
Being impressed starts with the moment you arrive in the gardensClive B(Son-in-law of Resident/Service User)

Lovely people each and every single one of themAnnie Joan W(Resident / Service User)

We feel all staff are working together as a team. Staff communicate well with family.K H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Being impressed starts with the moment you arrive in the gardensClive B(Son-in-law of Resident/Service User)

Lovely people each and every single one of themAnnie Joan W(Resident / Service User)

We feel all staff are working together as a team. Staff communicate well with family.K H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Austen House is a purpose-built Nursing Home in Reading, set in a semi-rural location and within easy reach of Wokingham and London. The staff at Austen House are dedicated to meeting all residents’ needs.
Austen House boasts an established, well run Nursing Floor with dedicated, experienced nurses 24 hours a day.
Austen House’s specialised Memory Lane Community (for people living with dementia) was refurbished in Summer 24. The team have also been...
Care Provided by Barchester Austen House Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 79 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Phone Point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
This Weekly Fee rate is an indication only of a typical standard fee rate for a resident living in a standard, comfortable room. A final Weekly Fee rate will be confirmed once we have carried out a pre-admission needs assessment. For nursing care, Weekly Fee rate will be dependent on personal needs.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Barchester Austen House Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Barchester Austen House Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Katherine Mahoney (Registered Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 45+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 1994
- Last Refurbishment: 2024
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (79)
Parking
- Free parking on site at Austen House
Barchester Austen House Care Home Reviews (131)
Barchester Austen House Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.666) out of 10, based on 28 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Barchester Austen House Care Home has 131 reviews.
People are kind and friendly. Nice building, rooms, lounge and great choice of food especially for lunch. Room refreshments morning and afternoon. Wide range of activities (just started after lockdown). Skype and phone and visiting options.
Thank you for your feedback, we strive to achieve outstanding at Austen House.
Really caring, very kind and supportive.
Thank you for such a high star review; we really strive to achieve outstanding at Austen House.
Nice staff.
We're very grateful for such a high star review; we really strive to achieve outstanding at Austen House.
Everything excellent.
We're very pleased to hear that you are very satisfied with your care; Austen House aims to achieve outstanding.
Generally the standard of service, courtesy, cleanliness and food has been good. Any drawbacks are due to language difficulty in everyday communication and exchanges.
Thank you for your recent review. We pride ourselves on the service and I will pass feedback on to the relevant teams too. Thank you again and a happy new year to you.
My Mother has been living in Austen House for five months now; we have been very pleased and impressed by the professionalism and care shown over the initial moving in period, now she has settled we have seen how the support continues to grow. All the staff show relentless care and love to my Mother and have helped the family keep a very close link to her over these testing times, it seems nothing is too much effort.
Thank you Steve, we really appreciate the time taken to write such a lovely review. We strive to provide outstanding care at our home.
From the moment he was there he looked so comfortable and in a way happier. The room was clean tidy and spacious. I loved the way that every single staff member knew who my Dad was when his name was mentioned. It felt like a personal touch. I couldn't fault a single thing and commend everything they do there. They looked after my father with the utmost professionalism which the manager should be extremely proud of. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for everything the staff do for their patients in Austen house. I would also like to thank the manager for everything, she is a true professional and always there to help.
Thank you all.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review, this really means a lot to us to hear such kind words.
I write on behalf of my husband who was admitted from the hospital on August 10th, 2020. After he was settled I spoke with the manager on the phone and she was kind, empathetic, and reassuring about her patient. I was only able to 'visit' from the garden but could see he looked comfortably ensconced in his room that looked clean and bright. The staff were very helpful. I have filled out the introductory booklet as required and found the information required sensitive, searching, and relevant. I am unable to assess some areas below as COVID-19 is restrictive.
Thank you for taking the time to write such a lovely review. We're glad to hear that your husband has settled well within Austen House.
The staff are very pleasant, helpful and hard working. The premises is clean and tidy and I feel comfortable knowing my grandmother is in good hands!
Thank you for your kind words, we strive to provide outstanding care at our home.
My partner has terminal lung cancer and was transferred from the hospital to Austen House on 9/11/19 to receive end-of-life care. He died on 14/12/19. The care he received was exemplary. From the manager down, all the staff were friendly, caring and professional, and as kind, to me, as they were to him. The home was clean and bright, and well-run and lively, with plenty of activities going on. The fact that my partner felt comfortable and cared for in the home, made a traumatic time more bearable.
Thank you for such a fantastic review, we certainly strive to provide outstanding care at our home.
He had his own room which was nicely furnished and clean and was allowed items from home to make him feel more at ease.
There was a daily menu available and any requests for something different were catered for if possible.
The staff were friendly and accomodating to my dad's medical and personal needs and went the extra mile on numerous occasions to make him comfortable.
Whilst on the face of it, the fees seemed expensive, his standard of living was high compared with other care homes that I had visited who were only slightly less expensive.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honoured you chose Austen House for your father, and I am glad we were able to meet your expectations.
The services of the carers/nurses are first class but there are not enough staff to give proper service mainly at night. If all rooms are in use then the additional income generated should more than cover extra staff. If one is paying for full nursing care, then it should be provided.
Thank you for your review, I'm sorry to hear that you have not had enough attention during the night time. I have spoken to the night unit managers and your care plan has been updated, whereby hourly observations by the carers will continue to be carried out. The nurse will also be sure to check on you at least 4 times throughout the night. We're glad to hear you think highly of our staff.
Staff is most helpful and food good. Lovely gardens, etc. and nice walks.
We really appreciate such a fantastic review throughout your respite with us, and very pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay.
I enjoy it here.
Thank you for such a great review - we're so glad to hear that you are enjoying your time with us.
This has been a difficult time for everyone, my mother moved in just before lockdown. All staff have been kind and have kept us up to date with changes. Mum has continued to do activities and seems to be very happy. Skype has been wonderful for us to keep in contact. She seems to have made lots of new friends. My experience of visiting prior to lockdown was good, the meals are excellent.
Thank you for your feedback. We're so pleased that your Mother continues to be happy throughout this difficult time and are glad that we are able to help via connecting you with Skype. We look forward to seeing you soon.
My sister's brain injury made communication quite difficult for her but over the next few years the staff became very adept at understanding her needs, better than her family, sometimes if I was visiting and she was trying to make me understand something I would have to get one of her carers and more often than not they would be able to tell me exactly what she wanted.
My sister was extremely happy at Austen House and the staff seemed to be really fond of her, spending time with her and encouraging her communication.
Her room was always nice and clean and she always looked well cared for.
Thank you for your review, we really appreciate this. We're pleased to hear that we have been able to aid your sister throughout her stay with us and are glad that she continues to be happy and improving.
This is my third review. It is important to keep reviewing progress. Mum has been through COVID and came out the other end. During this awful time, her care has been amazing. I have been able to Skype of Facetime her (difficult as she is almost blind and deaf) and now I am talking (shouting) to her through her window. The staff have been nothing but professional, cheerful, and caring throughout and never allowed pressure to stop them treating Mum as they always have. She is still happy, content and enjoying life. You really find out how well things are managed during a crisis - thank you, everyone.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We strive to provide outstanding care at our home and I am so pleased to hear about your experience with us.
Mother was warmly welcomed to Austen House. She was treated with respect and loving care, preserving her dignity and choices. Although her stay was short, we were impressed by the friendliness and professionalism of the staff who welcomed us, her family, at all times. The offer of food and drink, if we were present at mealtimes, was much appreciated.
My wonderful Mum was admitted to Austen House from hospital with a terminal condition. Under the care of Austen House. She actually improved for a while, responsive to the calm, peaceful 'umbrella' of care. Of all the family and friends that visited Mum, we all felt how dedicated and professional all the staff were, so for that, we will be extremely grateful.
Stayed at Austen House as respite care resident following major surgery. Care and service exemplary! Staff warm, friendly and inclusive. Accommodation is comfortable, homely and more than adequate. I was included in Christmas preparations and celebrations, which was so helpful at a difficult time of the year.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 04 October 2022Requires improvement
- CaringGood
- EffectiveRequires improvement
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeRequires improvement
- Well-ledRequires improvement
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 action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (34) & Events (3)
- 20 Jul 2026
You brought smiles and so much happiness to all our residents as they got to see and hold your beautiful birds. It was a delight meeting the Tawny owls, Barn...
- 20 Apr 2026
Today we enjoyed making our own pizzas with a variety of yummy toppings, pepperoni, salami mushrooms and much more. We all worked together to make some extras so we could...
- 17 Apr 2026
We had a wonderful afternoon taking our lovely residents to the pub for a change of scenery and great chit-chat. Everyone enjoyed some delicious cake and their favourite choice of...
- 13 Aug 2026Organiser: Barchester Austen House Care Home
- 27 Aug 2026Organiser: Barchester Austen House Care Home
- 30 Sep 2026Organiser: Barchester Austen House Care Home
Awards / Recognitions (96)
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- 09 Jun 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
- 15 Apr 2026Recipient: Barchester Healthcare Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Barchester Austen House Care Home.
Meet the Team (19)

Hello, I am Katherine Mahoney. I am the General Manager at Austen House. Welcome to our Carehome profile!
I have worked in Health and social care for 25 years, and was a registered manager in various care settings for 15 years. Most recently, I have been registered manager of a premium care home for the last 4 years.
I am very passionate about delivering outstanding care to our residents, empowering them to make choices and live their lives to the fullest. I believe resident wellbeing is paramount and should be at the centre of everything we do, and I enjoy making a meaningful impact on their lives.
I am very excited to be part of the team at Austen House, and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact, ensuring every resident’s journey with us is filled with dignity, respect and high quality care.

Hello, my name is Khizra, and I am proud to be the Clinical Deputy Manager here at Austen House Care Home. I joined the team in 2024 as a Registered Nurse and, through dedication and commitment to providing the very best care, progressed to Senior Registered Nurse before stepping into my current role.
I began my career as a Military Nurse in Pakistan, where I served for two years before moving to the United Kingdom to continue my nursing journey. My passion has always been to ensure the highest standards of care, and I strongly believe in a person-centred approach that values the dignity, individuality, and well-being of every resident.
For me, making a positive difference in people’s lives is at the heart of everything I do, and I am dedicated to supporting both residents and colleagues here at Austen House.

I'm Lind, and I have been a part of the team since 2015. I am very passionate about my role at Austen House and love spending time with the residents and getting to know their relatives. During my time at Austen House, I have developed my skills and completed the Level 2 Accounting course.
I am always around to help and happy to assist wherever possible.

Ainsworth started working in the hospitality industry in 2004 as a second chef at a different care home. He gained further experience as a Chef De Partie, preparing various English, Asian and French authentic dishes, before being promoted to Head Chef.

Hello, I’m Gihan and I am the Head of Housekeeping.
I have been working for Barchester since 2023 and am proud to lead my team of housekeepers and laundry assistants in ensuring the home is clean and looking beautiful.I really enjoy working at Austen House alongside our residents and my team.”

Hello, my name is Sonyia and I am a young, dedicated, committed nurse, willing to explore and develop my knowledge and skills.
I enjoy working with a variety of people and enjoy a challenge, using my initiative to solve a problem. It is important to me to ensure that within the care home, my residents are comfortable and satisfied with their surroundings and care.

Joesphine has been employed by Barchester Austen House since/02/2023 and ever since she has been a very valued member of staff, she is reliable and flexible and her committed to her role as she helps other staff members to deliver possible person-centred care to our residents.

Hello, my name is Prathistha and I have joined the nursing team at Austen House, I moved from the Nepal to qualify as a nurse and really enjoying getting to know and caring for our residents

Karen has worked with us for over 20 years! She is a Laundry Assistant within Austen House.

Hello! Meet some of our hostesses who are very passionate about the art of hosting and creating unforgettable experiences at Austen House.

I joined the team at Austen House in 2008 and passionate about fulfilling residents lives by getting to know each individual on a personal level and supporting them to continue enjoying their hobbies, I hold this very close to my heart

Jo is our home hairdresser at Austen House, appointments with her are available two days a week and she is very flexible over what time residents would like, we all love a pamper and she also visits residents in their rooms if they prefer!

Sent from my iPhone

Hi, I am Abdullah Mohsin. I joined Barchester Healthcare in October 2025 and work as an Administrative Assistant at Austen House, where I support the day-to-day administration of the home and help ensure everything runs smoothly for residents, families, and staff.
I enjoy being part of a supportive team and contributing to a welcoming and well-organised environment for everyone at the home.

My name is Loredana, a registered nurse, originating from Romania, and I joined Barchester in September 2024.
I have been very happy working at Austen House as a senior nurse since March 2025.
My responsibilities include leading nursing teams, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based patient care, and mentoring junior staff.
I am recommending Austen House as a beautiful home, with lovely residents and trained and kind staff looking after them.

My name is Nisha, and I am a passionate and hardworking nurse who is committed to continuously developing my knowledge and clinical skills. I take pride in providing high-quality care and always strive to improve my professional practice.
Providing compassionate care is very important to me. I always aim to ensure that residents feel safe, respected, and comfortable, and that they are happy with both their care and their living environment within the care home.

My name is Janet, and I joined Austen House in 2023 as a Healthcare Assistant. I am passionate about providing compassionate and supportive care to residents. With a caring nature and strong teamwork skills, I enjoy contributing to high-quality care and supporting the well-being of the people I look after.

My name is Clara, and I joined Austen House in 2021 as a Housekeeping Assistant. I take pride in helping to keep the home clean, comfortable, and welcoming for residents, visitors, and staff.
I understand how important a clean and well-organised environment is for the health, comfort, and well-being of residents. I am happy to support residents and colleagues whenever needed, and I enjoy contributing to a positive and caring atmosphere at Austen House.

I'm Assan Ibrahim. I'm from West Africa, Sierra Leone, a small but beautiful country. I'm a budding Lawyer by profession, having just finished my Law degree at the University of Makeni before moving to the UK. Over the years, I have worked, and I have earned my experience by communicating, caring and interacting with individuals with whom I found pleasure. Working with Barchester is my first job in the UK, and the staff at Austen House are top-notch. From the Manager right down to the least, they're all amazing to work with. Working here has given me more exposure, and there is more to life in all areas... I love Barchester, and I'm pleased to be working in Austen House Care Home.
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