






Ashlea Lodge Care Home in Sunderland provides residential care, respite care and specialist dementia care in a comfortable, homely setting.
Part of Orchard Healthcare Group, the home offers cosy en-suite bedrooms, inviting lounges and secure gardens. Its Reconnect dementia community delivers personalised, person-centred care for people living with dementia, focused on promoting independence and wellbeing. The Reconnect dementia community is ideal for people living with all types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s...
Care Provided by Ashlea Lodge Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 38 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
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Contact Ashlea Lodge Care Home 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
Group / Owner
- Orchard Healthcare Group
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Gillian Varley (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 60+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: -1
- Last Refurbishment: 2019
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (38)
Visiting
- Visitors welcome anytime.
Parking
- Free on-site parking.
Ashlea Lodge Care Home Reviews (70)
Ashlea Lodge Care Home has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.849) out of 10, based on 29 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Ashlea Lodge Care Home has 70 reviews.
This makes us so happy, as do the entire staff, from management to cleaning staff, they are just amazing. They've personified the word "carer" from the very beginning.
The loving care my Mum & all of the other residents receive from the staff is beautiful to see. The interaction between them all is like that of a very large family, all caring & to the same goal - happy, healthy people, making every day as good as the last. I can't put into words how truly grateful we, as a family, are to them all. Knowing Mam is cared for, safe, happy & with proper care & given the right medication at the right times is such a relief to us. I, for 1, sleep a lot better, knowing this & that the staff will ring us if there's anything to report. Thank you, to each & every 1 of Ashlea Lodges staff for giving us peace of mind & genuinely caring for our precious Mum.
Thank you so much for your kind review. We are pleased that you can rest assured that you Mum is well looked after in Ashlea Lodge and that you Mum refers to her room as home. This makes it all worth while. It's lovely to hear.
Can't speak highly enough of the team looking after my mother-in-law. They genuinely care, and communication from the home to the family is good. It's reassuring for the family that she is safe and well looked after.
Thank you so much for your review. We aim to keep families informed about their loved ones.
Mam has resided at Ashlea Lodge for 10 months. It was never something we wanted to do, to have to look for a care home for her. We love the home, Mam is so well cared for, staff are great and you can see how much they care for all of their residents. Whenever we ask for anything, nothing is too much trouble. Mam has settled in so well. Very happy with home, cannot fault the home or staff.
Thank you so much for you kind word. We appreciate you taking the time to send in a review for the home.
I visit the care home 4 to 5 times a week to visit Mam and I visit at different times of the day. Mam has been in the care home since January 2026. During the last 6 months I have nothing but praise from the hard working team from the kitchen team who feed mam to the carers that look after Mam. They are worth their weight in gold. You have a good hardworking team and this is priceless to a care home. They have full respect for Mam they talk and chat to her in a lovely manor and have built up a relationship with her over the 6 month and with Dad who visits everyday without fail. In my opinion I feel Mam is well looked after. However If I was worried about anything I wouldn't be afraid to speak up and voice my concerns to the management team. When I have spoke or emailed the management I have always received a reply in a timely manner. While I was on holiday I was kept up to date with Mams health care as we have had issues with her catheter, and I was very grateful for this.
Thank you so much for your kind words Lynn. All the staff really appreciate this and I will be sharing it with them all. Thank you for taking the time to review Ashlea Lodge.
We as a family would like to say a massive thank you to all the wonderful people in every department that work at Ashlea loge each and everyone helped our dad have a fantastic stay and in his final days a loving and respectful passing we can not say how thoughtful you all were and the support you showed all of us the carer you all gave our dad went above and beyond a simple thank you does not seem enough but we would still like to say a massive thank you
Thank you for your kind words. Your dad is a huge miss to all here at Ashlea Lodge.
Very friendly staff. Very welcoming and very good security. My cousin feels well taken care of and has a good rapport with the staff. The location of the home is very convenient for visitors. All round a positive impression.
I find all the staff very accommodating and very helpful nothing is to much trouble I find the home to be very welcoming and all residence are always happy and they do a lot with the residence there is always something for them to do sing / seeing owls/ painting and the interaction from to the residence is heart warming to see keep up the good work. I know my dad is well cared for and is very happy that makes me happy well done everyone.
Thank you for your lovely review. We appreciate your kind works and I will share this with all the team.
Staff very friendly care home clean and tidy Staff will answer all question or will get answers for you.staff very attentive with all patients will always lend a helpful hand with patience and staff
Thank you for you kind review. I am please all our staff are helpful towards our family member so they are assured their loved ones are well care for. I will share this review with the team.
My mams been here for 5 years , lovely staff careing attentive , and loving , they do a lot with mam a lot of involvement activities , visiters come to entertain which keeps them from sleeping too much !
Thank you for your kind review. I will share this with the rest of the team
The carers in this home are brilliant. They go above and beyond to make sure my grandad is happy and healthy in his life at Ashlea Lodge. Initially, I was really worried about my grandad going into a home when he first moved here in September 2024, but the day he moved in, one of the carers knew how he liked his cup of tea, which made me feel like he was in amazing hands. I've never thought anything differently since he's been there, and every time I go I am reassured and they even help me cope when it's not been the best visit and he's not been on top form. I couldn't be more grateful to the staff so thank you all so much.
Thank you so much for your kind review. I am pleased you are reassured that we are looking after your loved one well. I will pass this onto the team.
My brother has been a resident in this care home for a period of years. In all this time I must say the care given to him and me when I visit is excellent. If I am upset about brother I am treated with the upmost care, ready to listen to me.
Thank you for your lovely review. We believe that it is important to support families whenever this is required to alleviate any concerns. This is so we can work together to provide the best care for the people living within the home.
Ashlea Lodge is a fantastic care home, the carers and the management are so attentive to the needs of the individuals, and the communication with our family has been excellent. Since my Mam transferred here from another residential home the difference in her is unbelievable. The quality of care, both individually and collectively is first class, the hubs the home has in place are excellent, and having specialist dementia carers ensures that our family feel assured that our mams needs are understood and met. Management takes a real interest in checking in with us to ensure all aspects of care are being met, and the team are always engaging whenever we visit. A big thanks goes out to all the team at Ashlea Lodge, they are all a real credit to the home and the care sector overall. Thanks!
This care home is fabulous! My Mam has been here for nearly 2 years. The staff are amazing, caring, kind and considerate. They even remember family (ie me) by name! They treat residents like family; and give them cuddles if a resident asks (aka Mam). I'd recommend 1000% after my Mams other 5 failed care home placements!
My Mother has been in this care home for a while and since she entered she has had great care from all the staff. They have really good patience with residents. Mum has all her needs catered for and I am kept informed of any problems that may occur with my Mother. All the staff are great and really friendly from admin personnel to senior management. I wouldn't want her to anywhere else.
The staff are very reliable and respectful when my Auntie needs some help. They are all so welcoming whenever myself and/or relatives come to visit. All the facilities are always clean and are always spotless.
The staff are very caring. I visit daily and they even take an interest in my well-being. My wife gets taken care of very well. I am grateful for all of the staff and the care they give.
Thank you for your kind review. Our families are as important to us as the people we care for.
My sister-in-law is in this home. The staff are really good and caring. Previously my mother-in-law was also a resident. The staff knew my sister-in-law from then. They show genuine care for her. All of the staff are great.
Thank you for your kind review. We have dedicated staff who love providing the best care to people and we understand that supporting families is as important too.
All staff, without exception, are welcoming, kind and very caring. My dad has settled in well and his needs have been accommodated in a timely manner. My dad enjoys his meals which are nutritious and tasty.
Thank you for your kind review. I am please your dad has settled well here at Ashlea Lodge.
The place is clean and tidy with good food options and caters for everyone's needs. Entertainment is great and there is always something going on.
Father-in-law seems happy and settled here.
More than happy with his care.
Thank you for your kind review. I will share this with the staff. I am very pleased that your family member has settled well.
The staff at Ashlea Lodge are brilliant, second to none. This is the second member of our family and the staff literally treat the residents like their own family. The building is kept very clean and tidy and staff are always on the go ensuring residents have the best care.
Thank you for your positive review. I will share this with the staff team to let them know they are doing a great job.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 08 September 2023Good
- 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
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (2) & Events (0)
- 19 Mar 2025
Ashlea Lodge Care Home in Sunderland is full of successful women, and given that it’s Women’s History Month we thought it a perfect time to share resident Sylvia’s fascinating story!...
- 28 Feb 2025
We're thrilled to announce that Orchard Care Homes has been selected as a finalist in not one, but two prestigious categories at the HealthInvestor Awards! As finalists in ‘Specialist Care...
There are no upcoming events for Ashlea Lodge Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (5)
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Ashlea Lodge Care Home
- 15 Jun 2024Recipient: Orchard Healthcare Group
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Ashlea Lodge Care Home
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Ashlea Lodge Care Home.
Meet the Team (1)

My name is Gillian Varley, and I am the Home Manager here at Ashlea Lodge Care Home in Sunderland, I have been the Manager of this Home since November 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ashlea Lodge Care Home
What types of Care is Ashlea Lodge Care Home registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Ashlea Lodge Care Home have?
There are 38 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Ashlea Lodge Care Home?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Ashlea Lodge Care Home to the centre of Sunderland?
0.6 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Ashlea Lodge Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Ashlea Lodge Care Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.