Better Living

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.

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 By [Date Removed] nearly all previous staff has been replaced by competent, caring individuals who are genuinely concerned for residents.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.

The experience we have had with my mother has been good. The place is beautiful and is always clean and bright. The staff is always inviting and friendly. They provide good meals and plenty of snacks. Nobody wants to be in a nursing home but I feel Apple Valley has provided my mother with love and support.

In my opinion BrownDeer Place has been very helpful with my father getting moved in and settled . I would recommend them because they really took a lot of stress away from the family and are very trustworthy.

I'm happy with the staff and the facility. Mom really likes it there which is the important part. The only reason I didn't give them a 5 rating is because they have been a little bit short staffed at times ..like every place these days.

What we like the most about Apple Valley are the activities that are scheduled are fantastic. Apartments are kept in great condition.

Staff has been helpful and courteous to me. Mom has been happy about her dealings with them .

We have had a wonderful experience at Apple Valley Assited living. The staff is caring and kind and the facility is clean and smells great...very bright beautiful place. Mom enjoys the food and the people around her. I feel the staff genuinely care.

Clean and caring staff. [name removed]l is the best with all of his enthusiastic personality - keeps staff moving and having fun!

I do think they are expensive. My family member is happy and as long as he can afford it. I want to keep him there. I would recommend it there.

I would say it's a good community but they need to hold on to their staff.

I’ve been a resident here since early February, 2009. Have found that most of the residents here are quite friendly. The food often leaves a lot to be desired, altho the folks in the kitchen make every effort to keep the menus & food as interesting as possible.

I would recommend if the person had severe dementia, they are very friendly the only complaint she has is that the food is not very good.

I moved to Brown Deer Place from a different Senior Living Community in Iowa City. Brown Deer Place is a total difference and so much more enjoyable. Very glad I made the move to this community.