Greenbriar Retirement

Pros

• Greenbrier has been the best place with amazing staff.
• The reviewer is grateful to Cora, Maria, and Lucy for caring for her mom.
• The reviewer believes there is no better place or staff and rates it 5 out of 5 stars.
• The food is good and most staff are nice.
• The care is absolutely the best possible and the home environment makes mom feel at home and happy.
• The reviewer would highly recommend the place when care matters more than appearance.

Cons

• Brookdale in Apopka was horrible, with staff who would not care for residents, including not cleaning them, changing diapers, and sometimes not providing enough food.
• The facility allegedly tried to hold residents to extract money, even when insurance was paying.
• Staff allegedly gave residents a hard time about moving to a different facility, leaving them with no plan for their well-being.
• The home's signage is hidden and Maps directs visitors to the wrong address.
• Items such as clothing or valuables reportedly disappear without a trace.
• Some reviewers described the staff as scam artists and accused them of fraud, including pressuring an elderly relative to surrender a stimulus check.
• The facility is criticized as not deserving even a one-star rating.

Review

A wide range of experiences is reflected in the comments about Greenbrier and the nearby Brookdale facility in Apopka, with family members and residents sharing heartfelt praise in some cases and strong criticisms in others. Taken together, the remarks paint a picture of two different realities: a place that some families regard as a warm, caring home, and another facility that left at least one reviewer feeling deeply dissatisfied and concerned about basic care and safety.

Several reviews center on Greenbrier as a haven for a loved one, especially when the emphasis is on genuine caregiving and personal connection. A number of posters speak emotionally about how much comfort and stability their relatives have found there. In particular, they highlight the dedication of staff who go above and beyond to ensure their loved ones are well cared for. One reviewer, Pennie, reports that Greenbrier has been "the BEST place" for her mom for two years and singles out staff members Cora, Maria, and Lucy for special thanks, describing them as amazing caregivers who made a significant difference in her and her family's life. The sentiment echoed by Pennie and others is that the Greenbrier experience can feel like a true home for residents, with a high degree of trust placed in the people who care for them and a sense that their needs are attended to with empathy.

But not every review mirrors that level of satisfaction. Before moving to Greenbrier, another family member recounts a starkly different scenario at Brookdale in Apopka, describing it as horrible and alleging neglectful care. The reviewer claims that staff at Brookdale often did not attend to residents' basic needs - such as personal hygiene, diaper changes, and even food supply - painting a picture of a facility where oversight and attentiveness may have been lacking. This perspective is juxtaposed with the praise of Greenbrier, underscoring how experiences can diverge sharply between similar senior living options in the same area.

Within the Greenbrier feedback, there is also a more mixed set of experiences. Some reviewers acknowledge high-quality food and many friendly staff members, suggesting a generally positive environment most days. Yet they add caveats: if staff members happen to be in a bad mood, they feel their interactions can become more challenging, and they describe moments where their own plans or needs were impeded. For instance, there is a recounting of a difficult experience when a resident attempted to move to a different facility; the reviewer felt pressured by the facility, who seemed more focused on financial considerations than on a smooth transition, even when insurance was covering the costs. The takeaway here is a nuanced view - Greenbrier can be an excellent match for some residents and families, but not without occasional friction or bureaucratic emotional weight.

Another layer in the Greenbrier conversation is the sense of long-term satisfaction and home-like comfort. Several comments emphasize that when the priority is genuine care, Greenbrier can feel like the right fit, with a sense of stability and happiness that endures over years. This sentiment is reinforced by the claim that residents feel at home and content, which matters greatly to families seeking a stable, respectful environment for their loved ones. However, practical concerns such as signage and navigation are occasionally noted, with reviewers mentioning that the home's signage is not easily visible and that maps sometimes direct visitors to an incorrect address. While not fatal, these logistical hiccups can add to the frustration of coordinating care.

There are also more troubling notes in the mix of feedback. A loud warning appears in one review about personal belongings, advising potential visitors not to bring new or used clothing, footwear, or valuables, because those items reportedly disappear without a trace. This kind of claim, if accurate, would understandably alarm families and suggests a perception of security issues around personal items. In another startling claim, a reviewer describes a situation in which an elderly relative was allegedly pressured to surrender a stimulus check, labeling the practice as fraud and alleging "scam artist" behavior. These statements are serious and raise questions about ethics and safety, and they stand in stark contrast to the many positive accounts of compassionate care. Readers are left with a sense that, in at least this account, there were significant concerns about integrity and how residents' finances and belongings were handled.

Despite these stark contrasts, there are clear voices of endorsement. Several reviewers defend Greenbrier as a place where care and compassion come first when the goal is to prioritize the well-being of residents over appearances or luxury. One sentiment that recurs is the belief that "care is more important than a fancy place," and for those who share that view, Greenbrier is described as the right choice because it delivers what matters most: attentive, thoughtful care that supports the resident's dignity and comfort. In the end, some reviewers would not hesitate to recommend Greenbrier, while others remain wary, urging potential residents and families to weigh the quality of care, staff interactions, safety concerns, and overall environment before making a decision.

Taken together, the collection of reviews presents Greenbrier as a facility with the potential to be a warm, supportive home for many residents, particularly when the staff members - the ones specifically named - are engaged, kind, and responsive. The Brookdale account adds a cautionary note, reminding readers that experiences can diverge dramatically between comparable options and that quality of care must be verified on an ongoing basis. The strongest throughline is that families value care, stability, and a personal connection with staff, while logistical issues, mood fluctuations among caregivers, and concerns about ethics and safety can significantly color the overall impression of a senior living community.

Located in Apopka, Florida, this area is a vibrant community with a variety of amenities and services tailored to seniors. With several places of worship nearby, including the Orlando Filipino Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Oak Level Baptist Church, residents can practice their faith with ease. The area also offers numerous dining options such as Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and An Tobar for convenient meals out. Additionally, there are several pharmacies in close proximity, such as CVS Pharmacy and Winn-Dixie, ensuring easy access to medications. For medical needs, there are reputable physicians like Hunt Club Pediatrics and Florida Eye Clinic nearby. Lastly, transportation options are readily available with the Altamonte Springs SunRail Station just 5.2 miles away. Overall, this part of Apopka offers a welcoming and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in a lively community.

Places of Worship

• Orlando Filipino Seventh-Day Adventist Church (0.1 miles)
• Oak Level Baptist Church (7 miles)
• Grace Pointe Church (7.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.1 miles)
• The Glass Knife (6.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (1.1 miles)
• Kiwi's Pub & Grill (1.8 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.1 miles)
• Twin Peaks (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• An Tobar (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Hunt Club Pediatrics (1.2 miles)
• Orlando Heart Specialists (2.8 miles)
• RDV Sportsplex Pediatrics (3 miles)
• Cabrera, Alicia Neurology of Central Florida (3 miles)
• Longwood Family Health (3.6 miles)
• Florida Eye Clinic (4.3 miles)
• Altamonte Family Practice (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Adventist Health System (2 miles)
• AdventHealth Apopka (3.4 miles)
• Florida Hospital Altamonte (4.4 miles)
• FH Engineering Services (7.1 miles)
• Florida Hospital (7.1 miles)
• Florida Hospital Womens Center (7.2 miles)
• Florida Hospital- South Campus (7.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Wekiva Riverwalk (2.1 miles)
• AMC Altamonte Mall 18 (3.8 miles)
• Regal Winter Park Village & RPX (6.2 miles)

Parks

• Cranes Roost Park (3.7 miles)
• Wekiwa Springs State Park (3.9 miles)
• Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (7 miles)
• Kelly Park (7.9 miles)

Transportation

• Altamonte Springs SunRail Station (5.2 miles)