Monarch Communities

We have one that complains about the food, and one that thinks it's fine. I think the one that complains is used to more salty foods, and this is a little bland. We have had something go missing from the laundry already and it's only been about a month. They were one of the few that offered two bedroom apartments. The administrative department is a little disorganized and lacking.

Met with Frank. Liked IL through memory care. Pool. Worried may be too big and possibly confusing to navigate. Liked memory unit director Karen very dedicated.

I didn't like it. It was very expensive. The parking was awful. The community was very spread out. There is a restaraunt was nice, and it was in a good location.

One activity they had the residents doing looked unsafe making them balance. It seemed like there was no room for them. It was kind of dingy and expensive.

I haven't visited it myself, but my relative lives here and seems to really enjoy it. She has a deck, which she really enjoys as well. She had some medical difficulties but they were able to continue to care for her. Moving into a new situation like this can be very difficult and I am glad Brandywine made the transition easier on her.

The Hearth was not suitable for my mother because they didn't offer an intermediate level of memory care. It was very extensive memory care and we didn't feel that she was getting that much out of it. I would not recommend The Hearth for anyone who has Alzheimer's because they're really very unequipped to handle it outside of their memory care unit which is very expensive.

I think the activities are good overall if you're in assisted living but if you're in the reflections unit, where my mother is, they're not so good. I think they're very responsive when you have a complaint which is good. I have had some recent experience with the clothing shuffle and laundry issues. If they're really going to improve anything they should really should improve the laundry facility. I was told one thing about the way the laundry was going to be done and I've experienced something very different. I've had 5 different explanations so far and it's like let's get the story straight. It's frustrating. Part of the dignity that they want to retain is wear their own clothes and hers are disappearing. I don't know if it's in other people's rooms or being destroyed in the laundry or what. It's been an ongoing and a big issue and I hear it's common. It deters me from going there which isn't fair to me or my mother but I just don't want to have a confrontation every time I go there. I chose it for proximity so I do see a lot that goes on there. I think the food could be better too. My mother has gained about 15lbs in 4 months and it's because the activity level isn't high enough and the quality of the food is not great. I think they should do more of a high fiber, low calorie diet instead of the high fat diet I'm seeing.

The facility was not very 'bright' and the elevator left the impression it is on its last legs.

First of all, the fountains did not communicate well with the people who were family members and we didn't get very much in the way of reports or communication on what's going on. They had a lot of turnover with the executive directors, during the six years my sister was there, they had 4 or 5 different directors, one of which left and came back; so there was a lot of executive turnover as well as staff. It was marginal, the facility itself was a little older and because it's in the suburbs of New York City they didn't have the real estate; so for that area it was probably pretty good. The staff that were there regularly or had been there for a while knew their residents by their names, but you got the impression that it was all put on, that it was a job and they had to do it.

If she would move fast enough she could use a swimming pool and walk the dog at Tashua Knolls. Neighborhood more like previous home. Kind of hard to get to. Includes active adults, so younger people, but probably won't be eligible to live in one of these units any more.

Good location, no independent living, just assisted. cost higher than millbrook (almost double)

High care level offerings in assisted living; solid Medicaid transition policy.

Studio is 3900 but care is over and above. Companion suite for 3200-3400 plus care.

myself, sister, and sister-in-law visited Saturday 081410 this is on the possibility list.

this location does not have independent living- the one in Montgomery does

Spoke with the woman from this facility. They have a fulll time nurse on staff. Cost is $250/day. Only 15 people in memory care. Most come from the assisted living community that they run. Good program.

good location, ok bdrm, sm. clos

Liked all of the common areas, seemed very clean. Assisted living apts. seem small but nice. Did not like that they don't have Wifi b/c my mom loves her computer. Not so big on assigned seating all of the time; food was average but service seemed good. I worry that some of the staff are not even LPNs; many are CPAs or only go through Brandywine's training. Liked that they have 24/7 nurse on-site and can do sliding scale insulin. would prefer a place that has skilled nursing on-site. Liked the 92 degree salt water pool (but a little small) and all of the activities; liked the Memory care area and courtyard. About 22 residents in memory care; all beds full. I think 40-some in Assisted Living. About 5-6 couples. Did have a small fitness center that he could use, but I think w/ supervision. LOVED that all residents are Longwood Gardens members, and they have transportation there 3X/week. Loved the front family room and porch area; loved the colorful aquarium. Liked the country kitchen area w/ access to snacks.

3/29/11-visited with mom. Nice staff. Thought medium studio best option and probably Level 4-5; No garden or green area. Best for price.

Warm,home atmosphere.Friendly, engaging residents & staff...