Brookdale

Brookdale Spruce Wood was a very welcoming community. While we were there we spent time with our daughter-in-law’s parents, [name removed] and [name removed]. The facility is a bit too far from where we’d like to be. We’d like a larger community and very much do not want a place which includes so many meals. We’d prefer to cook for ourselves, with the option of going to meals as we’d choose. The gym was two small for what we’d like.

Cleanliness- The hallways and main areas are very clean. Rooms are not vacuumed and mopped regularly and when they are, they don't do behind/under beds. Friendliness- It really hard to rate this. I feel like I had built relationships with several key folks who I knew I could depend on and would help me. They have fired almost everyone who was there when Mom arrived in late August and the new people seem bothered by family and residents. I currently have no one I can call or text if I have an immediate need. Quality of Care- It depends on who is on duty and how many folks are on duty. Admin Staff- All of the admin staff have left. Some positions have been filled. An email was sent out 1 time about a admin staffing change. The rest I have no idea who they are, which positions have been filled and which have not, and almost any time I want to speak to someone in a particular position Im told "They are on vacation." Food- This is a constant complaint I hear from my Mom. Food is bland, food is hard and tough and she is unable to eat with her dentures. Activities- Activities are better than they used to be. The problem is that most residents look at the calendar constantly because they like the activities, but sometimes I go, sometimes they don't, and sometimes they are canceled or changed with no notice. Value for Money- Based on the other places at visited , this one is very reasonable. However, if the other places have better food, consistent employees, and follow the calendar day the residents, we wouldn't mind paying a little more. The problem is , you don't know until we put your loved ones somewhere how it's going to shake out.

Its not that they did a horrible job or anything, but my mother wasn't thrilled with the Aid they had helping her, and my mother took a fall, was taken to ecmc, and was there 16 hours before ecmc called to let me know. I never received a phone call to inform me she went to the hospital. Majority of staff was good though. Food and activities were also good. Head nurse at brookdale was always informative and nice, she was great. Cleanliness of the place was very good. Room size was perfect for what she needed.

The meals are complained about quite often, the apartment housekeeping leaves much to be desired, the nursing staff is excellent, the kitchen staff remember special dietary needs.

The staff are great with Mom and keep us updated. But trying to navigate the financial portion has been a nightmare and still is. I would not recommend anyone to this facility until they fix the finance department. To pay $[removed]a month and have trouble getting reimbursed is not something I want anyone else to experience.

The people there are very friendly. It is a clean place however they just informed us that it is their policy to give the residence their medication and use their pharmacy which raise the price [Amoutn Removed] a month. My mom always took her medicine herself and we used her insurance to get her medication through Walmart and it never cost us that much money a month for her medication so that was one thing we were not happy about because it's more money and it's already pricey to live there. The menu is not that great they have the same thing week to week, and the food is not that good I think they need more of a variety of food and things that have some seasoning because it's all so bland

We were happy in private room but memory care was terrible!!! The staff on the private side rated A+ all around everyone really cared for my father. On the memory side is was a complete disaster to say the least. I would are the man F-

The residents and people are friendly and helpful. It could be better organized so that when you move in everything is in order. It was very piecemeal for my mom. I would recommend Brookdale to others.

Some of the things we like best at the community is that it is a clean environment and always cheerful. Our loved one is very known and welcomed each day by the dining staff. Our loved one does enjoy the food and the dining staff as well as the van driver are always so kind. However, they could improve on having their leadership be more present and being out and about with the residents. They do have a great array of activities and bus trips, but they could seek our new participates and ask for them to join. Also, there could be more managerial oversight around the place during the evening's to just check on how the evening activities are running and how everyone is doing

Overall, my mom is very happy here. The community is clean, the staff is friendly, and the food is good. She enjoys the pool, and it's nice that housekeeping comes weekly. Maintenance is also quick to respond when something needs attention. One thing we really love is that every apartment has a large balcony. It's been great for my mom because she can sit outside and enjoy some fresh air without having to leave her apartment. A couple of things could be better. The complex can be hard to navigate because the signage isn't very clear, and there could be more support for new residents to help them meet people and get involved in the community. Overall, it's been a great place for my mom, and she's very happy living there.

[name removed] walked out, food is not very good, short on third shift staff yet I know this is one of the better places. Nurses and Lpns are wonderful. Activity director is good. Maintenance is good. Housekeeping could be more frequent.

Improve cleaning bathroom. Be consistent with pricing. I would recommend to others.

Right now they have a serious staffing shortage. Almost no caregivers. Med Techs are doing the job of caregivers and they aren't trained to do that. It's really frustrating for my mom who can't get the help she needs. Other than that she likes the food and goes to more activities than she did at her last AL community.

My Mom's room was unkept on several occasions; fences was on a wall outside a resident's room for 24 hours and when I called it to an employee's attention, she mentioned housekeeping, which is not available on a daily basis, it was only taken care of because I mentioned it being there 24 hours & it was a health issue; caregivers do the laundry so the service is not always completed when scheduled. I found my Mom is the TV room, which was freezing cold & Mom was freezing and had not been offered a blanket; On another day, Mom was in bed unable to fend for herself, and had not been offered water and was dehydrated; I asked an employee to assist Mom out of bed and she responded that she was not a caregiver today. Admin presents themselves as caring and truly is personable; however, complaints are not effectively addressed. food is tasty; however, Mom could not have dairy and the staff continually offered cheese, creamed soups, etc. Lina was the highlight of the residents' day. Mom's stay in memory care was very disappointing. Because of the high acuity of other residents, Mom did not Get the care she paid for. I was there almost every day and hired a sitter to ensure Mom's needs were met in my absence

The laundry situation is in need of reform. Many items of clothing and bedding have disappeared. I have brought this up with supervising staff more than once. I do most of his laundry at home. The staff varies a lot . There are some very caring excellent people and some who don't have the personality or temperament for this type of caretaking. The facility is nice and kept clean and inviting . The supervising staff are good listeners and welcome feedback.

Lots of turnover with the nurses and techs. Short staffed on most days. Even housekeeping is lacking a full staff and weeks can go by without a room being cleaned. If money were not a problem then I probably would not. They are a good budget friendly facility I think if they could get the staffing issues figured out yes I would recommend.

We are really struggling with consistency in response time. My mother in law is waiting anytime from 15 minutes to over two hours for assistance with the bathroom. Very frustrating!

We took a virtual tour of a cottage, which is approximately 1300 sf with a one car attached garage. —We found the cottage to be laid out nicely and pricing to be reasonable. —There’s no patio or way to back of cottage without going around buildings. —The front porch is reasonable for sitting outside. We really just panned the outdoor space; but we’re told there’s ample walking paths, as well as indoor walking in inclement weather.

Activity Director was great; however, she is leaving this facility. They need to have a security person at front desk after 5 when employees in front area to screen visitors entering the building. There is a key pad at front door

The staff is kind, the facilities are nice & the food is good. However, if your family needs a higher level of care beyond medication management & laundry, this is not the place for your loved one.