Laurel Oak Manor in Clearwater, FL

Pros

• Oak Manor is a very special place.
• The staff at Oak Manor are kind and attentive.
• The administrator always knew residents' names.
• The staff are awesome and truly exceptional caregivers.
• The campus is quiet and has many planned activities.
• Holly Stephany is responsive, professional, and very knowledgeable.
• Most of the staff are very caring and loving.
• The facility is absolutely wonderful and clean.

Cons

• He became deathly ill from four preventable infections due to neglect of basic hygienic care and poor medical attention by staff.
• The wall behind his mother's headboard was torn, the sheets and the patient were saturated with urine, and staff did not notice when she had a stroke.
• She was on a dysphasia diet, yet a packaged brownie with sprinkles ended up on her lap.
• He developed a bedsore, was wet most of the time, and staff would not remove his catheter for a week after surgery.
• The facility was in terrible condition - no air conditioning for over a week, a nailed-shut window, a broken toilet seat, no hand rails, mold and odor, and peeling paint.
• The meals were poor and non-nutritious, with one meal consisting of a slice of white bread and cold cheese.
• A nurse lied about checking on him, and there was no call light button available when needed.
• He was placed in a room with someone who tested positive for COVID and contracted COVID-19 pneumonia.
• Personal belongings were cleared out and some items, including a family Bible, were missing.
• The staff were under-staffed and overworked, resulting in delayed responses and questionable care quality.

Review

Laurel Oak Manor in Clearwater, Florida is best suited for families seeking long-term skilled nursing care with a genuinely engaged caregiving team. When staff and administrators know residents by name and maintain a steady, predictable routine, the facility can feel like a stable, home-like environment even as health needs evolve. This community supports residents who respond to consistent oversight, routine therapy, and a quieter campus where housekeeping and public spaces are a regular priority. It is not marketed as a luxury resort, but for families who value reliable human contact, responsive aides, and a nursing core that knows the patient's story, Laurel Oak Manor can feel like the right fit.

That said, attention should be paid to where the experience may derail. A substantial body of feedback highlights serious safety and care gaps: extended waits for assistance, recurrent hygiene failures, bedsores, infections, and in some cases miscommunication or outright dismissal of concerns. Where the mood swings toward resentment and fear, families should recognize alternatives that offer higher staffing ratios, transparent leadership, and demonstrable accountability. Those with parents requiring aggressive medical oversight, or who cannot tolerate inconsistencies in daily care, will want to screen other options more aggressively before committing.

On the positive side, the strongest recurring theme is the quality of direct care from several nurses, aides, and therapists who show real compassion and competence. In multiple accounts, staff members deliver timely assistance, share updates, and treat residents with dignity, and housekeeping is praised for keeping spaces clean and presentable. The rehab experience includes standout therapists in some cases, with family members reporting helpful progress and a person-centered approach. These bright spots illustrate that Laurel Oak Manor can function well when leadership is stable, staffing supports the floor, and caregivers are allowed to do their jobs without constant hand-wringing over protocols.

However, the weight of the negatives cannot be ignored. Frequent notes of understaffing translate into delayed care, missed calls, and insufficient bedside attention. Physical environments sometimes appear worn, with issues ranging from medical equipment problems to maintenance delays, odors, and hazard concerns that erode trust. Food quality in rehab areas is described as inconsistent, while some residents repeatedly report poor meals and inadequate dietary oversight. Instances of misfiles, medication mix-ups, or lack of timely showers and hygiene exacerbate medical risks and undermine recovery goals. Across the board, residents' families report mixed experiences with administration, sometimes responsive and other times dismissive or slow to act on complaints or repairs.

For families evaluating Laurel Oak Manor, a proactive due-diligence plan is essential. Request recent performance indicators, tour during a busy shift to observe response times, and speak with several frontline staff, not just the administrator. Confirm staffing ratios, the availability of night shift caregivers, and the presence of a reliable nurse call system. Insist on a detailed rehab plan with measurable goals and regular progress notes, and verify maintenance and housekeeping workflows to address issues promptly. Finally, ask for a transparent account of any past incidents and the steps taken to prevent recurrence; the credibility of leadership will be tested most clearly by how issues are acknowledged and resolved.

In sum, Laurel Oak Manor presents a nuanced choice. For families prioritizing steady human contact, clear personal attention, and a well-run rehab team, it can be a workable option when the facility is well-staffed and well-led. Yet the very real reports of neglect, safety lapses, and inconsistent administration argue for caution. Those with low tolerance for risk, or who require flawless safety and nutrition standards, should seriously compare alternatives and schedule comprehensive, unpressured tours before making a commitment. The decision hinges on balancing the value placed on compassionate, capable caregivers against the need for consistent, predictable quality across all facets of care.

This area of Clearwater, Florida offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With multiple pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians within a few miles, residents have easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are several parks nearby for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There is a variety of restaurants and cafes for dining out or grabbing a quick bite to eat. For entertainment, there is the option to catch a movie at the nearby theater. The St Pete-Clearwater International Airport provides convenient transportation options for travel. Overall, this area offers a mix of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and well-rounded community to call home.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (4 miles)

Parks

• Kapok Park (0.7 miles)
• Cooper Bayou Park (1.2 miles)
• McMullen Booth Tennis Center Clearwater FL (2.6 miles)
• Dog Run (3.3 miles)
• Canal Park (4.8 miles)
• Eagle Lake Park (4.9 miles)
• Stirling Park (5.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Bar Fly (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• Duff's Buffet (2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.4 miles)
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro (2.5 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Clearwater Pediatric Care (2.1 miles)
• The Reproductive Medicine Group (3.5 miles)
• Virginia Street Dermatology (4.6 miles)
• North Pinellas Surgery Center (4.7 miles)
• Premier Miller (4.8 miles)
• Dunedin Pediatrics (4.8 miles)
• Florida Department of Health, Pinellas County Health Department, Clearwater Center (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Mease Countryside Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Mease Countryside Hospital-Medical Arts Building (3.7 miles)
• Morton Plant Hospital (6 miles)
• Morgan Heart Hospital (6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Woodlands Square 20 (4.7 miles)

Transportation

• St Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) (5.6 miles)