Shakti Lodge, is a small, friendly home supporting 26 older people and people living with dementia.
Situated in the heart of Dartford the home is easily accessible with a delightful, secure garden to the rear of the building with decking and patio areas amongst mature trees and shrubs.
People are encouraged to maintain links with their local community and visitors are always welcome. There is a wheelchair accessible vehicle and minibus available for outings and shopping trips.
Shakti Lodge offers quality, person-centred, residential dementia care in a homely setting.
Shakti Lodge has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.854) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Shakti Lodge has 42 reviews.
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Review from K H (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 April 2025
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
Shakti Lodge is an amazing place, such care and love is shown to all, there's always activities taking place from all inclusive bingo, art/craft activities to baking especially with national and world celebrations, making croissants, cakes,cookies. Other activities are boxercise sourced from outside.
They have been so supportive regarding my mother, they are so easy to correspond with. Nicola the care home manager is so supportive. I can not express the gratitude for my mum being placed at Shakti Lodge.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thankyou for such lovely words, I will share this with our amazing team at Shakti lodge and look forward to many more fun filled activities.
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Review from David W (Son of Resident) published on 7 April 2025
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
My Mum, 96 years old, has ben a resident at Shakti Lodge for 18 months after a number of hospital stays and having lived at home, alone for 8 years. Weak and frail, with multiple chronic medical conditions, she was made most welcome. Importantly for the family and myself she was safe and properly medicated.
She was also exhibiting some short term memory loss, which we now know was onset of dementia, which has worsened considerably over the last year. Although still with limited mobility, she needs significant personal care and stimulus from the organised activities, and interaction with the care team, plus housekeeping and catering.
The Shakti team is positive in outlook, lead very well by the Care Home manager who interacts proactively with the family and myself sharing guidance and thoughts on Mum from her own experience.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thankyou for such lovely words, I will share this with our amazing team at Shakti lodge.
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Review from Carolynne P (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 April 2025
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
Mum has been at Shakti Lodge since the beginning of February. I have been very pleased with the standard of care.
Particular things I like have been :
Good communication with regards to GP visits and ongoing health issues.
Activities both on site and using the minibus. I like that the residents are
involved with planning activities.
Receiving picture updates of what Mum has been doing -activities.
Always welcoming and the staff seem happy and smiley.
Very clean and no smell.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thankyou for such lovely words, I will share this with our amazing team at Shakti lodge and look forward to many more trips out.
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Review from Sharon G (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 April 2025
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
Mum is really happy living at Shakti Lodge.
She has full freedom to do as she pleases.
She can join in with activities.
She is well looked after, enjoys the food, lovely caring staff. The manager is a fantastic manager which shows in how well the home is run
Well done.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thankyou for such lovely words, I will share this with our amazing team at Shakti lodge.
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Review from A W (Son of Resident) published on 7 April 2025
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
What a lovely place. Spotlessly clean. Lovely caring staff. Mum is settling in nicely.
Its the worst decision of our lives but knowing mum is safe and well looked after makes that decision a bit easier.
Thank you all again for caring for mum xxx
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for your kind words, I will pass these on to the team and we will continue to make sure mum settles in at Shakti lodge.
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Review from Lesley P (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 January 2025
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
My dad spent the last three years of his life in Shakti Lodge. For that time, it became his home and it felt like home. I think that was helped in part by the relatively small number of residents there but also by the friendly atmosphere created by the attitude of the staff and manager. He was well
cared for throughout, even on his more difficult days when he didn't feel like getting up, fortunately these days were few. Most weeks I visited, he would be sitting in his familiar place out in the cheery lounge, able to see people around him. He often remarked about the good food and the kindness of the staff. As a family, we will be forever grateful to all members of staff who played such a vital part of his care. Thank you.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
It is lovely to hear that this felt like home for Dad and your family. Thank you for such a kind review, I will be sure to share this with our amazing team.
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Review from Paul W (Friend of Resident) published on 11 July 2024
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
I have a friend who is a resident of Shakti Lodge. He is not always the easiest person, in fact, at times, he has been extremely difficult. I have been very impressed with the level of patience, compassion and sensitivity the management and staff have shown. Thankfully, things are much more settled
now.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for your kind review, I will feed this back to our team and we will always look forward to supporting you and your friend when we can.
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Review from Michelle M (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 June 2024
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
My mum has been a resident since October 2021. I am very pleased that a space was available. The staff are all so friendly if Mum needs something they let me know. The range of activities which they organise is amazing. These are highlighted in the newsletter emailed to families and a list is always
on the notice board. Last week they held a summer party. It was lovely for myself and my daughter to go along to have a sing-along and dance with carers and families. The food and drink were plentiful, everyone felt looked after. There are regular opportunities to get involved. They care what each resident's interests are and incorporate these into events. I usually visit when they are having tea and biscuits, we are always offered tea or coffee. I can hand on heart say I know my mum is safe, well cared for and well fed. I would not want her to be anywhere else. Thank you to all of the staff.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thankyou so much for these beautiful words, I will share these comments with our team.
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Review from Mary J (Resident) published on 31 January 2024
Submitted via Postal Card •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience4.0 out of 5
I have been a resident here since 12-6-23, and so far, I am pleased with Shakti Lodge Care Home to date.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for your review, Mary; we are so happy that you are happy here.
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Review from Jan S (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 January 2024
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
My mum has settled so well here, that Dad and I are over the moon. The care and kindness given to the residents goes beyond amazing, and the staff are always happy and make you feel very welcome when visiting. The different things they do with the residents are fantastic, and so much variety too, plenty
of pictures are sent to you so you can see your loved ones enjoying themselves; it just feels like nothing is too much trouble for the staff, who put their all into everything and it shows on the residents faces that they are all happy. The food is amazing also, so much choice and variety cannot fault anything. The manager is amazing and is always there to help, advise and give support when needed. We feel so lucky that Mum has a place here. I would recommend Shakti.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for your kind review; we are all so glad you are so happy with Shakti lodge.
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Review from Jane S (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 August 2023
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
My mum is very settled here. The best thing about the care home is the friendly and sociable atmosphere. The staff are always happy and jolly. They arrange all sorts of events and are keen to celebrate anything, going from National Mexican day to Royal celebrations. The garden is lovely, as I often
sit outside with my mum. Would definitely recommend this home.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for such a lovely review, I will ensure the team hear it too. We are so glad to hear you are happy with the support here at Shakti lodge.
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Review from S K (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 February 2023
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
My mum has been at Shakti Lodge for four weeks now and since we first entered the staff have been so kind, so friendly and always welcoming and very attentive to all the residents. My mum loves it there. It is clean, bright and roomy. The feeling there is like you are part of one big family. They do
daily activities and trips out. I am so happy my mum is there, knowing she is looked after so well by very caring and friendly staff.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you for such a kind review; we are so glad your mum is happy with us.
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Review from Anne-marie B (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 February 2023
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
Mum is very well cared for. She is happy and calm always clean and tidy whenever I pop in. Shakti Lodge feels like their own home. A home from home with caring cheerful staff. From what I’ve seen all the residents are cared for with dignity and love.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you for such a lovely review, we are glad you are happy with our home.
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Review from Mike H (Son of Resident) published on 12 October 2022
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
Shakti Lodge has been caring for my mother for just over a year now. The staff are so friendly, helpful and welcoming. Also, having a relative in a national care home provider, I really appreciate the benefits of Shakti being a smaller home where they all know each other, and I see the same staff when
I go. Instils confidence Mum is being well looked after.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you for your lovely review; I will be sure to show all of our staff.
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Review from R M (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 October 2022
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
We had to find a care home for my mum when she was no longer able to live on her own. The manager of this home is really helpful, and we have been so happy with our choice. The home is run really well, and it feels like you are part of one big family. All the staff have been kind and friendly. Whenever
I visit, I have always felt welcomed. My mum is really happy and has settled quickly. The staff know all the residents really well, and nothing seems too much trouble for them. We have been impressed with the range of activities that are provided for the residents, including day trips out. The home is always really clean, and it also has a well-kept garden outside, which is nice to sit in on sunny days. My mum said that she feels happy and safe there. That's all I want for my mum - to be happy. I would highly recommend this care home.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We are so glad that you and Mum feel happy with your choice. To hear she feels safe is all that we can ask for.
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Review from Peter L (Nephew of Resident) published on 5 July 2022
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
We cannot thank Shakti lodge enough. Our aunt recently moved in, and it is like a home away from home. The staff (more like extended family) here are absolutely fantastic. There is such positive energy as soon as you walk in. Everyone is happy, smiling, socialising and upbeat. We love how friendly and
kind everyone is. Every time we visit her, she is just beaming from ear to ear, super happy, and very well-groomed - hair is clean and brushed, and her nails had been cut (along with nail varnish), and every couple of weeks, she has her hair styled.
They have entertainment staff to keep them all occupied, day trips out and much more. She just enjoys her time here, and it's evident every time we see her.
They take such good care of her (and all their residents), and I just honestly can't thank them enough.
We were apprehensive when she moved in, but we needn't have been; the team are absolutely fantastic, and this stems from the manager down.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for the mind words; I will be sure to let our team know.
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Review from Angela J (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 14 December 2021
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
We have only praise for the staff who deal with my mother-in-law, who is not an easy client. They are patient and kind. We feel, as a family, that she is cared for amazingly. My mother-in-law has a complicated medication system, but this has still been sorted promptly and efficiently. Staff are friendly
and helpful with any questions we have.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you very much for your kind review. I will be sure to share your feedback with the staff.
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Review from M P (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 2 December 2021
Submitted via Postal Card •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
I am very impressed with the high level of care that the staff show to the residents. It is a very difficult job looking after people with dementia, but they do this extremely well.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Home Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for this lovely review. We are so glad that you are happy at Shakti Lodge.
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Review from Samantha H (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 October 2021
Submitted via Website •
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience4.0 out of 5
My mum has been a resident for over a year now. It has been an awful struggle for my family dealing with the separation but also the difficulties around Covid and the restrictions that soon followed. The staff tried their best to keep us connected during this time but sadly with mums sight impairment
and my father's hearing impairment it proved very difficult to maintain contact. My mum seems happy and since restrictions have been lifted we have been able to spend quality time with her. If I was going to recommend anything I would ask for more communication, families can be left in the dark of their loved ones life when they move into care and it makes that separation harder as you don't know much about their day to day life anymore. I appreciate that this would be time consuming but maybe something that the activity cordinators could do if there is 1:1 time.
The staff that have got to know us are always very welcoming and have kept mum safe and happy of which I am very grateful.
Reply from Nicola Palladino, Operations Manager at Shakti Lodge
Thank you for your review it is most appreciated. We understand how difficult it has been and must be for families when their loved ones move into residential care. We have recently expanded our activities team who support our residents to keep in touch with their families and keep our families up to date on what they are up to.
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Review from Catherine B (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 September 2021
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Overall ExperienceOverall Experience5.0 out of 5
I’m pleased with the care given to my dad by the staff at Shakti. They are very responsive to any questions I have and always have Dad’s needs in mind. They work hard to ensure Dad is safe, happy and as healthy as possible. Despite Dad’s dementia, which causes him great confusion and distress at times,
the staff respond kindly and with support to reassure him. Whenever I’ve visited, the home has been clean and tidy, staff have been present and watchful of the residents. Overall, I can see my dad is happy and settled in Shakti, and I’m very grateful for all the hard work of the team.
Reply from Nicola Murphy, Quality and Compliance Officer at Shakti Lodge
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We will share your comments with our staff. Thank you again.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.854)
Overview of Review Score
The Review Score of 9.9 (9.854) out of 10 for Shakti Lodge is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 11 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.
Detailed Breakdown of Review Score
The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:
a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.
The Average Rating of 4.854 for Shakti Lodge is calculated as follows:
(
(111 Excellents x 5)
+
(19 Goods x 4)
)
÷ 130 Ratings = 4.854
b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').
The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Shakti Lodge is based on 11 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:
The 5 points available are broken down as follows:
i)
4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews.
(1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100)
3
+
0.125
+
0.125
+
0.125
+
0.125
+
0.1
+
0.1
+
0.1
+
0.1
+
0.1
= 4
ii)
1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points.
20% of the 26 registered maximum number of service users is 5.2, which has been reached with 11 Positive reviews. Points = 1
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.
Performance
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 4 Jun 2021
Overall Requires improvement
Caring
Good
Effective
Good
Responsive
Good
Safe
Requires improvement
Well-led
Requires improvement
Key
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 enforcement action against the provider of the service.
No rating/under appeal/rating suspended - there are some services which we can't rate, while some might be under appeal from the provider. Suspended ratings are being reviewed by us and will be published soon.
Ticks and crosses
We don't rate every type of service. For services we haven't rated we use ticks and crosses to show whether we've asked them to take further action or taken enforcement action against them.
There's no need for the service to take further action. If this service has not had a CQC inspection since it registered with us, our judgement may be based on our assessment of declarations and evidence supplied by the service.
The service must make improvements.
At least one standard in this area was not being met when we inspected the service and we have taken enforcement action.
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
Nicola has been the Home Manager of Shakti Lodge since Nov 2021. Nicola has always worked inside the healthcare industry and has 13+ years experience.
Helen Banbrook-Reed
Job Title: Activities Co-ordinator
Joined: 2021
Helen joined our team at Shakti Lodge in 2021. Helen always makes sure to include our residents interests and hobbies when organising and planning activities for our residents. Helen offers an array of activities inside the home and frequently organises trips out on our mini bus.
Kam Kumari
Job Title: Cook
Joined: 2018
Kam really enjoys cooking for our residents and always makes sure to meet any needs or requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shakti Lodge
What types of Care is Shakti Lodge registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia & Respite Care are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
What additional types of Care does Shakti Lodge provide?
Day Care & Own GP if required are other types of care provided.
How many Rooms does Shakti Lodge have?
There are 26 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Shakti Lodge?
Own Furniture if required, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Stairlift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Shakti Lodge to the centre of Dartford?
0.9 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
