Brookdale

This facility is obviously older and was undergoing massive restoration after a water main leak so things like activities, care services, and perhaps even cleanliness are hard to rate at this time. Brookdale is a huge conglomerate which makes some rules and policies more about their profits than the client which is very evident in their administrative paperwork. However, the local staff are very willing to accommodate the clients' need and wishes to the best of their abilities. I am pleased with the facility. The apartments had the best floor plans and square footage for the price as well as had the best storage space of anything we looked at. The only awareness that needs to be said is they want to charge you for things that may not be needed or are inappropriate. I had to stay on top of watching the bill for dates they started charging things and what they were charging. The staff was very nice and accommodating but if I wasn't paying attention....... Staff are wonderful, friendly, very willing to make accommodations.

We toured Brookdale Lake Charles and it was okay. The facility met or exceeded all of our requirements and the location was perfect for us. However, it was an older facility and felt much more "institutional". They were also vague with regard to cost structure and we'd gotten reviews from friends and acquaintances that staffing there had been an issue (in fairness, this has been a factor everywhere). Overall, it just wasn't a good fit for us.

They are short-staffed so my mother sometimes incurs a weight to either go to the dining room or return to her room afterward. We also were not informed of a [fee removed] per month charge for someone to take her down to the dining room and back for her meals. Well I was there today, and aid came in to ask about emptying waste baskets and after being told there were three and where they were located she emptied only one. I had to go find her and remind her she was told there were three and still needed to empty two of them. Personal laundry was to be taken care of yesterday, Tuesday, and they have still not picked it up. The majority of the meals are to my mother's liking and satisfaction. I do not feel that there is value for the cost that my mother is paying. Transportation to/from dining room and laundry are the current issues. My mother does really like her apartment and for that we are grateful. Her state of mind is very much improved. That was something that needed our immediate attention.

I went into this with a sort of emergency situation, things were not fully explained in the beginning. I was at the mercy of the hospital and Brookside as to getting my husband placed there to the extent I was charged 5 days for the hospital, and 5 days by Brookside for the same days. Later I was told it was said to me they would prorate the days, and unfortunately, I assumed that meant from when he got there , not the time I signed papers. Hospital did not get the bed ordered, and Brookside didn't get all the meds in time for him to move, consequently I was charged for both. Spoke to the director after waiting 2 weeks for a call back, who told me there was nothing he could do about that and was then charged a late charge. Apparently most people can afford to pay what they ask, but I cannot. [fee removed]. A month is more than I can handle. No help from anywhere, even Medicare, because they say he isn't at home. He cannot walk or stand and is a large man, its more than I can do for him. He loves the therapist there, thank God for her. Most of the caregivers are quite good. Especially [name removed]. He is not a person who asks for much, I think some could do better. Takes them a long time to answer a call sometimes. Meals aren't the greatest. Often undercooked, or cold, and or processed. I believe they need a cook. But I worked in a restaurant most of my life, I know what I'm looking at. Activities don't really matter for him, he rarely leaves the room unless its therapy, or I am there to take him out. For me the cost is exorbitant, as he needs top level of care.

The staff that works with the people living at this facility are very pleasant and helpful! Like everywhere, they are understaffed! The management staff could be more informative at the beginning when residents are new! The manager seemed overwhelmed and is not a people person, could be more pleasant. The food is excellent! I would recommend this facility to family and friends.

My mom never actually lived there. My dad did for about a month. My mom wasn't allowed to go to the facility without a lot of extras since we moved them both home with sitters. The problem was not them not allowing my mother to join after they had already allowed my father to get moved in. She was allowed, but with a lot of extra expenses. I would tell others who are looking into Brookdale Bossier City to make sure to have everything they are told in writing--not to just take their word on arrangements.

It's been relatively good!! We had some kinks in the beginning but much better now!! The truth... they are kind but we are missing clothes and such which I guess happens in those places... Also, it's expensive!!

Brookdale Olympia East definitely has areas they could work to improve on .

My loved one is a resident here and she's much more content than she was at her last facility. It's a huge, beautiful campus with a wonderful outdoor area. There's even a pond, bridge, ducks to enjoy on the outdoor grounds. There are several buildings at this facility. The buildings include a large, beautiful dining room, a smaller dining room, mail room, craft room, a large beautiful library that just looks so inviting, a beauty/nail salon, an activities room, and a craft room. I absolutely love the Activities Director, she's so personable and is as awesome as she could be. If activities are your thing, there are many and a good variety of them here. I'd say this facility could be the social flower's dream as far as activities go. They have a list of them for each month, including Church services and a crafting room. They also do several outings to places like the casino, movies, arboretum, and dining. They frequently bring outside entertainment in, also. The Activities Director is great about trying to encourage participation of the residents. They also have an Ambassador, which I like. In my loved one's building there's a nursing station that is staffed 24 hours a day, someone is present around the clock. During the day there are 2 nurses in her building and in the evening there's a Med Tech or two. My loved one's room is the smallest available, but it's adequately spacious. She has a full size bathroom with a shower and also a mini-fridge and sink in her room. Housekeeping is once a week and I've heard no complaints from my loved one- which says a lot. They do laundry and bed linen changes once a week, as well. My loved one does complain about the food. At this facility, you can either eat in the dining room or pick meals up to go. It seems like most residents do pick up, I don't see many in the dining room. However, my loved one seems to be missing items often when she picks up her meals. Also, the quality varies, but quantity always seems large. I would probably recommend this facility to family and friends. The cost is higher and we're dealing with a few financial surprises/charges that we didn't expect and weren't told about. However, my loved one is more content here than she was at her previous facility.

Our experience was mixed to be honest, it was good at first but at the end it was bad. Most meals are amazingly prepared as long as there are no dietary restrictions that need to be catered too. Most staff is amazing but several staff are not. Staff turnover is very high and short staffing seems to be a major issue according to management. the staff tries but depending on who is on shift and what shift it is will depend on the quality of the care. Over night care is improving. Value for cost, this is a touchy subject and I have to give it a 2. The activities director and co-directed are amazing and try to involve everyone that want to participate. They try to have activities for everyone to at least try.

I would say a very nice place, would recommend. My father really liked the facility, the staff, the smaller size community. It was nice room, just small for the money. But we are a somewhat frugal family, so for us to see the value it was very hard. Right now he has CNA care for 4 days a week, plus family help in his home for half that amount and the CNA is great.

I think they were in a hurry to get my loved one in before thoroughly checking out his health. However, I would probably recommend this facility to family and friends because there is not a lot to choose from in the area.

The everyday staff were excellent and very compassionate. The management staff I did have some issues with in the beginning. We had issues with the kitchen every day. My mom could only eat certain meals and they would bring her whatever was leftover in the kitchen and something totally different than what was ordered. Our family stayed with her 24 hours a day to make sure she was getting the care and medications that she needed. It was very frustrating. They have tons of activities provided, I wish she would have been able to partake. I think it would be a great place if you are able to take part in all that they have to offer. Just make sure to advocate for your loved ones.

Mostly clean some days the bathroom looks like a truck stop bathroom. The staff members do have lots of smiles. When it comes to care services, they are suppose to check on her every two hours. Sometimes she will fall and it will be 4 hours before found. Items are broken or lost or stolen such as her silverware, lamps. Staff vaporizer e-cig found left in room. When we scouted Brookdale we were shown a great menu. As soon as we move her in the kitchen closed due to water damage, so that big menu is now a sandwich or usually a marinara style dish. We know the circumstances, but we are still paying the premium price for a lot less then we were shown. My grandmother reads and watches TV. She does not take part in the activities, however once again we pay thousands of dollars for something we don't use. Overpriced, well presented but in practice kind of scammy in my grandmother's words. Our experience hasn't been great. A lot of great talk, but once you pay you get whatever you get.

It's very difficult to get anything accomplished. They were so complicated, with getting doctors appointments. They did not communicate well. They need to improve on communication, with my loved one, as well as myself. Also, they need to improve on the billing system, in which they are over charging people for services, that they are not getting, or advising them of.

The place is nice looking and the activities are great for my loved one but the staff is not good and my loved one complains about the food. The staff is beyond horrible. The only choices if the residents don't care for the food offered is a hot dog or a hamburger. We have to have staff there because the staff at Brookdale Southfield almost dropped my loved one a few times and sometimes they don't show up. So a family member will sleep at the community. It's not what I dream it would be at all. The staff has no experience and don't care. Only three staff stay sometimes at night for 200 residents.

Our family had an in person tour with Brookdale Belle and what sold me was the washer/dryer in each unit. Brookdale Meade has laundry facilities on each floor. Plus, Brookdale Meade assigned your seating at meals and I did not care for that.

I understand that a person can fall in any assisted living place, as well as nursing homes. There should be better ways to monitor residents, especially the ones who are prone to falling, in both types of environments. Where it gets really bad at Brookdale, is their deliberate failure to respond, and acknowledge messages, and complete lack of courtesy to communicate their intentions regarding the continued care of a resident. In other words, after falling two times within a few days, then telling me he could go back after therapy with a hospital bed, then I had to find out from a 3rd party that they would NOT take him back!!! That is horrible client service.

No dishwasher, microwave or exhaust fans.... building needs updating. Short staffed.... Dining issues.... low on activities.... need separate Dining for disabled people..... Security issues.... bath tubs and not walk in shower.

We are disappointed in the lack of activities as well as the shamefully exorbitant cost, but these are both probably widespread issues with memory care facilities as well as not having enough staff well trained in dealing with patients with dementia and Alzheimer's.