Monarch Communities

I moved my Mother into Brandywine Senior Living at Fenwick Island in Delaware in April of 2014. The staff has been very responsive when I call, they call me with updates (as I don't live nearby) and they send me photos! The memory unit is very patient and caring and I especially like all the activities they provide. One of my favorites is the Friday afternoon Happy Hour which usually has live music. Another favorite event is the monthly Signature program called "Family Day Connection." This gives you the opportunity to meet family members of the other residents. It helps build friendships and connections. I can't wait to move to Delaware to be closer and more involved with the facility!

My brother and I brought my parents to Brandywine Senior Living/Fenwick Island in November 2013, from their home in Florida. Dad is near 90 and was very weak, both from a long trip moving here and his congestive heart disease. Mom was suffering from dementia. We were met at the door to Brandywine by medical and management staff after their normal hours. We could not have received a warmer welcome from family. It seemed as though everyone on staff knew each of us personally. The medical staff paid immediate attention to their specific needs and arranged for the proper therapy for them. When Mom passed away in March 2014, the staff was extremely supportive of all of us, especially my Dad. Dad has blossomed under their care, physically and mentally. At home, his hobby was woodworking. Recently, the staff at Brandywine started a cooperative woodworking project where men who have interests like my Dad build small wooden projects, using power tools, which are then finished by other residents who enjoy painting and decorating. Dad was so happy after his first day of this project that he sounded like a kid at Christmas when he told me that ”they moved a woodshop in and I’m covered with sawdust again!” The attention to detail at Brandywine is amazing. I truly feel as though I am among friends whenever I’m there visiting. My brother and I no longer worry about Dad. We know that he is well cared for, well fed and happy.

My mother came to the dementia / Alzheimer's unit at Brandywine Assisted Living 1 1/2 years ago, and the experience has been a lifesaver for my mother, father, and our entire family. The entire staff has been wonderful in caring for my mothers needs, as well as my fathers. There are many activities for the residents, including ceramics, entertainers, day trips, etc,. which help my mother socialize with others. I would recommend Brandywine Assisted Living whole heartedly.

So far, Brandywine seems to be good at what they do. My Mother seems to like it. However, I do feel it is very expensive for someone like my mother who does not require any care besides housekeeping and meals. I wish they had a less expensive level for someone like her.

I don't think that they gave enough care. My loved one walked into Brandywine, and came out in a wheelchair. They were having problems managing medications well. Everybody was pleasant and if she could take better care of herself it would be a lovely place. She doesn't dislike the place, she would say if only I felt better. She didn't like the doctor. The food is very good, but it's very rich, the ladies complain that it is too rich. It is a beautiful place if someone doesn't need much help, they don't seem to live up to their standard of care. I didn't feel like they kept the rooms as clean as I would have kept it, and they penny pinch you on everything. The staff were lovely people. This just wasn't a good fit for us.

The property itself is quite nice. Feels homey without being too opulent, and very clean and welcoming. Apartments are spacious with nice layouts. Responsiveness from sales staff hasn't been great, but after being pesty, they do respond. Parents complain about the quality/variety of meals. Breakfast stops being served at 9AM, and they aren't thrilled with dinners. Overall value as compared to other facilities is great. Hard to gauge sometimes whether their first impressions are a result of the facility or their acclimation, but I'd definitely recommend this facility for touring.

I toured this place when looking for something for my Mom. It seemed nice enough, but it was just too big for Mom. I know if she was here she would get lost or not want to leave her room in general.

This community has an excellent director, and the activities and daily programming staff are excellent. Lots of appropriate activities for the residents. They have plenty to do on-site, and field trips for the more mobile residents. I also like that there is an independent on-site doctor and physical therapy location. They also have some serious issues. NONE of the toilets in this community are handicapped/wheelchair height, they are all standard size. They have a do-not-lift policy, which is very unusual for an assisted living facility. They will not bring medication to the residents, the residents must go to a specific location to pick up their own. The food is also disappointing, there are few selections, and no low-sodium options, which many residents need. It would also be nice if 2 bedrooms units were offered, as many residents have 24 hour aides.

I was told this facility provided respite care, so a meeting was scheduled. When I arrived, I was told respite care was not an option. I did not meet with the person I was scheduled to meet with, and although the person I did meet with was pleasant and welcoming, she couldn’t answer some of my questions. If respite care was not an option at this time, that should have been told to me before meeting with a representative from the facility.

Room size is very good. Staff is excellent. The facility is top notch. Mom does not like the food. And activities seem ok but mom isnt a big joiner so not as involved in activities.

It was okay. We had to hire private staff to be sure my friend got the real care she needed. It was probably one of the better ones out there though. The staff was always kind. Their response time varied. At night there was times when there was no response for hours. That's why we hired our own folks. I did bring all of this to a new director of nursing so hopefully it improved since my friend passed. The food was delivered with care.

She has only been there a month. She is adjusting. The RNs and aids on the memory Care floor seem very good and proactive Overall experience-not very organized. I think they just changed management company. Cleanliness - my mom's room has not been very clean. The hallways could be cleaner. Memory care really needs an upgrade Friendliness - every one is very friendly Quality of care - not bad. Always room for improvement. Some are 5's and some are 4's. I like that they have RNs 24x7 Admin staff - I think they are all learning a new process with a new Management company. Food. -They need to find a cook/chef, I believe. My mom is always hungry and I heard today that they need to be better organized in the kitchen. Activities - activities in memory care are very good. So far so good Value for the money - Cleaning of my mom's room could be better and the food needs to improve and learning new processes could take a bit of time for the admin. Best room in memory care that we have seen in the area with a small kitchenette. My mom makes her own coffee with her keurig and the refrigerator and sink with cupboards is very good. Activities director is excellent in memory care.

The facility and staff are nice. My issues are their poor handling of getting my fathers prescriptions setup properly. Meals are ok, and my father has not participated in any activities.

Our families experience with Brandywine Moorestown Estates community

An item was delivered to her room before my cousin moved in. When I looked, the box was open and the item missing. I contacted them immediately, and there has been no resolution to date. Room size and layout seem good. There are lots of windows in her unit.

Our initial experience at The Fountains was disappointing. The staff was unprepared to receive my mom, and her emergency bracelet failed to work throughout the entire week we were there. Despite my repeated alerts, it took three days to convince them to test it. Additionally, no staff responded when I pulled every emergency button in her apartment, as the bracelet clearly wasn’t functioning. I strongly recommend that families test their loved one’s emergency devices, regardless of assurances. One aide also made my mom’s bed while attempting to cover up an accident, ignoring the soaked mattress. This was unacceptable, especially considering the high cost we’re paying. The quality of nursing care varied significantly — some staff were excellent, but others provided subpar care. The first week was particularly distressing, and we had to escalate the situation with a call to the Executive Director, [name removed]. While she offered a sincere apology, progress in addressing the issues was slow. At upwards of [fee removed] per month, we expected much higher standards. While it’s better than previous facilities we have experienced - the level of care still fell short of expectations for many months. Communication was another challenge — staff rarely answered the phone, and assistance with coordinating outside appointments was minimal. It’s crucial to manage expectations, especially for out-of-town families, as they will likely be left to navigate many of these challenges alone. That's a BIG deal. On a positive note, The Fountains offers many onsite activities in a beautiful space, and has good dining options. The residents enjoy the food in a restaurant like atmosphere. Art classes. Movies and frequent religious services are available along with a great physical therapy team and area on the lobby floor. There is a reliable shuttle service for transportation.

What they could improve on is just keeping the cost down, but I guess I would recommend this community to other families.

I would recommend to others. I would say overall it's a good place. My concern is with administration they do not clearly communicate with residents and do not explain increases. My mom was increased with no satisfactory warning or explanation. Then a rent increase followed. We picked Bella Terra based on the cost.

Our loved one appears to be cared for and healthy, and thinks the food is really good and the aides are nice, those are very important positive points. The communication around appointments with visiting doctors has been uneven but they have tried to improve it, so they're making an effort which is also good. The other residents are nice and seem happy. If the level of care goes up under their new, more expensive cost structure, the overall value will decrease substantially and the overall cost will be comparable to more expensive assisted living facilities in other areas like [removed].

I toured this community and it was ok. The memory care unit didn't seem to be very focused on memory care. Cleanliness was good. There wasn't a lot of mingling among the residents, we were told the price could change, food is a la carte and was confusing.