St Andrew's

It was the hardest decision and action we had to take to move my dad into a care home. At the first visit, we were welcomed so warmly and had such a good feeling about the home which we hadn't got from any others that we had looked at.
It took my dad some time to settle in, and at times could be very difficult, yet all the staff took it in their stride and eventually things got better. I remember there was always the sound of music each morning during the week which my dad got great pleasure from.
As his condition deteriorated, his care and attention never did and towards the end of his life, we were kept informed on a daily basis of how he was.
From the day he moved in, to the day he died, even though we as his family couldn't be with him all the time, I never felt that he was alone. The care and attention that he received during his time in the home gave me peace of mind that in the last few years of his life, although he couldn't remain at home, he was in the next best place.

Not many care homes actually feel like a home, but St Andrew's does and this is what marked it out for us when we were looking for residential care for my mother, who is 90 and had previously lived in the family home for 52 years. St Andrew's has the homely feel of a large, extended family home, which is why the residents feel so comfortable in the lounge and the kitchen which is at its heart. The staff are dedicated, professional, engaging and humane and provide a very good standard of care within a safe, friendly, and quirky environment.

The home has provided a safe place for my mother with progressive dementia. She has made a significant emotional connection with the carers and greatly enjoys the musical activities. We are made welcome and treated as part of the care family.

The care my mother has received has been wonderful - the atmosphere is loving and kind and my son and I are always made to feel welcome whatever time of day we visit.
Our wish as a family to have my mother's end of life care at St. Andrews has been entirely respected for which I am hugely grateful.

St Andrew's was very professional, friendly, helpful and pleasant to deal with.
I would be very pleased to end up there myself.

Our reasons for choosing St Andrew's over all the other care homes catering for dementia in this area of Oxford were many.
The staff are all without exception, wonderful and helped to make her transition from home very easy for all of us. The warmth and friendliness shown to us by the manager and the team were apparent from the moment we got through the door and this continued to be the case for the many years she was a resident.
Mum loved the food, which is made daily in the kitchen where she would love to help!
She enjoyed the entertainment and company and was always one to join in if there was dancing or singing.

I did not once regret our decision to choose St Andrew's. It was a great relief to have found it for her last few years and I would highly recommend it. It's always difficult to make the decision to place a relative into care, but with St Andrew's it was an easy decision and a huge relief to know she had the best care I could find.

My sister age 85 years suffers from dementia. Up until Feb 2016 she was living alone at home in Bucks with 4x daily visits from carers. After falls etc, we looked for residential care near me. St Andrews gave us an interview and we were warmly welcomed and showed around and all questions answered in an honest straight forward way. We have been able to furnish her room therefore making it her own space. I am able to visit at all times of day and always feel welcome. There is a very homely ordinary atmosphere with no hidden agenda's and my sister feels safe and secure. I was very impressed by the GP who holds a weekly clinic. We as a family feel very reassured that she is extremely well nurtured.

My relative is cared for with genuine respect, dignity and affection from all the staff members from cleaners, carers to management. The environment she has is a happy one with plenty of attention when needed or just a chat and a joke. Entertainment is provided for residents which helps stimulate as participation is encouraged to sing along and join in. The overall atmosphere is calm as the staff are attentive to the residents needs. All residents are well turned out with clean, neat and laundered clothes at all times which makes for a pleasant overall impression of how high the standards are. If I have to book in myself I will.

My husband has lived in St Andrew's home since the 7th of October 2015. I knew from the first meeting with the manager that this home was going to suit my husband. There is such a warm and friendly atmosphere and the carers interact with each other and with the residents in such a relaxed and warm manner.
There is never an atmosphere of 'them' and 'us' I can come and go as I want and am given lunch quite often. I feel my husband is in good hands.

Our relative was admitted two years ago after hospitalisation for dementia and a series of falls. She is now safe, happy and secure. We have no worries. Minor concerns of which there have been few, have been immediately addressed and there is good communication between staff members.
No-one is left alone in their room and every attempt is made to make their life as interesting as possible while remaining safe and secure. Well done St Andrews.

My mother has been in St Andrews for the last couple of years, initially for respite and then permanently. The kindness of the staff during that time has been fantastic. They are also very good at spotting if there is anything wrong with my mother's health - which has become more difficult as her Alzheimer's progressed. I have no doubt at all that they have her best interests at heart, and the care, love and support she receives is genuine and wonderful to see. There is also very little turnover in staff, so that says a lot too. And they are very flexible - making something else to eat for instance if the first thing on offer isn't my Mum's cup of tea. The recent developments in the home, and the lovely garden, have really helped to make it feel even more like a home from home, and the relatives are very much included in the both the care of their loved ones, and the many events that the home puts on. It is wonderful to know my Mum is in such a caring and nurturing environment.