Beechwood Court

Can't even get a phone call back.

We toured Beechwood Court at Lafayette Manor and we were looking for assisted living, but they have dementia care and different levels in assisted living. It was bigger and had more clients than the other ones we visited. The staff doesn't have a high turnover and they seemed very happy there. They had a beautiful dining room, and the facility was very nice looking. They have outdoor space and indoor activities. The only complaint I had about it was that the common areas on the floor we toured were small compared to the number of people on the floor. It reminded me very much of a sort of hospital kind of setup. But they still had the personalized things around their door and all that you could do. I saw that clients were hanging out in the hallway. which is kind of strange to me. The staff gave us her personal story, too, about why she likes it so much there. And you could tell there was a very good rapport between the clients and the staff and that they seemed to care, which was nice. So, from that perspective, it was very good. My mother liked the place, but I didn't because of its institutional feel. It was very clean. Some of the rooms appeared to be older than others, I don't know if they did some redecorating or what. The staff ratio was good, and their pricing was in a good ballpark for the care and the different levels they had. It was also convenient for shopping and to the hospital. We asked some of the people living there and they said that some days the food is good and some days not.

My mother is now living at Beechwood Court at Lafayette Manor. We had very good recommendations from other contacts, and that's what we went with. The staff is very attentive. They have activities for the residents, which is a good thing. I have no complaints about cleanliness. Mom and other residents do comment about the food that the vegetables aren't cooked quite enough, but overall I have no complaints at this time. They have church service. They have someone that comes in once a week and has sing-along sessions, comic sessions, and strictly entertainment. They have chitchat sessions where they get together and the residents can give their opinions and that type of thing. They make an attempt to keep their residents occupied and entertained, which is a good thing. I get a lot of negatives from mom regarding the food. I understand that other residents have the same opinions that there's not enough vegetables. They feel more vegetables could be cooked longer so they are softer. Of course, at that age you don't want crunchy, you want soft. The director has been very helpful and very accommodating with questions and resolving small issues.

This review is regarding the locked dementia ward at Beechwood. This part of Beechwood has nothing for the residents to do. They stay in their rooms or in the dining area. They can join in activities in the main Beechwood hall, but most of them don't understand how to play bingo, etc. It is very, very sad. The aides are not friendly and I have seen them be very short with the residents. Don't expect a smile, they interact with families as little as possible, and they really don't like it when you ask them questions. If they are unhappy with their jobs, just go elsewhere. These residents need special care, understanding and compassion for their illness. They didn't ask to get dementia! Many of the residents need help eating, yet I have never seen anyone helping them eat. They just take away the plate full of food. The rooms are OK, but the resident's family have to provide most everything. Sheets, pillows, tissues, toiletries, towels, etc. What are we paying for except a room? I would have removed my family member long ago if there were another facility nearby with a locked ward. Go elsewhere if you can. I cannot recommend this facility. The main part of Beechwood may be better, but my experience has only been in the dementia ward.

I got to see my house