Oaken Holt

My sister and I began looking for a care home for Mum for 'future proofing', little knowing that in a fortnight's time we'd need to find urgent respite care. Luckily Oaken Holt was one of the homes we visited and we'd liked it. When I called first thing on that Monday morning, they pulled out every stop to get Mum there within the day. Roxana, the nurses, carers and everyone else working there have been amazing, taking such good care of Mum whilst she's been ill and all working towards the one goal of getting her strong enough to be able to go back home. A beautiful house set in lovely surrounds certainly helps her small steps towards recovery. Thank goodness we'd started our search that fortnight ago.

It is set in an amazing location with spacious rooms with a beautiful view some with direct access to the garden and would suit those residents looking for a more countryside location. The carers are very kind and caring to the residents. The whole team provide a homely environment for the residents and my mother enjoys living here. It is also reassuring that there are nurses on site every day. The team have also been very supportive of the families. The food is very good. The permanent staff are very good but sometimes there are agency staff and a little lack of continuity. The activities I am not so sure because my mother is not interested in them but this is not the fault of the care home.

I strongly recommend that you go for a visit and an initial meeting

Resident came to the home from another where she was very unhappy. The staff here have been wonderful to her even though she has been very difficult. She was settled in and is now calm & happy. Thank you.

Nothing was or is too much trouble. In less than a year my uncle has become less frail, less anxious, put on weight and loves the food, activities and the staff. Oaken Holt is so open to visitors with Adrian on the desk being a face so welcoming. But beyond that. All staff are so lovely and accommodating to family members also. I am kept up to date with weekly emails. Also invited to events held there! It's a family. In short my uncle is well, checked by nursing staff, doctors and so many more services offered. But more importantly he is thriving! He's happy, laughs, tells me stories of his days as they've been so great with entertainment being laid on all the time. It's a respectful, clean and homely home for those lucky enough to live there.

A big thank you to all the staff there.

Just one 'downside' for us is they do not have a 'Bath' - my husband loved a bath at home, he is showered and washed with great care, but he often says 'Can I have a bath at home soon'

Highly rcommended, and my mother is looking forward to her next stay.

Mum had a wonderful two week respite stay at Oaken Holt and she loved every second! In the stunning surroundings and grounds at Oaken Holt she had a beautifully appointed room and the care, attention and dedication of the staff was absolutely first class. She was so well looked after with each and every member of staff so kind, caring and patient. Her care and well being was fantastic and we would have no hesitation of using the service again and would highly recommend to others. Thank you Oaken Holt

I recommend the high standards sort for and achieved.

Staff keep on top of any difficulties we have incurred and have rectified them swiftly. Communication is very good and I feel my mother is very well cared for.

My mum has been at Oakenholt for seven years. I can't fault the care that's provided. The staff have not only fulfilled there duties but have done so with kindness and sincere care. The fact that there has always been consistency with staffing and mum doesn't have to be cared for by new faces all the time, makes a huge difference. The nursing care has been second to none. The home itself is welcoming, cosy and also beautiful, set in acres of green Oxfordshire space. The staff are always happy to help and do so with a smile. I can't thank them enough.

As a care worker myself, I was mortified by the lack of care my brother was shown. Thankfully he was only there for two weeks prior to his passing. I strongly recommend that full training should be given to the "carers" in all aspects of "care" so that they understand how important it is that the patients/residents are tended to with compassion and dignity.

It is always a daunting time for anyone going into a home (care/nursing) and their relatives, but since my mother has been here we have all been super impressed and eternally grateful for the level of care given. As a family we only want the best level of care for our mother and this home provides this. Staff are always polite, friendly and professional. At no point (in 5 years) has our mum not been washed, dressed and made to feel special. The care given here is marvellous. The food is healthy and well-balanced and has helped to manage some of the more pressing medical needs (diabetes). I could not recommend this home more, it is a special place and I am very grateful for everything they do.

I entrusted this care home to care and nurse my ex husband. There was no care or compassion shown to him in the short time he was a resident, in the last week of his life he was left in pain with no pain medication prescribed until I intervened. The staff showed no empathy to him or family members. While residing in the home his watch went missing which was not only valuable but was of great sentimental value. I would not recommend this home to care for your loved ones.

Sadly, in my opinion, this care home has deteriorated dramatically in the last 12 months. Now run by Aria Care, there have been 3 different managers and 3 different deputy managers in the last year and a large number of permanent staff have left, so the home now employs a lot of agency staff. Both activities officers resigned in the summer, and have not yet been replaced, so the residents spend large periods of time sat in front of a television, (often asleep) instead of getting proper mental stimulation and physical activity as they had before. Communication between both members of staff and between the home and relatives is not good and on occasions, this leads to mistakes. The permanent staff that are left appear to be under a lot of pressure and there is often a strained atmosphere in the home. We have been promised improvements by the management for several months now but to date there haven't been any. What was once a lovely home, in my view has now reached a very low point.

Thank you all for the outstanding care you provide. We are extremely grateful.

Thank you so much for all the excellent care you gave to my mother. You looked after her wonderfully well, both physically and mentally. She greatly appreciated the comfort of her room, and its great views of the grounds, the delicious food, the good company of the other residents, and the wide range of activities you provided. We have lovely photos of her with a huge smile on her face! But what you gave her that she valued most was a real sense of friendship of being looked after by people who really cared for her, and for whom she cared in return. For a woman who had spent her life looking after others, Oaken Holt was a perfect place for her as kind, caring and considerate as she was.

My father arrived at Oaken Holt Nursing and Residential Home, in May 2022 and remained in their care until October 2023 when social services decided he should move homes. This was not our choice. Oaken Holt staff, particularly the Deputy Home Manager, did everything that they could to try and keep him within their care. They tried to facilitate a move to Wytham House, but social services would not accept it. It was with great sadness that we had to move my father from this wonderful facility. In fact, we did not move him, staff from Oaken Holt took him to the new home and helped settle him in. This is the standard of dedication from the excellent staff.

During my father's time at the home we were very happy with the care that he received. The staff were kind and caring and made the time to build special relationships with him. They took him for daily walks outside and trips to the pub, which my father loved. I cannot speak more highly about what the staff did for my father. Thanks to all.

My mother continues to receive excellent care. The staff are friendly, kind and caring. They treat her with respect and often go beyond what is expected to make sure her needs/wishes are met. The home has a lovely, calm atmosphere. It is beautifully decorated, and the extensive gardens are well-kept. My only concern is the smaller number of staff on duty at weekends.