Monarch Communities

My father did not parttake in the activities as he is an introvert. He only stayed for 1 month as respite care and left there better than when he arrived. The management and staff were very attentive. I do not know the exact cost, so an approximation was given.

Brandywine was really the best of the best that we toured. The biggest selling point was that every person we met, whether Director or maintenance, made personal connection to my father. During tours of other facilities, the administrator spoke directly to me and did not involve my father in the conversation, even though I tried to circle him in. This should be basic customer service (not to mention salesmanship). My only disappointment is that they made him a Level 2 due to "cuing and supervision" needs (I wasn't part of the assessment, but that is another indicator that they focus on the client and not the caregiver). We hadn't counted on the extra $28/day (!) needed for this, when he is independent in the usual "activities of daily living". Just because you have short term memory issues does not mean you are cognitively impaired--there are other criteria involved to make this determination (I happen to work in this arena and know what I'm talking about.) He really only needed supervision in finding the dining room in a 3 story building because he is legally blind. To their credit, the administrators said I could request another assessment be done. Otherwise, really excellent care at the level that is needed, a low staff-turnover rate that tells me they pay well and make retention a priority (which is so important to the residents for continuity of care), a resident council where issues are discussed monthly, and ample opportunity for activities (if the residents wish to partake). He loves the food, and they finally realized that they need to read the menu to him. My only suggestion is that the staff should also review the daily calendar with him, so he knows what is going on and where, since he cannot read even the large-print display.

This was a very nice looking place. It was a beautiful community, very well kept and clean, and the staff and residents were all very friendly. The care and activities provided both looked excellent, and we knew this was a place where Mom could be happy. It came down to this, and one other community, and after touring them both many times we eventually settled on the other one since it was a slightly better deal for the price. But I'd definitely recommend taking a look at this one, it is wonderful.

Brand new building. Brandywine was an efficiency type of apartment. The individual age was about the same as the community that we ended up choosing, but it seemed like the residents were much more active and in tuned to things. My mother has dementia and was just coming from rehab, so we didn't think that that would work out.

It's been very good for my mom. She adjusting to it. Obviously it's difficult to adjust to a situation like that but the staff has been great to her and slowly but surely she's managing to adjust. It's small enough where they know her on a first name basis and they know her idiosyncrasies. It's very clean and it's just seems like they're making her comfortable. I really like the setting of it; it's not on highway; it's close to where her house is and also close to us so we can see her regularly. Their care seems to be very good. They have a separate dementia unit so they understand her situation. We can relax knowing that she's being taken care of. Amy, the director, and Donna, the nurse, are amazing. They really watch over her. I would recommend it to somebody - that's the bottom line.

My Family and I could never have done this without the help of Annie at A Place For Mom. Her kindness and support every step of the way brought us to Brandywine. We know she could not be in better hands. They are wonderful, kind and gentle. I know they care about my Mom. I am forever grateful for all the support and guidance. These are both very special organizations with very special people.

So many major attributes stand out at the Brandywine , and without any exaggeration this is the place to call home. I'm sure there's good staff at other assisted care facilities but at the Brandywine the staff is truly a dream come true, after the contracts are signed and the deposits are made they remain deeply interested in the comfort and lives of those who reside. Every day and all day long the the excellence in care is visible. Of course it is just as important to maintain a clean and orderly operation and that it is! I'm so relieved to know that my mother a New York City, Upper East Side resident of 40 years is pleased with this choice of calling the Brandywine home.

The staff members were great. They were caring and attentive to my father's needs. The food was great and the facility was clean, modern, and provided everything that the residents could ask for. My father was extremely resistant to residing at Brandywine initially. He wanted to go home. After several weeks he started to make friends and actually began to enjoy himself. I never thought he would since he was very set in his ways. Although he passed away shortly afterwards, I have a great sense of gratitude for the staff and peace of mind that my decision to place him at Brandywine gave him quality of life for the time he had left.

The facilities are beautiful, the staff are friendly, and it is wonderful to know my mother is safe and happy.

This community was really in pristine condition and the administrative staff was very good. Brandywine looks like a boutique hotel and they offer lots of services. They do have a very good activities list and looks like there is plenty of variety. It seems like for a professional who still has very good cognition it would be a very good place for them to be.

Brandywine is a really nice community and very pretty. The staff is really friendly and they have plenty of activities for the residents to participate in if they chose to. If money was not a factor this is the community we would have chose. Our money would just not have been able to keep us in this community for a long period of time. Overall it is a very nice community and if it was within budget we would have chose Brandywine.

The Brandywine is much more inviting than the other places we toured. The other places felt more like warehouses, I'm sure they are fine for others but we liked the feel of the Brandywine best. The staff is very friendly, we have visited several times. Also the location was a big factor, it is very close to us.

Very nice facility / everyone very friendly Lani knew everyone personally - many people out and about and not in their rooms (May bday going on which could be part of it) Access to food and meals 24 hrs Assessment to determine care and if he can have his car Doctors on staff Liked rooms (especially largest one) Services Fri night Good location Can do trial Not as many off campus trips

We placed my aunt in this community after checking out many other communities in the area. We really liked the staff, the rooms and the building in general. They have lots of activities and my aunt felt very at home at The Gables. I really felt like Linda Melendez made us feel comfortable transitioning our loved one into her new home!

I had to move my mom quickly from a rehab facility directly to assisted living and they provided seamless support. Staff and residents were very welcoming, and my mother became acclimated in a very short amount of time. Spring Meadows also provides great value for the price, and I visited quite a few places in surrounding ZIP Code areas. The campus is beautiful, spacious, and feels very homey. Activities directors are warm and engaging, and the place provides a variety of recreational activities for varying interests The biggest challenges we had may have just been challenges we would've had in making this transition anywhere. Once Mom moved in it wasn't completely clear how to communicate with nursing, enroll her in getting services with medical professionals who serve the facility, who to turn to with billing and business related questions and so on. Perhaps a directory of professionals and who to call for what would be helpful to give families of new residents. But overall, I think Spring Meadows is a wonderful solution and I'm happy that my mom found her way there.

The facility was very clean and the apartment was beautiful. The staff was excellent. The biggest complaint was the food. They did not have skim milk, sugar-free jelly, plain yogurt. In other words, someone who may need to watch sugar and fat intake did not have a lot of choices.

The staff are attentive and friendly. The dining experience seems to be well done. In the dining area the tables are set with flowers. And the staff are very attentive to the needs of the residents. I've only experienced the activities in the afternoon They seem to be appropriate for the level of the residents. My mother is in the memory care unit of Brandywine. I would recommend this facility

Our experience was good however my mom complains about everything. The food is horrible and not nutritious. (Which is not true) there's never enough staff CNA's or APRN's. Everyone hates it there. She's just angry she is there and not home.

Staff are wonderful. Activities wonderful. Food is good but could be better. Kitchen service is slow. The carpeting needs to be replaced in common areas. Individual room are spacious, clean and very nice.

Staff is very friendly and helpful.