Melrose Gardens

As with all communities, make sure you go there yourself and never depend on the staff to be the sole source of care for your loved one. Stop by at different times, different days, ask questions, follow up. You don't always get reports automatically, but when I've asked for information or meetings, they generally provide it, although sometimes I might not get it from the first person I ask. Make your presence known and be friendly. And again, I would say that no matter where you go. Every time I visit, my loved one appears to be clean, as does her room and bathroom. The common areas in the facility are clean and swept, and I never smell urine/feces. I have noticed there has been a turnover in administrative as well as caregiving staff. I would like to see them introduce themselves when that happens, or send out a letter to the families. And that didn't happen when the changes occurred. But I think it's a good place overall. Know that my loved is completely bedridden, so I can't speak to any of the activities. But I have observed some games and things going on. They do offer activities, but my loved one just hasn't been able to participate.

Melrose Garden is a good place. They have very friendly and caring people of their staff. The staff help as much as they much as they can. We chose this community because they said they could provide dementia only care which is what he needed. He likes the food and I would say the food is a little above average. I would recommend this community to other families.

I moved my mother from out of state to Melrose Gardens. She was in an Assisted Living in New York and doing very poorly but was there to be with her sister. But at almost 90 and struggling with daily health issues it was time to move her closer to us so we could manage her needs more closely. It was very concerning for us to split up these sisters but it had to be done. She has been at Melrose Gardens for nearly 4 months and has gained an entirely new lease on life. Initially the transition was difficult as mom was insecure about her needs being met and the timing of the caregivers etc. She is rather needy in that she is wheelchair bound and vision impaired. So there was an initial anxiety. But as the weeks turned into months not only did her anxiety dissipate, she began to really bloom and prosper. [name removed] the director took great care in placing mom with some like-minded and cognitively similar ladies to sit with in the dining room. They have grown into a fabulous and lively group of friends. This has opened up her world. Just the other day after a few doctors’ appointments and a late lunch mom was not hungry for dinner. I asked her if she was just going to stay in her room since she did not want to eat. She energetically told me that she needed to go to dinner to catch up on the day with her friends. I was amazed. The wellness director is totally on top of any health related issues, I feel like I can finally breath, knowing that a caring professional is really on the case. The staff is gold. The caregivers and Medtechs really care and treat the residence with love and kindness. You can feel that it’s a happy place when you walk in. Smiling friendly faces…and you know their jobs are NOT easy. Very, very different from mom’s last assisted living. So I KNOW the difference. My mother has macular degeneration so has always struggled with activities. When she first arrived she did not want to participate in art classes and the like. The activity directors thoughtfully encouraged her and drew her out to participate. She is now painting us pictures every week and LOVING it. When mom arrived she could barely put one foot in front of the other – virtually completely immobile. She has walked more in the last month than she has in the last three years. I am very grateful to [name removed] and his staff for bringing my mom back to life!!!