Auburndale Oaks Healthcare Center in Auburndale, FL

Pros

• The staff are friendly and helpful.
• The care, quality, and cleanliness of the facility are outstanding; the staff are professional, competent, and friendly.
• The staff are amazing and caring toward residents.
• Oak Haven Rehab and Nursing Center is very clean, with friendly and helpful staff.
• The nursing staff does a good job caring for the patients.
• The staff treat residents like family and provide attentive, compassionate care.
• The facility is well kept, odor-free, and inviting to family and friends.
• Meals are above expectations and dietary needs are addressed promptly.
• Terrica Williams, the social worker, is amazing and responsive, resolving concerns.
• The staff arranged a beautiful ceremony for residents who decided to marry.

Cons

• The facility smelled horrible, was dirty, and the staff absolutely hated their jobs.
• A nurse talked to the mother as if she were crazy and didn't have family.
• Essie was blamed for problems, with a suggestion to start looking for another job.
• Call lights were ignored for long periods, with some responses taking 42 minutes.
• Personal belongings were discarded after a patient had died, showing unethical disregard.
• The recreation area was a mess and in need of maintenance.
• There were reports of elder abuse, including patients sitting in their own urine and a patient being left on the floor.
• Some staff were described as rude or uncaring, and management was criticized as incompetent.

Review

Auburndale Oaks Healthcare Center is best suited for seniors who need post-acute rehab or short- to mid-term skilled care with a strong emphasis on compassionate, person-centered attention. The community tends to shine where therapists and caregivers are consistently friendly, professional, and engaged, and where a clean, orderly environment supports recovery and comfort. It is especially suitable for families that value a caring staff who will go the extra mile to address concerns and create a welcoming, home-like atmosphere during a difficult transition. Those seeking a facility with the latest campus-style amenities or a pristine, showroom-like setting should look elsewhere, as the building shows its age and certain operational gaps.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are primarily families prioritizing immediacy of response and uniformity of care. Several reviews point to inconsistent call-light responsiveness, with instances of long waits and a sense that some staff members are overextended or not fully attuned to patient needs. Odors and occasional lapses in cleanliness surface in multiple accounts, along with reports of friction among staff and moments of poor communication. The combination of an older physical plant and mixed staff experiences creates a risk profile that not all families are comfortable accepting, particularly for loved ones with high care demands or vulnerable medical conditions.

The strongest positives at Auburndale Oaks revolve around human connection and competent clinical care. Numerous accounts praise the caring demeanor of nurses, CNAs, and therapists, and several stories highlight meaningful progress in rehab, sometimes accompanied by thoughtful discharge planning and family involvement. Cleanliness is repeatedly cited as a highlight, and several reviews commend the administration and social-work leadership for coordinating care and easing families through difficult transitions. The presence of dedicated staff such as diligent social workers and hands-on therapists can translate into real outcomes, including improved mobility and a smoother return home when rehab goals are met.

Yet the same reviews reveal how far the facility can fall short when operational gaps widen. Delays in assistance, gaps in misinformation, and dated infrastructure undermine the overall experience and safety. Personal items are reportedly at risk when a loved one passes, and communication about care plans can lag, leaving families feeling out of the loop. Odors and intermittent cleanliness issues, plus the sense that a portion of the staff is disengaged, can quickly erode trust even when the core clinical team is capable. These factors are not minor frictions; they affect dignity, timely support, and the ability to maintain a stable routine - crucial elements for recovery and well-being.

In practical terms, families should enter with clear expectations and a plan for ongoing oversight. If choosing Auburndale Oaks, request a consistent care team and insist on daily progress updates, especially during rehab. Tour at different times to observe call-button response in practice and to assess housekeeping rhythms and odor control. Probe the discharge process, including how belongings are handled and documented, and verify medication-management protocols. Engage the social-work staff early, as several families have found real value in a single point of contact who can troubleshoot concerns and maintain steady communication. Finally, assess whether the building's age and atmosphere will be compatible with long-term comfort and safety needs, or if a newer setting would better suit the priorities of care, continuity, and ease of maintenance.

This part of Auburndale, Florida, offers a convenient location with various amenities essential for senior living. Within close proximity, you will find several pharmacies such as Winn-Dixie, Walgreens, and CVS Pharmacy, ensuring easy access to medications and health supplies. In terms of dining options, there are casual eateries like Dino's Drive In and Sonic Drive-In nearby. Medical care is also easily accessible with physicians' offices like Perwaiz H Rahim MD Pa and Central Florida Health Care in the vicinity. Additionally, Winter Haven Hospital and several specialty clinics are within a short distance for any potential healthcare needs. For recreation and relaxation, there are parks like Circle B Bar Reserve a short drive away. Overall, this area provides seniors with a convenient and supportive environment for comfortable living.

Pharmacies

• Winn-Dixie (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital (3.5 miles)
• Kay Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Dino's Drive In (0.9 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.1 miles)
• Wendy's (2.8 miles)
• Apple Lounge (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)
• Old Man Frank's (3.6 miles)
• Barrel 239 (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• Perwaiz H Rahim MD Pa (2.8 miles)
• Central Florida Health Care (3.1 miles)
• The Barranco Clinic (3.3 miles)
• Pediatric Partners Of Winter Haven (3.4 miles)
• Gessler Clinic (3.4 miles)
• Rodrigo A. Bolanos (3.6 miles)
• MyEyeDr (3.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Missionary Baptist Church (2.9 miles)
• Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church (3.1 miles)
• The Rock of Winter Haven (3.4 miles)
• Winter Haven Worship Center (6.7 miles)
• Way Community Church (9 miles)

Cafes

• Baking Donuts Plus (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgical Center (3.5 miles)
• Nierman Stephen Winter Haven Hospital Winter Haven (3.6 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital Occupational Health (3.6 miles)
• Regency Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital Cath Lab (5.2 miles)
• Day Surgery Center (5.8 miles)
• Mpn Medical Center Dundee (8.7 miles)

Parks

• Circle B Bar Reserve (7.1 miles)

Transportation

• Bartow Municipal Airport-KBOW (7.2 miles)
• Railroad Tracks (8.4 miles)