Ortiz Sunnyside Assisted Living

Pros

• The placement agency highly recommended this place.
• The food given to the residents looked great.
• The staff answered questions and would do what was requested.
• The staff is nice.
• The facility was clean and staff were friendly.
• They had cameras in the kitchen, giving peace of mind about surveillance.
• Some activities were done and put away as mentioned by the staff.
• The backyard was nice with opportunities to get fresh air and watch birds.
• Daily exercises were mentioned in the beginning.
• The ownership took action to stop the use of strong-smelling cleaning solutions after a complaint was made.
• Despite these positive statements, it's important to note that there are numerous negative comments about neglect, lack of care, and other concerning issues in the overall reviews provided above.

Cons

• The staff was always found in the front room away from the patients, watching TV and on their phones.
• Patients were rarely encouraged to do anything and my mother was never taken outdoors.
• The floor in my mother's room was so slippery from cleaning solution build-up and the staff ignored it.
• The owner did not address concerns and responded dismissively when approached about issues.
• Medications were lost and not properly administered, causing inconvenience and potential harm to residents.
• Care was minimal, with residents being left unattended for long periods of time.
• Food requests were not accommodated, even after being communicated to the staff multiple times.
• Lack of supervision led to frequent falls and injuries among residents.
• The cleanliness of the facility was subpar, with strong smells from cleaning solutions and slippery floors.
• After my mother's passing, her clothing was thrown into a messy pile instead of being handled with care.

Review

Moving to a new city and finding a suitable place for an elderly loved one can be a daunting task. One person shared their experience when they first moved to Arizona and had to find a place for their active and social mother with specific dietary needs. They were highly recommended a particular facility by a placement agency, but soon discovered that appearances can be deceiving.

Initially, the facility seemed neat and put on a good show. They claimed to have daily activities, encouraged residents to live their accustomed lives, and offered exercises in the living room. The food looked great and requests could be accommodated. However, within the first week, over-the-counter medications were lost and had to be replaced.

As time went on, it became clear that the level of care provided was minimal. Patients were cleaned but left alone until their next meal unless they got into something they shouldn't have. Activities were promised but rarely seen in action. Staff members spent most of their time watching TV or using their phones in the front room away from the patients.

There were concerns about lack of supervision which resulted in several falls for one resident, including instances where shoes and glasses weren't properly put on. Additionally, despite promises of sufficient lighting, lights were almost non-existent after sunset.

Food was provided but not always tailored to individual preferences as requested. Patients received meals they didn't like even after it had been communicated to staff. When one resident complained about boredom, nothing was done to address it.

The lack of attentive care extended beyond dietary concerns and boredom. Basic necessities such as turning an immobile patient every few hours or ensuring foot booties stayed on were neglected. Pain medication was also withheld without proper assessment or consideration of signs of discomfort.

One particularly alarming incident involved a mother falling and injuring her neck, resulting in temporary loss of movement. Requests for heating pads were made repeatedly for relief, only to find out that they had never been used despite being assured otherwise. Additionally, strong-smelling cleaning solutions were used, raising concerns about their safety and potential harm to residents.

The overall lack of supervision became evident when other residents were found in compromising positions, such as a half-asleep individual on a roommate's bed or an elderly patient crawling through the bathroom despite being unable to walk.

Despite some staff members answering questions and carrying out specific requests when prompted, there was a constant concern about neglect in the absence of visitors. The presence of security cameras provided reassurance regarding the kitchen area but proved futile since staff seldom occupied those spaces.

Tragically, when the author's mother passed away, her belongings were simply thrown onto her bed rather than treated with care and respect. To add further distress, there was an issue with receiving a refund for the prepaid amount following the resident's death as explicitly stated in the contract.

Overall, these reviews paint a concerning picture of a facility that failed to deliver on promises of attentive care and quality services. Families considering this facility should exercise caution and thoroughly investigate all aspects before making a decision.

This part of Surprise, Arizona offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. There are several cafes, pharmacies, restaurants, and theaters within close proximity, providing easy access to dining and entertainment options. Additionally, there are multiple parks nearby for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For medical needs, there are several physicians' offices and a hospital in the vicinity. Places of worship are also conveniently located for spiritual support and community involvement. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment with essential resources for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful and convenient location.

Cafes

• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Sumo Snow (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• The Grand Cafe (4.4 miles)

Parks

• Veramonte Park (1 miles)
• Surprise Community Park (2 miles)
• Kingswood Parke HOA Park (3 miles)
• Indoor Playgrounds International (3.6 miles)
• Pet Park Sun City Grand (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Vogue Bistro (1 miles)
• Crumbl Cookies (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Whataburger (1.9 miles)
• Rito's Mexican Food- Surprise (2 miles)
• Panda Express (2.5 miles)
• Tailgaters Sports Bar & Il Primo Pizza And Wings (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Fry's Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Surprise Pointe 14 (1.4 miles)

Physicians

• Young Arizona Pediatrics (2 miles)
• Banner Health Center (2.2 miles)
• Affiliated Dermatology (2.2 miles)
• Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat (2.6 miles)
• Jalal Abbas, MD (2.6 miles)
• Clinic For Digestive Diseases (2.6 miles)
• Arizona Maternity (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Clare of Assisi Catholic Church (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Apricus Medical Group (4.3 miles)