Chris Boarding Home

Pros

• The facility is clean, welcoming, and dignifying for the residents.
• The staff are professional and consistently go out of their way to make residents comfortable and included.
• Mr. Fernando Lema is described as wonderful and highly qualified in social services.
• Alessia Weekes is positively regarded as the administrator.
• Lizandara Augustin is praised as the Director of Nursing.
• Nerlande Exantus is noted as kind-hearted and extremely hardworking.
• The therapy department is praised for its effective rehabilitation and support with movement and walking.

Cons

• The reviewers describe the facility as horrible and extremely dirty, with a sticky floor and a urine smell from the entrance.
• They state the staff are neglectful, dismissive, and sometimes cruel, with patient needs ignored and pain brushed off.
• Communication with families is described as nonexistent unless they push for it.
• They claim that the level of neglect contributed to residents' decline and death.
• There are allegations of abuse and even death caused by poor care, including claims that staff beat a patient and failed to call for help.
• They describe poor medical and nursing care, with little to no progress for patients.
• Medications and pain management are reportedly mishandled or withheld (e.g., missing pain meds, not delivering prescribed medications).
• Documentation is alleged to be manipulated, with a lack of accountability among staff.
• The facility is urged to be avoided or shut down, with warnings to not send loved ones there.

Review

Across the collected experiences, this facility emerges as a place where care can feel both deeply human and deeply troubling, depending on who you are and when you visit. Several residents and families describe a setting that is clean, welcoming, and filled with staff who go out of their way to preserve dignity, comfort, and a sense of belonging. They paint a picture of a team that treats residents with respect, a calm atmosphere, and an environment that feels safe and well-maintained. In these accounts, the staff's professionalism, the administrative leadership, and the patient-centered approach stand out as bright spots. Names like Mr. Fernando Lema, the Social Service Director, Mrs. Alessia Weekes, the administrator, and Mrs. Lizandara Augustin, the Director of Nursing, are repeatedly highlighted for their competence and commitment. There are even mentions of dedicated CNAs and therapists - Nerlande Exantus, Pierre, Sarah, Cadestin, and the entire therapy team - being described as compassionate, tirelessly attentive, and instrumental in helping residents and family members feel seen and supported. For some families, this is a place where progress and comfort can coexist with routine care that feels personal and heartfelt.

Yet the other side of the story is starkly different and cannot be ignored. A substantial number of reviews recount experiences of neglect, dismissiveness, and poor communication that families say directly harmed their loved ones. In these accounts, needs were ignored, pain was minimized, and families felt left in the dark unless they pressed for answers. One reviewer describes a stepmom who received the opposite of what she needed - neglectful care, lack of empathy, and a failure to engage with the family. The same reviewer links this neglect to a decline in health and an eventual death, expressing a conviction that proper care could have altered the outcome. Another reviewer emphasizes ongoing neglect and cruelty, with language as blunt as "utterly ridiculous" and "no one deserves to be treated that way." These stories convey a sense of a system where communication gaps, insufficient symptom management, and a sense that residents' comfort is secondary to other concerns create real, painful consequences for families.

The horror stories share a troubling thread: serious harm or even fatal outcomes experienced by loved ones. There are vivid, heartbreaking testimonials about post-admission conditions deteriorating rapidly, with claims that residents were not bathed, left in unsanitary conditions, and subjected to medical neglect that culminated in infections, organ failure, or death. One family describes their son becoming disabled, with chronic pain and a perception that the facility did not provide adequate medical or nursing care, despite some positive comments about therapy. Other accounts verge into accusations of abuse: an instance where a family member says their father was killed there, with allegations that he appeared malnourished, underweight to the point of visible bones, and subjected to harsh treatment, with a troubling claim that the staff did not respond promptly to emergencies or communicate what had happened. There are also claims of patients suffering from scabies, hives, and fluctuating blood sugars, and of families having to witness distressing conditions and a lack of timely intervention.

The negative experiences extend beyond individual incidents to broader criticisms of how the facility operates. Several reviewers question the quality and consistency of care, pointing to language barriers, slow responses to basic requests like a cup of ice, and a sense that staff may not fully understand or listen to patient or family needs. There are charges that plans of care are not followed, that medical documentation is altered to cover the facility's tracks, and that accountability is lacking when problems are raised. Some reviewers explicitly call for investigation by regulatory bodies, referencing ACHA (the local health oversight authority) as needing to look into the facility's practices. Financial concerns also surface in one account, noting exorbitant costs for certain rooms and a perception that practical needs were treated as negotiable rather than essential.

The most forceful and emotionally charged reviews tend to focus on the fear, anger, and grief experienced by families who say their loved ones were harmed, neglected, or never given a fair chance at recovery. Phrases such as "torture chamber" and "horrible place" appear alongside more specific accusations - such as severe neglect leading to infection or organ failure, or a failure to call emergency services in a critical moment. A recurring sentiment is that, while a handful of staff members may be compassionate and dedicated, the overall environment feels unsafe or unreliable, with significant consequences for those who are most vulnerable. In several narratives, families express deep disappointment and warning: if you love someone, you should consider other options; this place, they insist, should be avoided or even shut down.

Taken together, the reviews present a complicated and emotionally charged portrait. On one hand, there are credible, heartfelt stories of care that feel professional, respectful, and genuinely life-affirming. On the other hand, there are accounts that describe a culture of neglect, mismanagement, and patient harm that families say cannot be excused or overlooked. The tension between these viewpoints highlights the importance of transparent oversight, consistent standards of care, and open communication between staff, residents, and families. It also underscores the need for ongoing training, adequate staffing, and robust systems to monitor and respond to concerns in real time. For families navigating decisions about long-term care, these experiences - both the praise and the warnings - offer a stark reminder to closely evaluate the facility, ask direct questions about care plans and outcomes, and seek corroboration from independent regulators or outside reviews before making a decision about where to place a loved one.

This part of Miami, Florida offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities suitable for senior living. With a variety of restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Houston's within close proximity, seniors can enjoy delicious dining options. Additionally, there are several pharmacies nearby including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for easy access to medical supplies. For relaxation and outdoor activities, there are several parks such as Founders Park and Haulover Beach Park available for leisurely walks or picnics. The area also provides easy access to healthcare facilities like Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center, ensuring quality medical care when needed. Transportation options including the North Perry Airport of Broward County and public transportation hubs like the Tri-Rail Metrorail Transfer are easily accessible. Overall, this part of Miami offers a well-rounded and convenient environment for seniors considering senior living.

Restaurants

• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.8 miles)
• Houston's (1.9 miles)
• Mo's Bagels & Deli (2.7 miles)
• Serafina Miami (3.3 miles)
• Jackson Soul Food II (4.5 miles)
• Subway (6.5 miles)
• Mandolin Aegean Bistro (7.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Founders Park (3.1 miles)
• Haulover Beach Park (3.2 miles)
• Scott Park (3.7 miles)
• North Shore Open Space Park (4.9 miles)
• South City Beach Park (5.6 miles)
• Poinciana Park (5.8 miles)
• Harry Berry Park (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Aventura 24 (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Rosetta Bakery (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (8.8 miles)
• Starbucks (8.9 miles)
• Nauti Grind Cafe (9 miles)
• Starbucks (9.1 miles)
• Starbucks (9.1 miles)

Transportation

• North Perry Airport of Broward County (7 miles)
• Tri-Rail Metrorail Transfer (7.4 miles)
• Earlington Heights Metrorail Station (8.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital (7 miles)
• Mount Sinai Medical Center (7.5 miles)
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke (8.9 miles)
• Jackson Memorial Hospital (9.1 miles)
• Veterans Administration Hospital Miami (9.2 miles)

Physicians

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Center, P.A. (7.9 miles)
• Stark Vision Hollywood Oakwood Plaza (8.3 miles)