Brookdale

Our experience was disappointing overall. We were initially told our loved one could stay in assisted living, but after he moved in, we were informed he needed memory care instead. While we agreed he did need memory care, we already had another facility in mind that we preferred for that level of care, so we felt misled during the admission process. We also had concerns about his ongoing care. Despite repeatedly stressing the importance of managing his chronic constipation, the issue was not handled adequately. In addition, several new clothing items were lost, and we were not told to label his clothes until after the losses had already occurred.

The assessment team scheduled between 1-2pm. They arrived at 2:10pm Very frustrating. No call. I had to call the sales team to find out where they were as others were scheduled.

I don't know quite how to express this except that the "vibes" just weren't right for me. I got the impression that I was being interviewed and that the place was not trying to "sell" me. In retrospect, I realize that this is probably a good place for a single individual needing assistance and not for two individuals, only one needing assistance.

They are often without enough help. They went for 2- 3 months without someone to clean the rooms. When there was a fire alarm, no one checked with the people on the third floor and 2 employees were smoking cigarettes outside. It was a false alarm but the residents did not know that. I was there with my parents on the third floor and we saw no one the entire time the alarm was going off.

I would recommend it. Best for a really older person mid 80's and up. Most here navigate the halls on scooters which is dangerous (look out at the corners, these are speed demons) and if one is walking, a plain nuisance if you are stuck behind them. There are many here in nineties and over 100. I would recommend, only if they are extroverts or morning people. There is a "caste system" of those who rent villas on one side of the pond and those of us in the main building. They are very proud of their #1 JD Power rating but it's from 2023. There's a charge for things you don't expect, like going to a different apartment is [Name Removed]. The "two meals" is Breakfast and one other. Breakfast is 8-9 so you have to be a morning person to take advantage of it and it's low quality all carbs buffet.

The complaint I have with Brookdale West Melbourne is that I have asked for reasons on price increases on my mom's bill to several individuals and they aren't explaining it to me. I even met with Kenn Voegele the manager in person and he promised me an answer but has never responded. In billing there should be more transparency. My mom's personal service rate went up over $100 and no details. Her medication has not changed at all.

I have moved my Mom to another facility. The director and upper management are very open to discussing complaints and I had multiple meetings with them, but our issues were not remedied. Response times to call buttons are slow or no one comes at all. Services to be provided as part of the rental rate were not being done on a consistent basis. Level of Care assessments they say were needed were not performed consistently. The facility is very nice and clean and I ate there several times and the food I had was good. I did not see many activities going on and mom did not feel like she had much in common with residents she met.

I will start by saying that I do not have a lot of experience with AL facilities. Some CG's do not speak English Some are nice, some are not I live across the country from the facility which makes it a bit difficult. I have had issues with billing and services but they were eventually resolved after 6 weeks of repeatedly contacting. Mom had alcohol taken, mgmt replaced it. This creates a trust issue. Overall, they try to do their best. I appreciate the care they provide for my mom.

I chose Brookdale because it was near a family member who was close to my mom. She also needed a place that did not require a large proof of assets. She was only there for 2 months before she passed away. Positives were a homey environment and caring staff. They seemed overworked and unable to manage keeping track of things. Within 2 weeks Mom's new partial plate and glasses were lost. Laundry didn't get done on schedule. Mom hated that other residents wandered freely into her room at all hours. We were warned that small personal items might walk away, so we attached what we could with museum putty. But you can't do that with teeth and glasses. Mom passed away on [Date Removed]. They called me right away. There was no gentleness to the notification. I think it might have been the aide who was caring for her and she might have also been upset. I wish I could give Brookdale a higher score because I believe they are doing the best they could with what they had. The score of three is more of an indictment of the sad and expensive end of life experience for our elderly.

Tour was ok. Overall feel of facility was not positive. May be influenced by visiting someone years ago under different circumstances management.

Its cost and location were deciding factors for us. My mother is not unhappy. Guess it depends on the family's needs. Most of the staff are well meaning but my mother is not demanding so her care is spotty to nonexistent. Things like schedules for laundry, showers and sheet changing are unreliable and inconsistent. It's not the worst place and it is in our budget. The administrators talk a big game.

The staff seems extremely nice. They are short staffed which leads to longer call times and sometimes missed services. Parents have missed getting showers. Overall fairly clean. Food is fair. Apartment size is good, they have an extremely hard to find 2 bedroom.

Residents are friendly. Front desk is helpful. Food is fine. Some things are better than others. If super picky then won't like at all. If more flexible and know what not to get then you'll be fine. Staff is 50/50 and train for 3.5 score. Some are attentive and friendly. Others are aloof. Act disinterested. Not in a hurry. We really haven't been there long. It really orients to residents who are mostly high functioning. My dad has had some health setbacks since moving in and have had to lean into the services more and it's mediocre. I have to lean into more than I should. Overall, still a good pick for us as it's close by, financially competitive. pretty surroundings and , great views.

It's a smaller facility, the staff is very nice and personable. The dining situation is okay. I would recommend Brookdale Vista to others.

Negative: Food is low quality—often too salty or overly sweet. Not enough staff to cook or help, especially in the dining room. Service can be slow and you never know how long you’ll wait to be served. Building also shows exterior wood rot from water damage. Positive: Some caring staff when available. Good location. Reasonable price. Nursing care is solid. Shuttle service is helpful. Wine and cheese events are a nice touch.

First let me mention that my mom was moved into the memory care unit at the end of last year. She is not yet at the stage that most of the other people there are and she knows it. Most of the care staff is pretty friendly. They all seem to know her name. It's hard to say how much care the residents actually receive because I'm not there all the time. We've had issues with the laundry. My mom is still with it enough to know when clothes they bring back aren't hers or if she's missing things. They recently hired a new activities person for the memory unit. She seems very good and I've seen her trying to engage people. I had a major issue with billing that went on for a few months. Trying to get it corrected wasn't easy and the staff wasn't very nice. Admin staff is hard to get a hold of and unresponsive. I've looked into other facilities in the area and this one seems the best for the price.

Constant turnover of lead staff and care staff have created a facility with inconsistent services and varying levels of quality. Some months it is great- then others are awful in terms of response time, meal quality and med management. To get a decent level of service you have to always be advocating and bringing concerns to the attention of multiple folks before anything might be done. While the common arenas are accessible, individual rooms are not ADA compliant

After living here for almost 2 years we have had 4 directors and too many care staff changes to count. Meal quality and variety have recently improved but still lack in availability of fresh fruits and vegetables at each meal. Towards the end of each month they seem to run out of certain items. Wait time for calls for assistance ranges from 15 minutes to an hour depending on time of day and who is working.

I am rating this because staff checks on people only for meal orders or when call light is hit and it takes a while for them to help. They definitely are not skilled for bed bound patients. Room size is fine. Dining, food was good. No extremely clean but not dirty.

Staff are overwhelmed. The rooms are generously sized and kept cleaning. The common areas are quite limiting, the residents are in a lockdown wing and there's not a lot of room to move about. Residents who are there for memory Care should be on a hydration plan which means staff have offered and the resident has consumed sufficient water.