Meridian At Westwood

Pros

• The facility is well-kept, clean, and offers a beautiful atrium with numerous activities scheduled throughout the month.
• Residents and staff are friendly, creating a nice community environment that makes new residents feel welcome.
• The meals served at Meridian at Westwood are excellent and have been improving with a new chef.
• The administration office is helpful and responsive when contacted by families.
• Many residents appreciate the extensive library, including large print books, as well as various fun activities offered daily.
• The location is convenient for accessing medical providers and appointments, with transportation support available for residents.
• The staff shows kindness and attentiveness towards residents, contributing to a positive living experience.
• Overall satisfaction with the value for money spent at Meridian at Westwood has been expressed by several families.

Cons

• The staff at Meridian at Westwood is often described as unprofessional and rude, leading to a negative experience for some residents.
• There have been reports of frequent staff turnover, resulting in inadequate care and support for residents.
• Issues with food quality and preparation were mentioned, with some residents finding it unsatisfactory and unhealthy.
• Concerns about cleanliness exist, particularly due to ongoing construction and maintenance issues like mold and mildew.
• Some residents felt that the facility prioritizes profit over resident care, indicating dissatisfaction with management's priorities.
• The facility's overall upkeep was criticized, with complaints about leaking roofs and slippery hallways during rainy conditions.
• A resident mentioned that the nursing staff was marginal and often failed to complete necessary paperwork or requests for care.

Review

The Meridian at Westwood has garnered a mix of reviews, showcasing both positive experiences and notable concerns from residents and their families. Overall, many individuals praise the facility for its friendly staff, excellent meals, and vibrant community atmosphere, making it an appealing choice for assisted living. The well-kept environment is often highlighted, with several reviewers mentioning the clean apartments and beautifully maintained common areas such as the atrium, library, and outdoor sitting spaces. Many residents appreciate the extensive list of activities scheduled throughout the month, which contribute to a lively community spirit where new friendships can flourish.

Families frequently commend the administration office's supportiveness and approachability when communication lines are maintained. This accessibility contributes to an environment where residents feel more integrated into community life. The activities director’s kindness towards residents also receives specific accolades, reflecting a nurturing environment that fosters personal connections between staff and residents. For many families considering options for their loved ones in assisted living facilities, affordability relative to other local choices is viewed favorably.

Despite these positives, some detractors have raised concerning issues regarding recent staffing changes at the Meridian. Families who had high hopes for transitioning their loved ones into a stable long-term care solution expressed disappointment due to significant staff turnover shortly after their relatives moved in. This turnover led to reports of routine understaffing—described as being short by three or four staff members daily—which they believe directly impacted the quality of care received by residents. In particular instances noted by family members who had previously enjoyed satisfactory experiences at Meridian before changes occurred expressed apprehension about the facility’s current leadership team’s ability to manage effectively.

Some reviews signal dissatisfaction with specific standards within the residence itself. A common concern involves cleanliness; while some praised ongoing renovations aimed at modernizing and improving various aspects of facility operations, others described experiencing issues like mold or mildew in rooms along with maintenance problems affecting elevators and communal areas during times of rain. Complaints about food quality surfaced repeatedly; reviewers expressed frustration over poor culinary offerings compared to expectations set during initial tours that portrayed enticing dining options.

On a brighter note, several individuals noted enhanced services since new management has taken charge in recent months; these improvements included better meal options attributed to a newly appointed chef as well as overall cleanliness maintaining higher standards than before renovation efforts began. A few families reported feeling reassured about their loved one’s care through available medical services with nearby providers emphasized in reviews highlighting convenient access—a feature that many found particularly beneficial given proximity to Fort Walton Beach Hospital.

While opinions on Meridian at Westwood vary significantly among individuals based on personal experiences shared throughout these reviews—a testament perhaps indicative of modern challenges faced within eldercare environments—it ultimately remains clear that concerns exist alongside appreciation for what this facility offers its residents: companionship fostered by engaging activities within an inviting atmosphere coupled with potential medical support close at hand all while remaining mindful of budgetary considerations relative to alternatives available locally. Many would recommend Meridian primarily due to supportive relationships formed between staff members’ warmth toward each resident despite facing operational hurdles related mainly to staffing stability which appears crucial moving forward in enhancing any prospective resident's experience positively over time.

This part of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is a bustling area with a variety of healthcare options nearby, including physicians specializing in pain management and general surgery, as well as a medical center and hospital for any emergency needs. There are also several pharmacies within a short driving distance for convenient access to medications. The area offers a range of dining options, from fast food chains like McDonald's and Burger King to seafood shacks like Stewby's Seafood Shanty. Additionally, there are parks nearby for outdoor recreation and cafes like Starbucks for socializing or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. For transportation needs, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is just a short drive away, providing easy access for travel.

Physicians

• Interventional Pain Center (0.1 miles)
• White Wilson General Surgery (0.1 miles)
• White-Wilson Medical Center (0.1 miles)
• Robert P Feldman, MD - Florida Institute of Neuroscience (0.2 miles)
• DYNAMIC Pain & Wellness (0.2 miles)
• Northwest Florida Gastroenterology (0.3 miles)
• Johns Dale K MD Johns Dale K MD PA (0.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Fort Walton Beach Medical Center OB OR (0.2 miles)
• Kidney center (0.3 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Culver's (0.5 miles)
• Burger King (0.5 miles)
• Stewby's Seafood Shanty (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.6 miles)
• Domo Cafe (0.8 miles)
• Corner Cafe (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.9 miles)
• Genoa-Qol Healthcare Co. (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Sunset Park (1.4 miles)
• Vesta Heights Park (2.3 miles)
• Ferry Park (2.8 miles)
• Liza Jackson Park (3.4 miles)
• Fort Walton Beach Landing (4 miles)
• John Beasley Park (5.1 miles)
• Mattie Kelly Park (8.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)

Transportation

• Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) (5.6 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (5.6 miles)