Monarch Communities

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!

The people were extremely nice; however, there was not one person I could text or call to find out how my sister was doing. Part of this was because they were understaffed; the other was that they assumed clients would have their own cell phone, which [name removed] does not (overwhelms her). She has aphasia which means she cannot read, write, or speak in complete sentences. The Current is not set up for people who don't have their own cell phone or can't read the activity calendar. While they read the calendar to her, she forgets so did could not join in activities that made her feel more at home. Also the dinner menu was printed. I suggested using icons on both to represent physical or mental activities, etc. [name removed] was there for respite care while I was out of town for a conference. I'd hoped [name removed] would stay longer while I got her new condo in order, but she was ready to leave after the week planned. There was a bit of confusion about what was supplied for respite and what clients supplied when they were staying long term--toilet paper, light bulbs, seating area (in the room we were shown but not in the room she got) & smart tv. If their quality is maintained, I would return, especially when [name removed] becomes a full Memory Care patient, if I could convince her to return.

Overall, my mother-in-law is extremely happy there. The staff is fantastic. Her room is beautiful and kept very clean. The nursing staff is also excellent. Her biggest complaints are that the activities get changed. Meaning they give out a sheet the day before with activities and then the time changes or the activities get canceled. The food quality has gone down since she's been there but the person who runs the Kitchen is out on maternity leave. Overall, it's been a very positive experience. I would choose Brandywine again if I had to do it all over.

The studio that my aunt is in is a very spacious one. She is able to have her bed, a recliner, another chair and a two-top bistro table set-up, providing her with space to have guests and enjoy her room. My aunt now is getting out more. The staff have responded to her concerns and adjusted dining arrangements, as well as helped her make salon appointments. They are working with me to get her to join some of the excursions off premises in order to promote more enjoyment of a very new set up. The facilities are clean and well cared for.

My overall opinion of Brandywine is very positive. The facility is very clean, food is very good, and staff overall is excellent (always a smile and a "hello"). Activities are not overwhelming but are sufficient. The rooms are not very large but are sufficient.

Great experience so far! I love the communication and the fact that they focus on what He needs, not fitting him into what they have available. The place is beautiful and everyone is so kind.

My mother has dementia, but since being at Brandywine she is more active. She benefits from the daily routine. She gets help getting up and ready for the day. Always out of her room when I visit. She participates in activity activities, a lot. She loves music and the animal visits. She is extremely hard of hearing but staff seems to meet her needs. Room is clean and maintained. Food always looks good, staff are friendly and caring. My mom is better with the stimulation that is provided. Overall my mom is thriving on the level she is able.

Staff are friendly, know patients by name and habits. Very good on following up with requested tasks ( e.g. make sure she goes to daily exercise session). Staff communicate to each other about patient issues/ family requests. There is a good variety of activities, routine ( morning exercise, Happy Hour) and special ( live music, painting class, field trips). The apartments are well maintained and cleaned. There is an option for a large apt with one bedroom which is larger than 2 bedrooms of other facilities and less expensive. ( sq ft not provided) Outdoor walking paths, gardens, terraces and patio are what sets this facility apart & above others. If your family member is an outdoor person, this is it. NOT on a highway, no road noise, wooded area, beautiful well maintained grounds.

I would definitely recommend it. Especially to men. A lot of facilities are predominantly female. I felt they had a really good balance.

I'd say overall in the 4-5 range. Dad always seems clean and reasonably content, as much as we can tell. The common areas are immaculate. The staff is friendly, they love him of course because he is so docile, no behaviors at all. I've also observed the staff responding appropriately with more aggressive residents, a lot of redirection and firmness, but not in any way cruel or abusive. We mainly deal with [name removed] the nurse, she is great.

The staff who work with the residents are lovely. They are very kind and do a good job. The facility is very clean and always decorated nicely for the holidays. My only comment is that I wish communication was sometimes better. It would be nice if they used email more often to discuss specific issues with a resident instead of us having to call. It's easier to keep track of things if there's an email chain. But otherwise we're very happy with the facility.

The place is gorgeous and feels like a beautiful hotel. The staff are extremely friendly, especially too. They were extremely accommodating with our loved ones date needing to move in earlier than his original move in date. They have a ton of social opportunities!!!

The transition was not smooth. Continuity of care was hindered. Limited response from staff. I felt no one was "reaponsible" for implementing a care plan. I would suggest that family members be "on top" of the medical and service plans.

I would tell them to always have at least 2 people present when asking questions, also write things down. Take notes or record if possible what they say. It's what we wish we had done.

We are having some growing pains getting my uncle settled. [name removed] has been great. Some of the staff is great, some are not. The food, dining, room, activities, cleanliness are all great. The rooms were recently renovated and are very nice and spacious, even in memory care. Special mention that [names removed] have all been very helpful.

The room is lovely, staff is amazing, [name removed] was great to work with. It was a bumpy road getting her there and she was very patient and helpful. My MIL says the food is "ok - not great but good enough". I think she was assessed at a higher level of care than she needed. They moved her down a level after another assessment. All in all I'm very happy with Brandywine. My MIL loves it, made friends instantly, is busier than she's been in years. And I sleep well knowing she is safe and happy.

The quality of care and staff are extremely friendly and professional. The facility is very clean and always looks bright and shiny. I've only dined there on a few occasions… I wasn't that impressed with the food, but my mom loves it and that's what counts.!!! The apartment size is perfect for what my mom needs. The only issue I have (very minor issue) there are no drawers in the kitchen for silverware. Other than that, I think the place is great!

Clean. Caring. Good food. Friendly. Understanding. Good activities.

I can only speak about memory care. Some of the staff members are very good. A few nurses are excellent, some are okay, caregivers are good, and some are very engaged and check on residents hourly and participate in activities. Activities is 2. They cannot keep staff or keep letting them go for reasons we do not know. This area has been poor for the last 8 months. They say they are hiring. The residents are bored. They hired one person who is very good but spread across assisted living and memory care. Many times the memory care residents need to walk a fair distance to AL out of the locked floor for activities. While it is a nice change of scenery many do not want to walk that far. They still do not have an assistant wellness director who would manage the nurses and caregivers. It has been about 8 months without one. That is why no consistency among the nurses and the caregivers. Food seems to be improving although the snacks are mostly sugar and I have not witnessed consistency with delivery of snacks and hydration at 3 pm and 7 pm. The time between dinner at 5 and breakfast AT 8 am seems to exceed the Delaware health guidelines for memory care. We try to keep snacks and waters and fruit in my mothers apartment. The cleanliness improved but seems to be taking a back seat again. The flooring in the sunroom was replaced and all the dirty sofas and chairs were moved out. I heard that they are replacing some housekeeping staff. Monarch hired a new director. She seems to be more engaged with the staff and residents. The reason we chose Brandywine over the lodge is because of the room layout. The apartments are spacious and have a kitchenette, which is a sink and a refrigerator and cabinets while the lodge did not have any of this in the memory care rooms. My mom does like her apartment. It is sunny, it is a bit outdated, but they are renovating apartment by apartment as they become available. I did see some of the renovations and they have new flooring, which is much lighter than the old flooring, I have not seen any of those apartments completed yet. So overall it is okay. I was told by the director finding healthcare personnel is very difficult. So sad.

I had to ask staff to encourage my dad to participate in activities during the initial month he was there so he had a bumpy first few weeks. Once settled in he is doing well and we are overall satisfied with staff. Cleanliness is a 5! Dining is almost a 5. We joined my dad for a meal there and the food was very good. The only issue is when they get my dads meal order he forgets that the two specials are not the only options. Need to encourage staff to remind him that he can have one of the everyday meals if he doesn't like one of the two specials. Room size is good. All rooms recently renovated. Currently no available outdoor space for memory care due to their renovations of the courtyard. But that's no impact now because it's too cold and too much snow for him to go outside anyway.