Holiday by Atria

We felt like it was a good fit for my parents and didn't find out things until moved in. There are some good things but my loved ones are always complaining about the food and the cleanliness. Especially in the dining room. The floor is always really dirty.

Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to the sales presentation. It has not been as positive an experience for my Mother as we had originally hoped upon arrival. I've visited many retirement residences in Victoria and this would not be my top recommendation.

Our loved one never moved in. We went to lunch 3 times and the food was not that good. Usually clean every time I went in. [name removed] and [name removed] were great. They were very helpful in every way imaginable. Quality of care - not experienced . The three lunches mom and I went to the food and service were not good. A few times the servers brought the wrong meals to my mom and the other residents. Baked chicken was over breaded. Fish was good but very small portions. Desserts were good. Mom was very disappointed that diet coke was not on the beverage menu. Our loved one took part in a live music activity with an ice cream social. It seems as though she was ok with it but then became uncomfortable, and then we left The value for cost is excellent, but for mom income it was over budget. Best price in comparison to other communities in the area.

The main reason my loved one is moving from Rochdale is that she needs more help so is moving to an assisted living residence. I would tell others to just perhaps really evaluate the needs of the individual My loved ones dementia really progressed in the two months she was at Rochdale. Although she was very mobile at age 92 needs can change quickly. Perhaps they could have more variety in the food, Activities are fine but you can't adjust for everyone's likes and interests.

I didn't like the lifestyle so l moved on. The food was not good. Most of the staff were good . They raise rent a lot, for no reason given so I moved. I prefer living on my own with consistency and cook food that I like.

We actually had my mom at Willow Grove. Their management changed 4 times in 14 months. They were so understaffed there were times breakfast was only prunes and a Danish. Boxed dinners. Over run by roaches. No activities, no transportation. We pulled her out a while ago and can only hope that they got their act together. It started out so good and within 3 months management and staff completely changed or fell apart.

Our family had an in person tour with Holiday Rolling Hills Ranch and it was just not going to be the best place for our loved one. We did not like the elevators. This place was perhaps to large and our loved one would have to take the elevator multiple times a day

They took away the alternate food choices of fruit salad/baked potato. They took away the complaint box. They made all things in the hallway disappear. I had an extremely heavy statue to move. They do not follow recipes that they print on the menu. They leave out items like cheese, sour cream, salsa. They don't clean weekly.

I am disappointed that mom moved in during a transition time as they are no longer owned by holiday but a corporation called Atria. The local people can't seem to get anything done without asking corporate. The saleslady made more promises than they deliver for example: my mom never obtained storage for Christmas stuff or for her wheelchair or bedside commode. The saleslady made it seem like it wouldn't be a problem. We looked into the storage area and it looked like they emptied out some apartments and used it for a dumping area. I suggested that the area be cleared and install the individual lockers that look like a dog kennel per apartment unit. Each could have it's own padlock. That's been 6-7 months ago. So I've had to use my place to store. If she needs the commode or the wheelchair I take the responsibility. .. we weren't told they would increase the rent after the 1st year nor is it presented in the initial contract. Imagine the surprise auto withdrawal. Totally unexpected. ..

I've only been here for about 2 months. A one bedroom apartment is comfortable, but I have to move to a studio. When I asked for some work on the apartment, it was completed in a timely manner. Some people are friendly and some keep to themselves. I expected more healthy, active people. Instead, there are so many on walkers and wheelchairs. I get nervous when Emergency vehicles arrive so often. The ear piercing fire alarm (in the apartment) is unbearable to me. I leave the building as soon as possible. This doesn't happen often. I was misled about Internet. It does come with your rent, but it isn't private, so you are advised to buy your own. The best thing about this place is a friendly, hard working staff. The worst is residents who gossip and claim a dining room spot as their own. That feels like middle school all over again.

We decided to place our loved one in a care facility so she wouldn't feel alone and would have more opportunities for socialization. That has not been the case at Holiday Birch Heights. Also they are short-staffed, and their communication is poor. What we have experienced is not at all what was promised.

The Manor at Woodside was good in the beginning but then there was a switch within hiring of staff. They need to improve on keeping track, on payments that are made. We had to leave there because it seemed like no one was taking care of what they should have. Other than that it is a clean place to live.

Care of managerial staff in terms of friendliness, approachability is great. Services like bus services is cut in half and ends at 2.This is very inconvenient. Winter activities in terms of say having a drive to see the Christmas lights or just to see the town if not from here would be great. There is no service to [name removed]. Cabs are used for medical ,emergencies only now-this is awkward for say going to the grocery store. If you do not have a car or family, there is no getting around on weekends ie...church or just getting out. Meals are the best socializing times(but for me that took about 3 months to establish -not nice! No real reaching out or spontaneous getting together between tenants, There are some set activities like Happy Hour, ice cream, exercise in the morning(so I can't make it being a night person),you get the impression that needed inside repairs and better meals etc. have been put off do to high costs after covid. There is no real 24hr.food bar etc. and the gym is a small room with only 3 rowing machines. The staff etc. are great and generally approachable. Sometimes one on one communication back and forth to you can be limited. I think with summer they may have more activities outside and things to do. My room is very tiny and cost problems can exist. But this is the best place I could find that had some space within in my cost abilities. However [name removed] and [name removed] were not explored as well as some other places right here in town. I think there is good medical service here, just no doctors willing to take you on. I still do not have [name removed]. health card as I need to get my birth certificate. Pets are welcome here which I think us amongst their best points! This place is just great for most here as they have friends and family nearby to help them out to get out and about, to help with paperwork or help fix up ones room. On the whole this place is no where near the places I saw on Vancouver Island but their prices are generally better than [name removed].

The average age of the residents is about early 90s. Hence Activities are limited and few, and less attractive for younger age group. Transportation provided is limited by only three days per week, only during AM and 10 mile radius range. For Doctors appointment this limitation is most undesirable because of the location of Montara Meadows. There is practically no security installed in this facility. Car theft and Burglary have been reported. The above deficiencies can be corrected if management would take notice from complaints by the residents on board.

Positives: Friendly dining and housekeeping staff. Negatives: Food is hit or miss, some of the residents are very rude, while others are pleasant, outside grounds in certain areas and carpet in certain buildings are not properly maintained.

The elevator is embarrassing. Office staff is not very friendly or solution oriented. The food is mostly not good. Value for the money seems fair, except for the food. They raved about it when I was looking for a place. I rarely eat their food. Also, they should give the kitchen a menu and recipes and require them to follow it. If they can't, replace the cooks.

Suggestion for improvement: The food, the food. The food!!!

First, I would say that the agency has a hard time finding employees, so when you're understaffed, you're not up to par. Many people here have walkers, canes or wheelchairs so we need a driver for the bus but haven had on here for the last month. Our activity director tries to have many activities but not many participants. The food is good and the room is fine. I don't have a car, but I can walk to most places I need to go. There are a lot of medical facilities, grocery stores, etc. in the neighborhood.

During the "sale" period, before signing a lease, reps from Willow Grove will tell you everything they think you want to hear. We were told MULTIPLE times that Willow Grove would provide car service (Uber) to residents, wherever they wanted to go, within 15 mile radius. There were no restrictions on days of the week etc. We were specifically told that our Mom would not need a car if she lived there. Literally ONE DAY after Mom moved into Willow Grove, we were informed the transportation policy had changed, car service for residents was no longer available, and the bus only provided transportation on certain days, limited hours. This is, in my opinion m, is a breach of contract. A promised service that was a key factor for us in choosing Willow Grove ... was retracted immediately. Very disappointed. Also, Willow Grove had a major flood in late December and the facility is still NOT in normal working order. My mom's move- in was delayed 3 times. She is now in a temporary third floor apartment - with NO working elevator. Most services & activities are not operating normally. The main dining room, activity room, religious services, physical therapy, beauty salon, etc. - all of these are not up & running as they normally should be. A resident has to call 24 hrs in advance to "schedule" assistance navigating the stairs if they want help to exit the building - ridiculous!! My mom can't even leave her apartment to go take a walk outdoors - without 24 hour notice. And the WG staff is making no specific time commitment as to how many more weeks - or months - this diminished level of service will continue. It's frustrating beyond words. I will add that when we were deciding on a community for our mom, no one could have foreseen the "disaster" that happened at Willow Grove in late December. The staff - for the most part- has been working hard to try to deal with the aftermath. But it is now close to three months that have passed since it happened ... and the "restoration" has taken MUCH longer than initially predicted. And still not close to getting back to normal. The diminished transportation service is completely separate from the flood impact... that abrupt change is truly disappointing to us. We likely would not have chosen Willow Grove if we knew this is how things were going to turn out. once Once Willow Grove completes the facility restoration & elevator repairs etc. - we are hopeful that our mom's experience there will become more positive & will be closer to what we were promised. But we have no idea when that will happen. In the meantime - her initial experience there has definitely not been what we hoped for.

The no housekeeping for 3rd floor is unacceptable. Many changes made since my sister moved in. Outside Actives were lowered, no housekeeping services on 3rd floor and was told no more bus service to appointments. Meal choices have been cut from 6 to 3 which I think that is understandable.