Antokol

Antokol is a little piece of heaven in Holbrook Lane Chislehurst. The manager is at the helm and leads a fantastic team. The environment is homely and spotlessly clean, it’s like walking into your own home. The HCA’s are professional in all they do, showing empathy, kindness and always going the extra mile for all the residents. The housekeeping staff, kitchen staff and the gardener/handyman go above and beyond their duties. The atmosphere is upbeat and positive, the staff promote person-centred support and treat each resident individually. The staff know each person's little ways and what works and what doesn’t work for each person, this can then give family members peace of mind. Each resident's Birthday is celebrated with a homemade cake. The food is made from scratch and is delicious. I cannot speak highly enough of Antokol and every member of staff. I wish every nursing home was at the same standard as Antokol. Thank you Manager and every single member of staff.

My grandmother has been a resident since 2021, once settled she has always been treated with kindness and respect by staff. I often think they treat her like their own grandmother! Facilities and food are excellent, always welcoming and friendly on the whole.

I feel my mother could not be better cared for anywhere else. The management is excellent, responding to individual needs promptly and always looking for any improvements that can made to enhance the care. The staff demonstrate great professionalism, treating my mother with kindness, patience and dignity. Their interaction is never hurried and always show good understanding.

I witnessed so many gestures of kind thoughtful staff actions. The home is spotless, and the grounds are immaculately kept. The residents were encouraged to go out in it, whenever possible and the summer house provided shelter, if needed. They used this more when covid rates went up. The staff encourage visiting at any time, as required. There is mass there, for residents who find comfort from this. The food is tasty and eastern European, but there are options for people at every meal. They celebrate birthdays beautifully and many residents are in their nineties and hundreds. The GP service has been incredible. And as my mother needed end-of-life care, she was able to stay in the care home whilst I received updates on her health and felt involved. Unlike recent experiences at the local hospital. Lastly, there’s a resident dog, Max, who the residents love.

My brother lived in Antokol for nearly thirteen years. He was always treated with kindness, patient understanding and respect. All his needs were met with professionalism and attention to detail. The atmosphere at Antokol was always friendly and the daily arts and crafts as well as cooking activities greatly added interest to the residents’ lives. The chapel, library and religious worship, summer garden parties, birthday parties, regular concerts and staff shows, and indeed the excellent home cooking, completely fulfilled his cultural and social needs. It was a true home from home. My brother really loved living at Antokol!

The care given at Antokol is outstanding. The carers are kind, efficient, organised, cheerful and friendly. There is a high proportion of carers to residents so residents are never left alone for long periods. I think the carers go above and beyond. My father was always treated with respect and dignity. My father was always in fresh clothes/pyjamas, clean and tidy with well-cut hair and nails. His room was warm and cosy. Bedding changed frequently. The food was home-cooked and tasty. His water intake was monitored carefully - there was always water on hand. Before he became bedridden he was taken into the lovely garden whenever the weather allowed. A visit to a local plant nursery and cafe was a highlight at the start of his stay. If having a hospital visit he was always accompanied. There were weekly visits from the GP but any deterioration in health was noticed very quickly by the carers and resident nurse and action taken. Communication between the home and us was excellent.

My father was a resident at Antokol for almost 3 years until he passed away recently. I have nothing but praise for Antokol. They treated my parent with respect, they did their utmost to protect his dignity, they communicated efficiently with me, they provided a calm, sensitive, loving, caring environment. My father was always calm, clean, and relaxed when I saw him. Even when he died, Antokol dealt with the situation sensitively and provided support.

Antokol looked after my mum until she passed away. She was extremely well cared for. The staff and owners of Antokol were all amazing. They were kind, respectful and I couldn't have put my mum in a more beautiful home. She was happy there and I couldn't ask for better. I would highly recommend this care home.

Both our mothers had been residents at Antokol. Our mothers were always cared for with the utmost respect and gentleness. The staff at Antokol are unbelievable in their kindness. We fully understand how challenging this work can be, yet the staff were always calm and professional, ensuring that our mothers were always safe and as happy as they could be. Antokol was an absolute blessing in all our lives.

Antokol is the antithesis however, the care, humanity and devotion is simply exemplary. If I live long enough, it would be my personal care home of choice (if they would have me!).

Both my parents stayed in Antokol and died there. They have received loving and compassionate care - all their needs were always attended to. There was a family atmosphere at the home. It is a very special and wonderful place. Unique.

My father and mother were both cared for at Antokol in what transpired to be the last year of each of their lives. The manageress leads her staff team to provide compassionate and holistic care - they combine humanity, professionalism with a naturalness that is winsome. The staff work hard to get to know and understand the residents and their families. Visitors are welcomed warmly. There are high standards of cleanliness without losing a homely feel, the food is appetising and nutritious and there is a beautiful garden for residents and their visitors to enjoy. I can't commend Antokol enough and would recommend that you see for yourself.

A rare find a far as care home go - a genuine, sympathetic staff who treated my mother as one of their own family. The care, attention and love were outstanding and clearly evident regardless of my days and times of visits. Cleanliness was evident throughout the home, as was the staff morale and management direction. If you are looking for a safe, loving and caring environment; do visit Antokol.

My mother-in-law was part of the Antokol community for almost 10-years. The care she received in my mind aided her to reach her 9th decade within a safe, loving and caring home. Excellent care both personal and social. A homely environment with continuity of staff who tailored entertainment to clients likes and culture. Lovely gardens which are very well used by clients.

A first-class home from home for residents. The care and love afforded my father during his time at Antokol were impeccable. Staff are always attentive and treat residents with dignity, forming close bonds and friendships. Pastoral care is excellent. I always felt safe in the knowledge that my father's needs were being taken care of at Antokol.

Antokol has a very homely atmosphere. A little piece of Poland in the SE suburbs of London. the staff is warm and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. The Roman Catholic nuns who are on staff, provide residents with spiritual support. Before the COVID-19 lockdown, there were daily rosary prayers and twice-weekly mass. The manager imposed a policy of no visitors, circa 13rth March, over a week before the government imposed lockdown. My mother died at Antokol 9th April with a nun present at her deathbed.

A truly amazing care home. The care given to our father in his final 18-months was incredible. "True care, friendship and love" beyond any price. Totally recommend. We cannot thank the staff enough. We (with Dads full involvement) extensively researched beforehand, we then collectively discussed and agreed this was the best; we made the right choice. Their fees are competitive, but their service is beyond price. Dad was very happy here, and in his final hours, the care, compassion and love was beyond measure.

A first-class care home.

Quite simply, the loving and dignified care which my mother received at Antokol was truly outstanding. The range of activities, religious services and meals are beautifully tailored to the needs and expectations of frail and elderly Polish residents, many of whom have similar, wartime experiences of military action, prisons of war and displacement. The nursing and medical care is excellent.

I cannot speak highly enough of Antokol. My mother spent the last 4 months of her life there, in a caring and safe environment and surrounded by the nurses, carers and other staff who all made it very special for her and for me. It is the most wonderful place, and one that has given me memories that are irreplaceable. Long may it thrive and continue to care for our parent's generation.