Oaken Holt

The food available was poor. You can have a limited menu if the quality is high. Especially if you are charging above-average rates. The home is clean and appears to look after its residents well.

My parents have both been at Oakenholt for nearly four years now. The first year was very good, then due to a change of management things went downhill rather dramatically. Lack of staff, particularly at weekends and not much activities if any at weekends. However the new Manager has been a breath of fresh air and stamped his mark on the home and the residents and staff seem a lot happier again. There could still be more going on at weekends but he has proved to be a more than positive appointment.

Overall we were happy with the care Mum received. The staff were all friendly and made Mum feel at home. This was the first time she had been in respite so an anxious time for us and her. She was pleased with the quality of the meals and found her room comfortable. As Mum suffers from dementia it was difficult questioning her about her week but we can only be guided by her saying that she would go back at any time!

After reviewing a number of care homes, I made the decision that the environment that I experienced at Oaken Holt would be perfect for my mother's needs, and I was not disappointed. The management team are all excellent, taking the time to understand my mother's needs and showing complete confidence that these could be met. From the moment we arrived, the staff were fantastic, and I was reassured that I had made the right decision. My overriding memory is the calm feel and the engagement that the staff provided. This has been by far the best experience we have received from any local care home, and would fully recommend it to others.

It is a wonderful place, with a fantastic homely feeling and lovely buildings and surrounds. But this is what really makes it stand out (and I have a medical background): the staff were amazingly welcoming (sincerely so), irrespective of their professional background and one could not wish for better care and attention than that given to my father and visitors. He continued to deteriorate and within a few days, it was clear that he was nearing the end. Again the manner in which this was handled was exemplary and he died comfortably and in peace. The staff were great with the family, enabling us to be with him day and night for his last days. Nothing was too much and we are eternally grateful.

My mother recently became a resident of Oaken Holt. My mother struggled with the change but the manager and all staff members have been exemplary in their care and attention to detail in helping my mother with this transition. I can't thank all members of staff enough.

The staff are lovely and the food is also very good. I particularly like taking part in quizzes and bingo. Through the sunny day, it was nice to sit outside with the other residents. I am very happy in my room and love the views of the grounds.

I appreciate that they have been willing to keep her where she is even though she has Dementia and they now have a special Dementia unit.

I could not have wished for a better home than Oaken Holt for my husband, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

There has been a huge improvement in almost every aspect of the Home since the arrival of the new manager a couple of months ago. It is noticeable that both residents and staff appear happier and the whole atmosphere at Oaken Holt has lightened. Some staffing issues have improved and we are optimistic that this will continue. We have been able to stay for lunches again after Covid restrictions and have been impressed with the quality of the food. The range and frequency of activities provided for residents is increasing and we hope this will go even further. We continue to be pleased with the level of genuine care and attention provided by the permanent members of staff.

Since the new manager arrived the atmosphere is friendly and positive. The staff have always been professional and caring but now they seem more relaxed and more enthusiastic.

My most recent visit was in March. Travelling from Yorkshire I find, with some notice, I can visit Mum on the days and times that suit me without any problem. Reception is friendly and helpful making sure visitors are Covid clear and safe. Mother's room is large, pleasant and south facing with views over the parkland. Carers are always popping in to attend to Mum's needs, give her her meds, ask her choices for meals, offer her drinks or see to housekeeping. Staff that I have met have been pleasant and well-meaning. However, due probably to Brexit, there is a big turnover of staff, difficulty in recruiting permanent staff and continual use of agency people, some of who seem to lack proper training. This is not unique to Oaken Holt of course but it does make forming a relationship with some of the carers difficult for Mum and for them to have an on going understanding of her issues and needs. Aside from this the environment is pleasant and the care given is generally good.

Management staff provides wonderful support to our mother, that has extended her life by their care.

My father stayed in the Coach House for respite, and we found the staff very supportive of him and all the family. The deputy manager was very kind and helpful with queries, managing extensions to his stay and keeping in touch, and his lead carer, in particular, always took time with him. The food was excellent, and the views were just stunning. The team were very helpful in enabling my mother to visit within Covid protocols, which made the stay much more manageable.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Oakenholt, and I recently told both of my children that if the need arises, Oakenholt would be my own first choice!

Dad stayed at Coach House for more than a year before moving to Wytham House and repeatedly spoke very fondly of the carers and the excellent food. The deputy manager at Oaken Holt Nursing and Residential Home was very supportive, quick to respond to queries and to help us as a family address concerns and questions. Life in a care home is not easy and during the pandemic, times were hard for everyone but given all this, we still feel that we made the right choice in placing Dad at Coach House. The lead carers at Coach House in particular were so kind and we were very grateful to them for their support to Dad, and us as a family. The downsides circled around the lack of engagement/management from the overall director, (who has since left) the regular loss of staff, and gaps in activities for residents.

My friend has been a resident for quite a few years the care that is exceptional and the staff are very attentive and caring, I have no hesitation in recommending them as a care provider. In addition, the grounds and the views from the home are absolutely stunning as is access to the facility.

Communication dealings with the deputy manager are very good. The deputy manager responds efficiently to requests and always ring back promptly if she has been unavailable when I ring. The same cannot be said for the manager. Dining - my father reports that the food at lunch is of a good standard.

Have been here at Oaken Holt for 2 weeks due to a stroke (TIA) and had respite care. It has all been excellent, food is delicious and staff are very obliging, fun, supportive and helpful. I would thoroughly recommend this home.

Anything I wanted, I had - I was spoilt.