Oaklands Residential Care Home

The care home was run and managed very well. The management and staff were always very kind, caring and had time to be with residents when needed. My step-mother was always kept very clean and tidy. The meals were sufficient, tea, coffee, biscuits and cake were always served in the morning and afternoon and also offered to visitors. It would be nice to have more activities, but we know this is not always possible. The rooms were small but always kept neat, tidy and clean. When my step-mother and her partner went into the care home there wasn't a double room available, but the manager kindly arranged rooms next to each other so they could be as close as possible. The palliative care given to my step-mother was very good and all of the staff helped to keep her as comfortable as they could and looked after her very well. Also our doctor was involved and was very kind and helpful.

Dad has been at Oaklands for 3 years and in that time here has been a huge turnover of staff so the continuity and bond is not there. The laundry aspect of the care he receives is poor, with his clothes being shoved into his drawers and wardrobe and sometimes not even his clothes are in his room but someone else's. The food provided is cheap cakes and biscuits and the main meals are not nutritional. Dad is a fussy eater these days but with a little help and coaxing he would eat better. There are some difficulties obtaining information about his general health from staff and also contacting his GP when the need arises.

Comfortable, caring and homely atmosphere, clean without being fussy. Restrictive laundry arrangements need better control to avoid clients being dressed in clothes that are too big and not theirs. Being alert to items such as dentures missing.

My first impression on entering Oaklands Residential Care Home was that is didn't have that rather unpleasant smell which I had experienced in a number of other establishments I had visited! There was never the feeling that a special performance was being put on for visitors and there was a genuine openness from both management and staff. My aunt, who having been matron of two children's homes, could be very critical on occasions and told me how well she was looked after and how kind and supportive the staff were. Sadly my aunt passed away in May just before her 99th birthday. She was treated with much love and respect during the last few weeks of her life and ended her days at Oaklands in a dignified and peaceful manner. A homely and friendly environment.

I find the home to be a very caring place. The staff are always willing to talk to us and the residents. The home is always clean and tidy (no odours). The owners organised a hospital type bed when my friend needed it and had it there in two days. My friend is well fed and the food seems very good and with choices.

My mother went to Oaklands in June 2014. She had very advanced Alzheimers. She no longer knew who we were or where she was but she settled quickly with the attentive care from the managers and all their staff. She made friends and was very well looked after. We were very impressed with the home and all the staff. Their attention to their clients was a joy to be involved with. I myself worked with the profoundly disabled and was sure from the minute I walked through the door that mum would be looked after there. She passed away on the 4th of march at the home after a sudden turn for the worst and the staff were wonderful right until the end.