England

Squirrel LodgeSuffolk

Illustrative image. Photographs of this home have not yet been added.

Rated:GoodResidential

Squirrel Lodge

541 London Road South, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0PD

01502501642

Care Type

Residential Care

Inspection date

3 September 2019

Provider

Squirrel Lodge Limited

Beds

24 beds

How this home compares nearby

Of 14 care homes for older people within 5 miles, 2 are rated higher by CQC, 9 are the same and 3 are lower.

8 of these nearby homes have been inspected more recently than this one.

Based on CQC ratings, updated 21 October 2026. How we compare homes | See the nearby homes

Rating history

Requires ImprovementMar 2015
GoodAug 2015
GoodMar 2017
GoodSept 2019

Improved from Requires Improvement to Good in 2015.

Source: CQC inspection reports. Contains CQC data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Costs and who runs this home

This is the only care home Squirrel Lodge Limited runs in England.

Average care home fees in the East of England: £1,034 a week for residential care and £1,411 for nursing care (2024-25 averages). Self-funders usually pay more. See our care home costs guide.

This home lists dementia care, which usually costs more than standard residential care. See dementia care home costs. NHS Continuing Healthcare may apply where someone's needs are primarily health needs.
How to pay for a care home explains the council means test, what counts as capital and the funding you can ask to be assessed for.

About Squirrel Lodge

Squirrel Lodge is a residential care home in Suffolk, providing care for older people, including those living with dementia. Further details from the Care Quality Commission's most recent inspection are set out below.

Squirrel Lodge accommodates up to 24 older people, including those living with dementia, with 22 residents using the service at inspection. Staff numbers are sufficient and suitably trained to meet people's needs. Residents described staff as kind and caring, with team members knowing them well as individuals.

Medicines are managed and administered safely, and care records are individualised with sufficient detail about each person's needs.

The home identifies, monitors and manages risks effectively. Residents receive appropriate support at the end of their life, with their preferences and advanced wishes recorded in care plans. People and their representatives are involved in planning care and given opportunities to provide feedback, with their views acted upon.

Residents have access to meaningful activities and engagement throughout their time at the service.

Source: CQC inspection report, 17 September 2019

Specialist Care

DementiaOlder peoplePhysical disabilitiesSensory impairments

Fees and availability

We have not verified a current weekly fee for this home. Ask for a written quote based on the room and care needed, including any extra charges.

Check current vacancies, the admission assessment and visiting arrangements directly with the home.

Care and inspection details

Checked against the CQC register on 21 September 2026. This is a check of published information, not a visit to the home.

Registered service: Care home service without nursing
Registered capacity: 24 places — this is not a vacancy count
Registration checked: Registered · NR33 0PD

Registered care categories

Caring for adults over 65 yrs; Dementia; Physical disabilities; Sensory impairment.

These describe the registration. The home must assess whether it can meet the individual person's needs and whether a place is available.

CQC ratings in more detail

Overall rating shown by CQC: Good.

Rating report published 17 September 2019. Latest inspection date recorded: 3 September 2019.

Safe: Good
Effective: Good
Caring: Good
Responsive: Good
Well-led: Good

Read Squirrel Lodge's CQC record and reports.

Contains Care Quality Commission information under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Ratings and registration details can change after the date checked.

5 Questions to Ask on Your Visit

When visiting Squirrel Lodge, consider asking...

1.What specific dementia training do staff receive and how recently?
2.How do you support a resident who becomes distressed or confused?
3.How does the home keep a record of a resident's life history and personal preferences?
4.How do you involve families as dementia progresses and communication becomes harder?
5.What happens when a resident's dementia reaches an advanced stage?

5 Things to Look For on Your Visit

When you visit Squirrel Lodge, look out for...

1.Is the environment calm, uncluttered and easy to navigate?
2.Do staff speak to residents with patience and dignity, even if they repeat themselves?
3.Are there memory cues around the home -- photos, familiar objects, clear signage?
4.Do residents seem settled and safe, or agitated and unsupervised?
5.Is there meaningful activity happening, or are residents just sitting quietly with nothing to do?

Could the NHS fund Squirrel Lodge's fees?

The average nursing home costs £1,535 per week. That's £79,820 a year. NHS Continuing Healthcare could cover all of it. No means test, no contribution from you.

Find out if the NHS could fund these fees