Brookdale

In our experience, the staff was extremely helpful, friendly, and accommodating when we were "shopping around" for a place for my mother, an Alzheimer's patient, who is still "high functioning". I voiced my concerns about placing Mom in a facility that was not specifically set up to deal with AD patients. The marketing rep and nurse visited my mother in her home and assessed that she would indeed fit in at their facility. After we moved Mom, it quickly became apparent that this was not a good fit. In fact Mom became a "wanderer" which she had not done before. They tried various solutions, some of which actually made her behavior worse. Ultimately they told us Mom could not stay there. At this time, staff became significantly less responsive and helpful. The most heart wrenching event was their transfer of Mom to the second facility we selected - they sent her on their bus alone with just the driver - pretty traumatic for Mom because she did not know the person driving her, nor did she have any idea where they were taking her. She was pretty shook up when the new facility received her. I live out of state and this all happened before I could get to Mom's location. In spite of the disappointments we experienced with the management level personnel, Mom continued to receive loving care from the aids who are on the front line working with the clients. We have only the highest praise for those folks. In the "friendliness" and "care" categories, we would rate at both ends of the chart, low for management and the the best for the staff that was hands on care giving with the residents.

Mom moved into this facility with known basic health concerns of the elderly that were manageable if attended to on a scheduled basis. The site agreed to manage these needs. We choose to provide our own incontinent supplies - after several weeks in residence, it was clear that these supplies were not being used as directed as there were far too many supplies in the closet storage based on suggested use. It was shared by staff that Mom had stopped eating and drinking for about two weeks causing severe dehydration. Mom was seeing a physical therapist on a daily basis for several weeks - to our knowledge this person notified anyone of noticed steady decline. As a result Mom developed a severe bladder infection requiring hospitalization and eventual death. The site communicated nothing to the family prior to emergency hospitalization. The site appears to be going through a major transition - departure of on-site nurse, new director, new LPN head nurse, continual new faces of care givers - much training is done on the job or relies on previous experience. We observed that several did not have adequate training and we were needed to assist in her care during last weeks. The site was not adequately staffed to meet promises made at move in. Daily rotation of staff assignments does not allow for day to day observations of residents for significant changes in behavior. Medications are dispensed as directed +/- one hr per site procedure - however, this should not apply to pain medication prescribed every hr. The on site Dr was no where to be found when Mom was hospitalized nor after when in hospice at the facility. We do not recommend this facility in its current state.

I think River rd. is greatly understaffed. When my mom asks for something, she has to wait quite a while for response. They say they are coming back...and sometimes they don't even return. I have asked for just a few things. They responded, did it once or twice, but since then it's very spotty, if at all. It took about 4 days to get her tv working right, and they never did give her a meal schedule or tv channels. They promise a lot, but are short on delivery. I've been to several meals. The food is not bad, but they ask you to get there 30 minutes before the meal is supposed to begin, say 5. Maybe by 5:30 they have taken your order, and by maybe 5:45 get your meal. It is a very long process. The last place she was at your order was taken within 5 to 10 minutes. And this place has only about 15 tables! I would suggest a salad bar. There is usually no one at the desk when I come in, and there should be. Anyone could come in and roam around and not see staff, I have. Residents have told me to complain to higher up. When they complain, it does no good, it must come from family. Actually, the residents have helped me the most. They seem disorganized. They should give newcomers more information. I have typed up for her the schedule the best I can, with names to contact, and sent it to them for further input. Basically, I am disappointed, and wondering if I put her in the wrong place. I may begin to look around, but it takes a lot out of mom to make these changes. These people are one emergency away from a big problem. If they had more staff, especially medical, some of their problems might be avoided. Everyone seems stretched to the limit. We are paying more now than the last place, but getting much less service. Before I felt good about where she was at and did not worry as she was in good hands. Here...I am beginning to worry. Bottom line--overpriced and underserviced. The main staff should not have to help with meals, but...attend to the front door.

We went to look at the place for a loved one. We found the facility very run down. We also were very turned off by the man that showed us around. We were very offended by several comments made by him, for one he was bashing other communities and we feel you should've tried win us over with their own qualities and not bashing other places. Also there was a coment about a license they have but don't use. The man was also told to shut up by one of his own employees. We left shaking our heads and saying gross!!!!!

Very $$$, it seems they charge for services we are not getting, when we are there we have to seek them out to put her to bed, get her up, etc. We have also been employing a caregivers through an agency to initially help with the transition but we should not have to hire outside help to compensate for their incompetence. Every time we go we get a list of chores or have to do something or another. Very displeased. Moving her out of here and back to her house. It felt like they didn't particularly care if we stayed or went, they didn't want to make our lives easier or help with anything, and it felt like none of them particularly knew her routine or what to expect.

Care was good for my father but beware of monthly charges if your family member goes to the hospital or passes away. They will continue to charge the whole amount during a hospital stay and your level of care even though the facility did not perform the work. My dad had to have a higher level of care and they would not refund the coming month even though he was not a resident and had to go to a specialized unit not at emeritus. I requested several times a refund of 2 thousand dollars only to be told we do not refund money.

I would not refer the Emeritus at Boynton Beach to anyone. It looks nice on the outside but is an absolute hell hole on the inside. The sales pitch is great, they tell you what you want to hear but the place is in turmoil. They are understaffed, never return calls. We've had a terrible experience with them, but it has been educational. I learned that getting good care is not about how much you pay, they are expensive and still don't provide proper care.

What a scam this place is! It seems that elder care is the business to go into if you are only interested in taking the resident's money and offering little to no personal caring or activities to keep your clients happy. Oh, yes, they talk a good line and promise so much, but the reality is MUCH different!

Where do I start . . . Shortly after my family member moved to Brookdale Fillmore Pond in Bennington, Vermont there was a rumor in town that a resident got "kicked out". We knew this resident's family and asked if it were true and were told, "essentially, yes". Then I heard from two other credible sources that Brookdale Fillmore Pond has a reputation of kicking residents out. A little over a year later, we found this to be true as my family member has been kicked out. Mind you, this isn't for bad behavior. It's for the crime of growing old and frail and getting (mild) dementia. Brookdale Fillmore Pond is not equipped, and clearly doesn't want, to have residents who aren't of sound mind and body, and why anyone of sound mind and body would want to live there is beyond me. Personally I believe their practices are, if not illegal, certainly unethical and immoral. Bottom line, if you want your loved one to move somewhere to age in place and call home until the end, do NOT move them to Brookdale.

Bad placement for my husband. They knew his disabilities and had him in Memory Care. They said he was to needy So 5 days after admitting him he was asked to leave. The did a home visit before accepting him. What a disappointing experience.

Mostly contract employees, do not follow safe practices including not using gait belts. My dad passed away [date removed] there. Was found on floor at 5:30 am. We were not notified of this, he passed at 10:12 am. He was on hospice but we were planning on moving him the following week. Hospice were the ones that called us around 9:30 am and told us to come. I talked to admin regarding this. I was told it was hospice responsibility to call even though they did not arrive till around nine. It was a scheduled appointment for him that am. The administrator went so far as to tell me if he had passed in the middle of the night we would not be notified until next am. I would not send ANYONE ever again to this facility.

Our first contact with the facility was very positive, as they took the time to send (2) Staff to the ER to evaluate our loved one. This needed to be done to ensure that they could provide care for her. We appreciated the quick response, and their willingness to deal with “wounds” on her legs, as well as general live in care. Since moving my Mother-in-Law into the facility, it has been nothing but frustration. Communication between the Staff and the Family is nonexistent. We question the care given. We don’t know what level of care to expect, so we don’t know how to intelligently measure the care being given. We are constantly requesting documentation, with none available. We know that the care being given is not enough! Our overall experience has been totally unacceptable, and we would wish this experience on no-one.

I had my wife placed there last year. Took her out and brought her home. They honored none of the personal requests they promised. Never would I place her back . The management was a total joke .

I visit facility everyday. Have developed a relationship with patients and staff. Know who does what and when. My wife is in a wheelchair so push her around each unit and talk with other clients everyday, also push her outside so she gets some sun and fresh air, sometimes one other patient will follow along, and I am able to talk to them also. Occasionally I get a hug or touch from them so I know it is making a difference in their lives.

Medication management was not done, even though on my tour and during his stay, I stressed that he needed medication management and was assured that medication management would be achieved. That was not done leading to several unnecessary ER visits. Initial NP/MD Consult was not done in the time as stated it would be done. Several times I found medications in my Dad’s pants pocket or in his bed which was given to him but he didn’t take, and I informed nursing leadership. Behavioral issues occurred that could have been managed differently. It was NOT a good experience.

They billed my mom for six months for services they did not provide. (Proved by our camera footage in her room). They "forgot" my Mom for meals (she was to be escorted to each as she could not remember). We were told the staff was "sometimes too busy" to help the residents. My mom was told to "clean herself up" after soiling herself instead of receiving assistance. Another resident, a male, decided my Mom was his wife and the staff and management would not help me get him away from her. Her started isolating and threatening her. I had to request an Ombudsman and contact the new Regional Director to get help. There's so many more examples. Management at Brookdale Pinnacle is a joke.

Walked in and no one greeted us. Sales guy was brash and abrupt but nice. Never asked about my mom or her injuries he said he directs that to a nurse. Felt like he was selling me a car. I asked to meet the director he took me to the office and they weren’t there. Completed tour- memory care I saw staff and residents/clients but only YouTube was on staff were cleaning. There is very little activities that can be done. There seemed to be a coloring group which is disheartening to know that is the most popular activity. It smelled like urine. The common bathroom is absolutely disgusting. Assisted living was a lot nicer it has better lighting. Very large and confusing. After tour Director still unavailable. I was offered to speak to the nurse I declined. Felt like I was being brushed off to someone else so avoid angering questions. Maybe there was a time crunch.

They are way understaffed, and because of that the care is terrible!! activities seem to be all right??? cleanliness of the rooms is almost nonexistent!!! laundry hardly ever gets done we end up doing it ourselves! They tell us to mark all her clothes, but it doesn't do any good! Most of the time half of the clothes she gets put back in her room don't belong to her!

Building is nice, residents are lovely and the care staff that works with the residents are wonderful. Activities and dining room are good. However, they are greatly understaffed (with a lot of turnover in certain departments) and very little follow through from management when issues arise. I need to constantly advocate for my mom. Facility is a good match for able bodied residents but not those requiring extra care.

Extreme short staff. Allowed to fall out of bed. Special lift chair had feces left in room. Several times [name removed] found without water and lack of acess to water. Tray was completely out of reach. She was blind and deaf. Photos available upon request. So I didn't get copies o signed docs. Very bad decision to move [name removed] there. Admitted [date removed] died [date removed].