The Academy

Pros

• The well-trained staff at The Academy at Bella Vista is attentive, empathetic, and knowledgeable in the field of dementia.
• The facility is five-star, with a personal chef that serves healthy home-cooked meals for the residents.
• The creative activities provided are designed specifically for residents with dementia, such as the Woodstock event where everyone dressed up and enjoyed music from the 60s/70s.
• The facility has large outdoor decks, a library, exercise room, therapy room, and an indoor lap pool.
• The staff is educated, clear in explaining fees and charges, and knows what they're doing in terms of care and support.
• The Academy is a high-end community that's clean, well-organized, and offers a variety of activities and events.
• The amenities are attractive and of high quality.

Cons

• The nursing staff at the memory care facility reacts by insisting that the family hire personal caregivers and calling 911 when a resident becomes unruly.
• The staff at the facility overreacts and judges normal dementia behaviors as unruly.
• The requirement for all medical communication to flow through the facility's nursing staff limits communication with doctors hired by the family.
• The meals are cooked by staff, not chefs as stated in their marketing.
• Parking at the assisted living facility is scarce.
• The high price of the facilities may be a prohibitive factor for some potential residents.
• There is deception in the wording used to describe certain aspects of the facilities, such as who cooks the meals.
• Some residents may find it difficult to afford living at these high-end facilities.

Review

The Academy at Bella Vista is a unique and exceptional memory care community for individuals with cognitive decline. The staff at this facility is well-trained, empathetic, and knowledgeable in the field of dementia. They provide attentive care and create a five-star experience for their residents.

One standout feature of The Academy is their own personal chef who prepares healthy and delicious home-cooked meals for the residents. The facility also offers creative activities specifically designed for individuals with dementia. An example of this is the Woodstock event they organized, where residents enjoyed listening to music from the 60s and 70s while dressed up in groovy outfits they had decorated themselves. This kind of event fosters a sense of community and enjoyment among everyone involved.

Music plays a significant role in the daily life at The Academy, as it has been shown to have therapeutic benefits for individuals with dementia. Additionally, circle talk provides a therapeutic way for residents to remember their past experiences. Overall, The Academy at Bella Vista stands out as a five-star facility that goes above and beyond to provide exceptional care for individuals with cognitive decline.

However, it's important to note that there are some concerns raised by reviewers regarding certain aspects of the facility. One reviewer mentioned that the large kitchen appliances in the apartments seemed excessive for assisted living, and that the cost was outside their price range. Another reviewer expressed disappointment with how the nursing staff handled difficult behaviors from their loved one with dementia, feeling that they overreacted and were quick to judge normal dementia behaviors as unruly.

It's recommended that prospective clients carefully read through all documents provided by The Academy, particularly their "Care we provide" document, to fully understand what care and support they offer. It's also important to be aware of deceptive wording when it comes to services such as meal preparation – while most meals are cooked by staff members instead of professional chefs at The Academy.

On a positive note, another reviewer praised The Academy for its high-end community and attractive amenities. The cleanliness, organization, and variety of activities stood out to them. Social events such as book signings and wine tastings added to the vibrant community atmosphere. However, they were unable to comment on the food quality.

Additionally, there is another memory care facility called Bella Vista that offers high-end care but operates separately from The Academy. This facility is situated in a quiet neighborhood and offers state-of-the-art amenities. With only 10 spacious rooms equipped with modern features like radiant floor heating and automatic lights, Bella Vista provides a calm and comfortable environment for residents with memory care needs.

In conclusion, The Academy at Bella Vista offers exceptional care for individuals with cognitive decline. While there are some concerns raised by reviewers regarding certain aspects of the facility's handling of difficult behaviors, overall it receives positive feedback for its attentive staff, creative activities tailored to residents with dementia, and high-quality amenities.

This area of Boulder, Colorado is a vibrant and diverse community with a variety of amenities within close proximity. The neighborhood offers easy access to cafes, pharmacies, physicians, restaurants, parks, transportation options, theaters, and hospitals. The presence of multiple coffee shops and dining establishments provides plenty of opportunities for socializing and enjoying delicious meals. Additionally, the availability of medical facilities and healthcare providers nearby ensures convenient access to essential services. The abundance of parks in the area offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this part of Boulder presents a well-rounded and convenient living environment for seniors looking to enjoy a dynamic lifestyle in a beautiful setting.

Cafes

• Alpine Modern Cafe (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Ozo Coffee (1 miles)
• Ozo Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Boxcar Coffee Roasters (1.2 miles)
• Beleza Coffee Bar (1.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• The Apothecary At Wardenburg Health Center (0.6 miles)
• Rebecca's Herbal Apothecary (1.1 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• King Soopers Pharmacy (2.1 miles)

Physicians

• CU: Wardenburg Student Health Center (0.6 miles)
• Dr Timothy Mazzola, MD, CAQSM, RMSK (1.2 miles)
• Wiz-quiz of Boulder County (1.3 miles)
• Foley and Le Oral, Maxillofacial and Dental Implant Surgery (1.4 miles)
• Colorado Center For Arthritis and Osteoporosis (1.4 miles)
• Alpine Dental Health (1.4 miles)
• Rocky Mountain Dermatology, MD (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse (0.9 miles)
• Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• Rosetta Hall (0.9 miles)
• T|Aco (0.9 miles)
• Pearl Street Pub & Cellar (1 miles)
• My Neighbor Felix Boulder (1 miles)
• ND streetBAR (1 miles)

Parks

• Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark (1 miles)
• Eben G. Fine Park (1 miles)
• Scott Carpenter Park (1.5 miles)
• Tantra Park (2.5 miles)
• Arapahoe Ridge Park (2.6 miles)
• East Palo Park (3.4 miles)
• Eldorado Canyon State Park (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Downtown Boulder Station (1 miles)
• Boulder Municipal Airport (3.5 miles)

Theaters

• Century Theatre (1.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Western NPHRLGY Mtblic Bone (2 miles)
• Boulder Community Hospital (2.5 miles)