MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Applewood

Pros

• The staff at Applewood Place is described as amazing, professional, and friendly, providing great support to residents and their families.
• The facility has a clean and homey atmosphere, making it a welcoming environment for residents.
• Many visitors appreciate the community's openness to family visits, which is seen as crucial for resident well-being.
• Residents and their families enjoy the various weekly activities planned by the staff, contributing to a lively community spirit.
• Several reviewers commend specific staff members for going above and beyond to address concerns and ensure resident satisfaction.
• The newly remodeled community receives positive feedback for its impressive appearance and fantastic food quality.
• A past resident indicated that they had a great experience transitioning from rehab to Applewood Place, highlighting the supportive nature of the staff during this process.

Cons

• The building is disgusting and the residents' rooms are not well kept.
• Laundry is constantly missing or mixed up with other residents.
• The food quality is poor given the amount charged, indicating management hires underqualified staff.
• Residents in memory care do not receive adequate attention, leading to falls and injuries without family reports.
• There is a lack of communication from management regarding residents’ well-being.
• Medication orders are input incorrectly, resulting in wrong medications being administered or none at all.
• Staff often yell at residents, and there’s no oversight from management on daily routines.
• The facility appears outdated and offers low-quality meals based on processed menus.
• There is insufficient staffing in the memory care unit, impacting the level of care provided.
• Instances of theft from residents' rooms have been reported, compromising their personal belongings.
• Some staff members are lazy and disengaged, prioritizing their phones over resident care.

Review

The experiences shared about Applewood Place reflect a wide spectrum of sentiments, revealing both commendable aspects and significant shortcomings in the care and services offered. The facility has garnered both praise and criticism, indicating a potential disparity in the quality of care and attention given to residents, especially in memory care units.

In various reviews, concerns were raised regarding the overall cleanliness and maintenance of the building. Certain visitors expressed dismay at the state of residents' rooms, citing dust accumulation, stained carpets, and unpleasant odors such as urine. Such observations paint a stark picture of a facility struggling with upkeep, which can understandably heighten families' worries about their loved ones? living conditions. In particular, issues like missing laundry items further complicate residents? experiences within their own spaces.

Compounding these problems is feedback related to staffing levels and professionalism. Many reviewers pointed out that memory care units often operate with insufficient staff?citing ratios as low as 2-3 caregivers for 20 residents. This lack of adequate supervision has raised alarms about resident safety; instances mentioned include falls going unreported or residents fighting without intervention. Moreover, some staff members have been described as neglectful or distracted, frequently seen looking at their phones instead of engaging with residents.

Conversely, there are numerous accounts that highlight positive interactions between staff members and residents. Several families noted that certain employees go above and beyond to create a welcoming environment. For example, names such as Jessica and Natasha surfaced multiple times in positive contexts where they addressed families' concerns effectively and ensured that basic needs were met for their loved ones. Others referred to engaging staff who fostered enjoyable activities for the seniors, contributing positively to their emotional well-being.

Food quality emerged as another divisive topic; many reviewers criticized it harshly for being subpar considering the costs associated with living at Applewood Place. Residents were said to be served over-processed meals based on outdated menus?an apparent oversight by management regarding nutritional standards critical for older adults requiring special diets. Comparatively few reviews spoke favorably about food options available to their loved ones.

Despite these criticisms, several reviewers expressed gratitude towards community events organized by Applewood Place aimed at enhancing family engagement with residents. Events like trick-or-treating brought joy not only to the children participating but also brightened up the days of many senior residents who appreciated the fresh faces surrounding them in costumes. Additionally, some individuals reflected on positive tours they had attended prior to placement decisions being made for loved ones?a testament to marketing efforts displaying an appealing community ambiance despite underlying operational challenges.

Overall, while Applewood Place has made strides toward fostering community spirit through its efforts in engagement activities and dedication from certain staff members?as highlighted by numerous families?the difficulties related to consistent care standards remain concerning. For families seeking assisted living facilities for their loved ones?particularly those needing memory care?the spectrum of experiences shared underscores an urgent need for improvements in staffing adequacy, resident oversight policies, cleanliness standards across living areas, communication practices involving medication management as well as food service accountability within this community setting moving forward.

This part of Lakewood, Colorado offers a variety of dining options, from casual fare at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers to craft beer at New Terrain Brewing Company. Nearby cafes like Starbucks and Dutch Bros Coffee provide convenient spots for a morning pick-me-up. For spiritual needs, there are places of worship such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Wat Buddhawararam. Nearby pharmacies like Walgreens and Solace Meds ensure easy access to medications. Quality healthcare facilities like SCL Health Heart & Vascular Institute and St. Anthony Hospital are within a short distance for medical needs. Parks like Crown Hill Open Space Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, and theaters like Alamo Drafthouse Denver provide entertainment options. Overall, this area provides a mix of amenities that cater to diverse interests and needs, making it a desirable location for senior living in Lakewood.

Restaurants

• Twin Peaks (1.6 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (1.6 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.2 miles)
• New Terrain Brewing Company (2.8 miles)
• Westrail Tap & Grill (3.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1.9 miles)
• Wat Buddhawararam (6.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.9 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (3.9 miles)
• Bean Fosters (4.1 miles)
• Higher Grounds Cafe (4.2 miles)
• The Bardo Coffee House (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Solace Meds (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Grifols (2.7 miles)
• Lutheran Outpatient Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Bestmed (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• Children's Eye Physicians (2 miles)
• SCL Health Heart & Vascular Institute - Wheat Ridge (2.8 miles)
• Cornerstone Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (2.8 miles)
• St. Anthony Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Rocky Mountain Primary Care (2.9 miles)
• Dr Bassow (3.4 miles)
• New West Physicians (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Crown Hill Open Space Park (2.1 miles)
• Southridge Park (3.1 miles)
• National Park Service (3.9 miles)
• Panorama Park (4.4 miles)
• Fairmount Park (4.6 miles)
• Citizens Park (4.6 miles)
• Lions Park (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Scl Health - Front Range (2.8 miles)
• Exempla Lutheran Medical Center (2.8 miles)
• St Anthonys Medical Plaza 2 (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Denver (5.4 miles)