My mother was rehabbed at Avantara Aurora after an injury for about 6 weeks. First I must say that their staff was friendly and very nice. And on the plus side, they do have daily activities. However, it is hard to believe that this facility received such high acclaims from US News in 2022. If this facility is the highest rated facility of its kind in 2022, I would hate to see the other facilities. They are lacking and theIr website is false and misleading.
First it shows women dressed nicely having coffee together at a table. Very misleading. This photo on their site implies that there is a cafe type atmosphere. Not the case.
It further reads:
Private and semi-private suites-in actuality TINY rooms! I would not call them a suite. By definition, a "suite" is usually a larger accommodation that includes not only a bathroom, but usually a living area, sometimes a dining area. This tiny room includes a tiny bathroom.
* Concierge services (available upon request)-REALITY: WHAT?
* High-speed Wi-Fi
* Ice cream parlor for taking meals and hosting family gatherings-REALITY: We had a tour and never saw such a place. My mother during her stay never did either.
* Library nook for reading & activities-REALITY: Never saw this during the tour nor did my mom during her stay.
* Large, wall-mounted, flat screen TVs with cable-REALITY: There is a wall mounted flat screen TV with cable in the rooms but it is not large even considering that "large" is relative. No capability of enlarging close captioning for elderly that cannot hear.
* On-site salon services-REALITY: It is only opened 1 day every TWO WEEKS!!!
THINGS NOT MENTIONED BUT IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
1. RESPONSE TIME: I understand places are understaffed but their response time is unacceptable! If the matter was urgent, they would have no way of knowing.
2. FOOD SERVICE: During the tour we were informed that the cafeteria would open within a few days. It not only didn't open the entire time that my mother was there, but we learned that it had not been open in a year. Taking into account COVID, we should have been informed that it was still non operating. Patients/residents are served food in their room. The food is SUB STANDARD. You fill out a card of your likes and dislikes or choices and they are not honored. Hot food was served cold, bread non edible and the taste was not good. The coffee was not hot/drinkable. My mom requested milk for cereal, and they forgot it often or brought it 40 minutes later; after breakfast. She was served soggy waffles-no butter or syrup. In my mom's entire stay, she said there were 3 decent meals. It is my understanding that the kitchen was understaffed and that non-kitchen trained staff were making and serving food. My mom got sick 3 times during her stay, which all appeared to be food related!! In fact the third time that she had gotten ill, she was informed that several other patients had the same thing that night. My concern is that if non kitchen trained people are attending to food prep and serving, are they following proper safety and cleanliness protocols?
3. PHYSICAL THERAPY. No complaints. The area is large and they did do a great job on getting her moving.
3. QUALITY OF CARE: There were some nurses/great caregivers and physical therapists. A few nurses/caregivers lacked common sense. My mom had a broken wrist in her dominant hand and uses a walker. At the facility, she had to use a wheelchair unless therapist walked behind while she used a walker. One nurse left her wheelchair away from her bed where my mom could not reach it. Employees providing food would not open things or think about whether she needed assistance given her restrictions unless my mom asked. I understand they are busy, but caregiving includes putting thought into the needs of the patients. Also, my sister visited often and many times the call buttons were going off like crazy at the nurses' station while she noticed them on what appeared to be private cell phone-scrolling. One time in particular, my sister brought my mom's two cups to the nurses' station asking for a refill of ice and water. 2 employees appeared to be on their cell phones. 1 got up and opened a "staff only" room and told my sister to go get it. Many times when my mom needed assistance she said she didn't want to press the call button because they were either non responsive or it took forever. This is very concerning.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Families that have someone in a rehab facility or nursing home should make sure that they have frequent and non scheduled/sporadic time visits with their loved one. You need to make sure that whatever facility you have your loved one in, the facility knows you are watching. Luckily my mother is of sound mind and could inform us as well, but I think this is important to note for those families where a loved one has dimentia, Alzheimers or is unable to communicate. read more
