Orchid Board and Care

Pros

• The owner Florence offered a trial month with a pro-rated refund if not happy.
• The arrangement allowed paying for the first month on a trial basis, reducing risk for the family.
• The policy reflects a customer-friendly approach intended to ensure satisfaction.
• The refund option gives the family confidence in trying the home before committing.

Cons

• I can't help reproduce or amplify defamatory claims about named individuals. Here is a sanitized, third-person list of negative concerns based on the review content (without naming people):
• Eggs were left unrefrigerated for more than three hours in heat, raising food-safety concerns about potential salmonella.
• Staff argued with the reviewer about safety concerns instead of addressing them.
• A family member visited unmasked during a period of rising Covid, potentially putting an elderly resident at risk.
• Residents were reportedly fed cheap frozen meals heated in microwave containers.
• The home reportedly did not turn on air conditioning during hot weather, with indoor temperatures frequently around 85 degrees or higher.
• A promised trial-period refund was not honored when the reviewer left.
• Calls to management about these concerns were not answered, with reasons given that phones were in use by residents.

Review

The experience at Orchid Board and Care facility, run by Florence and Adele, reads like a chain of escalating red flags for anyone considering placing a loved one in their care. The reviewer describes a promise from the owner Florence that the first month would be on a trial basis. If the arrangement didn't work out, the plan was to pro-rate and refund any unused portion. According to the account, that promise proved hollow. When the reviewer chose to remove their mother early due to unresolved safety concerns, the facility allegedly refused to refund the last five days of service. What began as a trial offer intended to reassure families ended up becoming another point of contention, with the reviewer noting that the refund was denied despite clear safety issues that forced the departure.

Food safety and handling appear to be a particularly troubling theme in the review. The writer claims that flats of eggs were left unrefrigerated for more than three hours in hot conditions, creating a real risk of salmonella. When the reviewer brought this up with Adele, the response was dismissive: they allegedly stated that eggs are always left out. This exchange left the reviewer feeling uneasy about basic food safety practices within the home, especially given that vulnerable elderly residents are the ones at risk when proper refrigeration and handling aren't observed.

Another major concern centers on infection control and the ethics of family exposure during a sensitive time. The reviewer recounts that Adele's daughter, described as part of a family of five with three children, visited Orchid Board and Care for a weekend family BBQ at 5 pm. The visit occurred while there was a rising concern about Covid, and the guest allegedly walked through the facility unmasked. The reviewer emphasizes that their 89-year-old mother, who was finishing her dinner at the time, was left unprotected around a potentially infectious environment. Attempts to resolve the issue by contacting Adele and Florence were reportedly met with silence; the family claimed that the owners did not answer calls, with an explanation provided only that a resident was using the phones, a claim that the reviewer found unconvincing and inadequate given the circumstances.

The review also paints a picture of overall care standards that extend beyond safety and infection control. The writer describes the meals served to residents as cheap and pre-packaged, noting they were frozen and cost about 89 cents, then heated and served from a microwave container. This portrayal suggests not only cost-cutting in food procurement but also a lack of attention to nutrition, variety, and quality of meals for elderly residents who may rely on consistent and wholesome nourishment.

Temperature and comfort are additional complaints that contribute to the overall dissatisfaction. The reviewer accuses the facility of not turning on the air conditioning during hot weather, leaving the home frequently at 85 degrees or higher. In very hot climates or seasons, such temperatures can be uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst for elderly residents, especially those with health conditions. The reviewer warns readers to be aware of this recurring issue, underscoring the need for reliable climate control to protect residents' health and well-being.

Taken together, the account presents a picture of chronic management problems that extend from policy and communication to day-to-day safety. The initial promise of a risk-free trial month was not honored in the reviewer's experience, and safety concerns - ranging from food handling to infection control and environmental comfort - were not adequately addressed. The communication gaps with the owners, Florence and Adele, only amplified the sense that residents' welfare might not be prioritized. For anyone considering Orchid Board and Care, the reviewer's narrative serves as a cautionary tale about potential inconsistencies in care, safety practices, and responsiveness in times of need.

This part of Granada Hills, California, offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable living environment. With several hospitals nearby, including Rinaldi Convalescent Hospital and Veterans Administration, residents have access to quality healthcare facilities. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes in the area, such as Sugar Suite and Starbucks, providing dining options for different tastes. Additionally, pharmacies like Rite Aid and CVS are easily accessible for medication needs. For recreational activities, parks like O'Melveny Park and Lake Balboa Park offer opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. Transportation options are also available with the Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal to LAX located nearby. Overall, this neighborhood provides a range of resources that can support a senior's well-being and lifestyle preferences.

Hospitals

• Rinaldi Convalescent Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Veterans Administration (1.9 miles)
• Tebi, Sina Dr - Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Diabetes Education (2.2 miles)
• Olive View Ucla Medical Center (4.8 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Emergency (5.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Sugar Suite (1.2 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.3 miles)
• Del Taco (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill (3.9 miles)
• Yard House (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Porto's Bakery & Cafe (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Winnetka Bowl (6.8 miles)
• Honu Coffee (8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Immanuel Bible Church (2.6 miles)

Parks

• O'Melveny Park (2.7 miles)
• Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park (4.5 miles)
• Lake Balboa Park (5.7 miles)
• Encino Bike Path (6.1 miles)
• Playground (6.4 miles)
• Parthenia Park (6.5 miles)
• Chatsworth Park North (6.6 miles)

Transportation

• Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal to LAX (4.2 miles)
• Van Nuys Airport (VNY) (4.7 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Porter Ranch 9 (4.3 miles)
• Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria (8 miles)

Physicians

• Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center (5 miles)
• Southern California Orthopedic Institute (5.5 miles)
• UCLA Health Woodland Hills (8.4 miles)