a family guide
One of the biggest concerns families have when moving a loved one into care is the fear that they will “lose themselves“, that their independence and personal freedom will be diminished. At Oakwood House, we actively push back against this idea. Our philosophy is centred on maintaining dignity, choice, and independence, providing tailored support only when it’s genuinely needed.
Here is a look at how we champion independence, backed by our compassionate and highly skilled Nursing Care team.
one: Championing choice and dignity
Independence isn’t just about physical ability; it’s about the right to choose how you live your day.
- Personalised Routines: We don’t enforce a rigid schedule. Residents choose when to wake, when to go to bed, and where to take their meals. Our team adapts to their preferred routines, respecting the lifetime of habits they bring with them.
- Active Decision-Making: We encourage residents to make decisions about their care, their activities, and even the decor of their private rooms. We welcome residents to bring cherished items from home to create a space that feels familiar and uniquely theirs.
- Social Independence: Our Activities Programme is designed to encourage residents to participate in a rich social life, but participation is always a choice. They can attend Feel Good Fitness sessions for Physical Wellbeing or enjoy a quiet moment in the cosy library or bright garden room.
two: adaptive care for physical conditions
For residents with complex or changing physical needs, our approach is all about adaptive care, using our clinical expertise to enable, not restrict.
- Specialist Nursing Care: As a home offering Nursing Care, we have highly qualified medical professionals on site 24 hours a day. This means we understand what is needed and will act accordingly.
- Mobility Support: We use specialised equipment and techniques to support movement and mobility safely, empowering residents to move around the home and gardens freely, often with the assistance of gentle exercise, like our Feel Good Fitness sessions.
- Proactive Health Management: Our team constantly monitors health and physical needs. By proactively managing conditions like diabetes, we prevent small issues from becoming major barriers to independence.
three: empower through confidence and engagement
When people feel capable, they feel independent. Our activities are designed to build confidence, proving that curiosity and creativity are timeless.
- Skill Maintenance: Whether it’s Crafts Morning, Flower Arranging, or decorating cakes, our activities encourage residents to use their hands and minds, helping to maintain existing skills and even discover new ones.
- Cognitive Stimulation: Sessions like Trivia are vital for keeping the mind sharp, supporting memory, problem-solving, and focus.
At Oakwood House, we view our care team not as substitutes for independence, but as expert partners. We provide the safety net of professional, specialist care so your loved one can continue to live a life that is truly their own.
