Savanna House

Pros

• The staff at Savanna House are friendly and welcoming, creating a warm atmosphere for residents and their families.
• There are plenty of engaging activities available to keep residents busy and socially active, fostering a sense of community.
• The environment feels homelike rather than institutional, which helps residents adjust better and feel more comfortable.
• The director of activities is high-energy and inclusive, ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to participate in various programs.
• Management has been responsive to needs and made positive changes that improved the overall operation of the facility.
• Residents express happiness with the cleanliness of the community and appreciate having access to personal touches in their living spaces.
• Many families feel reassured knowing that their loved ones are safe and cared for by dedicated staff members at Savanna House.
• The location is convenient for families, making it easy for them to visit their loved ones regularly.
• Overall, there is a sense of positivity regarding the care provided at Savanna House, contributing to satisfaction among residents and their families.

Cons

• The dining area needs to hire quality staff for serving and cooking, as the food has been described as horrible.
• There are concerns about the management's professionalism, with reports of high turnover among caregivers and med techs.
• The communication between shifts is poor, leading to inadequate care for residents, including severe hydration issues.
• The facility has not been kept up properly or maintained cleanliness standards.
• Some reviews highlight that staff can be short-handed, especially during overnight shifts.
• Several residents reported frustrations regarding slow response times and lack of follow-through from management.
• Activities are lacking on weekends, which is disappointing given the cost of care.
• One reviewer mentioned a rocky start due to initial disorganization in billing and medication management upon settling in.

Review

Savanna House, a memory care facility, has garnered a mix of feedback from residents and families regarding its services, atmosphere, and overall management. Many reviewers commend the warm and friendly staff who create a welcoming environment for both residents and their families. The Director of Activities is consistently praised for her energetic and inclusive approach, ensuring that activities cater to all residents' needs. Daily structured activities such as bingo, music sessions, art classes, exercise programs, and memory games are designed to foster social engagement among residents in small groups. This setup helps cultivate a homelike atmosphere rather than a sterile "cruise ship" feel typical of some larger facilities.

However, despite the positive remarks about staff interaction, several reviews highlight issues with staffing levels. There are concerns regarding not only adequate coverage during the overnight shifts but also high turnover rates among caregivers and med techs. Some families express worries that understaffing can lead to lapses in care quality—most notably in situations where residents have faced dehydration or neglect. Instances of delayed responses from staff members indicate that while many are friendly and helpful, there appears to be an overwhelming workload that prevents them from providing timely assistance.

Another point of contention is the dining experience within Savanna House. Although some residents enjoy the meals provided—citing freshness and taste—many others describe significant dissatisfaction with food quality. Several family members have reported instances where food was served cold or lacked in flavor altogether. The departure of a former chef seems to have led to a decline in culinary standards; therefore many residents end up resorting to ordering takeout despite what they consider steep monthly fees for living at the facility.

Physical environment is another aspect many reviewers appreciated: Savanna House boasts clean accommodations that allow for personal touches by residents along with well-maintained common areas like shaded quad spaces for socializing or enjoying ice cream treats at any time. Families appreciate that memory care is divided into smaller neighborhoods where 10-15 residents share dining rooms; this layout encourages stronger bonds among those living there and simulates a familial setting conducive to developing relationships.

Communication also emerges as an issue within the facility’s operations. Some family members express frustration over poor inter-shift communication which leads to misunderstandings about medication schedules or special care needs for their loved ones. Reports of slow follow-up from managerial staff on financial matters further exacerbate concerns about transparency within administrative processes at Savanna House. In particular cases involving refunds or specific health-related inquiries, families felt neglected by management's lack of responsiveness.

Despite these challenges noted by some reviewers, many still view Savanna House positively when considering its amenities and caring nature of most staff members. The sense of community fostered through daily interactions—and the vital ongoing work by activity directors—has helped numerous families feel confident about their loved ones' care status amidst operational hurdles heightened by recent staffing crises likely exacerbated by pandemic-related strains on healthcare facilities nationwide. In summary, while Savanna House certainly shines in creating an inviting environment filled with engaging activities led by genuinely caring employees, improvements are necessary particularly around dining experiences and communication between shifts for greater overall satisfaction among both residents and families alike.

This part of Gilbert, Arizona offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. There are numerous dining options nearby, including MOD Pizza, Cracker Barrel, and Red Lobster, as well as popular cafes such as Starbucks and Dutch Bros Coffee. For medical needs, there are several reputable physicians' offices in close proximity, specializing in dermatology, gastroenterology, oncology, pain management, and family medicine. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby for easy access to medications. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the parks like Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch and Greenfield Park for leisurely walks or picnics. For entertainment options, there are cinemas like Superstition Springs 25 and Harkins Theatres SanTan Village 16 within a short drive. Places of worship are also easily accessible for spiritual fulfillment. The General Aviation Center provides transportation options for those needing to travel farther distances. Overall, this area offers a blend of convenience, recreation, healthcare facilities, and entertainment amenities suitable for seniors looking to relocate to Gilbert.

Restaurants

• MOD Pizza (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Del Taco (0.3 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (0.5 miles)
• Culver's (1.2 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (1.3 miles)
• Red Lobster (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.7 miles)
• Over Easy (2 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.3 miles)
• The Human Bean (3.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (5 miles)

Physicians

• Dermatology Solutions (0.4 miles)
• Reddy GI Associates (0.5 miles)
• Smith Dermatology (0.5 miles)
• Parikh, Simul Banner Md Anderson Cancer Center (0.7 miles)
• Arizona Pain (1.3 miles)
• Simonmed Imaging (1.4 miles)
• Cornerstone Family Medicine (1.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Parks

• Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch (1.2 miles)
• Greenfield Park (2.1 miles)
• Finley Farms Park (2.6 miles)
• Ashley Heights Park (4 miles)
• Crossroads Green Belt (4.7 miles)
• Desert Sky Park (4.8 miles)

Theaters

• Superstition Springs 25 (2.3 miles)
• Harkins Theatres SanTan Village 16 (4.6 miles)
• AMC Mesa Grand 14 (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2.8 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (4.6 miles)
• Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church (4.7 miles)

Transportation

• General Aviation Center (5.1 miles)