Greenbriar at the Altamont

Pros

• The staff at Greenbriar at the Altamont is very friendly and helpful, providing a welcoming atmosphere for residents.
• Many residents enjoy the spacious and well-equipped rooms with good natural light, making them feel comfortable.
• The facility offers various activities and exercise options, keeping residents engaged and active.
• Residents appreciate the beautiful location and historic charm of the Altamont area, which enhances their living experience.
• The meals are generally well-received, with some residents enjoying the variety offered in the dining options.
• Families feel comfortable with the level of care provided to their loved ones, consistently expressing satisfaction with their experiences.
• Greenbriar offers accommodating services such as transportation for shopping and medical appointments, adding convenience for residents.

Cons

• Greenbriar received a “C” rating, indicating issues with care and services.
• There is a need for a registered nurse on the assisted living floor to provide adequate care 24/7.
• The food has improved on some days, but residents should not expect an enjoyable Sunday dinner.
• The cleaning crew is described as awful and lacking in the level of service expected from the facility.
• Some visitors felt the facility looked old and rundown during their tour.
• The community lacks a fenced-in area for residents' dogs, which was a drawback for some prospective residents.
• Meals are only served twice a day, and cooking in the units is restricted to safety concerns, limiting residents' options.
• Housekeeping services were noted as inconsistent or lacking by some residents.
• Consistency of lunch meals and portion sizes were identified as areas needing improvement by families of residents.

Review

Greenbriar at the Altamont has garnered a range of opinions from residents and their families, reflecting both positive experiences and areas needing improvement. Overall, it appears to be a community that is appreciated for its warm atmosphere, caring staff, and historic charm. However, there are several concerns regarding staffing levels, cleanliness, and meal options that potential residents should consider when evaluating this facility.

One significant issue raised by multiple reviewers is the need for additional nursing staff on the assistive living floor. Several accounts mention a shortage of registered nurses to provide adequate care for residents around the clock. This concern was emphasized in a review describing how Greenbriar received only a “C” rating due to insufficient nursing availability. The presence of dedicated healthcare providers is crucial in ensuring that residents receive timely assistance with their personal health needs.

While some reviews noted improvements in food quality on certain days, there remains room for enhancement overall. Diners noted that meals can be inconsistent; while breakfast and lunch are provided alongside dinner, not all meals meet expectations. Residents specifically mentioned that Sunday dinners lack the finesse one might hope for in an assisted living context. Additionally, one review pointed out limitations on cooking facilities within units—while some amenities such as microwaves and refrigerators are available for convenience, stovetops are not provided due to safety protocols.

Residents seem to enjoy the charming environment offered by Greenbriar at the Altamont; its location downtown is appreciated by many as it provides easy access to parks and surrounding amenities. The facility itself has a historical feel since it was previously an old hotel repurposed into residential space. Reviews frequently praise the communal areas like spacious dining rooms filled with natural light and hardwood floors adding a touch of elegance to everyday life in the community.

However, criticisms have been directed towards housekeeping services which some reviewers describe as inadequate and inconsistent. Several complaints highlighted issues with cleaning crews failing to meet expectations for maintaining common areas and individual apartments alike—an essential service given that residents pay significantly for accommodations.

The activities offered by Greenbriar were generally received favorably; many participants enjoyed exercise classes, arts & crafts, game nights, and other social events designed to enhance resident interaction and engagement. Nevertheless, there were mixed sentiments about responsiveness towards individual needs when it comes to personal preferences—one person expressed dissatisfaction over limited options compared to what they were accustomed to at home.

In conclusion, Greenbriar at the Altamont presents itself as a viable option for those seeking assisted living or skilled nursing services amidst a charming backdrop enriched with history. While potential residents would be drawn in by friendly staff members who demonstrate genuine care toward individuals’ well-being along with enjoyable shared spaces brimming with activities—issues such as staffing shortages in nursing roles alongside complaints about food service consistency warrant careful consideration before choosing this community as one’s final home or place of residence for loved ones.

The area of Birmingham, Alabama, near the hospitals, pharmacies, cafes, and restaurants mentioned above is a bustling and convenient location for senior living. With several healthcare facilities in close proximity, including Ascension St Vincent?s Birmingham and UAB Hospital, residents can easily access medical care when needed. In addition, there are plenty of dining options nearby, ranging from upscale steak houses like Ruth's Chris to casual eateries like Hattie B's Hot Chicken. Pharmacies such as Walgreens and Birmingham Apothecary are also readily available for medication needs. The area offers a variety of recreational opportunities as well, with parks like Avondale Park and cultural attractions like the Levite Jewish Community Center within easy reach. Overall, this neighborhood provides a diverse array of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Restaurants

• Rojo (0.1 miles)
• Hattie B's Hot Chicken (0.6 miles)
• Automatic Seafood and Oysters (0.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.9 miles)
• Cahaba Brewing Company (0.9 miles)
• Fish Market Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• Ruth's Chris Steak House (1.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Ascension St Vincent’s Birmingham (0.4 miles)
• UAB Spain-Wallace Building (1.1 miles)
• Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital (1.2 miles)
• UAB Hospital (1.2 miles)
• Women & Infants Center (1.3 miles)
• Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children (1.4 miles)
• Baptist Medical Center (4 miles)

Physicians

• Maria S. Prelipcean, MD (0.4 miles)
• Pediatric Nephrology Of Alabama, PC (0.8 miles)
• Baptist Health System (0.8 miles)
• UAB Center For Aging (1 miles)
• Alabama Ophthalmology Associates PC (1 miles)
• Mark, Victor Dr-Spain Rehabilitation Center (1.3 miles)
• Children's of Alabama - Pediatric ENT Associates (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Birmingham Nuclear Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Birmingham Apothecary (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Continental Bakery (0.7 miles)
• The Red Cat (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• The Essential (1.4 miles)
• Revelator Coffee Company (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Avondale Park (1.3 miles)
• Rotary Trail (1.3 miles)
• Railroad Park (1.6 miles)
• Lakeshore Running Trail (4.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Levite Jewish Community Center (1.6 miles)
• Canterbury United Methodist Church (1.9 miles)
• Galilee Baptist Church (2.3 miles)
• All Saints Episcopal Church (2.5 miles)
• Dawson Family of Faith (2.6 miles)
• Covenant Presbyterian Church (2.9 miles)
• McElwain Baptist Church (3.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Vestavia Hills 1 (4.1 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse C (4.2 miles)
• Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) (4.4 miles)
• Runway (4.6 miles)