The Heathers - Wintergreen

Pros

• The home is beautiful and well-maintained.
• The caregivers are kind and helpful.
• The staff members at the other facility took the time to learn the patients' names and truly cared about their well-being.
• The meals at the other facility were fresh and homemade as promised.

Cons

• The owner of the facilities is money hungry and does not care about the well-being of the patients.
• The staff turnover is very high, indicating a poorly run business.
• The owner claimed to provide homemade meals but only served salad and frozen food.
• Another patient's medications were found in a father's medication bin.
• The price charged by the facility is ridiculous for the poor service provided.
• Lack of care and blaming the resident for memory issues caused distress.
• There were multiple hospital visits due to alleged "falls".
• Services touted during tours were actually separate contractors that had to be paid for out-of-pocket.
• Violation of HIPAA rules in egregious ways.
• Wintergreen residence was crowded, messy, and dirty.
• Difficulty getting basic maintenance tasks like changing light bulbs done by staff.
• The owner and her policies are unacceptable.
• Monthly expenses ranged from $6,000 to $7,000 with no value for money spent on care.
• A better facility was found through A Place For Mom, implying that The Heathers is not recommended or included in their list of recommended facilities.

Review

The Heathers, a group of care facilities, has drawn significant criticism from former residents and their families regarding the quality of care and the overall management style of its owner. While the facilities themselves may appear attractive during guided tours, many reviewers described their experiences as profoundly disappointing, highlighting an underlying issue: a focus on profit over patient well-being. The initial allure can quickly fade when faced with the daily realities of life within these homes.

One consistent theme across reviews is the high turnover rate among staff members. A reviewer noted that while her father was in one of The Heathers? homes for just one month, four staff members left during that time. This rapid turnover raises concerns about employee satisfaction and reflects poorly on the management's ability to retain quality caregivers. High turnover is often indicative of deeper systemic problems within a facility, such as inadequate training or support for employees, which ultimately impacts the level of care provided to residents.

Moreover, claims made by the owner regarding home-cooked meals have also come under fire. Although this feature was prominently advertised both online and in person during tours, actual experiences revealed a different reality: meals largely consisted of pre-packaged frozen food prepared hastily rather than freshly cooked dishes as promised. Family members who attempted to address their concerns with management reported receiving no meaningful response or changes to improve meal quality. This lack of accountability from ownership further fueled dissatisfaction among families seeking genuine care for their loved ones.

In one particularly alarming account, a family discovered another resident?s medications mixed in with their loved one?s prescriptions. Such incidents highlight serious lapses in attention to detail and raise questions about safety protocols within The Heathers' operations. The financial burden imposed on families is substantial as well; many felt that the costs associated with living at these facilities?averaging between $6,000 and $7,000 monthly?did not correlate with the subpar services received. Families cited finding better alternatives at lower prices with far superior levels of actual care.

Furthermore, issues surrounding privacy were highlighted through complaints regarding violations of HIPAA regulations within these homes. Patients? dignity seems compromised in an environment where staff members appeared more focused on blame than empathy when it came to memory-related challenges faced by residents experiencing cognitive decline. One family member described being inundated with phone calls shifting responsibility back onto their loved one due to memory lapses?a distressing situation that left them feeling unsupported during an already difficult time.

Despite some individuals expressing appreciation for specific caregivers who demonstrated true compassion toward residents, negative opinions about The Heathers predominated overall feedback concerning management policies and practices. Many reviewers recommended avoiding this establishment altogether due to poor service levels exacerbated by leadership?s apparent disregard for resident welfare in favor of financial gain. In stark contrast to other facilities where personalized attention nurtured familial relationships?reinforcing feelings akin to being part of a family?the experience at The Heathers seemed devoid of any warmth or genuine caregiving ethos.

Ultimately, it is evident from multiple accounts that prospective residents and their families should approach The Heathers with caution and consider alternative options that prioritize not only beautiful surroundings but most importantly compassionate caregiving practices rooted in respect for each individual?s needs and dignity. With better choices available through resources like A Place For Mom?that empower families seeking appropriate assisted living?there remains hope for those navigating this challenging phase in life without succumbing to facilities characterized by questionable ethics or acute mismanagement.

This part of Costa Mesa, California offers a convenient and accessible location with a variety of amenities nearby. There are several pharmacies such as Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy within a short distance for easy access to medication and healthcare needs. Additionally, there are plenty of dining options ranging from fast food favorites like In-N-Out Burger to upscale restaurants like The Capital Grille. For coffee lovers, there are cafes including Nespresso Boutique at Bloomingdale's and MoonGoat Coffee Roasters. In terms of recreation, residents can enjoy parks like Mile Square Regional Park and Huntington State Beach for outdoor activities. The area also has healthcare options with physicians' offices like Newport Heart North and hospitals such as Hoag Hospital Newport Beach nearby. Overall, this area provides a mix of convenience, dining options, healthcare facilities, and recreational opportunities for seniors looking to live in Costa Mesa.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (0.3 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (0.4 miles)
• Dick Church's Restaurant (2 miles)
• The Capital Grille (2.1 miles)
• Din Tai Fung (2.1 miles)
• Boudin SF (2.1 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Nespresso Boutique at Bloomingdale's (2 miles)
• MoonGoat Coffee Roasters (2.5 miles)
• Northside Cafe (3.6 miles)
• Honor Coffee Roasters (4.4 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center (5.1 miles)

Parks

• Mile Square Regional Park (2.7 miles)
• Huntington Central Park (3.1 miles)
• Seeley Park (3.2 miles)
• Huntington State Beach (4.2 miles)
• Huntington Central Park (4.9 miles)
• William R. Mason Regional Park (5.5 miles)
• Bonita Canyon Park (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• John Wayne Airport (SNA) (3.5 miles)
• Terminal A (3.5 miles)

Physicians

• Newport Heart North (3.8 miles)
• Newport Orthopedic Institute (5.8 miles)
• Hoag Tustin Legacy (6.5 miles)
• Hoag Medical Group (6.5 miles)
• Cardiology Specialists of Orange County (7 miles)
• Kaiser Permenente Tustin Medical Offices (7.5 miles)
• The 200 Building (7.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Hoag Hospital Newport Beach (4 miles)
• Kindred Hospital Westminster (7 miles)
• Choc (7.5 miles)

Theaters

• Century Huntington Beach And Xd (5.4 miles)
• Amc Tustin 14 At The District (5.5 miles)
• AMC Movie Theater (7.2 miles)