowing that she is safe, fed and very well cared for. She is surrounded by pleasant caring staff who all say how much they love their work. She is treated with every dignity and encouraged to keep her mobility and independence. A gem.
Thank you very much for your review. It is a pleasure to look after your mum.
The village location is ideal for those who have lived most of their lives in the country, as had my mother.
The variety of resident's rooms offers something for everyone and the shared areas are all very comfortable, light and airy.
The variety of food offered should suit all tastes, is home cooked and can be taken in the dining room or in personal rooms.
Although my mother chose not to participate, there is a wide range of activities daily, which many of the other residents enjoy.
Above all, the care and thoughtful attention of the staff to those in their care is outstanding and my mother and all of our family cannot speak highly enough of the team at Careford.
Thank you very much, Ian, for your review and your very kind words. It was a pleasure to care for and look after your mum. She is very much missed. Kind regards Tracey.
My 100-year-old father, having finally accepted that he could no longer safely look after himself in his own home, even with carers visiting daily, moved into Careford Lodge following his second hip replacement operation.
I think it is fair to say that he was dreading the move, being very independent and valuing his privacy, even though he certainly wasn't happy since my mother passed away several years ago.
But the wonderful Staff at Careford Lodge made him feel welcome and valued, as a new member of the residential 'family', right from the first day.
Whilst he could, at times be difficult, grumpy, anxious or confused, the ladies (carers) at the Home treated him always with respect, friendliness, patience and helpfulness, and it was such a relief for me and my wider family to see him gradually emerge as a much happier and contented member of the community.
I cannot thank all of the staff enough!
I would recommend Careford Lodge to anyone who needs to find the best care home.
Thank you very much, Carole, for your review. It is a pleasure to have your mum living here at Careford Lodge. With warmest regards Tracey
I always knew she was in the best home for her and knew she would be very happy there.
From my first visit, I always knew that there could be no better place for her to spend her last years.
The 100% dedication, love, care and respect for the residents starts at the top with the manager and continues through the staff what ever the staff age.
It's like a top hotel and would without hesitation (110%) recommend to anyone who is looking at homes for a family member.
Sadly I live 200 miles away and if I ever need a local home in Kent I know nothing will match the quality and standards of Careford Lodge - Merriott.
Thank you very much for your review, it was a pleasure to meet you and have your Godmother stay with us. She is very much missed.
Having been to a lot of care homes I can say that Careford Lodge is most definitely the best. The staff are all fantastic, so kind and helpful. Residents are treated as individuals and everyone's disabilities are covered.
Thank you very much, Vicky, for your review, it is a pleasure to have your friend staying with us.
I gave up my home and moved into Careford Lodge. It had been recommended to me so very pleased I believed the person. The organiser is a very understanding person and can see where care is needed, yet does not make one feel "helpless" and encourages independence. She deals with staff individually so we benefit from good organisation.
Many thanks for your feedback. I am so pleased that you are happy with the services being provided at Careford Lodge.
I visit a friend regularly and am most impressed with Careford Lodge.
The staff are very friendly and always speak to residents and visitors. They are happy to help in any way that they can. The atmosphere is relaxed and responsive.
Whilst I was visiting, they held a residents meeting where they were encouraged to speak on any matter or future suggestions, be it menus, trips out or activities etc.
The rooms are spacious, allowing for a sitting/television area so that residents can have privacy if wanted. The lounge and dining area allow for recreational activities and games to be played.
My friend has settled in very well and been given plenty of encouragement since she has been a resident.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 05 December 2019Good
- 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
1 Bed Vacancy
Posted: 13 July 2026We have one vacancy at Careford Lodge for 24-hour long term or respite care and accommodation. A large en-suite room with direct access to patio seating and gardens. For further information, please contact us and we will be pleased to provide you with more information about our home and services.
News (20) & Events (0)
- 02 Jul 2026
Photo stories in our July newsletter include D-Day anniversary remberence Time with horses Flower arranging Arts & crafts Al Fresco dining Visit from Tasty Treats Icecream van Clothing party ........
- 10 Jun 2026
From indulging in the joy of our newly refurbished courtyard to celebrating VE day and enjoying a barbecue, our newsletter gives our readers a taste of all we have been...
- 15 May 2026
Our May Newsletter is now published and shared. Full of useful information, puzzles and facts, we also celebrate everything we got up to in April. Happy reading.
There are no upcoming events for Careford Lodge.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 28 Jul 2022Recipient: Careford Lodge
Meet the Team (3)

the 1st October 2018. Before this, she had also worked at Careford Lodge for 16 years between 2000 and 2016, ascending in roles from care assistant to deputy manager.
At Careford Lodge, we celebrate the rich blend of life experience, knowledge, and skills of each resident, and those of their family and friends. We aim to continually improve our listening skills, our consultation process, and our partnership with each unique individual to safeguard and promote his or her holistic health, well-being, dignity and independence.

Jason has been affiliated with Careford Lodge through his wife, Lorraine, since 1997. Jason's career has been in mechanical engineering and, more recently, in the management of a plant hire depot. Jason takes care of the day-to-day maintenance and safety at Careford Lodge.

Careford Lodge was founded by Mr & Mrs Careford in 1997. Today, their daughter Lorraine and her husband Jason are walking in their same footsteps, embodying the very same positive values of kindness, compassion, empathy, integrity, humility, loyalty and responsibility in everything they do to enhance the lives of those who afford them the privilege of knowing and caring for them.
Lorraine was the registered manager of Careford Lodge from 1997 to 2016. In 2016, Lorraine relinquished her registered manager status to assume the position of nominated individual and to support the then owners of Careford Lodge to look after their care home portfolio.
In 2025, Lorraine and her husband Jason purchased Careford Lodge to bring the family care home back into the fold.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Careford Lodge to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Careford Lodge has an Enhanced Service -more info.