Let me start by saying my parents lived at Regency New Castle as Independent residents from Oct 2009-April 13,2014. The first four years were good, thanks to the wonderful activities director Shawna who adored my parents, Karen the thoughtful weekend receptionist and Jennifer the wonderful weekend nurse. All three showed their dedication and commitment to the elderly. My parents lived in a two bedroom. Last March my dad was rushed to a local hospital after his Diabetic blood sugar elevated to extreme levels. He also had surgery for an aneurysm behind his knee. He did some rehabilitation at a Skilled Nursing Facility and then returned to Regency under assisted living care. Unfortunately within a month due to his condition his kidneys failed . He was moved to the 2nd floor to be closer to the nursing staff, but unfortunately he passed away under the 24 hour care of their wonderful nurse director, nursing assistants and hospice Care.
Things started going downhill from there.
The week my father was in Hospice Care a staff member entered my parents room (thinking she was not there, but she was in her bedroom and was frightened by the intruders) to show a new prospective resident their 2 bedroom. My dad had not even passed away yet. How insensitive can management be? Only thinking of profit.
We did move my Independent Mom (who used a cane) the next month to a one bedroom. She did ok physically for the most part, but was lonely for my dad. Who wouldn't be? They were married 70 years.
The nurse director unfortunately left two months after my father passed away. A new one was hired. I made it a point to go up to her office to introduce myself. She seemed nice at the time. Over the past eight months I never saw her around. I inquired about this from several staff, nursing and general and was told she rarely comes out of her office to be with the residents (independent or not). I found this as a nurse myself to be odd. The prior nurse director was always visibly seen eating with the residents, or checking on them in their rooms, independent or not. She was with my father daily the week he passed. She went above and beyond the call.
My mother fell Sunday 4/13/14, and was rushed to a local hospital. She too was at a rehab SNF. We discussed after 10 days my mothers return to Regency New Castle now under assisted care and was told by the weekend nurse it would be fine with one assist which she was doing at the SNF. We were fine with the extra cost of assisted living. The next day, we were now told by the management and new nursing director she could not return ever, saying she was a fall risk, and the amount of care was actually $4000-$5000 more than originally quoted. All residents there are fall risks.
Now we were all devastated and feeling pushed out of the way. How can they treat people this way, especially long term residents. She had been at Regency for almost five years, and made many special friends. She was absolutely depressed to hear she could not return. We could not tell her why, only to say it was financial. She would be so hurt to hear she was kicked out of her home of five years , since it was most likely based on again profit. That is to sell her apt to a new prospective renter for an increased price. What a way to treat a 93 yo widow. It says "assisted living", but they pick and choose who to assist. Buyer beware if your elderly family member who lives there falls. They may not be able to return to their home. BTW the one star is for all the wonderful staff that is still there. Their turn over of nursing staff and general staff is also extremely high. Not a good sign. read more
