Austenwood Nursing Home

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by GB (Daughter of resident)

Thursday 20 September 2012

I was looking urgently for a nursing home for my mum when she was being discharged from hospital and had looked at a couple where I really didn't think she'd be happy. Then I rang Austenwood and, right from that first phone call, I felt welcomed and that everything would be OK. Mum has advanced vascular dementia and can no longer walk yet she seems happy and smiles far more than she has done for a while. The carers and nurses are all employed staff - they don't use agency staff who don't know the residents. Every time I see them with her, they are so gentle and friendly. There are activities and outings arranged for the residents and the home is in the process of being renovated and slightly extended. It's a small home with 20/25 residents so everybody knows everyone else. The owners are there most of the time and they, the matron, nurses & staff are all very approachable. All I can say is that, every time I go through the front door of the home to visit Mum, I get a feeling of happiness that I chose Austenwood as I'm sure Mum couldn't have a better life anywhere else.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Alan B (Husband of Resident)

Monday 23 January 2012

I am happy to recommend Austenwood Nursing Home as providing a caring and friendly environment. My wife has been a patient for ten years suffering from Parkinson's and Lewy Body Disease. Her condition has gone from being mobile and communicative to being bedridden and incapable of any response. During this time Austenwood has been able to provide the appropriate care, going from gentle supervision to full nursing care. The nursing staff are readily approachable if you have any queries or concerns. Austenwood has recently been taken over but the indications are that the new directors intend to maintain the current systems as well as having a programme of improvements for staff and the facilities.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Frances G (Wife of Resident)

Tuesday 10 January 2012

When my husband went to Austenwood he was unable to walk due to a hip fracture, dementia and other complications. He was expected to live for only a few weeks, however, thanks to the excellent care he has received he is still alive and fairly comfortable 2 1/2 years later, although he has presented the staff with many challenges. His mental capacity has inevitably declined but physically he is better now. I have found the staff helpful, friendly and informative. Food is good, visitors welcomed and activities provided for those capable and also extra ones for families to share.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Marilyn R (Daughter of Resident)

Friday 6 January 2012

My mother was at Austenwood for just 3 weeks prior to her death. All the staff were fantastic to my mum and also to me and my family. Kindness, consideration and care were paramount from the very first contact phone call with the owner who sensed my desperation, the matron, all the carers and ancilliary staff had the same professional attitude and standards and provided very individual care and attention.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Ivan N (Husband of Resident)

Friday 23 December 2011

I was very fortunate in finding Austenwood. My wife was very happy there and got on well with the owners and staff. It is independently owned (ie not part of a group). The owners are closely and personally involved. There are regular activities and outings to interest and stimulate residents. The staff are very caring. I consider it to be a warm and loving community.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Barbara B (Daughter of Resident)

Monday 19 December 2011

My mother was resident at Austenwood until she passed away in the summer. Below I have examined various aspects of Austenwood, in detail, which contributed to the best possible experience given to her. The expertise and attitude of the owners and staff make this home a number one choice for me. Above all, the positive attitude, superb care, confident calm but fun atmosphere of the place is what I think any son or daughter would want for their parent. Demented as she was, Mum would often lean over to whisper in my ear, ‘They are all such nice people here’, which says it all. She was happy and content at last. Reasons for recommendation: 1. Size. The home is small (around 20 residents) which means that everyone has personal attention and everyone knows the staff well and vice versa. 2 Staff. There are more than enough staff, young and old, to enable residents to have very full care and attention. 3. Accommodation. The home is a large old house with lovely single, en-suite bedrooms that have plenty of cupboard and drawer space and display shelves for resident's personal photographs, pictures and ornaments. The lounge is an enormous, light, loft room which allows residents to sit quietly alone or in small groups doing different activities. It has doors opening onto the garden which is paved for wheelchairs and is nicely sheltered with chairs and umbrellas. Residents are taken out here regularly if they like it. The first time I walked into the dining room I thought it could have been a hotel dining room with table of different sizes, brightly upholstered chairs and serviettes all laid - quite delightful. The whole place was always spotlessly clean and fresh. 4. Within minutes of her arrival at Austenwood I could see my mother visibly relax and feel immediately welcome and comfortable with her surroundings and the people. That feeling also applied to Mum’s family who were always warmly welcomed at any time , day or night and offered refreshments. 5. Each day mum was washed and dressed in her own clean clothes including her necklaces so she felt good. Throughout the day she was regularly washed and changed as she was doubly incontinent. The unpleasant catheter was removed for good and her toilet needs all looked after extremely well. All her clothes were constantly laundered by the staff. 6. The staff are all very happy as the home is owned by Mr and Mrs Evans who along with the matron are there daily even at weekends. 7 Mum enjoyed her food, all freshly cooked by a resident cook and should she want refreshment at times other that meal times it was always available. Mum was quite demented so staff made sure that she was well-fed and watered. There were enough staff to make sure this was done all the time and whenever I asked the staff they could always tell me how well she had eaten each day. 8 The mobility of most residents is quite limited but staff move them around using excellent equipment without suffering any trauma. 9 Residents are not just left to sit in chairs or in some cases their beds as there is a special member of staff who organises all sorts of activities and visits bed-bound patients in their homes. Old ladies and gentlemen can often be found sitting round a big round table reading and looking at books, sticking in scraps and drawing, or you find them planting seeds outside. With Ascot on television those that want to are wearing their fancy hats and drawing their horses out of a hat for the next race!. Fizzy fruit juice was the ‘champagne’ reward for all. For those residents who are sufficiently able, organised trips out are a regular feature to local gardens and other places. 10. The medical care given to Mum was excellent. All the patients come under a local GP practice and the doctors visit regularly. The nursing staff and particularly matron keep a watchful eye on resident's health and are able to carry out various medical procedures such as taking a blood sample thus minimising resident trauma. They managed to cure the multiple ulcers on mum’s legs very quickly which was amazing considering she suffered from them for months and had been hospitalized for them. This is yet another example of the very, very high standard of care at Austenwwood. I totally recommend Austenwood to anyone who needs real care.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by John D (Son Of Resident)

Monday 19 December 2011

My mother was terminally ill when she moved to Austenwood. They treated her with kindness and respect for the sadly short time she was with them (six weeks or so). Although desperatly ill she was able to form an amazingly good bond with those caring for her.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Syliva R (Sister of Resident)

Monday 19 December 2011

My sister, double below knee amputee diabetic and has learning difficulties, is wheel-chair bound and only 72 yrs of age, has been resident for over two years. She is not the easiest of ladies to deal with, she can be rude to staff as she can be her family. The staff are incredibly kind and patient with her. The all round care she receives from everyone is excellent. The food, entertainment, stimulation v good.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Kathryn W (Daughter of Resident)

Friday 16 December 2011

Friendly and caring staff, with nursing staff available at all times. Very good activity programme available. Nutricious meals served. Located in a quiet, residential neighbourhood, with good parking access for visitors. Residents families kept informed of progress with home adjustments etc.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Betty C (Wife of Resident)

Friday 16 December 2011

After visiting several nursing homes, we choose Austenwood. In peaceful surroundings, with a team of friendly trained staff, private rooms, communal lounge, visiting doctors, social events. A special place to enjoy being cared for, when age and illness needs to be rewarded with dignity. My husband enjoyed this care for seven years of illness, and I enjoyed my visits too.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Tony C (Son of Resident)

Monday 1 January 1900

The staff are friendly and helpful. The home is clean and odour free. Situated in nice surroundings.

Review of Austenwood Nursing Home, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire by Margaret T (Wife of Resident)

Monday 1 January 1900

The staff are fabulous. They are all very caring and look after everyone extremely well. They do lots of activities and have outings which all thoroughly enjoy. The standard of every aspect of care is excellent. I would recommend Austenwood to anyone without hesitation.