The Lodge

My wonderful dad was brought to The Lodge at a point in his life when he needed some extra help. I cannot recommend the place and staff enough - from the manager to every nurse and carer we encountered - we were nourished and comforted spiritually and physically every step of the way. Wonderful, empathetic and highly skilled team. No words to describe the journey we have had guided by these amazing humans. Many heartfelt hugs were received. As someone who has worked in healthcare for many years, I have learned an awful lot. My only regret is that Dad wasn’t able to enjoy The Lodge at an earlier point and had been well enough to sit in the lovely dining room enjoying the hospitality. Grateful thanks.

I came to The Lodge in need of a respite break after ten years caring for my husband. I was at a low ebb and The Lodge gave me a lifeline. The management, staff and volunteers helped me overcome any initial nervousness. In the ten days I was there I was shown kindness, care and consideration; friendship and genuine empathy by everyone, including some of the other residents. I am so very grateful and would love to return.

Thank you team lodge for giving us an extra 6 months of love with our sister, we will be ever grateful.

Thank you. Because of the extreme care and dedication that was provided by Team Lodge, we have been able to have an extra six months of family love and laughter, which the family will be ever grateful for.

Thank you.

We are absolutely delighted with the care and support Mum has received since coming to The Lodge Care Home in October last year. The staff are absolutely superb and are true “angels”. Mum is certainly in the best place and Dad has been made to feel “part of The Lodge family”. Thank you everyone.

My Mum was admitted back in October, not expected to live more than a couple of weeks. She is now fitter than she has been for years, her memory is completely gone but she is physically well. The care she has received since she has been here has been exceptional. I have visited many care homes in my work capacity and this one is far and away the best, so much so that we didn't even look anywhere else when it came time to find a place for Mum. The building is just like staying in a hotel, it doesn't look, feel (or smell) like a typical care home. The food is amazing and lunch in the dining room is a lovely centre point for the day. Every time I visit I feel incredibly grateful that we knew of The Lodge and more so that we were able to get a room here. There are a lot of social activities and outings, I think the sherry morning is a special favourite!

This is the first time I have left my mother in care. I chose The Lodge because the atmosphere was warm, friendly, professional and caring. The staff treated my mother with respect and dignity. Their approach was positive and encouraging and I felt confident in leaving her in their care. The facilities were extremely well appointed with plenty of space. There were regular daily activities and the food was first-class. I would recommend The Lodge to anyone who was seeking care for a friend or relative.

Mum was admitted here for respite almost 6 years ago and chose to stay until she died in March. Having gone in just for respite at short notice, we hadn't done extensive research into the options, but Mum couldn't have been anywhere better. Although, like all care homes, The Lodge had Covid and recruitment challenges to contend with during this period, the care was consistently person centred and genuinely caring. During Covid they facilitated my dad having daily video calls with Mum, which made a huge difference to both of them. Beyond that, the established care staff, receptionists, manager, activities coordinators and nurses regularly went "above and beyond" and in some cases became valued friends to both my parents, as well as being highly professional. Any hiccups - eg new staff not fully understanding Mum's requirements- were very promptly addressed as soon as identified. I would recommend The Lodge to anyone.

I would recommend The Lodge without hesitation.

The Lodge has become "home-from-home" for my wife. I feel secure in knowing that she is there. The care she received is first class, and everything is done in an atmosphere of calm. Activities are wonderful each day, the food is excellent, and the rooms are spacious. My wife is happy to be here!

I am very happy to be a resident of The Lodge, especially with the current inflation of the cost of living - food, fuel, heating etc. I was given the choice and moved to a downstairs room, overlooking the front garden with wheelchair access to the patio. I'm very much looking forward to sitting outside when it is warm enough. Although I no longer want to join in most of the activities in my wheelchair, including trips out in the minibus. I still have a good memory and know most of the residents by name, who also join in.

Having visited a number of care homes before making our decision, we were delighted that my mother was able to stay at the Lodge. We were pleased with not only the standard of individual care, but also the feel of the Lodge and the general ambience which greets you from the outset. It is elegant, clean, well presented and well run yet it retains a distinctly relaxed and homely feel. And that comes from the top. The care home manager and office staff were warm and welcoming from the first meeting, taking a personal interest in my mother and building a trusting relationship with us as a family. The nursing staff and care team were also dedicated and personally committed to each resident which is so important. My mother was at the Lodge for just over two years, through what turned out to be a highly unusual and difficult time and I would recommend it to anyone - from first meeting to final parting. Everything handled with respect, kindness and care.

Not all care homes are alike, as you know. The Lodge in Exeter is excellent. The tone is set by the manager who runs a pleasant, motivated and caring staff group. You can tell a good care home from the way the staff interact with each other as much as how they relate to the residents. They are helpful and genuinely interested in each individual, who are treated collectively with great respect. the buildings are well cared for, immaculately clean and homely. Residents eat their main lunchtime meal together in the dining room and the food is of a very high quality. Each day, morning and afternoon there are social activities with dedicated and highly skilled staff. This really brings the home together as a true community.

The staff/management are always friendly and helpful. They try to facilitate visits as best they can, given the current lack of government guidance. The activities, when families were able to join in, have been varied and extremely interesting/entertaining. They always ask residents' opinions before carrying out care. We thank them all for their care and consideration of both residents and the family members.

My husband has been in three care homes, this is by far the best. The manager worked so hard to settle my husband and find a congenial company for him. Everywhere is well furnished, there is wifi, TV, easy chairs, excellent food. Activities run so use an iPad for Zoom contact for family and church. Nothing is too much trouble, going to put the phone in my husband's hand. The Lodge compared to his previous homes is so congenial friendly and caring, professional home.

My mother has been in The Lodge for almost three months, after spending two months in the local hospice. Mum was very apprehensive at first and upset at losing her independence but gradually she has settled in, made friends and has started to enjoy her new life at The Lodge. Obviously, during lockdown, it has been hard to assess all aspects as not allowed to visit her room but when visiting the garden and drawing room, there is a lovely friendly, almost family atmosphere every time I visit. Mum has started to look forward to taking part in the social events, particularly the arts and crafts, cooking and music afternoons. Mum is also receiving nursing care and this is also excellent. It has been such a relief to us to see that she is receiving good 24-hour care but also enjoying making new friends.

My godfather spent 6 weeks at The Lodge for convalescent purposes after a hospital stay. The team were brilliant and the premises extremely clean and homely. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Lodge to others!

Very professional and friendly staff. Comfortable rooms and the food is good. For a care home, it is quite excellent. The only slight criticism is the bedsheets - not quite big enough and mattress pretty hard.

I always found the atmosphere very pleasant, relaxed and friendly. The staff were also helpful, friendly and cheerful to both my son and me. He was well cared for and happy and his stay helped in his recovery. Thank you all at The Lodge.