Better Living

We're extremely happy with how things have turned out at Emery Place! They've just done a really excellent job, I would give them high marks across the board. The facility itself is brand new, and always kept very clean and nice looking. Based on our experience so far I would definitely recommend the place!

They have been amazing. I cannot say enough good things about them. They go beyond what they need too. There is that extra checking on her that goes above and beyond. I felt a coldness in some of the responses I got from other facilities and this one there was just a warmness in them. I feel like they really care about the people that are there and I feel comfortable with my mother-in-law being there.

I'm just pleasantly surprised with it. When you first walk in it looks so homey right from the start. Nice areas to sit and eat, and visit. For the most part the food is pretty good, and there have been only a few times she didn't like what they were having, and they are willing to make something else if that is the case. They do a very good job.

My Mom started living at Emery in August of 2018. Simply put, she absolutely loves it at Emery. The friendly, dedicated, and caring staff look after her every need. Her room, and the entire facility, is always very clean. She loves the food, especially being able to make requests. I really appreciate the level of communication provided. Monthly newsletters keep me up-to-date, and it is nice to see her picture included every month. I also appreciate how Emery keeps me informed on any medical issues, or something as simple letting me know that she needs something for her apartment. How Emery has kept everyone (residents and staff) safe and healthy during Covid-19 has been amazing! Overall, I couldn't have selected a better place for my Mom to live.

It was a really hard adjustment for my father-in-law to not be on his own at home, but the staff has been wonderful in the transition. Now he is very comfortable about the people and place, is eating and likes the food, and has established friendships with staff and other residents. It is a relief to have him feel good and be healthier than he had been for the 3 years before the move to Emory Place.

BDP is exceptional in facility, Staff, activities, amenities, & food. That is our experience after 2 years living here! The key criteria in your decision are people & size (feels like family.... not a "cold, over-sized institution" … that's BDP!). Wonderful place to live with caring,professional Staff & fun/active residents that will "make your day"! The best choice for senior living in the Iowa City area. Stands out among many choices!

So friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Glad to have my mother there.

My brother, [Name removed], can be a pistol at times, but the staff at Emery Place truly knows how to handle him. I wish I had the patience like the people at Emery Place!!! I am so happy that he is there because I don't worry about him at all. The piece of mind I have is priceless!!!

My mother has been at Emery Place for two months after a 6 month stay at a care facility. Her adjustment was rocky at first, but the caring staff have won her over. She is comfortable, making friends, and is happy again. This is a beautiful, well cared for facility, with responsive staff. It feels very homelike.

This is a beautiful place with a great staff, probably a little understaffed. The folks have been there since [date removed]and have settled in to their 1 bedroom. Their furniture is set up and pictures on walls it cozy and feels like home to them. They like the social aspect a lot. They are adjusting nicely. As a family we are so happy to know they are safe and well cared for. Everyone is wonderful.

My main critic is there is not enough staff all the time. I realize activity wise, it is hard to do activities with someone who can't do much. Sometimes there is only 1 person to help the memory care patients. The room is very nice.

Pearl city was very welcoming they took very good care of my dad, the staff was always very friendly and attentive! Food was amazing. Only thing that maybe needed attention was housekeeping if the apartments and upkeep on laundry and cleaning if the rooms

The staff was very pleasant and kind but my mom was only there for 3 days and was hospitalized a couple of times then moved to skilled care. The cost for those three days was thousands n found out there will be none of it refunded. They told us A Place For Mom billed them so they have nothing to refund. The room was very nice n housekeeping kept it clean. Menu was excellent. I just don't feel that thousands of dollars should he been kept for a 3 day stay.

Changed management companies in early 2025, steady improvements made ever since. New administration is caring and approachable, very aware of challenges and humbly open to reports of shortcomings. By [Date Removed] nearly all previous staff has been replaced by competent, caring individuals who are genuinely concerned for residents. Admin are working hard to fill out the rest of the staff with similar people. I have confidence that the upward trend will continue.

They have caring staff. The room size is adequate. I would recommend them to others.

I think is very clean and the staff is friendly and helpful. My main concern is the number of "aids" in the memory care area and activities. It seems like they only have 1 person in that area even when serving meals. I think they need to have another person helping during meals. It also looks like the activities in the memory area are lacking. It appears to me that if the aide doesn't want to do an activity, they don't have to. I understand some of the residents cannot respond or need extra help to participate but I have been there a few times when the aide is just sitting in the common area on their phones not interacting with the residents.

The staff is super friendly and very interactive, the place is very nice an accommodative. Only negative feedback is transfer of patient care like not being able to accommodate for doctor visits or testing.

I will say, since the merger, the one downside is that there's no longer a nurse on duty 24 hrs/day and there was when Mom first arrived. Which means that if a problem arises after the day nurse leaves, there's no one there to dispense medication if needed. They have said they're looking to fix that and hire more nurses so there can be one there all hours. It also seems like their staff in general has been pared down quite a bit. (Keep in mind, my sister and I live in PR so we haven't been back since November and all of this stuff is subjective based on impressions we're getting from phone calls and emails.) The facility is clean and residents do seem to be a priority. Given the horror stories I've heard about other places, like I said, we feel blessed that our Mom is there.

They have great room sizes and food options, especially when my grandma can be a bit picky. Some miscommunication between staff has had a bit of an impact on my grandma's care, but nothing too severe.

What we like the most about the community is the cleanliness and security are good. Meals could use some help. Yes, we would recommend the River Valley Place of Ottumwa community to other families based on the experience so far.