Lark Springs

Pros

• The nursing staff at Lark Springs is attentive and keeps families informed about their loved ones.
• Improvements in cleanliness have been noted since hiring a new housekeeper, enhancing the community's overall condition.
• Residents enjoy a variety of appetizing meals with good portion sizes, making dining more pleasant.
• The facility offers plenty of activities for residents, contributing to a vibrant community life.
• Many families appreciate the kind and compassionate care provided by the hands-on caregivers at Lark Springs.
• The staff is well-trained and treats residents with respect, fostering a supportive environment for those with Alzheimer's and dementia.
• Families find that their loved ones are comfortable and secure within the facility's safe and well-maintained grounds.
• The community provides opportunities for residents to socialize and engage with one another in a welcoming atmosphere.
• Lark Springs offers effective support for vegetarian diets, accommodating individual nutritional needs while ensuring overall health satisfaction.
• Families feel relieved knowing their loved ones are happy, safe, and engaging in meaningful activities at Lark Springs.

Cons

• The front office staff and head of nursing are uncaring and rude, showing a lack of empathy for residents and their families.
• There have been multiple instances where the loved one’s room was filthy despite claims of daily housekeeping.
• The facility has a high turnover rate of employees, leading to inconsistency in care.
• Some visitors observed that the food provided appears to be subpar and not very appealing.
• There seems to be a lack of activities available for residents at times, leading to concerns about engagement.
• The communication from the facility has been misleading, with reports that do not align with the actual conditions observed by family members.
• Overall cleanliness has been inconsistent, with some rooms having dirt and trash present during visits.
• Residents are sometimes placed in cramped double occupancy rooms rather than being given single accommodations, which is not conducive to comfort.

Review

Lark Springs is a memory care facility that has garnered a wide array of reviews from families and visitors, particularly during the challenging backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Common themes emerge among the testimonials, indicating both strengths and areas for improvement within the community. Many families express gratitude for the attentive nursing staff who frequently keep them informed, especially considering the ongoing staff shortages exacerbated by the global health crisis. There are acknowledgments of the difficult hiring climate affecting all industries but particularly care facilities, which seem to struggle more than most.

One recurring point made by reviewers is regarding cleanliness and housekeeping services. Several observations note fluctuations in room cleanliness, with some families reporting episodes where their loved ones' rooms were not adequately cleaned during visits. However, more recent reviews suggest an upswing in this aspect since new housekeeping staff members were hired. Residents’ living spaces have reportedly improved considerably in terms of hygiene and maintenance, emphasizing that service quality can be variable based on staffing changes. This factor seems crucial to families when determining whether they feel comfortable leaving their loved ones in such environments.

The quality of food served at Lark Springs also received mixed feedback. Some relatives described meals as subpar but still edible while others reported improvements over time, noting appealing presentation and variety after specific changes within kitchen staff or menu planning occurred. For many families, mealtime is an essential part of daily life; therefore, satisfaction with dining options significantly influences overall impressions of the facility.

Another critical area highlighted in these reviews is activities available for residents. More recent accounts indicate a full-time activity director on staff who provides a diverse range of programming to engage residents actively — an improvement from initial sentiments where activities seemed lacking altogether. This attention to social engagement helps foster a sense of community among residents while also addressing varying levels of cognitive impairment through tailored programming.

Interactions with staff appear equally mixed; many reviewers praise individual caregivers for their kindness and attentiveness towards residents, showcasing their commitment to providing compassionate care despite external pressures they face in this demanding environment. Conversely, there are sentiments expressing dissatisfaction toward front desk personnel and some management figures who were perceived as rude or uncaring. The disparity between experiences on different ends of staffing presents a complex narrative — while hands-on caregivers often receive accolades for their efforts, administrative aspects may require further attention for consistent positive experiences across all interactions.

Lastly, affordability remains a significant topic amongst reviewers navigating options for memory care placements at Lark Springs. While some families recognize value in services rendered compared to other facilities in the area — especially those offering single occupancy private rooms at reasonable rates — there are persistent indications that costs can quickly escalate beyond budgetary comfort given certain amenities or additional services provided are charged separately. This financial aspect undoubtedly weighs heavily on decision-making processes when considering long-term care solutions.

In conclusion, Lark Springs embodies both potential and challenges typical within elder care communities today—their nursing staff shows exceptional dedication amid fluctuating circumstances while infrastructural elements involving housekeeping and food service navigate inconsistencies likely influenced by external factors like staffing shortages related to current societal conditions. Families have come forth with authentic reflections that underscore both commendable features present at Lark Springs alongside necessary improvements needed to meet higher standards consistently—reminders that even amidst positive experiences exist opportunities for growth toward providing every resident optimal lifecycle support within memory care settings.

This part of Colorado Springs, Colorado offers a mix of medical facilities, parks, pharmacies, cafes, restaurants, and a theater for entertainment. With several physicians' offices nearby, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, pain management, and allergy clinics, residents have convenient access to healthcare services. The area also features several parks for outdoor recreation such as Palmer Park and Eastridge Dog Park. There are multiple pharmacies in the vicinity for medication needs as well as a variety of dining options ranging from fast food to Mexican cuisine. Additionally, there is a modern theater for enjoying movies. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded mix of amenities that cater to the diverse needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment in Colorado Springs.

Physicians

• Affiliates In Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery PC (0.3 miles)
• Colorado Institute For Pain Management (0.4 miles)
• Expresscare Plus (0.7 miles)
• Colorado Springs Allergy and Asthma Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Erik Van Os (1.8 miles)
• Associates in Gastroenterology (1.8 miles)
• Colorado Springs Family Practice (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Palmer Park (0.4 miles)
• Eastridge Dog Park (0.8 miles)
• Remington Park (3.3 miles)
• Pring Ranch Park (3.3 miles)
• Memorial Park (3.4 miles)
• Cottonwood Creek Park (3.8 miles)
• John "Prairie Dog" O'Byrne Park (3.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• A Village Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Native Roots Dispensary (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.5 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Good Neighbors Meeting House (3.3 miles)
• Wayfinder Coffee Co. (3.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Surgical Center At Premier (1.9 miles)
• Audubon Ambulatory Surgery Center (1.9 miles)
• DaVita Pikes Peak Dialysis Center (2 miles)
• Memorial Hospital (3 miles)
• Memorial Health System Cancer (3.1 miles)
• Memorial Health Scheduling Service (3.3 miles)
• Memorial Hospital (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• FH Beerworks (2 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.2 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.4 miles)
• Erickberto’s Mexican Food (2.5 miles)
• Hurts Donuts (2.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Carefree Circle And Imax (2.3 miles)