Bonaventure

We decided on Spring Creek because we like the resort atmosphere rather than the old age home atmosphere. Because the last thing you want is to be reminded that you are in an old age home. The units are condo style - a bedroom, living room, huge bathroom, a walk- in closet and a kitchen sink with cabinets and condo size fridge. Other retirement homes just have a bedroom and a bathroom. The dining room is large with menus to choose from, and it is free style dining. The unit we picked is 400+ sq. ft. , monthly rent is $2790, which includes housekeeping, 3 meals + snacks, transportation to doctors and outings. in room telephone and cable. The only thing that I was not told in the beginning was that there is a $2000 one time admission fee. But I was told that most communities have that fee. My aunt moved into Spring Creek about 2 weeks ago, so far the services have been great, and the staffs seem quite friendly.

We moves mom into Olympic Place a little over a week ago. Things are going pretty good but it is certainly not perfect. Here are my concerns/ I am concerned with the Assisted Living Services fees. They have a scale of 1 to 5 service levels. When we first talked with the folks at Olympic Place, mom was going to be at level 1 (the minimum service level) which was somewhat expensive, but doable. After a couple days, they bumped her up to a level 2 then level 3 which brings the coast from $750 per month to $1600 per month. Which is not acceptable as I don't feel she needs these additional services and she frankly cannot afford it. I am still working with them/doctor/therapists to get her fees back down to a more reasonable level. Mom has complained that she is seated for meals at a table where no one talks. This might be because, they aren't able to or don't wish to. I don't know. I was original told that the management would try to get her at a table with people with similar interests. This is not happening apparently. I have asked the management to put mom at a table with more "lively" people. She isn't inclined to go to the dining room if the meals are an unpleasant/uncomfortable experience. They also have a Low Income Credit for folks who earn less than a specific income level. Other place advertise this feature, but I had to pursue this avenue as it was never mentioned until I broached the subject. Make certain you discuss this option. On the positive side, the place is VERY clean and the folks working there are very kind and helpful. The apartment is small, but very functional. It appears that there are plenty of activities for the resident to enjoy. The hard part in getting a new resident to get involved in the activities. Once the resident has been there for 4 years, they can continue living there even if they run out of funds and uses Medicaid. This was one of the main reasons that I selected Olympic Place. Some of the other facilities would kick her to the curb if she spent down all her assets. I have taken a very active role in her care and the transition. This is not the sort of place you just move mom in and leave. You need to be very proactive to insure what you originally negotiated is indeed what is being done.

They have some cottages that a lot of couples use. They're right across from a grocery store but not real convenient as far as walking to things. There's a drug store but there's not really any shopping other that.

Overall we were pleased by front line staff and the condition of the facility. There was an awful lot of turnover of mid-level administrative staff which was problematic. Information was given to. Is that was either not always correct or not followed through with. My mom's situation did get more complicated as she transitioned onto Hospice and assisted living (from independent living) at the same time. RCS was also doing a survey at the time and staff were preoccupied with that vs residents care. Understandable but would have been better if they were adequately staffed. I was not happy with the medication management aspects of my mother's care but she passed soon after Hospice started and the transition period was brief. With more time we probably would've smoothed that aspect out. The biggest issue I had was in trying to get a refund after my mother passed on[Date Removed]. I stopped in, left multiple voicemails and exchanged multiple emails trying get a refund for the remainder of the month. I cited the signed contract and asked for an explanation and or detailed invoice as the amount the initially paid was no whet near what I believed it should have been. I was working with a mid-level employee and making some progress but then communication just stopped. I went in after about 2 weeks without a response and found she was no longer an employee. I then went to the Director and received no concrete help just promises she was on it. I eventually went to a regional manager who did facilitate a more timely process and a refund more in keeping with what I had expected, but still less, but still no invoicing showing charges or how they arrived at the amount. As this was close to the 6 month mark and I was ready to just move on, I accepted what was refunded and stopped communication with them.

And most of them it's a little of this and a little of that and hard to come up with a solid number. Believe it or not although my mom has been gone almost 2 months, we are still dealing with a couple of issues and I will have a more thorough review when all that has settled. Friendliness, for example seems to be at least somewhat, a front. But I guess we can go into all of those things later Still anonymously, I would like to have it on their record that: "Most places require a certain amount of time of private pay before Medicaid kicks in, at Bonaventure when your private pay runs out, you are out. Period. And then probably that means you have no more private pay left to cover care in a different facility until Medicaid kicks in, which leaves you in a tough spot with nowhere to go."

The activities are fun and numerous. I felt like the administration was super friendly and supportive when "selling" the place to us, but communication has decreased since.

Some of the staff don't try very hard and management don't seem to know what they're doing.

It's a nice facility but there is a lot of turnover with the staff. Several promises made while considering the place are suddenly unavailable once you move in. Do not let the fact that meals are included be a deciding factor in your choice. They go through cooks quickly, some better than others. We still buy a lot of food for my mom. Two positive things! It's a beautiful facility and they put a lot of thought into fun activities, outings, holiday celebrations etc.

Lots of activities posted daily but my parents have not participated. Said they aren't interested. Food is one of their biggest complaints though we have nothing to compare it too. Staff is great. Very helpful and friendly. Huge turnover in senior managers at facility. Also not great at follow-up. Apartment is darling. Not sure if staff actually are coming in weekly to clean. Facility in general is quite clean.

Be present with your loved one on a regular basis ... just to make sure your person is included in activities. Variety of activities is what stood out the most.

They do not offer a Diabetic meal plan. They do not separate Dementia tenants from the regular population. They do not monitor the front door, tenants can walk out without any questioning.

Residents that have obvious mental problems are allowed to rent apartments in the independent wing if there is no room in Assisted. They also don't seem to be able to enforce or don't want to enforce problems with resident's dogs that are often pooping and peeing in the common areas.

I think one thing you can put on for now is that: Being shorthanded has affected some aspects of the care at Bonaventure. There is a medical staff but no nurse, and I do not know what level of training they have had. We would rate the administration very low on returning calls when we have concerns or questions, and I feel like communication among the staff/caregivers is poor. That being said, virtually all of the caregivers we have encountered are patient, considerate and caring.

My mother's situation was out of the norm with having a very rushed two day move-in from a hospital stay, so on all accounts it was quite chaotic getting settled. The staff in memory care has been very friendly, seems competent - the memory care nurse is attentive and proficient. The food is adequate, and my mother is amply fed. The room is a decent sized one bedroom and was very clean on arrival - we're currently not using the small bedroom as it faces a busy street and quite noisy, so we use the main room as a complete living space. Initially, there were issues with communication, like receiving a move-in checklist and cleaning staff not being informed we were there. My biggest concern is the cost increase - I was told a broad range for care - we were put at the very top, and within six weeks' time it has increased by thousands. I fully expected it to go up as my mother has both Alzeimers and severe incontinence, so additional hygiene care is necessary, but to go up so much without notice has been concerning. It's average. Most of the chaos was due to the rushed move, and overall it's decent.

The management at Bonaventure assured me they could watch over me and they went over my insurance telling me I was covered. The medications were administered OK, but the Venclexta was missing for 2 weeks without telling me. I made one phone call and got them delivered the next day. This is an extremely vital medication that is linked to the chemotherapy. It has to be administered with the chemo. If it is messed, I was told a patient could die. The meals were just ok. My experience was not delightful. They failed to perform the most critical end of their operation.

My mother needed a higher level of care which with staffing issues to attend to her needs marginal food quality brought down the score significantly. Overall, the facility is nice with friendly staff if they're available and good amenities. We found the alternative with a adult family home far more beneficial.

The staff are friendly. Rooms a very nice. Activities are planned, however there needs to be more introduction and walk through of how to take full advantage of amenities. For example, where to pickup schedules and how to request repairs. My mom and dad both have special diet needs and really have not been accommodated as advertised. This has been the biggest disappointment thus far. Lack of staffing in the dining room as well.

I have found mom's room dirty several times and lots of food left on the dining room floor from morning till evening. I found clothes piled up in her shower as well. I feel like they could do better at taking care of mom and making sure she doesn't fall especially when they're watching her. It would be nice if they cut it for mom because she has Parkinson's. I think it is pricey for the care that they're giving. I would like more updates on how my mom is doing. Seems like they're losing clothes all the time. There's been some falls that I've witnessed with staff in front of her where she fell off the chair right in front of them that could've been prevented.

The service staff lack training.

The staff and residents were great! I just had trouble with the quality and especially choice of food they served to high in carbs & calories. I made the move before I really needed to -- too much constant talk only about people leaving by ambulance to hospital and who is dying or died. I love the info A Place for Mom continues to send me. It is very helpful as I continue to age and will need assistance. Thank you.