One year ago, we made the decision to move into Assisted Living and chose Brentwood @Fore ranch in…read moreOcala, Florida. Looking back over the entire process from the beginning to the present time, certain individuals stand out from the start. The first contact was Alice at the concierge desk. That contact was friendly, professional, and efficient. Although it was a weekend day, we were connected to Ginny in marketing within a few minutes. Ginny remembered s from the time we toured the facility a few months earlier and was ready to start our application for residency. Although there seemed to be a ton of paperwork, she led us through the process professionally and efficiently, giving us guidance on timeline, options on the move, information on required documents, etc. we found her to be knowledgeable, professional, and accessible as the move went forward. During our time here we have not experienced any employee being rude or uncooperative to either of us. We are happy here. A good beginning sets the stage for a good experience. It is a pleasure to give the facility and employees 5 stars.

Brentwood at Fore Ranch is an Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility (ALF) in Ocala, Florida. My…read moremother lived there from July 2019 until October 2022. The building is reasonably nice but deteriorating and in need of maintenance. My mom's room had a nonfunctional bathroom fan with moldy ceiling tiles around it that apparently had been there for longer than several days (see the included photo below). While I was there in September the hot water failed throughout the building. There were complaints about this from unhappy residents for multiple days. The rooms are nice but the floor covering is frequently peeling, creating trip hazards. The food is reasonably good. The staffing, management, and care provided is a significant concern. If you are evaluating assisted living in Ocala, ask how long the Executive Director has been in place. It is a telling piece of information about staffing turnover. Without consistent leadership to provide management and staffing oversight, the care for your loved one may not be as dependable as expected in an ALF. During the three years my mom lived at Brentwood, there were three different Executive Directors and the position was vacant when we removed her from the facility in October. On August 30th, 2022 my mother had a stroke at Brentwood. In fact, she likely had at least 2 strokes that day. The first stroke symptoms were in the morning and quickly observed by a dining room service employee who pushed mom's medical alert button that is provided by Brentwood. She went to the hospital by ambulance but was released back to Brentwood the same day. Upon her return she fell. She was evaluated by the Brentwood staff and it was determined she was okay. Later that same day in her room, at 4:39 PM, the button was again pushed on her medical alert necklace, presumably by mom who had fallen in the bathroom. At approximately 5:05 PM that day my brother made an unexpected visit to mom and found her on the floor in the bathroom. After repeatedly pushing the alert button on mom's pendant, my brother finally had to go down the hall to find staff to help. This was more than 25 minutes after mom's pendant was pushed at 4:39 PM. A Brentwood Director says the 4:39 alarm was responded to in less than 2 minutes, though Brentwood is unable to identify who responded to the alarm within 2 minutes of 4:39. The records supporting that assertion have been requested verbally and in writing without result. If your loved one does not need much assistance and can get around well on their own then Brentwood is an adequate facility. However, if you are searching for an ALF that can be counted on to provide the timely assistance your loved one may need, there are likely better options in Ocala. As an independent care manager said to me as we were looking for alternative care for mom, Brentwood is good at enrolling clients into their facility but not very good at providing the necessary care.

My grandmother recently passed away and I wanted to write about where she spent her last couple of…read moreyears. When my parents and my grandmother moved to the Ocala area about ten years ago my grandmother was already starting to show some signs of short term memory loss and dementia, but she insisted on living in her own home and not with my parents. The retirement community they moved into was great and it's the kind of community where everyone seems to look after each other. When my grandmother got to the point where it just wasn't possible for her to take care of herself any more they sold her house and my Mom found her a place called the Bridge at Ocala. It was a difficult decision, and a very expensive one, but the employees at The Bridge cared for my grandmother until her last breath. When I say they cared for her, I don't mean they just took care of her, I mean they cared, they really did. When she was still able to get around they brought her into the community rooms and sometimes even forced her to have some fun (she'd fight it, but then tell my Mom afterwards that she was really glad she went). When over the past year or so she had gotten so weak and ill they would get her up into her wheelchair and bring her outside to sit with her or at least so my parents could sit with her. The place wasn't perfect, and there were times when there were miscommunications and even issues with things like her meals and the cleanliness of the place, but they were few and far between. The last time I visited my grandmother it took her quite some time to figure out who I was, but it was a nice visit for me...even if she didn't remember it the next day. My grandmother passed away yesterday in the early morning, in her sleep, and I'm happy she was at The Bridge with people around her who cared for her and about her. I can't thank you all enough for everything you did with my grandmother over the past couple years and for my mother who just simply couldn't be there all the time...I don't know what she would have done without you.

Abysmal facility and terrible employees. Lotti Smith had doctor's orders to distribute seizure…read moremedication to my grandma. My grandma indicated to multiple facility team members that she never received the medicine; to which they told her she was wrong and they know she took it this morning. She got denied today from each person she informed. I call and ask for the report of medicine distribution, at which point I was informed by Amber Grace that the delivery did NOT take place at 9am as I was first told. She will die without this medicine and nobody will give it to her without consent from a manager. None of the managers will answer...so the charge nurse Tamara refuses to give her the medicine that my grandma took by herself every day for over 60 years. I admitted her to this facility yesterday. I figured she could stay at The Bridge for around a month... Two days ago I took her out of HealthSouth acute rehab for a hip fracture. I will be taking her from The Bridge tomorrow if she is still alive and filing a lawsuit for incompetence and misconduct where they are medically liable.

Finding a place to care for our mom was a nerve racking experience because we were not willing to…read moresettle for anything less than what she would receive in our home. Fortunately, there was an opening at The Villages in their memory care unit, and we could not be more thrilled with the loving care, attention and comfort our mom enjoys each day. The staff is highly qualified and professional, and they treat our mom like their own. The safety and security is second to none. You cannot get in without your fob and they cannot leave.....NOT what we experienced at another local memory care unit. The housing is comfortable and warm. The common areas are made to feel like home, not an institution. The cleanliness of the facility and the food is above our expectations. If you think you may need memory care for a loved one I suggest you get on the waiting list now. We are so blessed to have found a spot at The Villages.

Hampton manor truly treats residents as valued family members. They provide quality care, help…read moreresidents maintain independence, and treat them with the upmost dignity and respect. My grandmother made Hampton Manor her home and we saw incredible changes in her. She became more social and engaged in more activities than she had in the years leading up to her move. She started out at the Belleview community and later relocated to Hampton Manor Deerwood. Our family couldn't be happier with her care!

They brag about having a marina, its dockspace only. They are not boater friendly, they think your…read moremade of money if you got a boat.

This was listed under Retirement Homes. I would call it a Retirement Community because the…read moreresidents own their own homes, pay their own taxes, and live independently. There are 1200 lots currently and all but about 15 are built on. If you buy a lot or an existing home you are a shareholder of the community. Many retirement parks have shares that have a $ value and you can buy one and then pay a much lower amount in rent. Here there is no $ value to a share and they are not bought or sold independently, they go with the home or with the lot. Thus there are no residents who pay lower fees by owning a share. All residents are owners of one share and pay the same amount, regardless of lot. Home prices vary from the 20's to over 100,000 dollars. Lots can be priced more than others if they hold a desirable location. Yet everyone pays the same monthly maintenance fee and that is $268. It is set to reset every year due to the consumer price index change. In 2015 it will be $271, an additional $3. For that monthly fee, you receive, or have access to: Water and sewage 2 24 hour gated and manned entry and exit gates. 24 hour on site fire department 24 hour medical EMT's Each of the 55 employees are EMT trained County sheriff branch office at entry Lawn mowing Courtesy bus 4 times a week to different shopping centers and banks Maintenance of all common facilities Full time activity coordinator Use of all facilities Two emergency call buttons in EVERY home in the entire complex Four lighted tennis courts Bocci ball courts Lawn croquet course 24 lighted tournament quality shuffleboard courts Horseshoe pits Fitness center Outdoor heated pool 83 degrees F 2 indoor heated whirlpools at 104 degrees F 90,000 gallons Separate mens and ladies locker rooms Separate mens and ladies saunas 9 hole putting golf course Individual garden plots Nature walk Free storage for RV or boat in fenced area on property Mailbox for each home Professional library Three pickle ball courts Large covered picnic pavilion with pond view Professional woodworking shop for woodworking projects Marina with free boat launch ramp 127 boat slips that can be rented by month $27.50 uncovered $50 covered Lake Harris 1/2 mile upriver from marina 8 miles long 5 miles wide 55 full time employees of the community 9 1/2 miles of paved and maintained roads Live tv channel daily broadcast from clubhouse which is rebroadcast multiple times a day Printed newsletters 3 wells of 800 feet deep with abundant water 13 channel basic cable In ground trash receptacles with twice weekly pickup Recycling program Multi million dollar great hall that seats 1,600 people Several craft rooms Billiards room Series of 5 annual concerts in great hall $40 for all five small fishing dock On property handyman services for greatly reduced fees. Internet service avail in the clubhouse Free to borrow assistive devices like walkers, raised toilet seats, crutches etc About 75 different activity groups available to residents, to name just a few: Aquacising, ballroom dancing, bike club, bingo, book review, ceramics, chorus, classical music, community orchestra, computer club, cribbage, dragon boat paddling, watercolor painting, fishing, garden club, clogging, historical society, hymn singing, karaoke, golf, table tennis, lapidary, line dancing, maj jong, bridge, photography, quilting, rumba, sewing, softball, stained glass, table tennis, tennis, vegetarians, yoga.....and more. Residents can start a new hobby/interest club as they choose. Showing and selling of properties for a 7% fee, of which 3 1/2% is put back into community funds. Off property trips are also arranged for a fee. The community is totally debt free The community allows NO renting of any property. No common area smoking except in a designated location, and NO pets.

Our big band has been using the auditorium at Grand Living for rehearsals in preparation for our…read morecharity events and wedding performances. The management here has been so gracious in every way towards us, plus it gives the residents of GL an opportunity to enjoy the music of the Big Band era. Great entertainment for the residents and guests. In the past several months, we have had a few friends become residences at Grand Living and it's certainly the place I will plan to go when it's my time to relax and enjoy the later Golden Years. Everyone at Grand Living is wonderful. The facility is impeccable and very impressive in so many ways. Always neat, clean, well staffed, and a smile on everyone's face! Residents and staff! Great location and facilities. If you should visit there for yourself or your elderly loved ones, you will think you are going to a five star resort. This is the way I personally think a home for retirement should look, feel and offer life in the slower lane. Thank you, Grand Living. Bob, and the band

I highly recommend Grand living. I recently attended the executive director's wedding with other…read morefriends and I was so impressed with the cleanliness and the wonderful smiling staff that we encountered. Many of the residents attended the wedding as well and they were happy and looked amazingly healthy. The food was outstanding and we were invited back for another meal and the food was just as good that time. I'm not ready for this yet and my parents unfortunately are deceased but if you are looking for quality with a staff that have been there multiple years then Grand living should be your number one choice.

The Villages is truly an adult playground and it is hard to explain it to someone... it is better…read moreleft to experience because it is amazing. 300+ activities to choose from. About a 100 miles of golf cart trails. 50+ golf courses, over 100 swimming pools etc etc. Live music every night and everyone wants to be friends. Clean and beautiful. It's a great place!

The Villages - Changes Prospective Residents Shoul…read more.. --- My Take --- Current management is out of touch of what the initial intent was. Important Considerations for Families Researching The Villages If you are researching The Villages on behalf of a parent or family member, it is important to understand how the community has changed in recent years. Costs associated with daily living and amenities have increased. Resident pricing for championship golf has risen significantly during peak season, and additional fees such as trail fees and amenity-related charges continue to increase. For retirees living on fixed incomes, these recurring costs can materially affect long-term affordability. Everyday pricing and value have also changed in subtle but meaningful ways. For example, advertised promotions do not always deliver what residents expect. A recent "two-for-one" beer promotion at a town square resulted in only one beer being served, with limited or lower-quality options available. While minor on its own, this reflects a broader shift toward reduced value despite higher prices. Similarly, small concession items have doubled in price in some locations. A standard bag of peanut M&Ms at golf check-in stations increased from $1 to $2. These incremental increases add up over time, particularly for residents who use amenities regularly. There are also meaningful differences within The Villages depending on location. Areas south of Highway 44 have noticeably fewer golf courses compared to areas north of Pinellas Plaza. Housing south of Highway 44 generally features smaller lots, narrower streets, and reduced yard space. These differences are relevant when evaluating lifestyle quality and long-term satisfaction. Many long-term residents express concern that the original value proposition of The Villages -- an affordable, active, middle-class retirement community -- has eroded. Amenity fees and participation costs continue to rise while predictability and perceived value decline. For families helping parents plan a stable retirement, it is advisable to review current fee schedules, seasonal pricing, promotional practices, and neighborhood differences carefully, and to compare these factors with alternative retirement communities before making a long-term commitment.

I thought everybody was great there and I got great therapy and by the time I left, I was doing…read morefantastic and I want to thank everybody there. I'll give you all a big A+.

this facility is the worst they would NOT care for you they dont care for you they dont give good…read morefood and the facility causes bugs and the employees dont care one bit for you

The woman that showed us around Pressured us into giving $50 for application and we've never heard…read moreback from her we've called and called and text no call back so she basically stole my money don't buy here

One of Lees burgh's Best Kept Secrets , A Friend of mine gave me the Grand Tour …read more All the Wonderful Things About Central Florida Rolled into one . Quiet , Calm , Secure, Supporting Relaxing, On A Lake with Boat Slips Covered , Heated Covered Pool & Hot Tub , Gym , Rec Center , Wild Life , lots of Birds . Looking forward to a return visit

Terrible service and care once they hook you in with their open house it turns into a nightmare…read more for elderly care. I pulled my mother from there. Not recommended.

We moved our parents to the Residence several years ago when we determined they needed extra care…read moreand to be closer to family. The staff at the Residence has always been very helpful, especially as our mother developed dementia. At a given point, the staff suggested a memory care unit for her, which meant that mom and dad would have to live separately. There was some personal trauma by executing that decision, but we all made it through. Within weeks, our mother was put under hospice care and was allowed to remain in her own little apartment. The staff were so generous with their care for mom and allowed members of the family to stay all night in the apartment as we waited for the inevitable. Dad remains there today, and he loves and prays every day for staff and residents. Of course, there are minor issues that pop up from time to time that may give us pause, but overall, we are grateful for the good care our parents received at the Residence.