PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE TRUSTING THIS FACILITY WITH YOUR LOVED ONE.
My grandmother was living at this facility when our family found her in an absolutely horrific condition. We immediately took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with 20+ medical conditions, including heart failure, cellulitis, and pneumonia. She had an infection in her legs so severe that pus was pouring from them.
To us, this was clear evidence that her condition had been seriously neglected.
What makes this even more heartbreaking is that this establishments explanation was that “they didn’t notice anything wrong with her.” I find that incredibly difficult to understand. How could staff caring for an elderly resident fail to notice someone becoming this severely ill, particularly when she had such an obvious infection?
This has been the most traumatic part of our experience, but unfortunately, it is not the only problem we encountered.
BUGS/PESTS: During the process of moving my grandmother in and out, I personally saw at least 10 roaches. This is completely unacceptable in a facility where vulnerable elderly people are supposed to be living.
UNSANITARY CONDITIONS: About two weeks ago, there was urine all over the elevator. We notified a nurse and expected the area to be cleaned promptly. Approximately 30 minutes later, when we needed to use the elevator again, the urine was still there. Leaving bodily fluids sitting in an elevator for that length of time is disgusting and raises serious concerns about sanitation.
MISSING PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Multiple pieces of my grandmother’s jewelry have gone missing, along with clothing. I cannot say whether these items were taken or whether belongings were being carelessly misplaced or mixed up, but either way, it is unacceptable for a resident’s personal property to disappear while they are in the facility.
MEALS: There is essentially no choice when it comes to meals. Residents get one option, and if they don’t like it, there’s no real alternative it’s basically “this is what you’re getting.” The menus rarely look appetizing and offer very little variety. These are adults who deserve choices and dignity. It honestly feels like residents are being treated like children with no options. My 7 year old nephew gets more choices at elementary school than the elderly residents here do.
GARBAGE LEFT IN HER ROOM: On multiple occasions, instead of removing my grandmother’s garbage, staff would put it back in her room. This left her room smelling terrible until a family member could come in and take it out ourselves.
LACK OF ATTENTION TO RESIDENTS: On one occasion, a nurse’s pager was left unattended on the desk near the elevator on the third floor. It continued beeping while the nurse was reportedly down the hallway laughing and talking on the phone instead of responding. Seeing something like this was extremely upsetting when we were already concerned about the level of attention being given to residents.
The experience has left our family heartbroken, angry, and deeply disappointed. We trusted this facility to care for someone we love, and instead, we found ourselves questioning whether she was being properly monitored and cared for.
I am sharing this because families deserve to know what our experience was like. These are not minor inconveniences. These are serious concerns involving an elderly person’s health, cleanliness, personal belongings, and basic care.
If you are considering this facility for your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, or any other loved one, please do your research and ask very difficult questions before making that decision.
I would never want another family to experience what ours has experienced.
Please take it from a heartbroken granddaughter: if you want your elderly family member to be safe and properly cared for, I strongly urge you to look elsewhere.
I find it very warm and friendly at Colliers at Countryside. Allow yourself time to adjust. This is not a phase in life we envisioned for ourselves. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to enjoy this phase of life. Staff are kind and friendly, Courtney and Chris always greet me with a hug.
