Life Care Services LLC

The facility was very well maintained and clean and decorated professionally. It was very large. I was interested in memory care but got a very cursory tour of that part of the facility. I was asked a lot of questions about the person for whom the facility would be for and I didn't mind answering. I gave them permission to assess her upon my leaving. This That was on a Friday. On Monday morning, I received a text asking if I could give them persmission. I said that I had already done so verbally so they did not do what they said they were going to do. A couple of hours later, The sales person called and said the person did not meet suitability because of her medical history and her age. Age was not mentioned in the initial meeting. I had already made up my mind that Clarendale would not be suitable but this justified my decision. There was more information about how wonderful the facility was but very little about the actual care and concern they had for the memory care residents.

Overall, everyone was very friendly, nursing assistants, nurses and directors. We liked that they have activities planned and do their best to adjust things to the individual person's needs. We appreciate how family and friends are accepted when visiting. We like that it feels like our loved ones actual home rather than an institutional feel. We appreciate the care plan meetings. However *One person is making it a bit difficult to adjust because they have very specific ways and aren't willing to be flexible. That makes it awkward when trying to coordinate needs. *The Willow wing needs more in the way of décor to make it feel welcoming and stimulating. *Activities using the computer should also have tactile items and discussion to go along with it to draw people in. We like that there is in-house medical care that has a portal for easy messaging of the doctor directly

There is no doubt that this is a mega-complex for seniors, both independent and in some stage of necessary assistance. Having a skilled nursing staff is a bonus, as is having an on-site medical practice. But that also brings some disadvanteges (they reported to me an 11:1 staff to patient ratio during the day in memory care and 22:1 at night--though state regulations require 8:1, but since they can 'borrow from skilled staff when needed,' I guess they get by with the discrepancy. They were also quite dogmatic in how they deal with any special case. Other facilities had no problem with another 55+ person living with our potential resident. But here, they said the extra person would need to buy into another part of their facility (other than assisted living) and only visit between 8 and 8. Our hope was to have someone live with our father until he adjusts (paying for the extra bed in our father's room and meals, of course). Apparently, they're not set up to handle that.

I’ve had a generally positive impression of the community — the grounds are well maintained, and the facility is clean and orderly. The administrative and front desk staff have been courteous and helpful. However, I’ve found the nursing and aide staff to be at times difficult to reach and somewhat inconsistent in patient care. It often seemed unclear whether they fully understood their individual responsibilities, as there were several occasions when, rather than bringing medication to my mother, they instructed her to go to the nurses’ station on another floor, which is challenging given her limited mobility.

What the community could improve on would be the communication following through on what they say

Food quality and service is major reason I'm leaving. Best part is location for outside access to lawn area

There is a lot of staff turnover. The personnel that help get you acclimated are great. It's the health care that work directly with the client that changes. Overall my loved one was provided with good care.

My mom is very happy there. She has made several friends and enjoys all the activities. The pool and exercise areas are very nice. Overall we feel it was the right decision to move there. Was higher but now is not a good time. Short staffed. Staff turnover. Good gone downhill lately. People seem overworked. Cost high. Everything you do costs more money. They push for benevolence fund. The residents feel like they are having to support others. New resident not qualified to be there. They are having to help her find her room. Cost of [fee removed] to change apartments! Hearing a lot of negative at the moment. Plus the grill dining room looking dirty.

Memory Care unit did not provide the services we were hoping they would have provided. They were not sure how to deal with some of my mom's issues so in addition to paying Bellingham we had to get 24/7 care for her. When we moved her to a different facility we realized how Bellingham did not even try to deal with her situation. Very disappointing.

The food is fine. I'd give it 3 1/2 to 4, but if you don't eat in the dining room, it comes cold and in a brown bag this was my biggest complaint. I think they're all way overpriced. I would recommend this community to other families. My aunt was deaf and isolated herself so she didn't participate in any of the activities. I did see on the schedule what they were offering, and it looked like the other residence were enjoying themselves. The staff also seemed to be better than the other places she was in as well.

There a lot of positives however where it falls short is in the care. My sister is in level three assisted living. There are four levels. We had to get her an aide because although she could move up to level four, the care wouldn't improve. Many residents have now have aides. Once you have an aide they do less. They won't shower. They tell you have the aide do it. The hallways in the resident floors are very warm with little ventilation. My sister is on the third floor and it's beginning to smell badly. The apartments are kept clean however. I'm sure there are worse places. If they would just improve or do better supervision of the care staff the place would be great. Thanks for asking for an update.

Senior Helpers are hit or miss. Some were fabulous, others did the bare minimum (if that) and left. Communication was not great. My aunt had a fall and someone did leave me a voicemail, but there was no indication of a concern in the message and they did not call back.

I think everything would be a five with the exception of finalizing the contract and agreement, which I would give a one or a two. I thought that they were a little loose with ethical considerations and allowing my mother and 85 year-old woman to put the initial charge on a credit card and also included picking her up because she didn't have transportation and taking her back.

To tell you the truth I'm disappointed. Not enough staff to handle the number of residents. I visited my mom [name removed] last week to find she didn't get a shower. She said no one came in. Also we have been waiting for a one bedroom on the first floor. She gets disoriented being in the 2nd floor. No one's around. Also, my sister said the food quality is not the same as what they served during an orientation visit!

The facility does not allow the use of gait belts when helping residents. Also they will not allow residents who require the use of Hoyer lifts or sit to stand lifts. The administration staff does not use voice mail and is not prompt at returning messages when left with the front desk staff.

Food always served cold at dinner, they found most folks order pick up. Staff was great, parents not happy with residents for their lifestyle. Hard to make friends, so they said. They were in a villa which are great. Saw 2 apartments while touring, I though they were fine.

Room old but OK. Staff is great activities fun and good for the brain. Food leave a lot too be desired. Too much chicken. Creamed soups are thinned too much cream should not be watered of milk over.

My mom is borderline between independent living and assisted care, and the residents of Avalon are borderline assisted living and memory care. My mom found very few residents that she could have a conversation with. She moved to an independent care facility and is much happier.

1. 3 based on the fact that my husband had Lewy Body Dementia and they were not able to provide the individualized care he needed. They don't believe in using bed rails or bed and chair alarms to detect his movements. He fell many times and those falls were mostly undetected until they made rounds. Alzheimers patients seemed to do fine in this environment. 2. 5 for cleanliness/no urine smell as in some other facilities 3. 5 for friendliness. All Aides were nice and friendly to patients and visitors alike. 4. Quality of Care 3. The staff did the best they could to take care of my husband, but couldn't accommodate all of his needs based on the facilities policies on 'no restraints' (bed rails, alarms, etc). Plus the Aides office was way down the hall away from patient rooms. Not ideal if they were trying to keep tabs on everyone. 5. Administrative Staff 5. I met with them on several occasions to review my husband's care. They were always willing to listen and to help. 6. Food 3. Average. 7. Activities 5. They made a big effort to engage everyone in a variety activities. 8. Value for money 4. Pricing is pretty standard.

What I can say from personal interactions is that the care givers who have the most contact with the clients are, by and large, very thoughtful and kind. The great majority of them were, it seemed, genuinely concerned about their clients physical and mental welfare. There certainly were exceptions to this general observation but not to the degree that I would advise someone to think twice before a loved one were to reside there.