Advacare

Pros

• The Board & Care Home appears to be clean and well-equipped.
• The neighborhood where the home is located is safe.
• The facilities at the home are nice.
• The staff at ManorCare seem helpful and reputable in providing information about the Board & Care Homes.

Cons

• The administrator, Irma, changed the monthly costs depending on who she spoke to, which raises suspicions.
• The impending ownership change, with Irma attempting to buy the license, raises concerns about her experience in managing Dad's care and running the business.
• Discovering at the last minute that Irma had changed her mind about Dad's placement cost them extra money and caused inconvenience.
• There was no clear reason given for why Irma did not contact them in a more timely manner regarding the change in plans.
• It is uncertain if Irma has any relevant medical qualifications, as her misreading of Dad's medical record and refusal to communicate with his doctor indicate a lack of competence.
• Poor communication and trust issues were evident in their interactions with Irma.
• Based on their experience, ManorCare will be removing Advacare from their list of Board & Care Homes.

Review

The Board & Care Home being reviewed appears to be a pleasant and well-maintained facility situated in a secure neighborhood. However, there are some concerning aspects related to the administrator, Irma. One major issue is her inconsistent pricing tactics, as she changes the monthly cost depending on which family member she speaks to. This raises doubts about her integrity.

Another cause for concern is the lack of transparency regarding an impending ownership change. It turns out that Irma plans to purchase the license from the current owner, which would result in a significant shift in management and potentially affect the level of care provided. Given our experience with Irma thus far, we are unsure if she possesses enough expertise to effectively oversee the wellbeing of our loved one and manage the business successfully.

Moreover, we were misled into believing that everything was in order until late Friday afternoon, when we were supposed to move our father into this facility the next morning. It was then that we discovered Irma had changed her mind about admitting him without providing any valid reasons for this sudden reversal. As a result, we were left with no choice but to pay an additional $1500+ so that Dad could remain at his current location while we regrouped and searched for a more suitable place. The lack of timely communication displayed by Irma greatly inconvenienced us.

In addition to these issues, there are concerns surrounding Irma's medical qualifications or lack thereof. We have no knowledge of any credentials she holds in this field. In fact, it seems evident that she misread our father's medical records and subsequently engaged in arguments with medical staff members while refusing to communicate with his doctor. Such behavior raises serious doubts about her ability to effectively care for residents' healthcare needs.

Overall, poor communication and trust-related problems further aggravate our already mounting concerns about Irma's competency as an administrator. Due to these numerous issues, ManorCare has made the decision to remove Advacare from their list of Board & Care Homes. This decision reflects the importance they place on ensuring the welfare, trustworthiness, and professionalism of the facilities they endorse.

In conclusion, while the physical appearance and amenities of this Board & Care Home may seem appealing, potential residents and their families should exercise caution when dealing with Irma, the administrator. Her inconsistent pricing strategies, lack of transparency regarding an ownership change, failure to communicate in a timely manner, questionable medical qualifications, and overall poor communication skills contribute to a strong sense of doubt about her ability to provide adequate care for loved ones. It is advisable to thoroughly research alternative options before making any decisions related to placing a family member in this facility.

This part of Lafayette, California, offers a variety of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors. With multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS Pharmacy within a short driving distance, accessing medication and healthcare services is convenient. There are also plenty of dining options including fast-food chains like Wendy's and Taco Bell, as well as sit-down restaurants like Jack's Restaurant & Bar and healthier choices at True Food Kitchen. For those who enjoy coffee or tea, cafes like Starbucks and Philz Coffee are nearby for a relaxing break. The area also boasts parks like Heather Farm Park with amenities for all abilities, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure activities. Access to transportation options such as BART stations and hospitals like Kaiser Permanente Medical Center ensure easy access to medical care as well. Overall, this part of Lafayette offers a mix of convenience, dining options, recreational activities, healthcare services, and transportation options making it an ideal choice for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Wendy's (1.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.1 miles)
• Jack's Restaurant & Bar (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)
• Gott’s Roadside (3.2 miles)
• True Food Kitchen (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Bondadoso Coffee & Tea Collective Add to Favorites (2.3 miles)
• Philz Coffee (2.9 miles)
• Sideboard Neighborhood Kitchen and Coffee Bar (2.9 miles)
• Philz Coffee (3.1 miles)
• Marketplace Cafe (3.1 miles)

Theaters

• Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD (2.1 miles)
• Century Walnut Creek 14 and XD (3 miles)
• Solano Drive In (5.3 miles)

Transportation

• Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART Station (2.2 miles)
• Walnut Creek BART Station (2.3 miles)
• U-Haul of Concord (3.8 miles)
• North Concord/Martinez BART Station (6.4 miles)
• Martinez Station (MTZ) (6.6 miles)

Parks

• Civic Park (2.7 miles)
• Heather Farm Dog Park (2.8 miles)
• Heather Farm Park (3 miles)
• Heather Farm All Abilities Playground (3.1 miles)
• Lafayette Reservoir (3.9 miles)
• Ellis Lake Park (4.2 miles)
• Arbolado Park (5.2 miles)

Physicians

• Park Avenue Walk-In Clinic (3 miles)
• STAT MED Urgent Care (3 miles)
• Derek Jue (3.3 miles)
• Ford Lloyd C MD (3.5 miles)
• Ipm Medical Group (3.6 miles)
• Golden State Dermatology (3.7 miles)
• Michael Y Chang, DO (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (3.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Queen of All Saints (4.8 miles)