Review from Andrew A (Son of Resident) published on 26 November 2015
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Avondale is superbly managed and has an attentive, caring and professional staff. Residents are treated as individuals and are shown courtesy and respect at all times. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

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Review from Denise B (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My father moved into Avondale in February 2015 after an unsuccessful period in another home and then a month in hospital. Due to dads complex dementia needs, it was very difficult to find a home that a) could meet dads needs and b) would take dad. Avondale were fantastic, they showed complete confidence

in caring for dad which, in subsequent months since he moved in they have done in a very professional manner. The care dad receives is absolutely fantastic, he is happy, relaxed and calm, challenging behaviours have since disappeared. Avondale is the perfect home for dad, as a family we couldn't be happier.

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Review from Celina E (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Avondale care home is Aylesbury accepted my mother last December 2014 from a care home that had failed to care for my mother and her worsening dementia, even the GP had it wrong. Since joining my mum has gone from strength to strength in her world of dementia, she has discovered her new personality,

enjoys life, laughs all the time, eats and drinks, and sleeps well without anxiety or worry. My daughter recently arrived to find her in the garden with her sunny's and hat on with a glass of red wine after lunch. Surrounded by residents and a nurse holding her hand and told my daughter she was thoroughly enjoying her holiday!!

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Review from Rena (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 October 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Even when I was visiting care homes in the area Avondale Care Home stood out as being calm and efficient without being starchy. From the start my father was treated with dignity and respect and all the staff from carers to management were caring, patient and approachable. They always kept me informed

and undertook my wishes whenever possible. They accepted my fathers idiosyncrasies as part of his personality and accommodated his foibles whenever they could. It is sad that due to his condition he was not able to fully appreciate his surroundings and care in the last few months.

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Review from Denise (Relative of Resident) published on 30 October 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I have experience of a few homes because I have had 3 close relatives who lived in various ones. Avondale at Aylesbury is the best one I have ever been in on every level. The management are passionate about striving to improve quality of life for those with dementia (& others) and their high standards

filter down to all of the staff. People are treated with dignity and respect and every effort is made to stimulate them. There is an excellent activities team who constantly try and think of interesting things that people can do, according to their ability. It is a positive, vibrant place. The decor is beautiful and also homely, not institutional. No one wants to have to live in a care home but if your health means that you must then this is the place to be.

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Review from Eve E (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 October 2015
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

We initially contacted Porthaven in Aylesbury when we had been let down by my mother's existing care providers and were therefore in urgent need of respite care. Both the Manager and the Assistant Manager responded in an extremely helpful and efficient way and were able to help us out by providing

a safe and professional environment for my Mother at very short notice, at what was a very stressful time.
We were initially concerned as to how my Mother would settle into a care home environment after being looked after at home and also because she has some reasonably complex care needs. However she seemed very relaxed from the start. The staff were so caring, patient, helpful and experienced that they seemed to take her care all in their stride and she settled very quickly. The staff seemed to be of a very high calibre and seemed a happy and motivated team. My brothers and I always felt very welcome when we visited. The Care home itself is a very welcoming and homely environment and the standards of cleanliness are to be applauded. The food was also of a very good standard. Being on the ground floor it was also nice that my Mother had access to the lovely gardens and her ensuite room was sunny and comfortable.
Overall, we were very impressed with this Care Home and feel that we very lucky to have found it.

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Review from Shelagh B (Resident) published on 23 October 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I am very happy living at Avondale Care Home. We have the most wonderful care home manager/ The carers are very good and I would highly recommend the home.

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Review from Alison M (Daughter of Resident) published on 15 October 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Finding a care home for a loved one is extremely difficult. From my very first visit I was made to feel that the carers at Avondale really did care. On arrival my mum was frightened and withdrawn. Very quickly she was made to feel safe and secure and has been very happy since. She has been at Avondale

for well over a year now. I can visit whenever I like and often find the carers sitting with mum, often singing or dancing, making her laugh. She has dementia and finds it hard to communicate, but they tend to her every need.

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Review from Nikki H (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 13 October 2015
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

After 3 previous homes, my Mother-in-lay moved to Avondale 8 months ago. Since then her temperament is so much calmer, her anguish is rarely seen, and she sometimes finds it in her to laugh, this is because Avondale staff spend time with her, talk to her, interact with her everyday. She still has

a few grumpy moments, but these are so short lived nowadays. All she wants is to belong somewhere where she feels welcome, and she does at Avondale. She joins in with some of the activities which was totally unheard of in previous care homes. That's because she gets individual care and what is so great is that the staff are so consistent, despite her illness she is able to build a relationship / friendship with the staff. This is so rare, and something that has not happened anywhere else. We are able to relax at night knowing she really has the best care, and we will be notified of anything concerning immediately. The staff are truly amazing and genuine people. If anyone is looking for a service that epitomises care homes and service, stop looking, it's Avondale.

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Review from Joanne R (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 October 2015
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My mother has been in the home since January this year and is on one of the dementia units. From day 1 the care my mother has received is excellent. The staff are all very caring and approachable, from the management through to the carers. From the moment you walk through the door the place has a lovely

atmosphere and is spotlessly clean. My mother is involved in all the activities including a music therapy group which visits fortnightly. She certainly seems very happy and I would recommend Avondale to anyone.

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Review from Andrew B (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 9 October 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My mother in law has been a resident since March 2014. My father in law was resident for a few months but died. My mother in law has one leg. My comments are not wide-ranging. Avondale Care Home is a comfortable, clean, bright nursing home with good facilities, good interaction and facilities efficiently

run. It is not cheap - a huge amount to find weekly in fact - but the jewels in its crown are their members of staff. I am constantly impressed, reassured and delighted by the patience and love they show to my mother in law who in turn takes to them with demonstrable pleasure and clearly has a quality to the life in the midst of her physical and mental difficulties. (I visit at least 3 times a week - see so much)

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Review from Sue S (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 October 2015
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My mother was admitted to Avondale in November 2014 she wasn't eating, refused medication and care and was in a very poor state. At 91 we were afraid she was close to the end of her life. The care provided by Avondale in the early days was extraordinary, she was encouraged in a positive and respectful

manner to eat, to accept care and to take her medication and she gained weight and started to look really well physically.

Avondale cannot cure dementia, but the care and dedication from all of their team which is of the same standard without exception means that this illness is understood and managed with dignity to achieve best possible outcomes.

The care extends to the family. We understand the illness better and the staff has always been frank with us and above all we feel that my mother is totally safe. She is less fearful and agitated and that is all we could ask at this stage.

A sincere thank you to all at Avondale from our family.

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Review from Mandy B (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 October 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I viewed a lot of care homes when I was looking to place my parents. Avondale was the only one that ticked all the boxes. Other homes just didn't come up to scratch. Some of them I wouldn't have left an animal in let alone my parents. The staff and management here are five star. The home itself is very

classy and homely with beautiful gardens. The cleanliness is five star. Yes I would definitely recommend Avondale!

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Review from Bill R (Resident) published on 6 October 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Coming to Avondale I feared I would loose my independence and I haven't. I can get up when I want to and go to bed when I want to. I can choose my own meals as there is lots of choice for all meals. If I don't like what's on the menu. I can request something different. I came here 18 months ago together

with my wife who has Alzheimer's. I am in a nursing unit and my wife's in a dementia unit, but we can still visit each other when we want to. Fortunately we keep the same staff on the same unit most of the time. They get to know our likes and dislikes. I now call this my home and I look upon the staff in my unit as part of my extended family. The one thing that struck me when I first came to visit was the wonderful warm caring atmosphere.

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Review from Andrew K (Son of Resident) published on 1 October 2015
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My father is probably the longest serving resident at Avondale having arrived in January 2011 shortly after it was opened (I think he was the 2nd resident!). The level of care, love, consideration of his needs and nursing has been exemplary throughout all of this time. Knowing that my fathers challenging

care needs are being delivered in such a thoughtful and respectful way gives me much comfort - knowing there is nowhere better he could be looked after.

The Avondale care home manager is amazing, someone who knows exactly how to deliver great facilities and an overall care team to allow for an amazing care environment. It was no surprise to me when he was awarded the 2014 National Care Home Manager's award. Ably supported by Deputy Manager, both of whom have been at Avondale since it first opened. This level of leadership continuity - knowing the residents and their families and knowing how to deliver a caring environment and setting very high expectations of their team is seen very rarely and is a big part of why Avondale is just so good - the individual care staff are clearly well trained and deliver outstanding care 24x7.

The building, fixtures, fittings, gardens, entertainment programmes (and importantly the food!) are all excellent, there is nothing I would change.

If you are looking for a care home you really must visit Avondale, a lovely atmosphere, with very high standards of care across the board.

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