Oak Lodge Brochure - Forest Care

OAK LODGE

CARING SINCE 1981

Welcome to Oak Lodge Oak Lodge is an award-winning care home, located within 300 acres of a beautiful Hampshire country estate. We are an outstanding care home that feels more like a five-star hotel, combining luxury living alongside specialist nursing, residential and respite care for the elderly, in a purpose-built environment.

Oak Lodge is part of Forest Care, a family-owned company providing care since 1981 with five purpose-built care homes in Surrey and Hampshire countryside locations. We are extremely proud of our award-winning care homes that are “homes” in the truest sense and thank our local communities for trusting us to care for their loved ones. Choosing a care home can be a difficult and emotional process, so we aim to make it a little easier at Oak Lodge by providing exceptional care in a happy and homely environment. We involve families in care planning to ensure each resident has an individual care plan that meets all their medical, physical, emotional and social needs, and we work closely with families to ensure that the move for their loved one is a smooth and positive one. Our open visiting policy means family and friends are welcome at any time. Mark Vickery

Mark Vickery, Director of Forest Care Ltd enquiries@forestcare.co.uk

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Why choose a Forest Care home?

ALL-INCLUSIVE FEES Our residents and their families can relax knowing that the all-inclusive fee covers all the care they need. There are no administration fees, no deposits, no hidden extras, and fees are only payable from the day you arrive to the day you leave. STAFFING To provide the care our residents deserve, we set our staffing levels above industry-standard ratios, to enable a more relaxed environment for our residents where person-centred care can be delivered according to our residents needs. FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY Forest Care has been dedicated to providing exceptional care since 1981. With over four decades of experience and industry expertise, we combine professional knowledge with a family-centred approach to care and management. Our compassionate and highly skilled teams are committed to delivering the highest standards of care, ensuring every resident feels valued and supported.

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“ A top-quality care home where the management and team go beyond the call of duty to make the residents happy. ” Son of Resident

LIFE LEAD BY RESIDENT’S CHOICE

We take the time to listen to our residents, understanding their needs and wishes for life in our care homes, while always respecting their privacy and personal choices. Our support and care are designed to help them maintain their independence, ensuring they remain free to choose how they spend their time. COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES Providing well-rounded care is important to us, we endeavour to look after residents’ physical and medical needs, as well as their social and emotional well-being. Although physiotherapy, chiropody and hairdressing are not regulatory requirements, we believe they form an integral part of our resident’s care and therefore provide these at no additional cost.

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“ We continue to be impressed by the modern, well-designed facilities at Oak Lodge which is situated in beautiful peaceful countryside. The grounds and buildings are maintained and cleaned to a high standard. ” Son of Resident

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Fulfilling your care needs

RESIDENTIAL CARE Residential care offers comfort and security for those who may find living at home lonely or require support with daily tasks such as washing, dressing, and eating. Our compassionate and experienced team provides round-the-clock care, ensuring residents receive assistance with personal care, medication, and other everyday needs. Our aim is to improve the quality of life for our residents with a safe, comfortable, happy, ‘home-from-home’ environment, with beautifully decorated rooms, tranquil outdoor spaces, nutritious home-cooked meals and a choice of meaningful and engaging activities. NURSING CARE Nursing care is for people who have more complex care needs in addition to personal care, due to a medical, physical or mental health condition, or long term illness, that require intervention by a trained nurse. If you or a loved one has a clinical need such as wound care, catheter care, tube feeding or specialist medication by injection e.g., for diabetes, then you will typically need nursing care. RESPITE CARE Respite care provides a short-term stay, offering support for individuals recovering from an illness, injury, or operation, or giving family carers a well-deserved break. It can also serve as a trial period for those considering a move to permanent care. We offer respite care for a minimum stay of four weeks, subject to availability.

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“ I couldn’t be more satisfied with the peace of mind I have that my mother is safe and well cared for. They cater for her individual requirements incredibly well. ” Daughter of Resident

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Outstanding Cuisine

GOOD NUTRITION We recognise that good nutrition and hydration are essential to the health and wellbeing of our residents. Our dedicated Catering Team prepares freshly made meals on-site each day, using locally sourced ingredients. We are always exploring creative and engaging ways to promote nutrition and hydration, such as smoothie-making sessions, baking classes, and food-tasting experiences. We cater to all allergy and dietary requirements, including modified diets for residents with dysphagia, ensuring every individual’s needs are met. To keep our residents comfortable and energised, a selection of drinks and snacks are readily available throughout the day.

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“ A very friendly, well-run home that leaves me confident in the knowledge that my parent is always amongst friends, yet being well cared for. ”

Son of Resident

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Dining at Oak Lodge

DINING EXPERIENCE At Oak Lodge, we are dedicated to making every mealtime a memorable dining experience for our residents. In addition to our daily meals, we frequently host special dining events, such as a Wedding-themed dining experience and afternoon teas to celebrate occasions throughout the year. PRIVATE DINING We take pride in offering a luxurious dining experience for our residents and their families. If you wish to mark a special occasion with a private dining space, we would be delighted to arrange this to suit your needs.

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Our all-inclusive fee ensures complete peace of mind, with no hidden costs. You can relax knowing that all the person-centred care you or your loved one needs is provided.

• 60 spacious single en-suite bedrooms • 24-hour nurse call system • Bright and spacious lounge area • Majestic dining room

• Complimentary chiropody • Passenger lift • Dedicated activities room • Dedicated family room • Mobility vehicle • Landscaped gardens • Physiotherapy • Interactive activity table • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the home • Electric car chargers (payable via the PodPoint App)

• Sensory garden • Summer house

• Coffee bar • Hair salon

• Large sun terraces • Assisted bathrooms • Wheelchair accessible showers • Complimentary hairdressing

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At Forest Care, it’s all included

Oak Lodge is an ‘Outstanding’ and award-winning care home combining 24-hour residential and nursing care with warm and friendly hospitality for up to 60 residents on a permanent and respite basis. Purpose-built on the foundations of a country farm complex, within a beautiful 300-acre Hampshire countryside estate, Oak Lodge is a quintessentially British care home blending state-of-the art facilities and stimulating environments with a homely atmosphere and family approach to person-centred care. Awarded ‘Top 20 Care Home South East England’ in 2024, winner at the Hampshire Care Awards in 2023, and our Home Manager Grace Adan won ‘Manager of the Year’ at the National Care Awards in 2019. Residents enjoy beautiful farmland views from their luxurious bedrooms equipped with ensuite facilities, spacious communal areas for entertaining and dining, glazed walkways, a dedicated activities room, hair salon and family room. Outside, a landscaped garden, quaint summer house, tranquil flower courtyard with water feature and a raised herb garden tended to by the residents’ gardening club, provide outdoor spaces for residents and their loved ones to relax and enjoy.

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Activities & Life Enrichment

At Oak Lodge, our activities team is dedicated to enhancing residents’ wellbeing through a wide range of meaningful and enjoyable group, individual, and one-to-one activities. We take special care to include tailored options for residents with limited mobility, ensuring everyone can participate in ways that suit their abilities. All activities are thoughtfully adapted to reflect residents’ daily preferences, cultural interests, and personal histories, aligning with our commitment to a person-centred approach to care. We also work closely with families to develop personalised care and activity plans, helping us understand what truly matters to each resident and incorporating their favourite pastimes and hobbies. We strive to foster social connections and friendships while respecting each resident’s individual choices, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

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“ The residents are kept fully entertained with activities and outings, while my mother is a particular

fan of the extensive catering choices. ”

Son of Resident

FUN, ENGAGING & THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES Some of the many activities we provide are; cultural days, themed tea parties and dining experiences, floristry workshops, gardening club, arts & crafts, beauty sessions, trips out to nearby attractions, live musical entertainers – tap, jive and Irish dancers, Ukulele players, Motown singers, tribute acts and visiting animals – alpacas, monkeys and even penguins to name a few! COMMUNITY OUTREACH Oak Lodge has a number of partnerships with local nurseries and primary schools because intergenerational therapy enhances nursing care. The children come to enjoy activities with our residents who have built affectionate relationships with each other, widening our care community.

Prioritising Wellbeing

Oak Lodge is a member of the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA), a charity that champions the importance of activity, engagement and overall wellbeing. We have also partnered with Famileo, where families can share updates and photos from their own day-to-day lives via the Famileo app to create personalised newsletters for our residents.

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AllI- nclusive Fees & Funding

Funding a place in a care home can be a complex and daunting process, largely dependent on individual financial circumstances. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you. Below is a brief overview of the options available to assist with planning and decision-making:

SELF-FUNDING Residents whose total assets (cash/property/ shares, etc.) exceed the Government’s “Capital Threshold” are expected to pay their own care home fees. For some residents this may mean needing to sell their property, where, subject to certain conditions being met, Forest Care will usually agree to accrue and defer fee payments until the property is sold. NHS FUNDING NURSING CARE CONTRIBUTION Anyone needing nursing care may qualify for NHS Funded Nursing Care Contribution (also known as Free Nursing Care), subject to assessment, even if the Local Authority is contributing to the care fees. The NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding may be available, subject to assessment, for people with more intensive nursing needs – due to disability, accident or long-term illness for example. LOCAL AUTHORITY FUNDING A needs assessment from your Local Authority will determine eligibility for any funding, benefits and allowances. Even if you don’t NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE FUNDING

qualify for financial assistance right now, this assessment may help if your circumstances change. Your Local Authority will also carry out a means-tested financial assessment, taking into consideration the total value of your assets, such as your home and income. Your Local Authority should contribute to your care costs if the value of your total assets falls below the Government’s “Capital Threshold” but residents and/or their families will typically need to ‘top up’ any contribution from the Local Authority in order to meet our full fees. 12-WEEK PROPERTY DISREGARD Where you are self-funding by virtue of owning a property, your Local Authority will usually disregard the value of that property for the first 12 weeks of your stay in a care home. That enables time for the property to be sold and means they will pay your fees at their “Guide Rate” for those first 12 weeks. Where the “Guide Rate” does not meet the home’s full fees, you may be asked to “top-up” once the property is sold. DEFERRED PAYMENT AGREEMENT Local Authorities may offer a ‘Deferred Payment Agreement’ depending on circumstances, which avoids a resident’s home having to be sold during their lifetime. This funding is treated as an interest-free loan and secured against the value of the property.

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Frequently Asked Questions

CAN WE BRING OUR OWN FURNITURE? Of course. Our bedrooms are furnished and cover all the basic needs for storage and comfort, and we encourage residents to bring something of their own to personalise their room, to help them settle in and feel more at home. However, please be aware that it may not be possible to accommodate large items of furniture. DO YOU PROVIDE HAIRDRESSING AND CHIROPODY? Yes. A little pampering makes everyone feel good, which is why these services are included in our weekly fees. The hairdresser visits weekly and the chiropodist every 6 weeks. This covers basic hairdressing and chiropody, it excludes perms, colouring, and specialist nail/feet treatments. CAN WE KEEP OUR OWN GP? Yes, providing your existing GP is relatively local to the home and is prepared to continue looking after you and to visit the home on request. We have an exclusive arrangement with a GP practice local to each of our homes, ensuring consistency and quality of care. ALL-INCLUSIVE FEES There are no admin fees, no deposits and no hidden extras, so you can relax knowing your all-inclusive fee covers all of the following: • Fully furnished bedrooms with ensuite facilities. • Full access to and use of all communal lounges, facilities and landscaped gardens. • All food & beverages (including breakfast, lunch and supper). Drinks and snacks are available throughout the day for our residents to enjoy. • Specialist equipment & mobility aids (in accordance with individual needs), including hoists and walking aids. • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the home.

CAN I TAKE MY LOVED ONE OUT? Yes, if there is no medical reason that might prevent this. We will always encourage trips out and know how much our residents enjoy a change of scenery. All we ask is that you let us know in advance so we can ensure they are properly prepared and that we know roughly when to expect them back. WHAT ARE YOUR VISITING HOURS? We don’t restrict visiting to specific hours, so visitors are welcome at any time however please be aware that there are certain times of the day when staff, and residents, will be particularly busy, such as mealtimes. Residents are free to get up or go to bed when they choose to and choose who they wish to see and spend time with. If you are in any doubt of when best to visit, please speak with one of our team. WHAT ARE YOUR STAFF RATIOS? To provide the care our residents deserve, we set our staffing ratios above industry-standard ratios, to enable a more relaxed environment for our residents where person-centred care can be delivered according to their needs. • All necessary care and support in accordance with the agreed care plan. • Weekly visit by our care home’s GP (where registered). • Physiotherapy – regular group exercises and a clinic/assessment for one-to-one consultations. • Chiropody – regular visits from a Chiropodist. • Hairdressing (on-site hair salon), excluding specialist treatments such as perms and colouring. • Activities, entertainment and day trips out. • Full laundry service provided by our care home. • Council Tax, TV licence and Utilities.

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The Forest Care Group In addition to Oak Lodge, Forest Care owns and manages four other purpose-built luxury care homes located in Hampshire and Surrey. Each home features 60 en-suite bedrooms, extensive communal facilities, and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Elm Lodge

Residential, Nursing, Respite Newnham, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG27 9AN Nestled in the North Hampshire countryside, Rowan Lodge offers tranquillity, luxury living and person-centred care for up to 60 residents in a beautiful purpose-designed environment. With extensive modern facilities and a wide variety of activities, there is always something to do at the care home. Whether they require residential, nursing or respite care, residents can and are encouraged to choose how they spend their time. Rowan Lodge

Residential, Respite Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8JG Our newest addition to the Forest Care family! We are delighted to offer you first class facilities and exceptional care in an environment that feels more like a luxurious five-star retreat than a traditional care home. Elm Lodge is purpose-built to provide both comfort and expert care. Whether you’re seeking residential or respite care, we’re here to ensure every resident enjoys a fulfilling, supportive, and enriched lifestyle.

Holly Lodge

Cedar Lodge

Dementia, Residential, Nursing, Respite Frimley Green, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 9NP Specialising in dementia care, Holly Lodge uses contemporary design and digital imagery wallpaper to support resident’s psychological care within this prestigious home. Activities are multi-sensory, designed to alleviate dementia symptoms and encourage reminiscence. Holly Lodge accommodates people living with different types of dementia at every stage of their journey, with compassionate and experienced staff trained in specialist dementia care.

Residential, Nursing, Respite Frimley Green, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 9NP Set in idyllic woodlands in Surrey, Cedar Lodge is an award-winning care home specialising in residential, nursing and respite care. Cedar Lodge prides itself on being a ‘home’ in the truest sense with its warm, homely atmosphere welcoming you on arrival and strong sense of community. Renowned for its award winning activities team, this care home is externally recognised for its person-centred care and luxury living.

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Are you getting the very best? Visiting a care home, meeting the staff and residents, observing everyday life and asking the questions that matter to you is the best way of deciding if it feels right for you or your loved one. We recommend that you see as many homes as you can and take a friend or relative along with you as it helps to have a second pair of eyes while you’re there and someone to talk things through with afterwards. We always strive to accommodate all visitors; however, if you or a friend can arrange a prior appointment, we can ensure a relaxed viewing experience and the opportunity to meet with our team. A lot of thought goes into creating a genuinely homely environment where residents feel relaxed, happy and free to make their own choices. These choices include which of the many activities to get involved in and where and what they would like to eat each day. Here is a handy checklist of things to look for when you visit:

LOCATION

FACILITIES

Is there plenty of space? Are there quiet areas for residents who don’t want to take part in activities? Is there a garden? Are the facilities well adapted for the needs of residents, e.g., handrails, wheelchair access? SPECIFIC CARE REQUIREMENTS Does every resident have a personal care plan? Is specialist equipment available e.g., hoists, electrically operated beds? If the resident’s needs change over time can the FOOD I s the food freshly prepared on-site? D oes the menu offer plenty of choice? I s the menu changed regularly? C an they cater for specific diets and/or individual preferences? A re snacks and drinks available throughout the day? ACTIVITIES D o the activities/events on offer appear to be well planned and organised? D o residents go out on trips? WHAT ABOUT THE EXTRAS A re there any extra services offered, e.g., physiotherapist, chiropodist, hairdresser? I s personal laundry included in the cost? A re you clear about what is included in the fees? home still provide the necessary care? Are staff suitably trained and qualified? Is there a local GP who visits the home?

Is the home in a pleasant setting? Is it convenient for family and friends to visit? Are there shops and other amenities nearby?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Does it look clean and smell pleasant? Do the rooms and grounds seem well maintained? Is there a comments book you can read – or are letters of thanks on display?

RESIDENTS Do residents seem happy and look well cared for? Do any of the residents look bored or disengaged? Are there plenty of things going on to keep residents occupied? STAFF Are the staff making you feel welcome? Are they caring and friendly towards residents? Do they engage with residents on a one-to-one basis? Did you meet the manager (or a senior staff member)? BEDROOMS Are the bedrooms nicely decorated and furnished?

Do they have en-suite facilities? Is there an emergency call system? Can residents bring some of their own possessions? Is there a safe place for valuables?

Oak Lodge, Rectory Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG23 7EL 0333 305 1785 enquiries@forestcare.co.uk forestcare.co.uk

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