Sunrise Senior Living

My mother was a resident at this Sunrise for about ten weeks beginning in mid-July, 2013. The facility itself is a handsome building that reminded me of a small New England resort. Lots of flowers and set back a sufficient distance from Old Country Road. The interior also more like a bed and breakfast than an institution. My mother described it as "cozy." My mother’s dementia can best be described as moderate at this point. She still knows all her family members and loves to show photos of her great grandchildren. Several nurses had mentioned Sunrise Plainview very positively. Their dementia unit holds only 19 residents and they have the required state licenses to permit them to keep their residents longer than most others as their dementia progresses. But I had made a serious mistake by not actually seeing the other dementia residents. As it turned out, 16 of the other 18 residents were so advanced in their dementia that they were unable to even converse with another person. When I would show up to see my mother at various times, I found her almost always alone in the common area facing but not watching the TV. Most of the other residents out at that time appeared to be asleep. One of the main reasons for getting her out of her home had been her social isolation. One Sunday I stopped over at dinner time, when all the residents were out of their rooms. There was quite a din from residents with advanced dementia who were not able to control themselves. Not the place, I decided, for my mother at her present level of dementia. She did get some social intercourse from the staff. My mother liked almost all the aides in the dementia unit, and they were very friendly towards her. Now and then one of these underpaid foot soldiers of the assisted living army would be testy or impatient. But on the whole I would rate the staff as above average and I have a lot of admiration at the way they handled their poor charges. Looking at cost, this facility charges a base room fee and adds charges for higher levels of care needed. There were about four levels and my mother was assigned to the highest level, which was very high compared to other facilities. Find out before signing the contract the level to which your Mom has been assigned, what added services are provided at that level, and if those services are all needed. This review is of the dementia unit of Sunrise Plainview. In my frequent wandering around the main house I saw nothing to create an unfavorable opinion. Their frequent presentation of live music was something to look forward to. In summary, I think Sunrise is a good choice, although rather expensive, for placing your Mom if her dementia is fairly advanced, and I would consider it again for my own mother as her condition progresses.

That was a good one. It was good decor the people seemed pretty happy and pretty active. Fairly reasonable on the cost. There wasn't a lot of place to walk around, though. It seemed a little smaller than we wanted.

It was brand new when I looked at it and it’s more of a senior living place than a nursing home. I really liked the way it looked and the caregiver ratio was good. It was new; I liked that part about it. They have those individual rooms. I just don't know if that was the right place for my mom because of the level of care she needs. She needs a lot.

I just loved it. I almost went with them but after I filled out the paperwork and gave the deposit and everything it was like how do you protect them from falling at night? They’re not allowed to put bars on their beds and there are really no sensors or anything built in so for my mom there was a high likely hood of falling. I'd have to stay there during the night. It was really a nice place though. It really looked like a happy place to be but even though you have good care and activities and all these lovely things, it's not what my mom needs. She needs really constant supervision and interaction.

I want to provide a different perspective from someone who has a loved one at Sunrise versus a review based on what seems to be a short tour of Sunrise Scottsdale. This was one of the most emotional decisions our family has ever had to make. My mother has lived in the Assisted Living section of Sunrise for almost a year. She is an 83 year old diabetic with memory, motivation, and depression issues that the doctor calls mild cognitive impairment. She lived with me for nine months after her husband passed and I could not provide the care for her that Sunrise does. The activities and outings are fun and engaging and they get her motivated to get up; the staff is tremendous! They sincerely care for each resident as if they were their own parent; I have experienced it first-hand. I couldn't be more pleased with the nursing staff and medical technicians. The facility is clean and decorated much like a Southern home. The activity room is constantly busy with planned activities for residents - and the Activity Director is attentive, vivacious and fun. (There is also a Bistro downstairs for card playing if desired.) Also, there are several activities that involve family members which allows all of us to "hang out" with her in her environment. We toured several facilities: some were beautiful but too large to feel like "home". Sunrise fit the bill perfectly. (Some facilities were quite depressing!) And face it, this level of care is not cheap! If you're looking for an intimate, "homelike" care facility where the staff treats the residents like family with open and accessible communication, the food is delicious, and the activities and outings are stimulating - then look no further! We are thrilled that our mom is comfortable and as happy as she can be.

My mother-in-law is in independent living, not assisted living so she doesn't get any of the care but what she has is good. If she needs something she is cared for. She plays bingo, sit down zumba, the plays Wii. My only suggestion would be to have more meal flexibility and options. You have to sit and eat a certain time and their Sunday schedule is sandwiches and things like that if you don't do brunch.

Very nice place and gentle considerate help.

overall review of the facility was pleasing. Staff friendly and helpful. Competent and willing to take care of resident as needed. Pleasant surroundings with activities for all to enjoy.

I was very pleased except it was too far away. My mom was in the transitions unit which is for early dementia. Staff is friendly, caring and involved.

This is a wonderful place.

Sunrise is terrific! I am very pleased with it and think it is going to be very helpful for my husband.

We visited this one. It was probably our second choice but we just couldn't afford it. We liked everything about it: the location, the staff was very nice, the rooms were very nice, and it was clean. I was wonderful. I wished we could have afforded it.

We picked Sunrise of Decatur because dad had been in a sunrise independent living community in Boca Raton. They made the move easy and we have all felt welcomed by the community It was the right choice for dad who is doing better here than he had been in Stratford Court

My father has not been there very long but already they have impressed me with their caring, involved attitudes. They seem really sensitive to the needs of my father, and my family.

My mother-in-law was there but she did really like the community atmosphere. It was anything about the community. She just wanted to live alone. I really liked it. I thought it was a very nice place but she didn't like it because she thought it was just a bunch of old people, even though she was older than they were. It's very clean and the people are very friendly. We still have another relative there that is doing great. We visit her sometimes for the Friday happy hours.

During the whole process we were treated courteously and respectfully. They were very clear in their explanation of the cost, the care and the logistics of the stay. The care givers are kind and patient and you know that they really care about your loved one. We are thrilled to be able to be a part of the Sunrise comunity!

Very happy with Sunrise, and feel confident with the staff. My mom enjoys her room and loves the food including the wine at lunch.

I found Sunrise to be the perfect size and atmosphere for my mother, who was in the early stages of ALZ when she moved in over 3 years ago. The staff was attentive, caring and seemed to get to know my mother's needs and desires quickly. Over the years not only the staff but other resident's family members know my mother's name and speak to her when they see her. That is a comfort to me because it tells me that the resident's are long term - not just moving from community to community tring to find the right fit. We found the right fit too...

Very friendly staff and well trained. They worked hard to ensure that everything went smoothly. Very nice people.

Liked the homey, cheerfulness feeling of Sunrise. The cost is a bit steep, but you get what you pay for.